CELEBRATING BOOTSEY X TONIGHT

Bootsey X and the Lovemasters - Coldcock "I Wanna Be Rich"
by Wizard of Livonia ...live at Mr. Christian's. Bob Mulrooney known as Bootsey X played drums with several notable bands including Coldcock, The Ramrods, Tse Tse Flies before his rise to glory as front man. Though this was a similar path to Phil Collins, Bootsey X was always much much cooler. We miss him but remember fondly.

BOOTSEY X FEATURED ON TAP DETROIT !

DETROIT RIOT!!

 THE MUSIC OF BOOTSEY X

 TAPDETROIT.COM 

  LIVE from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

 
We will be playing the early bands that Bootsey was in, The Lovemasters, Women's Love Rites and a bunch of other music that just makes sense. Telling stories and anecdotes from some of those who knew him best.

"Detroit Riot" is the name of the show. Free. Streaming. If you'd like, send us a comment on our own Facebook page or here on mine and we will read it or get you on the air.

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WITHOUT BOOTSEY X I WOULDN'T HAVE MET NIAGARA: COLONEL GALAXY

 .......Bootsey : "What is this called ?" ........Colonel : "Its called 'DAYLIGHT''

Colonel's Tale...

My first fateful meeting with Bootsey came in 1980 at a West side dive called Free Style. I was with my Jeep Racing Team just back from the Baja 1000. We were celebrating the end of our season and stopped in a place we'd never heard of...

It was the Bootsey band and Johnny Angelo's Reputations if memory serves. Everybody was pretty lit and Bootsey was doing an encore "Pusherman of Love.'' We started heckling, and we were a pretty rowdy group of outsiders. My musical taste ran from Led Zeppelin to J Geils, so this local music was pretty eye opening.
 

So Bootsey came directly off stage and sat down at our table . I thought he was going to be mad....but he dug the heckling ! We watched the rest of the show together and exchanged phone numbers, never thinking we'd meet again. A few days later when he called, I didn't even remember what it was all about. He said we should get together at his place in Livonia and go out to see some Mark Norton band later.
 

Next thing I knew I was sitting at his kitchen table helping him work on flyers for his next gig at the Ranch (which he called ''The Raunch''). Bob was multi-tasking as usual..."Yeah cut this out....use this logo with this photo of James Brown.....I'm writing a song...''

  
The song "That's Lou Yeah'' ....was a little ditty he worked on for a couple years...it was about Lou Reed sitting on the side line : "While you are out mowing the lawn....Dream Syndicate is stealing your song...'' Next thing I knew I was going over to Bob's a couple times a week.
 

He was drumming for the Mutants and he ''drug"  me to all the shows and introduced me as "The Colonel'' because I built him up, promoted him, and would carry a black briefcase and hand out flyers.

I soon knew everyone on the scene and started talking about forming a ''SUPER GROUP'' with one member from all these bands. After a nightmare I had about a freak show that had set up at Hines Drive ''where you could check out, but never leave'' Dark Carnival was born. Bootsey was the first drummer.

The shows that started out that Halloween were an instant success. Bootsey was always scheming..."You know if you wanna do this right....you really should get Niagara...''

IN MEMORIUM: DETROIT'S BOOTSEY X PASSED AWAY..

Robert "Bootsey X" Mulrooney

 It is with great sadness that I post the news that Bootsey X passed away at around 7 pm in Detroit Receiving Hospital. I know how much joy he found in performing...and I am honored to pay tribute to Bob tonight...

Stanley T. Madhatter introduced me to Bob at a fundraiser in 2009 at the Painted Lady in Hamtramck. Bob was very ill then and his many friends gathered to raise money for his medical care. Madhatter adored Bob and spoke of him all the time. Madhatter and I sat at my computer and played all of Bob's videos the next day.  My very favorite video is Secret Agent Man...

Bob was so damn cute...had such a girlie crush on him. We became buddies on Facebook in 2010 and real life too. While chatting one night, I invited him to go with me to an appearance at the Guitar Center Drum Off. He was just the best to photograph! He and I had a blast shooting that night.

Bootsey at The Drum Off

What a fun night with Bootsey and Gerald Shohan his best friend, his guitarist and his protector. The love and friendhip these two men shared was so inspiring. My heart goes out to Gerald tonight. This tribute is to Gerald as well, and his magnificent giving soul.

 

Bootsey and Gerald performing (photo: MetroTimes)

Bill Holdship

"Would like to believe that Lili is pouring my friend Bootsey X a few shots at that great rock bar up in the sky tonight. Safe passage, my friend. We'll see you again further on up the road..."

