Friends pay tribute to 'Smiley'

Some people called it a family get together. One likened it to a class reunion with all the people you like.

Those observations were made by fans attending last Saturday's tribute to Jim "Smiley" Lewis at the Terrace Bay Inn.

Hundreds of people, including many out-of- towners, packed the motel's ballroom for a ten-hour show, which included dozens of well-known local, regional and national performers. Most were friends of Smiley, who died from diabetes complications on Aug. 13, 2005 at the age of 57.

Musicians from Milwaukee, Lansing, Green Bay, and around the Upper Peninsula lined up to pay their musical respects to the Escanaba native who took up music as a teenager and played in numerous bands, building a reputation as a respected blues and rock-a-billy artist.

Headlining the benefit, which aided the Delta Area Animal Society, was Las Vegas based "Big Al" Ek, an accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist who performed with Smiley in The Shuffle-aires. Other players to take the stage included keyboardist Steve "Doc" Yankee of Lansing, saxophonist Bob Jennings of Milwaukee and local favorites, The Lark Brothers- Dave, Sam and Bill.

In fact, guitarist Dave Lark conceived the idea of a concert to pay tribute to his friend. The two were in various bands together including Salvador Foxx and The Blues Bombers. Lark contacted Ek, another close friend of Smiley, and the two got the "ball rolling" for the event which took several months to plan. Soon other performers indicated their desire to play.

With so many musicians ready to take the stage and little time to practice, much of the show was dedicated to jam sessions. To get the program going early, a group including Ek and the Larks opened the show at mid-afternoon. The strategy worked. Fans came early and stayed.

Many of the musicians grew up in the Escanaba area and performed in various bands through the years before moving to greener pastures. Most found they still had fans here.

"Never before has there been so much talent oozing out of one room," said Greg Tolman, a musician who has judged numerous Island Idol talent contests at the local casino.

Most of the performances were blues or rock-a-billy, although Jay Brodersen of Escanaba teamed with John Parrott of Milwaukee for an acoustic jazz set. Bands Sit Down Francis and Terracotta Half Life added some rock music to the mix.

The night even included the surprise appearance of Fast Eddie, a veteran harmonica player from Marquette, and his band Blues Trust.

"This is just so cool," said Escanaba music teacher John Beck, echoing many people's feelings about the turnout of musicians and fans.

Beck took to the stage himself, playing a rousing guitar solo. Two sets of skins were required to accommodate drummers Keith Balistreri, Dave Cass, Rich White, Craig Seckinger, Ron Patron and Dave Braun.

Former Escanaba resident Mike Riegel, now based in Sheboygan, also lit up the room with his inventive lead guitar work. Other notable performers included Dean Peterson, Bruce Douglas, Fred Cavill, and Mike and John Waldsmith.

While people were enjoying themselves on the dance floor, talking with old friends, or just delighting in the jams, most were aware the entertaining day evolved from the passing of a friend.

Smiley was remembered during the event with a specially designed "Blues Cat" t-shirt and the re-release of his 1991 album, "No Explanation Necessary," now available on compact disc. A slide show depicting his life in pictures was a popular attraction as was a display of many posters from his music career.

As the show closed, Ek complimented the crowd. "This is why I brag about you in Las Vegas. You have to have a closing time here, or you won't go home." He offered more praise. "Wendy Pepin did the whole thing. Don't let anybody fool you," Ek said about organizing the concert.

The day was a success by any measure. Dozens of talented musicians donated their time to play before hundreds of fans in celebration of Smiley's musical legacy. And, even with all that fun, money was raised for his favorite charity.

Smiley would have been pleased.

Happy Birthday, Chuck Berry!

Rock music pioneer Chuck Berry marked his 80th birthday on Oct. 18, but music fans should be the ones celebrating.

You see, Berry was the original rock 'n' roller. Whatever happened in pop music since he arrived wouldn't have happened without him.

While Elvis had a longer career, Berry's was equally influential and, unlike Presley, he wrote his own songs. In fact, Berry combined his poems and music in such a perfect way, you might say he invented rock 'n' roll.

As he observed his 29th birthday in 1955, Berry's debut, "Maybelline," hit number five on the Billboard singles chart. You may recall the invigorating lyrics: "As I was motivatin' over the hill, I saw Maybelline in a Coupe de Ville. Cadillac rollin' on an open road, but nothin' outrun my V-8 Ford." He followed with "School Day" and "Sweet Little Sixteen," in a chart run that included 27 entries.

Nearly every band learned Berry's songs, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. John, Paul, George and Ringo made "Roll Over Beethoven" into an international hit, while Mick and the boys did the same with "Carol." Even headbangers Judas Priest recorded "Johnny B. Goode."

