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June 30 -
2003 - Carhops, Pittsburgh, PA
Monday night Jam w/Norm a special guest
Great Night. Norman decided to mess with the house band
and make them play some of his brand new original songs.
The 2 new songs were "Mr. Right Now" and "Who Dat, Do
Dat". It was great night for the house band with Norm.
Notables in Attendance: Martha, Rich & Margie,
Crash
June 28 - 2003 Birdie's
Landing Marina "Rock on the Yough"!
What a beautiful night right down on the dock on the
Youghiogheny River. A gently sloped hillside facing a
small deck where Norman and the guys set up, backed by a
dock filled with boats. Imagine the beautiful Yough
River under a clear evening sky, a fantastic barbecue
under a tent done by Maverick, plus Coors Light on ice
at a buck a can! Yahoo! It was just shy of 300 great
people all just wanting to get down. Some brought kids,
some brought their parents. The working poor of our
great nation and a perfect Saturday night. The band
started off groovin' with "Lazy Bones". Then went
directly into "Good Rockin' Man". They were off and
runnin' from there! A great guy named Don and his
beautiful family from Chicago, had recently been
contacting us by email. He and his lovely wife Maureen
and 2 gorgeous baby daughters Amber (3) & Mallory (1)
were also there. The daughters' wanted to hear their
favorite song "Love Dog". They were called to the stage
to help with the barking vocals and did a fabulous job
to everyone's delight. The band played for 5 hours and
did one of the best versions of "Smoked Two Joints" they
ever did, (after the kiddies were gone and in bed, of
course) ;-) Also, Harry Bottoms did a surprise lead
vocal on an impromptu version of Steppenwolf's "Born To
Be Wild" to the dancing fun of America's working class.
Can't wait do it all over again next year. Also, thanks
to Bobby Betters for the appearance on the harmonica.
Notables in attendance: The entire Betters gang,
)everybody missed the dearly departed Nicky
Betters...truly a one of a kind). Al & Pat from the old
"Al's Riverside", By the way, Norm wore an "Al's
Riverside" t-shirt that night, Biker Tom, (minus Sue who
was out watching male strippers). Don, Maureen and
daughters, Amber & Mallory from Chicago, Aby with her
boyfriend and her sister, Jen & Little Bobby.
June 27 -
Carhops - Pittsburgh, PA
It was an especially fun night. Norman was crazy and
talking all kinds of wild Lenny Bruce type shit. The
lead singer from a lounge band that Norm used to play
with in 1970, Tony Iriti got up to sing with the band.
He sang a great version of Moon Dance (Van Morrison). He
also sang a great version of "Ain't To Proud To Beg"
(Temptations). Another old drummer friend who just moved
back to Pittsburgh from LA got up to help the band close
out the night and is name was "Crash".
Notables in Attendance: Ted Thompson & Alan Land
June 22 -
2003 - Donzi's (Bike Night) - Strip District,
Pittsburgh, PA
A beautiful sunny Sunday evening with a parking lot
filled with beautiful choppers. The band started off
playing mostly bluesy stuff and then shifted directions
into a mess of country tunes including a killer version
of "What The F%$#". Then the second set they mostly did
rockin stuff with a cool version of "Rock n Roll City".
The band is looking forward to the next biker night jam
at Donzi's and looking forward to seein' you there too.
Notables in attendance: Eric & Chris (haven't
sent them in a while), Ted Thompson, Marina
June 14 - 2003 - Excuses -
Pittsburgh PA- Excuses, South Side:
It was a little bit slow after the giant part Friday
night. But once again the band managed to get as much
fun out of it as could possibly be had. Lenny Ferrari,
Lou Reed's old drummer came out and sat in to end the
first set. They did 2 new songs again, Mr. Right Now, &
a really hot version of "Who Dat, Do Dat". Rat happened
to be in the audience and he did a killer version of Me
and Bobby McGee. He was on good behavior until the very
end when he ripped his shirt off and had a woman's tutu
on. George the club owner, laughed his ass off.
