  1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 209 Registered: 08-2008 |
Stone, I was planning to bring up Brian McDonald some time soon, so I'll do it now. He's one of the reasons I'd mentioned the Fruehauf Mansion in an earlier post. Brian was a Matthews freak. He loved old boats, but I think Matthews were his favorites. I'm quite sure he's living on a Matthews right now. Did you know Brian had a very successful bar, club, restaurant for many years - The Soup Kitchen Saloon? He used to keep his boat at the Fruehauf. But, I think he always had his eyes on the Gar Wood slip and boathouse. Brian had an auction when he closed the Soup Kitchen for the planned Casino district. I spent parts of a couple of days with him at the Soup. We took time to walk, talk and reminisce while the auctioneers were doing their job. It was sad because the Soup was a premier national venue for blues, jazz and independent performers. After all was said and done, Brian did okay selling the place to the city. He decided to take the money and run. I won't even get started on the acts I saw at the Soup. I'll save it for another year. I saw David and Roslyn at a Detroit Festival again a few years ago. Rumor has it they're living in New Orleans. | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 333 Registered: 01-2005 |
Old_guy, It was 1971 and I was 16. Mind you a hip kid, nobody figured I was that young. I was definitely a juvenile delinquent. The eastside had lots of ways to get into trouble and I had a knack for finding it. Stnfrnt, Billy Landless was one of the finest men I ever met. He was a great friend to me. I think of him often. 1kielsondrive, I've got a story for you. I remember one Saturday afternoon in June tripping on LSD sitting in the ballroom with a few folks, it was the day that Gar Wood himself had passed away. We were all talking about dark stuff, it was also around the time that Peter Green had dropped off the face of the earth and everyone was saying he was dead. Anyway it was kinda creepy when all of a sudden the two french doors directly across from each other on either side of the ballroom simultaneously burst open. What a fucking trip. We all freaked out and thought for sure that the ghost of Gar Wood was in the house. I about peed my pants. Very wild. Check out http://www.davidandroselyn.com | ||
Kensingtony Member Username: Kensingtony Post Number: 16 Registered: 09-2008 |
Det313grrl:Are you Finney '72 or '73? | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 43 Registered: 04-2008 |
Stnfrnt, as far as Gus goes, I'm not sure. We worked together in the music biz. for years after Garwood. He was the best man at my wedding. He got married and had two kids. He had a beautiful place with about 160 acres and raised horses. We hung out together all the time and I had a place about 10 minutes away from his. About 8 years ago, I hadn't talked to him for a couple weeks. I called him, his wife answered and got really pissed at me. She figured I knew where he was. He just picked up and left. I've never seen or heard from him since. I've been trying to locate him. I think he might be in the Carolina's. I'm pretty sure it had something to do with another woman from what I got from his wife. One of the last few times I talked to him, he told me that Oklahoma Mike had just died. He was raising thoroughbreds in Oklahoma. Think he might have OD'd. Not sure about Dave Karas. Know that saying, 1 picture is worth a thousand words? Sure wish John Collier would get back in the mix too. | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 44 Registered: 04-2008 |
I just thought of another one. I remember when Hoover and other people used to stand out in the front lawn next to the riverbank. They'd just stand there with a pair of water ski's and put their thumbs out like they were hitch hiking. Big pleasure boats would come cruising along the river, see the mansion and them and actually pull up and take them out. Pretty resourceful group of people. | ||
Django Member Username: Django Post Number: 2001 Registered: 10-2003 |
Id love to see the pics of 313Grrl at 16 yrs old at the Garwood, on paper,sugar cube,windowpane, or whatever you hippies were gobbling back then, so please put a rush on them pics. Shes an old friend, I mean no Ill, just found out today my grrl had a screen name. I love it when this kind of shit comes together. I just want to see a pic of Grrl back in the day. Hottie then Id bet and a hottie now I know | ||
Stnfrnt Member Username: Stnfrnt Post Number: 6 Registered: 09-2008 |
