<< Back to diary menu

September 1 2005 - New York, NY

A shout out to all of my peeps!

We are in New York (Yippee)! The Big Apple! If I can't make it here, (blah, blah, blah):-) We are in NY for two days. I love this city. I tried living in this city once. I was a very young man at the time, and along came my first chance to go on the road making money as a musician. This was during the disco era, and NY was the center of music at that time (1978-1979). We had to live in New York for seven or eight months. This was before Times Square and 42nd street were turned into Disney Land. I remember coming home from shows late at night and watching pimps and hookers fighting like cats and dogs.

Now when I say home, let me explain. I was housed at a hotel with the name The Hotel President. There was nothing Presidential about this place. The hotel used to be on 48th street between Broadway and 9th. This was not a safe area at the time. I would sleep in my clothes at night because there were so many roaches. The first time I saw all those bugs running for cover was shocking. How could this be? I'm the worst when it comes to bugs. I don't why, it's just the way it is ;-D And I have to sleep in these conditions (it could not have been more perfect). Even today when I'm grossed out by a room, I will shower with my shoes on. I know it's stupid, but what can I say.

There was this one show at a very upscale hotel showroom. We were supposed to play three shows. I think we were booked into this place for two weeks and the whole band, being from Detroit, had no idea how NY worked. We were supposed to play three shows a night and there were dressing rooms downstairs for us to change out of our tuxedos (I hate tuxedos to this day). One night we had just finished our third show and were in the process of changing, when we were approached by the head waiter.

"Pardon me, but you have a request for another show", he says.

We look at this man as if he has a third eye. It is late and there is no way that we are going to play a fourth set tonight. The band leader informs Mr. Head Waiter the we are finished for the evening. Now, I watch this whole exchange take place, and expression on the waiter's face was one of fear and puzzlement. But as he walked away, we went back to making plans and changing our clothes. About five minutes later the waiter is back, and this time he is in all out fear mode.

"It would be best for all of us, if you guys would come back and play another show", the man says. And there was something in his voice that made us all take notice. This time there was no witty response. We changed back into those damn tuxedos:-( and back to the stage we go.

Please try to picture this scene. There are buss staff cleaning tables and booths. And the place is completely empty except for club workers and a small group of people sitting at a center booth. The group was comprised of an older couple, a middle aged couple and sitting on either side of them were two huge guys. At this point I am afraid. I just hope we have not pissed off the wrong people. The band starts playing and the older woman spends the whole set with hee fingers in her ears (this cannot be good). After each song there is no applause. I am starting to look for an escape route.:-) I am planning to use the singers as cover. This is the longest set of my life. We played an hour, but it felt like a year.

Finally, this is over. We don't know what to expect. After what seemed like the longest time, everyone at the booth stands to leave. One of the large guys starts walking toward the stage. He is reaching into his coat. Now, I know some of you think that I'm going to tell you that he shot us. But, if he did that then I would not be here to tell this story (think, people);-D This man pulled out a roll of 100.00 dollar bills and gave each band member and singer one. And the without a word, they leave. We are left standing on stage with our mouths open.

We all run to the head waiter and ask, who the heck was that? The waiter tells us the name of our private party. "Wow!" I say. I now want to strangle the band leader for almost getting us a room next to Jimmy Hoffa. I could have been sleeping with the fishes. I thought it was all made up for the movies(dud!) I have mentioned in earlier stories how stupid I can be. Well... :-) For the remainder of my time in NY, I made sure not to disrespect anyone. :-D

The show in Central Park was great. Man, NY is always good for us (I hope this does not jinx it). It was a perfect day for a concert and the crowd was ready to party. From the first note this was going to be a rock out party show. Bruce started hitting the piano with this power that just jacks up the people (I love it when he does that). You can hear everything on this stage and there was this energy coming from the audience. It just picks you up and takes you for a ride. It is always great coming back to this city. I always make it a point to walk around so that I can take the city's energy with me when I leave. People were dancing, and screaming, it is wonderful watching you guys from the stage. I played so hard yesterday that my fingers were sore last night. We are having a great time playing with Ratdog. A great group of guys and this is fun. The backstage hang was great. We saw a lot old friends and former co-workers.

I have to say thanks to all of you that enjoy the diary. You are the reason that it works. We are now in New Hampshire, and I am excited about the show tonight. It just keeps getting better :-)

New York is where I want to stay, I get allergic smelling hay, I just adore a penthouse view, darling I love you but give me Park Avenue;-)

This song sums up my story;-D

Peace, JV