Swiimmin' Pools and Movie Stars.

[Diane Amberg]

You would guess right! Johnny Kay was a guitarist "Comet" for 12 years. He still plays some of the clubs around here,also had a group called Johnny Kay's Rockets and is bringing out a new album soon.(www.jkrockets.com) Bill Haley was a local boy too, just over the northern Del. line at Booth's Corner PA.

[sixdogsmom]

I have a guitar string from Bill Haleys' guitar in my cedar chest. 

[Diane Amberg]

OK, that's not fair, you are going to make me ask....tell all, there has to be a good story there.

[sixdogsmom]

I thought I had posted this before on the forum, but for those who are interested---. About 1958 Bill Haley and the Comets appeared at the old Forum in Wichita. In those days a band usually played a 'dance' after a stage appearance and we got tickets to the one held at the CEC Playhouse, an upstairs party room in a nearby building. We got to stand right at the front of the band, just like the movies and dance if we wanted. Of course, Bill Haley was escorted around like the celeb he was, but while on stage he broke a guitar string. I was able to snag it up and rolled it up and stuck it in my pocket. I also got the autographs of the band members on a paper place mat. I will have to look and see if Johnny Kay is included. That was fun, and one of the special times in my teens.

[Diane Amberg]

That may have been just before Johnny Kay joined the group. I think he was a Comet from 1960 to '72. Prior to that he had his own group in our area. He was playing in Chester when he was spotted by Haley's manager and asked to play "Rock Around the Clock." for Bill Haley. The rest, as they say, is history.

[Diane Amberg]

Ok guys, any more stories? I love hearing them.

[Catwoman]

Or, are they just too juicy for posting on a family site?? lol

[larryJ]

Well, as David has mentioned some stories have to be cleaned up so to speak to be put in a family forum and others just aren't worthwhile or just not that good.

However, I have this one.  Every year, there is an auto show held in the LA convention center.  When my kids were coming of driving age, I would take them to the show so they could see all the cars in one place.  People could sit in the cars and look under the hoods and get an idea of what it was like to have that particular car.  And, in my son's case one that he would fit in being 6'6" tall.  In one area the more expensive and exclusive cars were roped off not allowing the peons to touch.  As usual when there is a bigger crowd on one area, there is possibly a star.  We were in this area looking at cars we will never have or even want to have as far as I am concerned when we saw such a crowd.  Like everyone else in the herd we moved over to see who it was.  It was Mr. Tim Robbins looking at a Rolls, but was delayed by autograph seekers.  In the meantime, a part of the crowd began to gather across the aisle to another star.  This one was Arnold who would later become our governor.  Arnold was allowed to enter the roped off area and sit in the car he was looking at.  Talk about star power!  In the 44 years I have lived and worked in the LA area I have become disaffected by stars.  Although I was in the local grocery store some years back when I saw Lori Laughlin from the TV show Full House and just flat fell in love on the spot.  Anyway over the years I have come to realize that they are no better than I am and I get to go to the store without being hounded by those pesky fans!

Larrj

[Diane Amberg]

This little tidbit isn't about music, but you might think it is fun. Capriotti's and Casapulla's make the (arguably) best subs around here. They are both local families who know what a REAL sub (hoagie) is...not just lunch meat on a long roll. Capriotti's, my personal favorite, makes a lot of different kinds of subs including all Italian, tuna, roast beef and fresh baked sliced turkey. There is another Capriotti's  a bit north of here and they had a familiar looking visitor. It was Kal Penn ( Kumar, House ) who stopped to order a "Bobbie" before he was going to UD to give a talk. Now, what is a Bobbie? It's Thanksgiving dinner on a long sub roll. Warm sliced turkey, plenty of warm dressing, a bit of gravy, cranberry sauce and a little mayo. Oh, yum, I love'em !!!! He knew exactly what it was and was nice enough to sign autographs while he waited.

[greatguns]

I want one!