The Everlasting Craptastical Mystery Thread

[warriorchick]

Found this excellent link...

http://milwaukeerockposters.com/index.html

What?  No Gerard? But they were on Star Search and everything!

[warthog-driver]

sailors up from Great Lakes Naval Academy

It's a recruit Training Facility. In the USAF it is called BMT (Basic Military Training)

[Newsdreams]

And the Violent Femmes.  I was on the East Coast with some friends in 1984 watching MTV when the video for "Children of the Revolution" came on. They had filmed it at the Serb Hall fish fry.   I was cracking up.  My non-Milwaukee friends couldn't figure out what was going on in the video. "What's with all the old people eating fish?"   

Saw the Femmes believe twice at the Union, also Mike Rutherford's (Genesis) band The Mechanics. To this date my friends back home do not believe that I got to see the Femmes at my U. student union.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

And the Violent Femmes.  I was on the East Coast with some friends in 1984 watching MTV when the video for "Children of the Revolution" came on. They had filmed it at the Serb Hall fish fry.   I was cracking up.  My non-Milwaukee friends couldn't figure out what was going on in the video. "What's with all the old people eating fish?"   

Great cover song of the original T. Rex original.  It has been covered numerous times.  It was on the Femmes 1986 album "Children of the Revolution" and I don't blame you because remembering what years things happened gets to be humorous as time goes on.

[warthog-driver]

Saw the Femmes believe twice at the Union, also Mike Rutherford's (Genesis) band The Mechanics. To this date my friends back home do not believe that I got to see the Femmes at my U. student union.

There was a local band called Sweetbottom that played the Mugrack on Friday afternoons. Their founders were Martin J. Appel and Daryl Stuermer. Stuermer went on to play bass for Genesis and Phil Collins. Sttuermer's brother Dwayne lived on my floor in Schroeder and was always 1) Stoned 2) Listening to Yes 3) Listening to Traffic. Great guy who could always get free tickets to shows.

[warthog-driver]

Album Cover for Milwaukee Band. Not sure if they are musicians or Porn Stars

[jsglow]

This has been fun for me to read.  Thank you for remembering.

Agree with the notion that Jim Schade had a great deal to do with the early Grill Concerts.  He turned the baton over to Marty King who, in turn handed it to me.  Absolutely true story . . . I was in final contract negotiations with representatives of Survivor when 'Eye of the Tiger' hit #1.  We almost had them for the 'Party of the Century'.  In the end, the $$ was just too big for the university to swallow.  Notwithstanding that disappointment, we booked multiple outstanding acts on three separate stages that historic day.

And while I believe that we were often on the musical cutting edge, I must say that the first time I booked the Femmes I thought they were the weirdest guys I had ever met and would never really amount to anything.  Opps.

Also kudos to Bob Babisch down at Summerfest.  He helped us out immeasurably during my 2 years stint.  We got essentially unlimited access to artists via his contacts.  It wasn't an internship or anything like that.  He just wanted to help the kids at MU.  I spent Summerfest each year getting important introductions backstage.  Pretty cool for a 21 y/o kid.

[BrewCity83]

I went to grade school with Brian Ritchie of the Femmes.  He was a brilliant kid, always very political, even in grade school.  He loved listening to pirate radio, WZMF, and the band Yes.  I don't think he ever learned an instrument until high school.  Always an odd dude, very interesting character.

[pbiflyer]

This has been fun for me to read.  Thank you for remembering.

Agree with the notion that Jim Schade had a great deal to do with the early Grill Concerts.  He turned the baton over to Marty King who, in turn handed it to me.  Absolutely true story . . . I was in final contract negotiations with representatives of Survivor when 'Eye of the Tiger' hit #1.  We almost had them for the 'Party of the Century'.  In the end, the $$ was just too big for the university to swallow.  Notwithstanding that disappointment, we booked multiple outstanding acts on three separate stages that historic day.

And while I believe that we were often on the musical cutting edge, I must say that the first time I booked the Femmes I thought they were the weirdest guys I had every met and would never really amount to anything.  Opps.

Who was the guy who hired them for the Saturday night shows back in 82-83? That guy had a brilliant touch with bands. Must have had a good teacher. 

[jsglow]

Who was the guy who hired them for the Saturday night shows back in 82-83? That guy had a brilliant touch with bands. Must have had a good teacher. 

Been a long time old friend!   

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I remember the Britians (?) at the Mugrack as a great show back in the early 80's.  The Femmes, Replacements, REM all used to play Summerfest at the Rock Stage before they got big.  I still have a tape from a 1983 REM show at Summerfest that was taped from the 7th row with a boom mic.  Not the greatest quality, but a great show. 

What was the name of the place on State that used to have bands?  I think it was on State at least.  Todd Rundgren played in 84 if I remember right.  Very small venue, we had first row in front of the band.  Great show.

Britins (as I recall). Must have been a return engagement since I saw them in 1980 at the Mugrack and it was OUTSTANDING!

