WELCOME BACK KOTTER STAR PASSES: RIP JUAN EPSTEIN

My favorite Sweat hog Juan Epstein

Robert Hegyes (pronounced Hedges; May 7, 1951 – January 26, 2012) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of high school student Juan Epstein on the 1970s American sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.

While performing on Broadway, Hegyes auditioned for television producer James Komack and was cast to star in what was to become the award-winning ABC comedy, Welcome Back, Kotter.

How Juan Epstein Altered TV Forever

Hegyes portrayed the character of Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein (typically referred to as simply "Epstein"). The show lasted four seasons, from 1975-1979. Hegyes became one of the show's directors at age 25.

Robert with his cousins Joseph and Jon Bon Jovi

Robert Hegyes
Official Website

On January 26, 2012, after suffering from chest pains at his Metuchen, New Jersey home, Hegyes died from an apparent heart attack at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. He was 60 years old.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hegyes family and Robert's widow and children... RIP Epstein!

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RETROKIMMER INTERVIEWS MYSTERIAN BOBBY BALDERRAMA!

Robert Lee Balderrama
Photo: Underground Bee

Robert "Bobby" Balderrama, born in O'Donnell, Texas, grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, is the lead guitarist for the band Question Mark & the Mysterians. Bobby told me they all wrote their hit song 96 Tears. He later played with Joe King Carrasco, the Crowns on the Bandido Rock album of 1987, and now fronts his own Smooth Jazz Band Robert Lee Revue.

The Robert Lee Revue:

Robert Lee Balderrama-Guitar; Frank Rodriguez-Keyboard/P­iano; Robert Martinez-Drums; Tom Barsheff-Sax; Amy Lynn-Percussion; Nick Balderrama-Rhythm Guitar; Jack Nash-Bass; Rudolph Levario-Percussion.

Robert Lee with Ibanez Guitar

What a pleasure to chat with the amazing Bobby Balderrama the lead guitarist of Question Mark and the Mysterians and currently fronting his band the Robert Lee Revue!

It was so fabulous seeing Bobby play live 4 times in the past year and again on New Year's Eve. As the band was tuning up I shot over to Bobby and asked him to pose for a picture for me. He stopped everything and gave me such a nice shot. I just loved it...

Bobby B New Year's Eve with Strat

Bobby and I talked at great length about music and we have a lot of guitar heroes in common. The first influence Bobby spoke of was our friend the legendary Detroit Wheels guitarist Jimmy McCarty..

We talked about how when McCarty plays he is lost in his music...Bobby plays the same way. He doesn't see the audience... the guitar becomes part of his body and he just plays......

Robert Lee Balderrama

The second guitarist we chatted about was Carlos Santana. Bobby said it was amazing to watch Santana evolve and invent his own guitar style with Latin influence and yet still really rocks out.

Bobby talks about Santana and Smooth Jazz...

As I do I asked about Bobby's guitars. He played a Mexican Fender Stratocaster on New Year's Eve. He explained to me that Fender makes American and Mexican guitars. Bobby said that his Mexican was less expensive but played just as well as an American Strat.

Bobby on far left with Question Mark and the Mysterians

I always ask lead guitar players who gave them their first guitar.. It seems like it was always their father... Bobby told me that his brother's wife was frustrated when her husband came home late and did an El Kabong on his head with his guitar...! Of course it broke. His brother then gave it to his Dad and then Dad gave it to Bobby! The rest is history...

In 1976 George Benson had the monster hit album Breezin. Bobby heard George play and it inspired Bobby to play smooth jazz. George Benson played with an Ibanez jazz guitar as does Bobby with the Robert Lee Revue.

You can listen to Robert Lee Revue's CD here

Bobby is sending me the Robert Lee Revue CD For the Love of Smooth Jazz and we can't wait to have it! Here is a review of the CD

You can find Bobby: :

Robert Lee Revue Facebook
Robert Lee Revue Myspace

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New Year's Eve with Question Mark and the Mysterians
Flintstock Question Mark and the Mysterians
Question Mark and the Mysterians

Loved chatting with Bobby B and I am certain we will be in front when the Robert Lee Revue plays soon. Bobby is a really great guy and we will be talking with him again soon for part 2!

