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I've had many memorable times at the Howard beginning in 1962 and ending in 1966.
The first time I went to the Howard was in 1962 with Barry Richards, a DJ for WDON. He wanted to interview Hank Ballard. We got to the Howard early and Barry asked to see Mr. Ballard and was told he was eating at Cecelia's across the alley. We went there and Mr. Ballard was at a table and when Barry introduced himself and told the purpose of his visit was told by Mr. Ballard, he did not want his dinner interrupted for an interview, so we left. So we went to the show, we had great seats and the show was great, other performers included, Little Eva, Duprees, Bobby Lewis, Chris Montez, Screaming Jay Hawkins & others, when the Duprees performed, Barry didn't like the microphone arrangement they were using, something I would have never thought about at the time. It was such a great experience, I averaged going to the Howard three or four times a year with friends or dates who were interested.
I saw James Brown at least three times including a midnight show, where in closing did "Night Train" with the entire cast forming a line with a Strobe light showing them in slow motion, I remember James doing the splits with the lights and it was very cool. I saw Sam Cooke, Little Esther, The Drifters (I saw them a couple of times and at a Dec. 1962 show right before Christmas, they invited the children up to the stage and gave them money for Christmas, a very touching and generous gesture which has stayed with me my entire life, also on that show was WUST Al "Big Boy " Jefferson MC, Maxine Brown, Gene Chandler, The Cookies, J.C. Davis Five with Little Charles), The Velentinos (later learning that it was Bobby Womack & his brothers, while doing "Looking for a Love", they dove off the stage), & comic Irving C. Watson. I also saw Pigmeat Markham, Jimmy McGriff & Dick Gregory, Ruby & The Romantics, Baby Washington, Shep & The Limelites, The Chiffons, The Cookies, Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford and many more I can't remember.
Another memorable show had a group named Kinfolk and the piano player was hilarious acting like he needed to use the restroom by squirming and crossing his legs, while the rest of the band ignored him. Another one I saw was Big Maybelle singing "All of Me" to a janitor sweeping the stage (part of the act) apparently unaware a show was in progress.
I remember a time using the restroom and upon leaving being entertained by an usher whom I presumed was on the phone with a girlfriend and when he realized my friend and I were cracking up, continued to entertain us with his conversation. I have no idea whether he was actually speaking to someone during that entire conversation, but it another moment at the Howard, I will never forget.
Edited by JBMidnightShow : May 14, 2009, 8:07 pm |
September 19, 2008, 2:54 am