Bill Holdship
"You have to go with me to this crazy 'History of Rock' class I'm taking at community college, Bill. The teacher is an idiot. And she's crazy. I don't know how she got to teach anything! She talked about Altamont and then said, 'After that, someone was killed at almost every Rolling Stones concert for years!' I raised my hand and told her that isn't true...and crazy bitch got mad at me! So now I'm afraid i'm going to flunk 'History of Rock' at community college!" --Bootsey X

 Joe Michnuk and Bootsey X

Joe Michnuk
"I visited Bootsey X over the last several years we would go out for pizza when he was still able to walk. He loved Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park. It was always cheese pizza no toppings that was his favorite. After he lost the ability to walk, I'd visit him with vanilla ice cream since everyone else brought the pizza.

We'd eat as much of a half gallon as two guys could & tell stories about chicks 'n music. We made each other laugh so hard that the nurses would come in to see what was going on. They all called me "The Ice Cream Man" @ both HFH & St Joe's Nursing Home. I'll miss his sense of humor & tremendous creative genius the most."

Last year we had a small holiday party in Ann Arbor. Gerald and Bootsey came out and they performed my favorite...SECRET AGENT MAN.  Kyle Davis and his band backed up Bob and Gerald on RAMROD BABY too which the young guns really loved...

My friends Danny Creadon, Steve, and Art Godoy headlined that party and were just in love with Bob. As more information comes in I will update this tribute..Not sure about any details as of yet.

Willy Wilson
R.I.P. Bootsey X (Robert Mulrooney) - Too many great memories to share from shows, parties, record stores and the launching pad. Bob was a true rock n' roll legend. I picture him in the great Fortune Records building in the sky talking musical smack with Jim Shaw and Tony Fusco.

Kelly, Valorie, and Bootsey X

Chris Scott Dellas
"He was a cat I always looked up to and admired. He seemed to drum for every band I saw when I was a teenager and later I rarely missed a Bootsey X show. He was always cool and smiling with me and always treated me with kindness. This many people are mourning not just Bob's passing, but not being able to see him make people happy again from the stage. Thanks man for being nice to a once-dopey kid."

Valorie Synwolt

Bob was a jewel. He was genuine genius. There is an angel rockin in the name of Detroit out there- he was a true friend- my heart is shattered, because I got back home too late to sing with him one more time.I will miss my Boot

Karen Neal
Looks like Bootsey X is re-united with Julie Hecker. Prayers for Robert Mulrooney's loved ones and family and of course, remembering Josie Salash and the Hecker family too! Rest in peace!!!

Jerry Vile
In addition to fronting or drumming for virtually every band in Detroit Bob was a very good writer. He was on staff of White Noise And had his own page in issue 4.

Jerry Vile and Bootsey X

I will miss you Bob. You are the spirit of rock and roll and everything else worthy of vinyl. Hopefully one day we will build a memorial to you. Rock In Peace..

Mortichia Pippenshmooze
I will really look forward to seeing Robert Mulrooney on the other side, where as somebody said, he will be surrounded by music and babes. Boots was always so sweet. He was the only man who ever asked me to be a "Sugarbaby of Soul" but I can't sing. I could only shake my ass and dance along. So much fun. Sad sad goodbye for now.

Andi Sparks Divetta
...and another light goes out.Robert Mulrooney was a strange and wonderful creature. just the way i like them. love to all of our hearts who knew him. there are so many. I love my friends and what they do. Bootsey X

Joe McGuire
Bob sold me my first record when I was 12 years old at Desirable Discs II in Dearborn (and he sold me many more after that). Later I worked with him at Peoples Records when I was in college. He was always really nice to me, friendly and very funny. He was one of those rare unique individuals and it's really sad to hear that he passed. To all who knew him and supported him in his life and in his art I send my heartfelt condolences.

Joe Kidd
... i first met bob at a bar on michigan ave in inkster. he was drumming in a band called STREETS. i was in my first band called THE SILVER CHORDS. we were friends right from the start. we loved each others music. it was around 1976. we were all doing a lot of cover songs then. bob used to come to see us just to hear us do 'under my thumb' 'you better move on' and the big blue oyster cult hit 'dont fear the reaper'. i remember at the end of one summer night somehow we had in our possession a bow & arrows. we were firing them into the sky trying to shoot out the streetlamps on schoolcraft road. . - peace to you - j.k. //oo\\

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BOOTSEY X RECORD RELEASE PARTY JUNE 29!!!!