Successful bar bands included lots of his material in their sets. While plenty of cover bands played Berry songs, I saw the master himself perform just twice.

The first time was in the fall of 1972 during a free outdoor show on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. The veteran musician and his back-up players, (The Woolies from East Lansing, famous for "Who Do You Love") plowed through the Berry catalogue and capped the show with a sing-a-long version of his number one "My Ding-A-Ling."

I witnessed a second Berry performance in 1995 during the all-star show for the opening of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Deservedly, he both opened and closed the prestigious concert.

At the age of 68, Berry demonstrated an agile version of his signature "duck walk." To a roar of approval from the crowd of 65,000, Berry squatted and hopped along on one foot while continuing to play his guitar. Adding some class to the program, he played his timeless classics "Johnny B. Goode" and "Rock & Roll Music" dressed in a white tuxedo while most of the other stars wore casual apparel.

Berry has had some noteworthy birthdays.

Federal officials gave him a special gift for his 37th birthday on Oct. 18, 1963, when they released him from prison. Berry had been convicted under the Mann Act for transporting an under-age girl across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. Many think the musician was set-up by authorities during a racist era. (He was incarcerated again in 1979 for income tax evasion.)

Still, following his release from the Federal Medical Center in Springfield, Mo., Berry issued six successful singles he had written in prison, including "Nadine" and "No Particular Place To Go," reviving his career at the peak of the British music invasion. Ironically, many of those upstart bands gained their popularity by releasing their own versions of Berry's records.

For Berry's 60th birthday, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards spearheaded the filming of a documentary, "Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll." An all-star cast of musical greats played at the 1986 concert at the Fox Theater in Berry's hometown of St. Louis. Performers included Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Bo Diddley, Everly Brothers, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, and Little Richard. Berry was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that same year.

Despite his contributions to modern music, Berry has also been the victim of prejudice and harassment from the government, leaving him an embittered man. While he's given us such a great legacy, it's a shame rock 'n' roll hasn't always been kind in return.

So thanks Chuck for a lifetime of great songs about cars and girls and other important things. Your seemingly simple yet insightful lyrics and innovative guitar riffs are seared into my brain and the skulls of millions of other rock 'n' roll fans.

As you blow out those candles, here's a happy birthday wish to you. Rock on!

Coffey learned guitar in U.P.

A musical trail from original country superstar Hank Williams Sr. to the greatest Motown hits of the sixties and seventies goes through the Upper Peninsula.

The community which ties these diverse musical styles together is Copper City, a town of just a few hundred folks located in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

It was there in the early 1950's that a teenager from Detroit went on vacation to visit his musically inclined relatives.

"Old" Hank, who died tragically at age 29, was the most popular country & western performer of the era.

Certainly that popularity extended into tiny Copper City, temporary home to a 13-year-old visitor named Dennis Coffey. "I used to visit there every summer to see my grandparents on my mother's side," he recalled. "They were Finns and their last name was Rinne."

Coffey's U. P. cousins, Jim and Marilyn Thompson, played guitar and sang country music, hooking the Detroit native on the sounds emanating from the six-stringed instrument.

"The first song I ever learned to play lead guitar on was probably (bluegrass standard) 'Under the Double Eagle.' My cousins taught me that song and how to play some basic chords," Coffey told me. The aspiring guitarist set about practicing, even when he returned home to the lower peninsula, using an old Hawaiian slide guitar he received as a gift.

Coffey also learned songs written by his favorite star, Hank Sr. In addition to country, he studied rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, blues, rhythm and blues, and jazz. His practicing paid off, too. By 1955, Coffey had added guitar to "I'm Gone," a recording by a little known performer called Vic Gallon.

In the following years, Coffey joined the Royaltones, an instrumental rock 'n' roll band, and worked as a session guitarist for independent labels around the Detroit area.

Then in 1962, Coffey met Del Shannon, a fellow Michigander who had gigantic hits with "Runaway" and "Hats Off To Larry." Coffey added guitar to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's "Little Town Flirt" later that year.

Shannon, it turns out, also admired Williams, and proved it by recording 12 of his songs, including "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Hey, Good Looking," for an album issued in 1965. Coffey provided guitar on the groundbreaking LP, a precursor to country/rock releases which appeared later in the decade.

Coffey had taken a funky turn by 1968, joining the staff of Berry Gordy's Motown Records, "The Sound of Young America." On his first day he crafted the memorable guitar intro to the Temptations' "Cloud Nine," a number six smash.

