You've Got a Friend, at Least One

I believe that, the period between 1967 and 1975, was "the Golden Age of Music". We enjoyed Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Motown, Eric Clapton, The Who, The Kinks, and more.

The Detroit area was also blessed with many popular, talented local bands, such as, MC5, Bob Seger and the Last Heard,Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, The Rationals, Scott Richard Case, Alice Cooper Band, The Psychadelic Stooges, featuring Iggy.

I played in a couple of bands, called the Attack, and White Light, that fortunately, opened shows for them. I don't know what "White Light" meant. They were after the Attack, and before Stanley Mitchell and The People's Choice. Anyway, these shows were mostly in Teenage Nightclubs that were scattered throughout the state. The Crow's Nest, in the 13 mile Shopping Center, on Harper and 13 mile road, St. Clair Shores was one. Pontiac, Traverse City,Roseville, Gaylord, Allen Park, etc.

I'd like to give you a few snippets of what some of these guys were like.

Bob Seger is the nicest guy you could meet. When I told him I had forgotten my guitar strap, he gave me one. I used it for years, and still have it.

Ted Nugent, "The Motor City Madman", was also a regular guy. Pleasant and easy to talk to.

Everybody stayed clear of the MC5. They were crazy, and seemed capable of anything! They used to fight each other. I think it was Goose Lake Festival, in the Staging Area, (where, bands, roadies, chicks, would congregate before the show). Probably, where the phrase, "I'm with the band", came from. The "5" walked in, and promptly removed their pants. And, they were not wearing underwear. The crowd gasped. Again, everyone stayed clear.

At the Silverbell in Pontiac, Mi., we opened for the above mentioned Stooges. Our drummer Bud and I were the only people in the dressing room, directly behind the stage. During an instrumental interlude, Iggy ran off the stage and into the dressing room. With the music playing, he gazed into a mirror, and said, "You're my only friend". Now, where I was sitting, I could look to my left and see the Stooges playing, looked to my right and saw Iggy's face in the mirror. I will never forget that.

We played with Alice Cooper at some high school in Dearborn, Mi. Only thing memorable was, our keyboard player stole one of their speakers. He justified that action, because of the ratio of applause they recieved, as opposed to what we got. Somebody's got to pay!

Thanks for reading. More to come.

Rocky