1 KDr,I do remember the Soup Kitchen but went to Ypsi after Garwood shut down.Ended up in Ann Arbor for a few years where Stonefront went acoustic and we did okay.Me,Gary Markley,Dave Picard and my brother,Gary,played several gigs and did a ton of recording in Gary's basement.Specific dates `are out of the question but I do rember Leon Russel coming down with his band--the chick siger I remember was Mary Clayton of "it's just a shot away"fame when she backed up the Stones.Leon was doing the Joe Cocker"Mad dogs and Englishmen" tour then.Jammed with Johnny Winters and Rick Derringer many nights when they were in town.Others that came around were Jeff Beck,Van Morrison,Edgar Winters,Ted Nugent(world class prick!),Mitch Ryder,Bob Seger,the Hodge bros.and more that I can't think of right now. Man am I ever sorry to hear about Oklahoma Mike.He was a dear frien and a real stand up guy.Don't get much better than him.DAMN!! | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 46 Registered: 04-2008 |
I remember waking up in the middle of the night once and hearing loud music. I headed out to the ballroom and I think it was members of Stonefront jamming with Iron Butterfly. Stnfrnt, Say hi to your brother Gary for me if you talk to him. I remember the day when his gal from Vietnam was flying in. I went to the airport with him. When she got off the plane, she looked at me and started crying and wanted to get back on the plane. It took some talking but he calmed her down and convinced her to come to the house. I guess I was pretty rustic. | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 216 Registered: 08-2008 |
Det313grrl, I'd love to get this article and photos from Earth Magazine to you if I could figure out the correct settings on my scanner. I've never had a problem uploading, previously. Suggestions? You mentioned Gar Woods death. It must have been a friday or a saturday evening because I heard about it as I was going to Gallup Lake in A2 for a Free Concert on a sunday morning. I was with my friends(one of whom I remember clearly, Josephine, who hung with me at the house many times) and we were in a store stocking up. I looked at the newstand and the Snooze headline said, 'Gar Wood Dies' or something close. I bought it and sat in the car, in the parking lot at Huron High School and read it through, very sadly I might add. I still have that paper, though I have to do dig it out. I believe it was June/July 1969 or 70. HELP! Grrl, thanks for the website about David and Roslyn. When I last saw them here in Detroit (about 5 or 6 years ago), I thought of approaching them to discuss the old times and the house, but I passed by. I'm sorry now. I was one of those people hitching rides on yachts from the sidewalk along the river. I was successful a couple of times. The boaters had a huge curiosity about the house (who in the F*#+ didn't?) but in most cases didn't have a clue what was happening there. Did any of you all jump and swim in the river from those sidewalks? I did more than once.Thanks everyone. Gotta' go now. | ||
Bobl Member Username: Bobl Post Number: 84 Registered: 07-2008 |
My only recollection of the Gar Wood mansion was some kind of party/concert, with hundreds of hibachi grills lined up on the lawn. Bag of charcoal next to each grill. Someone distributed good sized steaks. Too much Bali Hai, Ripple, and psychedelia. I had never been to an event where LSD was mixed with alcohol like that. Don't remember leaving, or the next day. Just that the anarchy was a bit frightening and the High Energy rock n roll was loud and proud... Peace | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 217 Registered: 08-2008 |
Og, you mentioned Dave Karas. I hadn't seen Dave for about six or eight years after the Gar Wood. One night I was sitting at the bar of the Soup Kitchen Saloon drinking, smoking and being a barfly. This guy sat down by me and we both, after bar bullshitting for a while, recognized each other. It was Karas. He and I bumped into each other at the Soup a number of times after that. I then lost track of him again for a few more years. One day my brother, who was at the Gar Wood, at least a few times, said to me, 'hey, do you know Dave Karas?' I said yeah, how do you know Karas and why do you ask? My brother says,"I was sitting at the bar at the Soup Kitchen Saloon and this guy sits down next to me and we started BS'ing. It turns out he used to hang at the Gar Wood and he know's you". It was so funny because my brother bumped into Karas in the same place I had. Brian McDonald joined them in BS'ing and they shared stories about the house. Karas was a fixture at the Soup. I had an address for him for years on St Aubin in Detroit or Hamtramck and I saw him a few times in Hamtown bars. Can't seem to find the address and it's unlikely he still lives there. I may try an internet search. | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 338 Registered: 01-2005 |