CLICK POSTERS FOR MORE INFO

BOOTSEY X RECORD RELEASE PARTY: NEW POSTER

Bootsey X - Women's Love Rites 12" VARIANT PRE-ORDER

JPR-002- Bootsey X - Women's Love Rites 12" VARIANT PRE-ORDER
Jett Plastic Recordings is ecstatic to announce their second release, this time from former Ramrod and Lovemaster Bootsey X. For those of you who don’t already know, Robert Mulrooney (Bootsey) has been a staple of the Detroit music scene since the 80’s, and has been compared vocally to Iggy Pop (Of the Stooges. You may have heard of them)…

Many of these tunes have been performed in the live capacity, but in our opinion, they’re more striking on the studio recordings. Featured on the album are Ricky Rat (The Trashbrats), Mike Marshall (Rob Tyner Group), Gerald Shohan (Original Lovemaster), and Matthew Smith (Outrageous Cherry) whom provides instrumentation alongside being at the front of the production helm. The full length LP only release was also engineered by Jim Diamond (The Dirtbombs) at Ghetto Recorders in Detroit, Michigan.

Listen to a preview of the first track, 'Bang Bang Bang', here: http://jettplasticrecordings.bandcamp.com

BUY THE NEW BOOTSEY X LP HERE

50 Variant copies released on a unique color. This is a one time pressing.
All Variant copies include a Bootsey X CD EP

25 Variant copies will be sold for the Pre-Orders, and 25 variant copies will be sold when records are in hand, so there will be two chances to get a variant if you miss out on a sale.
LIMITED TO TWO PER HOUSEHOLD.

SIDE A-
1. Bang Bang Bang
2. Go Power
3. Mirage (Cordell/Tommy James and The Shondells)
4. Women’s Love Rites
5. Privates Investigator
SIDE B-
1. Dwarf Bunny Nation
2. Joe C
3. Lone Sugar Babe
4. Time To Whine
5. It Won’t Be Long (Lennon/McCartney)

BOOTSEY X NEW VINYL LP!!! ORDER YOUR COPY NOW

BOOTSEY X CELEBRATION APRIL 20 AT MARIOS OF TROY

Donation of $5 at the Door will go to help Bootsey cover some of his medical expenses...Bands playing include The Stomp Rockets, The Seatbelts, Circus Boy, The Ruiners and Cinecyde....Ending with an All Star Jam!!! Email me for more info.. Retrokimmer@gmail.com

BOOTSEY X FRIENDS FLASHBACK!

photo: John P. Harnois

John P. Harnois shot my favorite Bootsey X photos... he wrote me and said this was shot on a roof on Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit.  The girls were called at the time..The Lambchops of Soul.

Valorie aka Sister Dynamite wrote in and said, "This photo was taken on Jeff Grande's roof/patio." "The Boot is very cuddly, so this pose was a piece of yummy cake." That is Kelly-she was post-Lambchop-and me.

"Oh, yeah-I designed those little outfits we had on-I was going to Wayne State University, working as a grad assistant. at the Hilberry in the costume shop." "I found a few scraps laying around to make mine..."

photo: John P. Harnois

Kelly and Valorie were dancer/backup singers with Bootsey on the fabulous Dan Boyd videos that I love.  Here are 3 of them....

Bootsey X and the Lovemasters perform an original song Pony Down feat Bob Mulrooney - vocals, Jeff Grand Gerald Shohan Don Gillespie Robert Steel, Vito Marchione, Debbie Murphy, Valorie Moore Dynomite and Dolomite (Kelly); shot by Dan Boyd for Wizard of Livonia at Mr. Christian's/ Jamison's

The headliner was Bootsey X and the Lovemasters. So the place was full of people I knew, it was packed from long before the first band until long after the last note faded. Bootsey was always a crowd pleaser and this night was no different.

The band played a couple of tunes before Bootsey appeared in his signature shades and dress coat, the crowd went wild and he hadn’t sung a note yet. He milked the reaction like the pro he is, dancing near each band member working the entire room. By the time he started singing everyone was singing along, taping their feet and slamming their beer mugs on the table.

Bootsey was always the peacemaker off-stage, he would tell me hey did you hear that everyone is mad at so and so. Then he proceeded to tell me what so and so had to do to appease everyone. He was always right, usually it was a slight misunderstanding that was easily corrected and Bob gave the advice needed.