[Norm]

I can remember watching the Goo Goo Dolls (when they were still pretty much a punk band), Sonic Youth, Blake Babies, Soul Asylum, Trip Shakespeare, and Wild Kingdom, a local Milwaukee band who drove their car on to the lawn in front of LaLamure and got out and started playing - their best song was "Monkey in a man Suit."

Also saw Tracy Chapman and 10,000 Maniacs at the Varsity Theatre for $3. Nine Inch Nails played there too.

Not a bad music scene at Marquette in the late 80's, early 90's.

[jsglow]

I'd love to bring concerts back to MU for today's generation.  Absent that, I believe strongly that MU and the Rave could build a fantastic partnership where students could get incredible live concert production experience. 

We spend considerable time discussing Fr. Pilarz here.  But let's remember that had he attended MU back in the day it woulda been his giant JVC speakers blaring Bruce out across campus from McCormick's windows.

[Newsdreams]

Those of you posting that were at MU during '79-'83 seems like I might know some of you. Jsglow positive must have met you at MU.

[jsglow]

Those of you posting that were at MU during '79-'83 seems like I might know some of you. Jsglow positive must have met you at MU.

I'll tell one more story.  (Warriorchick can't pay attention.)  I'd spent most of the Romantics concert at the soundboard but at some point went up to the balcony where the programming board had a aisle seat for me just so I could enjoy part of the show.  Well some unbelievable looking co-ed comes up to me and says "You're jsglow!  This is such an awesome show and I wanted to meet you".  Well I somehow didn't get the hint and ruined my one chance at 'rock star status' by saying something dumb like "Thanks. See ya!"

newsdrms????  

[Newsdreams]

I'll tell one more story.  (Warriorchick can't pay attention.)  I'd spent most of the Romantics concert at the soundboard but at some point went up to the balcony where the programming board had a aisle seat for me just so I could enjoy part of the show.  Well some unbelievable looking co-ed comes up to me and says "You're jsglow!  This is such an awesome show and I wanted to meet you".  Well I somehow didn't get the hint and ruined my one chance at 'rock star status' by saying something dumb like "Thanks. See ya!"

newsdrms????  

Hahaha, no not a chick newsdrms is a silly abbreviation of a comic book store I used to own. But the true story is I knew most people involved in committee or whatever, do not remember, that had to do with the activities on campus. As a matter of fact there was one of the positions if I recall that was voted on by the students, and I helped on the campaign based on the bands that would be hired for the Union and Varsity gigs.

[LloydMooresLegs]

Anyone remember that goofball Tim the Rock 'n Roll Animal?  1982 "stunt" living on a ledge downtown after The Who bypassed Milwaukee on a tour, and he actually wound up getting them to come to Milwaukee.

 http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/prstunts.html

1982: "On the ledge with Tim the Rock 'N Roll Animal"
This year marks the 25th anniversary of one of the greatest stunts in the history of Milwaukee radio.

WQFM, which was competing with rival station WLPX in a death struggle for the attention of rock fans with feathered hair and black t-shirts, had a night-time DJ named Tim "The Rock 'n' Roll Animal" Smith. (He got the nickname from college friends because he used to play Lou Reed's album of that name virtually every morning." The Rock and Roll Animal, who began his stint as the overnight DJ at WQFM before taking the coveted 6 p.m. -- 10 p.m. slot, was a bit quiet off the air but charismatic on it. He was known for his rhyming catchphrases like "Yankin' and Crankin on a Friday High Day," "Nothin' to it but to do it," etc.

It was during 1982 that The Who released what was to be its final studio album, "It's Hard," and announced a farewell tour of North America. (Yes, they're the same band that has only toured the US about 50 times since).

The Who had never played a date in Milwaukee and none was announced on the slate for the farewell tour. During his show on Sept. 16, 1982, Tim the Animal decided that he would climb out on the 21st floor ledge of the WQFM studio, which was located at 606 W. Wisconsin Ave., and would not come inside until the Who announced that it was playing in Milwaukee.

WQFM milked the bit for all it was worth. TV stations and national magazines covered the "camp out," restaurants got publicity by sending food and listeners were encouraged to "Honk for The Who" while driving down Wisconsin Ave.

On Oct. 1, Tim the Animal took a call on the air from Roger Daltrey, the Who's lead singer, saying that the band would visit the Milwaukee Arena on Dec. 7. A lottery was held for tickets and roughly 12,000 lucky fans got to see one of the more incredible shows in Milwaukee rock history and the culmination of one of the great radio promotions of all-time.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

There's a local commercial in frequent rotation that uses the BoDean's "Closer to Free" in the background.  Yale New Haven Hospital recently opend a separate hospital specifically for cancer treatment.  The title sound sounds like a good match.

[CTWarrior]

Anyone from the class of 83 remember the South Side Johnny concert at the Varsity?  It ain't the meat, it's the motion.

How about Alex Bevan....I'm just a skinny little boy from Cleveland Ohio.

Or Yipes....out in California, the kids are really cool...

Saw Bruce in 1982.   Third row seats, right in front of Clarence and Steve Van Zandt. Three hours, 4 encores.   Back in the day.