Kensingtony,If you hadn't gathered I never graduated, but it would have been the class of '72. I hung out with all my classmates older brothers and sisters, class of '70. I never was much for anything organized. hey Django, thanks for the kudos. By the way, Old_guy it was Gus who "introduced" me to the Garwood. 1kielsondrive, I appreciate you trying to get the pics online, I have no answers about the scanner. Are you still local? Maybe we need to meet face to face over a cocktail. I personally live on the campus of Wayne State University. Some people wanna call it Midtown, it's still the Cass Corridor to me. | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 223 Registered: 08-2008 |
It's still the Corridor to me also, grrl. We might have to meet up. Think about the logistics, security and confidentiality and give me some feedback. | ||
Kensingtony Member Username: Kensingtony Post Number: 17 Registered: 09-2008 |
Det313grrl:I was also class of '72 but obviously a completely different social group,such as it was,for me.I was one of those invisible students whom few people remember.Never cut class,drank,or did drugs.Only ever went to the one field party when the football team won the city champoinship.I saw several of my classmates there in a rather less than sober condition.That's when I confirmed that I had more pride in myself than to want to appear in public like that. | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 339 Registered: 01-2005 |
1kielsondrive, sounds like a plan to me. You can email me at det313grrl at comcast dot net. It will be interesting. I love a good adventure. Kensingtony, we all have our own separate missions in life. | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 47 Registered: 04-2008 |
Det313grrl, It was Gus that introduced me to the Garwood too. I had been living in the mountains in northern New Mexico, found a cabin to rent with a few friends, and took a trip back to Illinois to get money for provisions to make it through the winter. I hadn't seen Gus for a while and when the New Mexico thing started to un-ravel a bit, I ran into him. He told me he was living at a house in Detroit and thought I should come back there with him and check it out. He didn't elaborate much about the house but just told me there were some pretty good parties there. So the next day we headed for Detroit. To this day, I can still remember driving down the driveway to the house that night. It was mid October and there was a thick fog. When we pulled up to the house, in the dark, shrouded in that fog I couldn't believe my eyes. There was a huge party the next night and again, I was blown away. I don't think I even walked outside for a couple weeks. He got a good laugh out of it because he hadn't told me how big the house was. What a trip. | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 341 Registered: 01-2005 |
Old_guy, this thread has been a wonderful flashback for me, my time at the mansion, albeit a short one, is still one of my most favorite experiences in life. I feel quite privileged to have been around at that time on the planet, even though I was quite young, what a grand time it was. Where are you these days, Detroit area? | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 48 Registered: 04-2008 |
What the hell, a young OG.  | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 49 Registered: 04-2008 |
This is another of Ruth's photos. Fergie, Ruth & O. Mike  | ||
Stnfrnt Member Username: Stnfrnt Post Number: 7 Registered: 09-2008 |
OG, Fantastic photos!!I'm going to treasure the one with OK.Mike. We called Ruth Hoffman "FA"Ruth because she had a real fine ass:probably still does.She and I had a thing for a while but I screwed that up real good.I guess I never was real good at realizing how good things really were for me.She is a great lady.Nancy split when we were in Ann Arbor--another fine performance of mine.Hope she finds this forum.I remember the night you arrived at the Garwood.Gus asked me if it was okay if you hung around for a while.Well if Gus and you were partners then that was way O.K.with me.I had Stonefront going but we couldn't have done anything without guys like you and Gus,Dave Karas,Carl Sonnenberg,my brother,Adam the electrician and other guys that I can't remember right now.Roadies made it happen and I appreciate everything but nobody's getting any back pay. I'm still trying to figure who is who on this forum.I will be getting in touc with Robin Welch soon I hope.Don't know where Robin came from--he just showed up one day.I was buzzing away in my room one day and I heard this incredible music coming from somewhere in the house.Never heard that kind of stuff arond there and I was really knocked out by it.It was so different--etherial and melodic as hell.I searched the place and found Robin downstairs in the empty swimming pool down in the deep end playing solo,fantastic free form stuff that had me mesmerized!!The acoustics down there were of another world.My kingdom for a tape recorder.Had to have that in the band.I wish I had more of him on tape. Det13grl I can't place you but that's not unusual.Get some pics up here if you can. More later--typing is a contact sport for me. | ||