As a member of the legendary Funk Brothers house band, this unsung guitar hero played on more than a hundred Motown hits, including Edwin Starr's "War," Freda Payne's "Band of Gold," and Junior Walker's "What Does It Take To Win Your Love."

By 1971, Coffey was on the charts himself with the instrumental "Scorpio," an influential funk work-out on the Sussex label which reached number six on the Billboard chart and number one around the Detroit area. Along with the Detroit Guitar Band, Coffey recorded a follow-up single, "Taurus," which also struck gold.

"Scorpio," with its innovative guitar and drum breaks, has been sampled in numerous recordings in recent years, but is now sadly out-of-print. In all, Coffey recorded 13 solo albums, including a 2003 effort called "Flight of the Phoenix." He also wrote the music score for the Warner Bros. film "Black Belt Jones."

In 2002, he appeared in the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" and published his autobiography, "Guitars, Bars and Motown Superstars" in 2004.

Born in 1940, Coffey still gigs around Detroit, most notably at the world's oldest jazz club, Baker's Keyboard Lounge, where he recently recorded a live CD.

"I have performed in England and recently played at the Ponderosa Stomp in Memphis, a benefit for Katrina victims. I have also performed on the Four Tops 50th Anniversary special and the Rhythm, Love and Soul PBS special," Coffey said, bringing his activities up to date.

Despite his success, many music devotees aren't familiar with Coffey's work. Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has tried to rectify that with a display including a copy of the sheet music for "Scorpio" as well as a wah-wah pedal and fuzz tone from his Motown days.

Reflecting on his career, it's clear Coffey took his Upper Peninsula guitar inspiration on a lifelong journey that's impacted millions of fans who have enjoyed his significant, if under-recognized, contribution to modern music.

When disco dominated, briefly

The disco fad may have been short lived but it held sway in Escanaba for a few years.

Fueled by a national obsession over the 1977 movie "Saturday Night Fever," starring John Travolta, the dance craze spread to every corner of the country.

Escanaba boasted three discos:

--Back Door Disco, 1214 Ludington St., now offices for certified public accountant Kathleen J. Paulson. Owned by Edwin Young, the dance club was located above Mr. Ed's Grotto North.

--The Station, 1837 3rd Ave. N., owned by Jon Anderson, now Fish & More.

--Sherman Lounge, 710 Ludington St., owned by Duane and Judy Hamelin. The business changed hands several times over the years and was eventually destroyed in a fire. A fourth disco in the area, Ford River's Pier One, was also leveled by fire.

The local clubs featured colorful synchronized dance floors and deejay booths, all bathed in the swirling light of disco balls.

Disc jockeys, like Mike VanEffen, armed with dual turntables, kept the vinyl hits revolving and patrons on the floor.

Lessons were also available so dancers could learn the latest moves inspired by the BeeGees or Donna Summer, the "Queen of Disco."

In fashion, polyester leisure suits and platform shoes were the rage.

Rock 'n' roll bands took a hit during the disco era as live venues switched to deejays and flashy lights, forcing some musicians into the unemployment line.

Other bands adapted. Many of the biggest rock bands recorded disco songs.

As you might expect, disco took over the airwaves as well.

One of the era's biggest hits was also one of the last. "Funkytown," by Lipps, Inc. (pronounced lip-synch), spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard top pop singles chart beginning May 31, 1980.

During a business trip to lower Michigan for the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP), co-worker Bill Cook and I happened on to Lipps, Inc. performing at a club in East Lansing while their song was firmly ensconced at the top of the hit list.

The group and song were masterminded by Minneapolis writer and producer Steven Greenberg, who has seen the tune, issued as Casablanca 2233, earn him royalties for over 25 years.

Vocalist Cynthia Johnson, singing "Won't you take me to Funkytown," led the multi-racial band through several sets while keeping the dance floor packed mainly with Michigan State University students from across the street, all presumably over the age of 21.

Back in Escanaba, however, the local discos didn't have a built-in clientele of 45,000 college kids when the drinking age was returned to 21 in 1978, after six years at 18.

Dan Young remembers his dad's Back Door Disco as being "very successful until the drinking age was increased to 21. However, disco was almost over by 1981 or '82 anyway."

"Disco sucks" bumper stickers were seen on more and more vehicles and many dance floors and deejay booths fell silent around the country. Disco had suffered a backlash.

Still, "Funkytown" didn't go away. The song has been featured in numerous television programs, commercials and movies, including "Shrek 2." Singer Johnson, meanwhile, formerly a secretary at Maplewood Police Department, performs regularly in Minneapolis area jazz clubs.

By the way, disco didn't die. It just morphed into dance music. You know, the stuff Madonna does.

The leisure suit, on the other hand, is gone forever, hopefully.