Thanks Bobby! xxooRK

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RETROKIMMER: FAVORITE DETROIT SOUL TUNES

I was asked to pick some songs for a Detroit Music page on Facebook the other day. They wanted songs that were not obvious or top 40 hits... So I spent a couple of hours tracking down some of my very favorites that some of you might not know....

Barbara Lewis "Make Me Your Baby"



Jr Walker and the Allstars "I'm a Roadrunner"

The Detroit Emeralds "Baby Let Me Take You"



The Four Tops "There's Something About You"



Smokey Robinson and the Miracles "More Love"



Marvin Gaye "Come Get to This"



Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers "Does Your Mama Know About Me"



Marvelettes "Don't Mess with Bill"



The Velvelettes "Needle in a Haystack"



The Supremes "Breath Taking Guy"



The Pirates (The Temptations) "Mind Over Matter"



Mary Wells "Bye Bye Baby"



Brenda Holloway "When I'm Gone"

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KENYON'S HIDEOUT DETROIT'S PURPLE GANG

Kenyon's (Hideout) Lakeside Resort

While Lesley and I were up north for Thanksgiving, I met Lynette Ewald in Oscoda and she told me about Kenyon's Hideout. Had never heard of this resort before. Found the owner's phone and email then wrote to her about an interview.

Yesterday Barbara the owner replied to my email... We are going to chat soon and I am definitely going to visit the Hideout this summer.... This place is right up my alley...

Kenyon's Hideout was a favorite haunt of Detroit's Purple Gang... take a look at this VERY COOL Michigan resort.... Thanks Barb! xoRK

Michigan Magazine takes a tour of Kenyons Hideout and Resort near Lupton, Michigan. New owner Barbara Goodboo takes us on a room by room tour of this century old historic land mark business. We see hidden tunnels, passage ways and trap doors of the resort's heyday during the depression under the influence of the PURPLE GANG!



Michigan Forum Discussion on Graceland Ballroom/Kenyon's Hideout

Do you believe in ghosts? If you do you'll enjoy the stories of sightings and paranormal activity Barbara relates to us that she and others have experienced while renovating and restoring the building and property. If you don't believe in ghosts...your opinion is welcome to help explain what happened to their camera crew as they filmed the "Godfather" room!...

Kenyon's Resort is known as one of the best kept secrets in town located on a 785 acre lake known as Sage Lake in Lupton Michigan. They have a marina for boat gas and a 15 slip boat dock for customers and hotel guests.

Kenyon's Resort on Facebook

KR has a nice little beach for swimming and relaxing. They offer casual beach side dining from the OutSide Bar and Grill, while getting a tan, or you can eat upstairs in the VIP Lounge/Dining Room overlooking the Lake. (Proper attire required for dining room level.)

Kenyon's Restoration Photos

Evening entertainment is at the Piano Bar Located downstairs in the SpeakEasy Lounge on Friday and Saturday evenings. Or, bring the family for Game Night and all you can eat pizza on Thursdays from 5-9pm. We also specialize in Murder Mystery Dinner Parties and Gangster Event nights, full costume for adults only this is where you are the actors! By reservation only.

Call and ask for Barb. 989-473-2442

Kenyon's Hideout Website

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Detroit Mobsters: The Purple Gang
The Violent Years: Detroit Mafia
Detroit Purple Gang: The Albion Connection

Thank you Lynette and Barbara!

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RETROKIMMER: ANN ARBOR NIGHT CLUB SECOND CHANCE

Second Chance Entrance

In August of 1974 a huge night club opened in Ann Arbor called "Chances Are". I was 18 and just graduated high school... Word spread quickly about the club and how cool it was. The bar was 3 levels with bars on each floor. The interior was made of wood. Have never seen a club that looked like this.

Then in 1976 the name was changed to "Second Chance" due to a problem with another business.