Django Member Username: Django Post Number: 2012 Registered: 10-2003 |
Im too young to really be in this discussion but I was wondering if anyone knew Stanley, AKA The Mad Hatter? Hes been a friend for years and frequented the D scene back then, and today still. Hes known for wearing a top hat, mumbles a lot to the point where you just nod your head and smile as if you know what hes talking about. I really do love the guy though. Anyone,,anyone?? Mad Hatter? | ||
Stnfrnt Member Username: Stnfrnt Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2008 |
Django, there was a guy living at the house who wore a tophat at times but his name was Mike, I think. He's the guy who got all the big time rockers to come down to the house after igs at the Grande or Eastown. I know he brought Leon Russel home with him once and it was his room we used to "get riteous" before they rocked out the ballroom. Back in the 40's there was a famous big band/jazz guitar player named Django Reinhart who only had two fingers on his lefthand. Got the others burned off in a fire when he was a kid but that didn't stop him. I had one of his albums---pretty damn good stuff. OG, Gary Markley might still be hanging out in Ann Arbor or West Bloomfield Hills. We were in Nam together and you wouldn't believe some of the shit we pulled over there! When I came out of the field or back from a mission I'd hook up with him and it would be ON!!! We had guns---we didn't give a shit. Couldn't get him to go to the opium dens with me, though. I always had to steal a deuce and a half from the motor pool and I think that bothered him. We actually had a funky little band called Leadville Feed, Seed and Bag CO. and when we could we had "word of mouth concerts" that were very similar to Garwood parties in some ways. No wonder we lost that fu%^&ng war. Gary was living in San Francisco when he saw the Earth magazine article and a week later he came busting in the bedroom door and the rest is history. He's the reason for the Stonefront name having a real meaning to it---goes back to our Nam days. | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 342 Registered: 01-2005 |
Old_guy, thanks for sharing your pics, what year was that? The one with Oklahoma Mike solidified who I remember him as. I was there when he removed the wall sconces from the foyer before the bike run. I'm pretty sure that was him. Stnfrnt, The guy you were speaking of "Mike" is still in the "D", but he now goes by another handle, he's a promoter. I remember that night at the mansion he brought Leon back and I recall him being a pretty pompous ass. I'll have to ask "MIKE" next time I see him, which show it was. I wish had a pic of me when I was there, somebody's bound to post here eventually, the pics from Earth Magazine, I'm hoping. Django, Of course, Stanley the Mad Hatter is seen at all the "happenings". I'm pretty certain I saw him at the Dally this year, or some event or the other this summer. Always good to see him, quite the character. 1kielsondrive, to keep your own space, set up a separate free mailbox to email me from. Secure and confidential. | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 50 Registered: 04-2008 |
Det313grrl, that probably was Mike taking the wall sconces just before the biker party. He and Gus and I were living in Ypsi at the time and I know that Gus got the chandelier from the entry way. I'm guessing they went on a pre party mission together to grab a few artifacts. No, I haven't lived in Detroit since the Garwood. Those were without a doubt some of the best times of my life. It's been tough over the years telling people about living at the Garwood. They usually just look at you and kind of roll their eyes. That's one of the reasons this forum has been so great. After all these years I almost find it hard to believe that it all took place. It's nice to have some validation. 1KD, you've asked me if I remember partying at several different houses while we were at the Garwood. I've been trying to remember anything about that but it isn't easy. There's one thing that keeps popping into my mind though. For some reason I can remember sitting in a house, partying, somewhere in the city. All I can remember about it was that it had these beautiful red, floor length velvet drapes on the windows and there was a lot of the old style wood paneling on the walls. Does that ring any bells? | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 52 Registered: 04-2008 |