Anyone (of course we do) remember the anti disco protest in front of the Varsity?  Post Steve Dahl.

Wow, so many of you from my exact years at MU 79-83.  I had completely forgotten about Yipes!  Also remember liking Snopek (I think they were called) at the Grill concerts.  "We'll be the first band to play on the moon".  Also remember a relatively big stink when Sister Sledge played to a half-empty Varsity. 

Saw Bruce at the MECCA in fall of 80 on The River tour as a first date with my now-wife of 27 years after another girl turned me down because she had better seats!  That concert was so long I think I got my hangover about 3/4 of the way through.  I also remember having terrible seats for Tom Petty opened by Nick Lowe and Music to Go with Paul Carrack and just moving to the side of the stage and being almost on top of them for the whole show.  Those were great days.

[warriorchick]

There's a local commercial in frequent rotation that uses the BoDean's "Closer to Free" in the background.  Yale New Haven Hospital recently opend a separate hospital specifically for cancer treatment.  The title sound sounds like a good match.

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism has an excellent commercial using that song, including a beautiful montage of all the fun things there are to do in the state (fishing, cross-country skiing, attending Summerfest, eating cream puffs at the State Fair, etc).  I can't seem to find it online.   They really should show it more, especially in Illinois.  Everytime I see it I want to take a road trip.

[Newsdreams]

Anyone remember that goofball Tim the Rock 'n Roll Animal?  1982 "stunt" living on a ledge downtown after The Who bypassed Milwaukee on a tour, and he actually wound up getting them to come to Milwaukee.

 http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/prstunts.html

1982: "On the ledge with Tim the Rock 'N Roll Animal"
This year marks the 25th anniversary of one of the greatest stunts in the history of Milwaukee radio.

WQFM, which was competing with rival station WLPX in a death struggle for the attention of rock fans with feathered hair and black t-shirts, had a night-time DJ named Tim "The Rock 'n' Roll Animal" Smith. (He got the nickname from college friends because he used to play Lou Reed's album of that name virtually every morning." The Rock and Roll Animal, who began his stint as the overnight DJ at WQFM before taking the coveted 6 p.m. -- 10 p.m. slot, was a bit quiet off the air but charismatic on it. He was known for his rhyming catchphrases like "Yankin' and Crankin on a Friday High Day," "Nothin' to it but to do it," etc.

It was during 1982 that The Who released what was to be its final studio album, "It's Hard," and announced a farewell tour of North America. (Yes, they're the same band that has only toured the US about 50 times since).

The Who had never played a date in Milwaukee and none was announced on the slate for the farewell tour. During his show on Sept. 16, 1982, Tim the Animal decided that he would climb out on the 21st floor ledge of the WQFM studio, which was located at 606 W. Wisconsin Ave., and would not come inside until the Who announced that it was playing in Milwaukee.

WQFM milked the bit for all it was worth. TV stations and national magazines covered the "camp out," restaurants got publicity by sending food and listeners were encouraged to "Honk for The Who" while driving down Wisconsin Ave.

On Oct. 1, Tim the Animal took a call on the air from Roger Daltrey, the Who's lead singer, saying that the band would visit the Milwaukee Arena on Dec. 7. A lottery was held for tickets and roughly 12,000 lucky fans got to see one of the more incredible shows in Milwaukee rock history and the culmination of one of the great radio promotions of all-time.

Got lucky enough to go to that great show!!

[real chili 83]

Same here.  I was lucky enough to see them again in the 90's.

Did Entwistle play in Milwaukee, or he pass on before that concert?

Anyone remember the series Daltrey did on the history channel on American history?  I thought it was kinda good. Didn't last too long though.   Got a kick from the episode where he was eating cooked beaver tail for a story on Lewis and Clark.

Lots of class of '83 here.

One other memory...in Fort Lauderdale for spring break in '83.  ND was on break same time.  We were standing in line to get into the Button.  There were Domers in line too.  That year, ND was NIT bound.  We all started chanting "ND, NIT...ND, NIT"!  They were none too happy.

[Lighthouse 84]

Does anyone remember seeing Spooner (later Firetown) at the Mugrack in 84?  Fun Band to watch and listen to.

By the way.......Mugrack mug no. 263 from back in the day.  Anyone else still have theirs?

[Norm]

Does anyone remember seeing Spooner (later Firetown) at the Mugrack in 84?  Fun Band to watch and listen to.

By the way.......Mugrack mug no. 263 from back in the day.  Anyone else still have theirs?

Yep, got my mug. I worked at the Mugrack the last year it was open at the Brooks Memorial Union before Alumni Union opened up. The new place at Alumni did not match up, although I was able to wolf down lots of free food at both places.

[Lighthouse 84]

Yep, got my mug. I worked at the Mugrack the last year it was open at the Brooks Memorial Union before Alumni Union opened up. The new place at Alumni did not match up, although I was able to wolf down lots of free food at both places.

the Mugrack made a tasty sandwich too.  Sort of a Which Wich before Which Wich was around.