The Second Chance Website

Bob Tickle Cathy Stoner Stanley T. Madhatter John Carver Fred Smith Patti Smith

Tons of bands played SC.. National acts along with local bands too. My friends had a band called "Masquerade". Masquerade was the house band for a couple of years. They played most Friday and Saturday nights. We were always in the crowd dancing to this band.

Jim Calder Rich Nisbet and Bruce Miller

The photo above is Masquerade doing a sound check. These guys were all from Ypsilanti High School.

Iggy played SC in 1981

Fred Sonic Smith and Scott Asheton (Joe Ruffner)

Sonic's Rendezous Band played SC a lot

Niagara and Destroy All Monsters played SC a lot too.



My friend Skid Marx played with Flirt at SC


Skid Marx

Notice the railing the guy is sitting on....

Today I went back to meet with Scot the owner of NECTO the current club that occupies the building. I haven't been in this club since the late 1980's. Scot told me they still have all those wooden sticks from the railing! They are stored out of sight.

Masquerade tuning up on the Second Chance stage


Rich Nisbet and Alan Gwyllt Halloween at SC

We never missed the Second Chance Halloween party. The crowd went all out to win the costume contest. I remember one winner... A guy made a Creature of the Black Lagoon costume out of blue and red garbage bags and plastic. It was incredible...

My friend Alan Gwyllt had this amazing Satyr costume. I need to ask him who made that suit in the photo above.

My gang stopped hanging around SC in the very early 1980's. I went on the road with the show company. After Second Chance closed in 1984 it morphed into the "Nectarine Ballroom" I visited one time after it became the Nectarine and then no more until today...

NECTO main room

The original railings are still here but not much else. The old 3 level club is now a main club with some smaller rooms down stairs. The main club is on the old second floor. Originally when you entered Second Chance you walked straight into the club. Now when you enter you either go upstairs or downstairs.

The (old 3rd level) east end of NECTO has this very cool lounge area.

The west end has a smaller bar and booths. You can still sit at the original rail.

The NECTO bar is beautiful

Main Club to the far right are the stairs to the old green room.

The former huge Second Chance stage is no more...



Looking down the stairs from the old 3rd level

Thanks so much to Scot and Jeremy for the tour... I really enjoyed the time travel back to 1974...

Second Chance photos from Second Chance Website

NECTO WEBSITE

New photos by Retrokimmer

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CHRIS KLONDIKE MASUAK'S SATURDAY VIDEO PICKS

Chris Klondike Masuak

One of my very favorite guitarists is Chris Klondike Masuak of the bands The Hitmen, Screaming Tribesmen,The Raouls, New Christs, The Juke Savages, Klondike's North 40 and of course RADIO BIRDMAN...

Ran into Klondike on Facebook this am and wondered what videos would Chris pick? We chatted a bit and narrowed it down to his favorite Detroit influences... We dig it.... xxoRK

Chris Klondike Masuak's Full Biography
Chrismasuak.com
Radio Birdman

Kimster!

Off'n the top of my head (on youtube)...

1. Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed, Delivered



On high rotation in Kamloops, BC when I was a kid. How can you NOT smile n' dance till the kids tell you to "Stop it, Dad! You look STUPID!"

2. Marvin Gaye: Hitchhike



I learned how to play guitar by playing along to Creedence Clearwater's version of " I Heard It Through The Grapevine". Then I discovered "Hitchhike". Every time I hear it it makes me feel so good it brings a lump to my throat! Who's NOT dancin' now???

3. Elvin Jones (w John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison): Afro Blue



It's the BEAT!! Johnny Bee Badanjek and Dennis Machinegun Thompson would no doubt agree that Elvin was a major Detroit influence on every drummer of the day!

4. Mitch Ryder and Detroit Rock N Roll



As Niagara would say, "Jeeeezus!"

Enjoy!

Abrazos!

Klondike

Klondike with Niagara on Tour

One of my favorite videos of Klondike and The Hitmen with Niagara...

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LOCAL DJ... PETER C CAVANAUGH!

