See Robert Hazard 8 p.m. Sat. April 26 at MilkBoy Coffee in Ardmore, playing songs from his latest CD release "Troubador."

http://milkboycoffee.com/ |  http://RobertHazard.com

Sam Cali has shared a Separate Checks panorama of portraits of the rockin' women at work in the '80s.
http://relivethe80s.com/pix/sepchecks.htm

And see Sam's Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers retrospective at: http://relivethe80s.com/pix/tommy conwell/index.php

Be there for the Witness Reunion, 2 p.m. Sun. April 20 and see Mitch Schecter on drums for the first time in many moons, since he enlisted in the guitar army. Held at Collingdale Fire House #1, 510 Clifton,Ave., Collingdale, Pa,, the party is a benefit for the the Firemans Memorial Fund. E-mail halamlb2@hotmail.com for ticket info. And while you're waiting, you can hear a newly discovered Witness live track at http://relivethe80s.com/music.htm

See Beru Revue 8 p.m. Sat. April 12 at The Media Theatre. Get the details at http://www.berurevue.us

December 2007

Turn on your TV to see George Manney's "Pipes of Peace," a video on the late Philadelphia jazz bagpipe player, Rufus Harley. George's electronic duo, Clutch Cargo, created the sound track. The program is set to air on WHYY at 10 p.m. Dec.13 and 1 a.m. Dec. 19. Now available online at http://www.filmbaby.com , "Pipes of Peace" earned the 2007 City Paper Choice Award for Best Most Philly Film.

In the '80s, George was the drummer for a number of bands including the Alan Mann Band and the Last-Minute Jam Band. http://geosound.org

New old pix of Rocket 88: http://relivethe80s.com/pix/rocket88.htm

Join Jim Six in Jersey: 7 p.m. Friday Sept. 14, Bogart's Coffee Bar, 210 N. High St., Millville, (856) 327-3714. See his complete schedule at: http://jimsix.com

See Beru Revue live Sat. Oct. 13 at the World Cafe Live. http://berurevue.us 

Ted Estersohn, of the 1980's Bacchanal fave band, The Wild Bohemians, recently saw the full-dress washboard made and played by his late bandmate Washboard Slim (Robert Young) added to the Smithsonian’s permanent collection. Pictures and story at: http://www.wavechair.com/washboardslim.html .

Tom Gillam of the '80s band Gypsy Rose has released a new CD with his current band, Tractor Pull. "Never Look Back" will be available in stores on Sept. 12. http://www.tomgillam.com

Drummer Dallas Cantland has toured and recorded with the old-school Philly punk band, Thorazine. Now he would like to join a group of folks who play out, have a good time and possibly make enough to cover gas and such. You can contact Dallas at: dallas25@voicenet.com .

Hear WXPN Christmas eve show, 1982, Rhythm of Lines Show, provided by Jay McClenaghan. The singers are Teddy Gallagher and Dan Mason, the drummer is Greg DiSabatino, and the bass player is me," Jay says. "The tape was sent to me by [former South Street DJ] Michel Polizzi, from France — where he now lives."
http://relivethe80s.com/music.htm

The J.C. Dobbs Reunion at the World Cafe Live Upstairs, slated for Saturday Oct. 6, is seeking bands and solo acts to perform. If you or your band ever played at Dobbs, please contact Cindy Miller at cm53@earthlink.com . At last year's reunion, the band sets were 15 to 20 minutes and the acoustic performers each did one or two songs.

<<(A few of the many musicians who played Dobbs: Wally Smith of Last-Minute Jam, Jim Meneses, formerly of the Stickmen, Rick Iannacone and Reesa jamming at a South Street bar recently.)

This annual event was started by sax player Randy Dance and former Dobbs owner Kathy James, as well as Cindy Miller and other supporters.

The original intent was to celebrate the late, great club at 304 South St.

"I think it's as much about old friends getting together for a fun night out," Randy says. "Last year's reunion was a great success with two venues and many diverse acts. We decided to simplify this year."

So it will be one venue only, the World Cafe Live. Reesa and The Rooters will be playing, with more acts and jam possibilities to be announced. Please join us — and e-mail cm53@earthlink.com to schedule a performance slot.

I'm so psyched about this, I decided to return to the studio for the first time in over 10 years, to record a three-song CD with the "new" Rooters:

* Ex-Network 23 & Reesa drummer Animal Len Brown
* Ex-Network 23 & Reesa guitarist John (Bronco Ray) Melinchock.
* Bass player Ron Chinappi.
* Backup vocals: Singer-songwriters Renata Gordon and Maureen Simmons-Uritis.
* And yay! Randy Dance on sax :-)

Don't miss Bunnydrums and King of Siam on the bill with legendary guitarist Richard Lloyd of the punk-icon band, Television, this Thursday, May 17 at the Khyber Pass, 55 S.. 2nd St. in Philly. Like electronic heaven ~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

Hot jazz and blues vocalist Zan (Suzanne) Gardner died after a car accident on May 1.  Zan was driving to meet a friend for dinner when a minivan struck her vehicle on Cheltenham Avenue.

Zan was seen often at the North Star Bar and other Philly clubs. Her 2001 CD, "Here's My Heart," featured the original song, "Metaphoric Heartbreak."

A musical celebration of her life is being planned. Memorial donations may be sent to Jazz Bridge, 3008 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, PA 19038.

