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But Not Without Pain
In the
annals of show business, certain clubs and theaters have
come to have certain meanings to performers.
There
are clubs which are a pleasure to work and there are others
which no one wants to have anything to do with.
Among
those which fell into the former category was the now
defunct Flame Show Bar.
This is
it’s obituary.
“The
Flame is dead. It died without pomp or ceremony, without
trumpets to herald it’s outgoing or a final requiem.
“It
left behind to mourn it’s passing, hundreds of entertainers
who walked thru it’s doors and onto it’s ancient, yet ample
stage. It left thousands of patrons, many of whom, perhaps
saw their first big name act there.
“It
left entertainers who got their first break there. And by
the same token, it left many entertainers who, on the way
down the ladder of success, stopped for ‘just a minute’.
“And
one must not forget the local talent it spawned in it’s
heyday. Jackie Wilson, Della Reese, Johnny Ray, Laverne
Baker; all of these are synonymous with the Flame, with
success, and most of all with life.
“Yes,
the Flame is dead, It died quietly but not without pain.
“It is
not without pain when one walks past the famed doors that
stayed open so long, and when one remembers the good times
that were theirs simply by walking inside, knowing there
would be old familiar faces to greet him.
“It is
not without pain that one recognises one more of show
businesses’ stalwarts has gone the way of the Club De Lisa
and the Roxy.
“And it
is not without pain that one thinks of the men and women who
depended on the Flame for a livelihood.
“The
Flame is out, Gone, Finished and many hearts are saddened by
it’s passing for it can never be replaced in the hearts of
all the people who loved it and all the entertainers who
loved to work there.
“The
Flame is dead. It died quietly, but not without pain.”
article
by Jim Cleaver
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Buddy
Lamp, recording star of “I’m Coming Home” is being held over
by popular demand for another week at Lee’s Club Sensation,
1300 Owen.
Singer
Bonita Drake, the Exotic Rochelle and Hard Times’ Nate, MC
and comedian, will also be featured.
Every
Monday the “Belltones” appear. Tuesday and Thursday are 35
cent nights. Stop in seven nights a week at Lee’s Club
Sensation and enjoy entertainment each night.
Gino Washington
Home |
Gino
Washington Has Career All Planned
The
largest ovation extended to the many performers at the rock
and roll jamboree last week was not given to Cassius Clay
nor singer Lloyd Price, but Detroit’s own Gino Washington.
For the
two numbers that the young recording personality was on the
Cobo Arena stage, he managed to captivate the heavily
populated teenage audience with the latest in song and dance
trends.
As a
result of his performance, which was originally
scheduled as a benefit appearance to promote his new release
of “Out Of This World” and “Come Monkey With Me”, Gino has
been asked to tour with the “Clay-Price” aggregation.
A 19
year old graduate of Pershing High, Gino has aspirations of
becoming the world’s greatest entertainer. This he plans to
attain by exploiting as well as improving his talent to the
fullest.
At present he sings, dances and plays the piano and
guitar. In addition he’s a songwriter, try's his hand at
light comedy, and has studied drama for the last three
years. Earlier
in the year he made his debut as a playwright by composing a
tune called “Heaven Must Have Known” and writing a play
around it.
The
sixth of thirteen children, Gino became interested in
entertaining at an early age, beginning by performing at
schools, churches and social events and winning an array of
talent awards.
Since
that time, he has performed at colleges, dances and record
hops and has made numerous appearances throughout Detroit,
neighboring cities and Canada.
Gino
favors the entertainment field because of the challenging
and fast moving pace. He’s quick to point out the reasons
for his choice. “Acting offers a chance for self-expression
through story. Comedy lifts the pressure of everyday grind
a little, and singing just gives me a good feeling,” he
related.
Although Gino extends his vocal repertoire to Broadway, he
prefers writing his own material for recordings.
“If I
don’t like a song , I can’t put my best into it” he stated,
“therefore, when I write my own arrangements I’m closer to
being satisfied.”
In
order to familiarise himself with the business side of show
business, the young singer plans to attend college to major
in Business Administration.
article by
Rita Griffin
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