Bootsey X is the consummate front man he knows how to use body language to connect with the audience and his insightful tongue in cheek lyrics had everyone laughing and wondering how he got away with calling himself a genius from the waist down for example. For Bootsey it all came natural, I think that happens when you spend years performing from behind a drum kit. Dan Boyd

Detroit's own Genius From The Waist Down, Bootsey X and the Lovemasters feat Bob Mulrooney - vocals, Jeff Grand Gerald Shohan Don Gillespie Robert Steel, Vito Marchione, The Sugarbabes Debbie Murphy and Valorie Moore otherwise known as Dynomite and Dolomite; shot by Dan Boyd for Wizard of Livonia at Mr. Christian's/ Jamison's

Thank you SISTER DYNOMITE AND THE WIZARD OF LIVONIA....XK

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOOTSEY X!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Bob Mulrooney....love him so much! xK

Pizza with Bootsey X. We're springing Bootsey this Friday 2/8/13 taking him to Louie's Pizza @ 5:00pm. Come by say hey. 23141 Dequindre Rd Hazel Park, MI 48030
(248) 547-1711 http://louispizza.net/

RETROKIMMER'S PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY WAS AMAZING

The Last of the Badmen

***I want to send a special hug and thank you to Race...a great guy, so kind and helpful at the show Friday night...***

We were so excited to finally see this band! I have seen Steve Godoy drum with the Bermondsey Joyriders and Art Godoy play bass with The Vibrators.  Then I saw them both play with Deniz Tek last spring.

This time we finally got to meet/watch singer and front man extraordinaire Danny Creadon... OMG what a guy....I sat with Bootsey X while watching the Badmen and Bootsey kept asking me, "Who is that guy?" "He's GOOD." High praise indeed...

Danny Creadon

The lighting in the club was very poor but we shot what we could... Back to Danny...Like a lot of wild front men, Danny is soft spoken and very articulate off stage.  The second he takes that mic he transforms into another person...Just incredible... Photos and video can't capture him..really true..you've got to see him live to get it.. We were all blown away.

This was the first time I had seen Art Godoy play lead guitar! WOW... Quite a leap from Bass playing to lead. He looked much happier in that slot! 

Steve Godoy, the Pounding Punk drummer amazed all my friends...LOL  This was the third time I was so lucky to see Steve play... 

Rikki St James still hasn't stopped talking about Steve's drumming! I had shared Steve's videos with Rikki over the past two years, but the videos are nothing like witnessing him perform live.

Bill Kielty

Bill Kielty was so solid on Bass...I wondered what kind of Bass player could hang with the twins....Well BILL definitely hung right in there...

Steve Godoy

When I first filmed Steve Godoy drumming, I showed the video to my pal Robin in Florida.  She told me before she watched it that she did not like tattooed guys...I told her, "TRUST ME YOU WON'T EVEN NOTICE THOSE TATTOOS.."  Short answer...Robin is a Godoy fan....as are thousand of girls around the world...

When I watched Danny perform...I didn't think of Iggy....I thought of JAMES BROWN...baby please...

Art's licks were spot on..Mostly, like I said..I noticed how happy he was playing lead...

Nina Friday, Rick Ruiner, Carla and Casey Tek

Kyle Davis

We have been a giant fan of Kyle for over a year now..This guy can go all the way...multi talented is an understatement. I already knew Kyle to be a spot on lead guitarist. Loved his St James Infirmary cover!

Kyle played that for me and I thank him so much for that... Kyle's band did a bang up job backing Bootsey on his two songs.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT...

NIAGARA'S WAR PAINT OPENING RECEPTION WAS A BLAST!

What a fabulous night to be in Downtown Detroit..... Niagara's paintings are on exhibit at the Re:View Gallery 444 Willis St.

Tonight was the Niagara Reception Party. Called Bootsey X and Niagara's band mate Rob King the drummer to see if they would come out. It was exciting for me to see Niagara again. Haven't seen her since the Ann Arbor Rock n Roll Revival show we did in 2009.

Niagara and her fans

This painting sold tonight

We love Niagara's art so much... I made a web page dedicated to her paintings in 2007 before I met any of these legendary Ann Arbor musicians.

Colonel Galaxy and Kimmer

Had such fun running around with the totally cool Colonel... Thanks for the Margarita Col..!!

Colonel and Bootsey X

Old friends Rob King and Niagara

Rob King drove with me to Detroit and he is such a fun guy... Niagara was s shocked to see him at the party.

Rob King Niagara and Bootsey 

It has been 3 years since Hiawatha, Niagara, Rob King and I have been at the same gig.. That made this show really special for us.

Re: View Gallery 444 Willis St

Niagara signed my book.... :)

Hiawatha and Rob King

Artist Ron Zakrin Colonel Galaxy and Artist Davin Brainerd

Niagara and the Colonel