Rob Tyner with Davison Police

Received a lovely email from Peter C (Cavanaugh) the legendary Disc Jockey from the famous AM Flint station WTAC and many other stations.

Peter C (Cavanaugh)

Hi, Kim!

Prompted by a note referencing your "Dogs" interview, I just visited the Retro:Kimmer website for the first time and was most impressed.

I worked with "The Dogs" many years ago at a venue I operated near Flint called Sherwood Forest.

Keep up the good work!

Rock & RULE!

Peter Cavanaugh
www.wildwednesday.com

Had a chat with Peter C. yesterday. I love talking with DJ's on the phone. They sound the same on air or off! Boom this big voice comes flying at me over the phone line! Peter and I have so much in common. The main difference is that I am still learning about the history of my favorite Michigan Musicians.

Peter was there from the beginning and helped shape the scene that took over America's Radio airwaves beginning in the 1960's.

My first question was about Rob Tyner the lead singer of the MC5. Rob had a famous encounter with the Davison Michigan Police Chief. I had heard several versions but Peter C was there! So I LOVED hearing that story...

Peter is the REAL DEAL... read his book....you'll love it. xRK

Peter was kind enough to send me his book. I stayed up all night and read the entire book... I couldn't stop reading... THANK YOU PETE!

This book grabbed me from the first page...Peter C was really front and center for the Evolution of Rock n Roll. I am so grateful to be involved with keeping my favorite rock music alive and it was so exciting to speak with Peter about what really happened backstage back in the 1960s and forward.

Mark Farner with Grand Funk Railroad

It was really interesting to read Peter's story about the beginning of Mark Farner and Grand Funk Railroad. They were a local band in the Flint area and went from being just a local band to one of the biggest platinum recording bands of all time.

The Stooges

Peter has a great back story on the Stooges playing in Flint and of course Iggy and the Peanut Butter incident....

Keith Moon in Flint

WTAC was the very first station to play The Who. Keith celebrated his 21st (20th) birthday in Flint and had some fun at the Holiday Inn...

Found this video!

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RETROKIMMER: SONNY VINCENT RECORDING IN BELGIUM!

Rat Scabies (The Damned) Sonny Vincent

****NEW UPDATE****

Hi Kim- How are you? I hope fine and well. I'm here in the studio doing it my way. Here is the latest news for you. Best from Sonny

Album News Flash- The songs, Wild and disturbed, grooving and angular with 2 ballads as well.

The line up-
Sonny Vincent -Testors
Rat Scabies- The Damned
Glen Matlock- Sex Pistols

Yesterday I got an email from Sonny Vincent who is recording in Belgium. It was great to hear what he is up to:

From Sonny....

Hey there! I first saw your website when I did that interview with Goran Polak. Thanks for all the cool stuff you post!

At the moment I am in Brussels, Belgium in a very cool all vintage analogue studio recording a new album. I just finished putting down the basic tracks with the amazing drummer Rat Scabies of the Damned.

We don't have a video (yet) but here is a cool vid from our last tour....

You are welcome SV and we can't wait to hear the new cd when it's finished! Keep us in the loop! xK

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RETROKIMMER: DRUMMER AL KING !

Al King

Hey gang we had a blast today with our pal drummer Al King! Haven't seen Alex for a bit and we had a lot of news to catch up on etc. Al is one of my very favorite young drummers. Lots of my rock pals have all lined up as fans of Al's beats. I met Al after he wrote to ask me a question about Machinegun Thompson. This was early 2009.

After seeing Al's picture I realized he must be the son of an old friend of mine Jim King...from back in the day. Al's uncle is Drummer Rob King of Destroy All Monsters fame and also a really close friend of mine.

Al and I dropped Lesley off at work and then we ran all around the Dollar Store.. A favorite activity of mine! It was so good to connect and we are planning more sessions and gigs to cover together soon. xK

A few years ago I had the pleasure of filming a session in Ann Arbor with Mark Sisto (Visitors) Gary Quackenbush (SRC) Chris Taylor (Blue Snaggletooth) and Al on drums... I shot a few videos and after the session I asked Al to play the intro to an SRC tune...

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