This is the last of the pictures (that haven't already been posted) that Ruth sent me a few years back. It's pretty beat up and I can't tell who's in the picture. The date on the photo's is Dec. 70. But one of them is an exterior shot and everything is green ,so I'm guessing that's when they were processed.  | ||
Stnfrnt Member Username: Stnfrnt Post Number: 9 Registered: 09-2008 |
Det13grl----Your'e right, Mike was a pompous ass but he sure could get those rock stars to come down to the house. I know there were several acts that partied there but right now I can't remember very much. Give me time and keep posting. Maybe something will trigger. If you haven't already done so, type in Stonefront music @ yahoo.com and see if you don't recognize a certain someone in the second photo---four guys and a statue. The ballroom shot (L-R) is Joe Ford (bass), Chuck Mahoin (guitar), Eddie Saenz (drums), me (guitar) and Harry Boulier is the insert photo. Harry is one of the absolute best guitar players I've ever heard in my life. I listen today to the stuff we recorded 40 yrs. ago and I'm even blown away now. HE'S BARELY 18 YRS. OLD in the photo and he was so far ahead of everyone else that nobody realized it at the time. People came to our gigs just to hear him play. One of his first live gigs with us was at the infamous Melody Theater/porn flick place one night when we opened for Cactus. We did real good and afterwards I asked him if he'd ever played in front of that many people before. Said he'd never SEEN that many people in one place before!! What' this about Vic losing a daughter? I want him out here with me sailing over to Catalina island with a few bottles of cab sav--Marquis de Riscal-1967- will do just fine. Ok. Mike knew what was coming with the bikers so he tried to salvage anything he could carry. I wish I would have done the same. So much is coming back to me now but typing is still a contact sport for me so got to go for now. JOHN COLLIER, PLEASE COME HOME!!! | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 343 Registered: 01-2005 |
Stnfrnt, actually I was speaking of Leon when I said pompous ass, I didn't know "Mike" well at the time. Wow, I could swear that looks a whole lot like Billy Landless on bass and I most surely remember the man with the hat playing guitar.  | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 344 Registered: 01-2005 |
Stnfrnt, Vic's daughter Renee was a beautiful girl, who had a short life, she didn't see 25. He took this photo of she and I, Christmas of 1980.  she had heels on. | ||
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl Post Number: 345 Registered: 01-2005 |
I'm thrilled to keep this thread alive. I just heard today from a female friend who I haven't been in touch with in over 20 years, through this forum. She said she'd been reading this thread for the past 3 weeks. She and I go way back from the eastside. What a hoot to have her email me. As she said "it's funny how life curves in all the right places". | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 238 Registered: 08-2008 |
Det313grrl, I'll surely get you the Earth magazine photos and article. I'm sorry it can't happen immediately. Life is happening day to day and I have responsibilities. I can feel your anxiousness because I experience it every time you guys post and ignite memories buried in the recesses of my mind. I was with a friend today who's a lifelong musician. We were talking about the house and the Melody Theatre. He remembered hanging at the Gar Wood and he's played with the Hodge brothers on numerous occasions over the ensuing years. He enjoyed playing with both of the Hodges. He thought Dallas was much more together. He said, in spite of Catfish's generally arrogant, irresponsible attitude, he likes playing with him because Catfish has a strong crowd appeal. That sounds right. You guys have been talking about removing items from the house. I stayed in a bedroom on the first floor that had a large number of Gar Wood's drawings and blueprints of boats. I spent hours examining them. There was also many of his boat cushions in the room. I slept on the cushions on a few occasions. I was tempted to take some of the drawings and cushions, but could never do it. The organ pipes were prime pickings because there were many sizes and easily concealable. It reminds me of opportunities I had to remove items from the Tuller Hotel, the Book Cadillac, the Michigan Central Depot and other buildings over the years. Just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm not indicting anyone. In fact, at times I've felt downright foolish for not having done so, particularly when the places were doomed. I wonder what happened to things that people took. |