See The Resistors in their glory days at Dewars, Binni & Flynn's, Dobbs and more at http://relivethe80s.com/pix/resistors.htm . Hear them "Give the Girls What They Want" and other original tunes at http://relivethe80s.com/music.htm . Be sure to check out the track notes, too — the musicians included ex-A's Richard Bush and Rocco Notte. http://relivethe80s.com/articles/resistors.htm

Stuff provided by Greg Kochanowicz, who will be gigging next month with original lead guitarist Bob Genua and a new band of Resistors. Greg says a CD will be available for sale then, too.

See two new pix of The Guise in their budding and later stages (the "Out in the Cold" lineup) at http://relivethe80s.com/pix/guise.htm . Thanks to rockin' announcer/mic star Chuck Varesko.

View album cover from The Majik on Stormy Records, provided by Steve McVicker, at http://relivethe80s.com/records/records6.htm .

The 4th Annual Alan Mann Tribute has been cancelled. Originally set for March 25 at the World Cafe Live Upstairs, there is no news of a replacement date.

ARCHIVES

Saturday, Nov. 4, two well-known '80s acts are back in town.

Former A's lead singer Richard Bush has a new band, The Peace Creeps, and a new CD entitled "Autumn of Love." Their first Philly show will be at 7:30 p.m. at The Tin Angel, 2nd & Market streets. See vintage A's pix taken by Chuck Costello and provided by Roy Fischer, who played bass with the A's at some of their later shows and also is in the Peace Creeps with Richard.

The Beru Revue 25th Anniversary Sing-A-Long starts at 8 p.m. at the Grape Street Pub in Manayunk. Tickets cost $12.50 in advance and are available on the Grape Street Web site.

Jim Six will play his tongue-in-cheek acoustic sounds for a good cause from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at EmJay's Coffeehouse, 2 S. Main St. in Mullica Hill, N.J. It's a Toys for Tots benefit: Admission costs $5 and an unwrapped, new toy. The goodies will go to the Gloucester County Toys for Tots program. See http://jim.six.org for more info.

Vintage photos of Jim Six have been added to the Relive the '80s site, thanks to Jim himself.

Celebrity-writer-DJ A.D. Amorosi spins at New Wave '70s-'80s happy hours in Philly every week. A.D. tells me he plays as many Philly acts as he can, including Pretty Poison, The Hooters and Bunnydrums. "I would spin more if I had more burned onto CD, the boppier, dancier stuff," he said by e-mail. Do I hear a cry for stuff like The Rooters' "Ultraman in Surf Villa"?

Dance with A.D.:

• Every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Alfa @ The Walnut Room on Walnut Street between 17 and 18th streets.

• Every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Glam on S. 2nd St between Market and Chestnut streets.

J.C. Dobbs Reunion Wrap-Up (See pix and videos)

More than 20 bands — many of them playing together for the first time in years — rocked the recent Dobbs Reunion held throughout the day at two Philly clubs. See pix.

From all reports, the matinee at Smokey Joe's really did smoke, all afternoon. The bill included the Last-Minute Jam Band, Mr. Berg, Smash Palace/Quincy, the John Cadillac Band, Winkle & The Wanderers, Marty Doc & The Hardons, and Mikey Wild.

Around 7 p.m., former Dobbs owner Kathy James moved from Smokey Joe's to the World Cafe Live Upstairs, greeting party goers like it was yesterday on South Street. Sax man Randy Dance officiated and Rob Carburetor helped with the setup.

Terry James' solo guitar work kicked off the WCL evening to a beautiful start. Then The Dobbs "D" sign was carried in and the very Dylanesque Peter Stone Brown began singing. He was briefly interrupted when plugging in the "D" caused a power outage onstage. After the sign was unplugged, Peter continued. David Simpson rounded out the acoustic acts.

The first electric band, So Sydney, played with shorter hair than we remembered — but no less rock. One of the kids joined them on guitar.

Hired Guns' rootsy blues really warmed up the crowd.

The Reesa and the Rooters 2006 set (see videos) featured three guest performers:

• Mia Richie (backup vocals on my original tune, "Casual Cat at a Laundromat")
• Randy Dance (sax on the Alan Mann song "You Can't Talk to Her") and
• Mikey Wild singing a short, punk version of "Wild Thing." That was the first time I had seen Mikey in more than 10 years.

The only original Rooter onstage was me, but guitarist Romeo John Melinchock and drummer Animal Len Brown were in Network 23 & Reesa, my second followup band to the Rooters. Ron Chinnappi played bass while Renata Lea Gordon and Maureen Simmons sang backup. (I won't try to tell you about the silly things I did — you had to be there.)

Radio personality Michael Tearson introduced two of his favorite Philly '80s bands: Separate Checks recreating their bubbly pop rock sound, and Coup d'Etat, with front man John Torres, making timeless synth rock.

Sheila Fitzgerald's fiery blues rock led to the final jam of the night. As it was past my bedtime, I can't tell you what happened after that. But when I left, the joint was still jumpin :-)

— Reesa of The Rooters

Emmy-award-winning composer and drummer George Manney has posted a brief, eye-opening interview with early Dobbs owner John Travis. See more of George's film work for the company he runs with his bandmate, Su Teears, at http://www.blastmovie.net .