Notables in Attendance: Wonderful Tom, Marina, Rat &
Chooch, Once again Mike Lange of Hockey Hall of Fame
notoriety was sighted taking pics of the band.
June 13 - 2003 Moondog's:
(Norm's Birthday! Friday the 13th!)
Not only was it Friday the 13th, but it was a full moon!
What more appropriate a place for Norm's birthday to be
held than at Moondog's no less! Many thanks to Moondog
for putting on one fantastic party, complete with a full
spread of wonderful foods, birthday cake(s), Kazoos
(that didn't work) and an appearance by the Moondog
mascot in full costume. (Pics coming soon)
The place was packed front to back and several great
Pittsburgh legendary rockers showed up to honor the Love
Dog himself on his birthday. The first guest up to sing
was Norm's dad. He sang the "Just Because" polka. Next,
came amazing axe grinder, Dave Granati from The Granati
Bothers who did the old Rolling Stones song "The Last
Time" then, the old Elvis song "Blue Moon Of Kentucky".
Then in walks legendary guitarist Glenn Pavone, who sat
in on several tunes playing his signature kick ass
leads. Surprisingly, he first sat in and played the
drums while Whitey sang "I Got My MoJo Workin". At the
end of the song, Whitey played an insane slide guitar
solo...even though he doesn't actually doesn't play
guitar!! ;-) Never knew Glen could pound the skins so
well either! In addition, Young Zack Weissinger, Norm's
protégé and an amazing blues guitarist on the rise,
played a few times throughout the night during the first
and second sets. He did a great version of "Bull Legged
Woman", a great tune Norm's wrote. They ended up the set
with Glenn and Zack on guitars playing together with
scorching lead jams. It was great to hear two different
generations of great guitarists jammin' together.
Meantime, Norm stopped playin' and just decided to sing
and dance while the band got down. To end wrap up the
night, Shades stood in and sang "Tossin & Turnin" and
then Moondog sang "I Shall Be Released" by Bob Dylan.
Paul & Joe from the
SPUDS
where there but I heard they were feeling no pain and
left before they had a chance to sit in. The crowd was
amazing and it was a joyous event for all including Norm
who was beaming with joy all night. You should have been
there!
Notables in attendance: Laurie Andrews (who came all the
way from Mississippi to see Norm and also supplied a
gang of pics and other memorabilia to add to the Tiger
Days section coming soon), Martha, Jerry Farine (Norm's
old neighbor who took the pics of Norm & Jack McGee in
his yard. See them
here),
Ron & Lynn of the famed yearly New Years Eve parties,
Cathie Norm's ole lady, Sue Bottoms, Marcia & The
Presidential Don, Glenn & Nancy Pavone, Dave Granati,
Shades, Dave & Carol, Alan & Debbie (Alan is
No Bad
JuJu website designer who gave me a CD of pics from
Carhops which I'll post right away, many thanks!), Toni
Martelli & Mark Bridge, , Lisa Mahoney & Crew, Bother
Ron & Patti, Norm's sister Ann & husband J.P., Gil &
Sue, Art & Eleanor Nardini Norm's parents, Judy
Rosenfeld & Eric Wisnewski, Cindy & Alisha, Bob & Pam,
Marc the vet, Grant & Tammy, Ted Thompson who will be
supplying the pics, Craig the doorman, Cheryl & Jon
Gonzalez, Zack Weissinger, Wies & Charmain (Zacks
parents), Murph, Danny Murray, Mary & Billie
(bartenders), Larry from Starlite, Bob & Rosa Wagner,
Paul & Joe of the Spuds, Wesley & Doug. Whew! Glad we
brought a pen and pad along!
Footnote: Dave (Dave & Carol) who regularly attends
Norm's events gave Norm's website a major thumbs up and
said that Moondog usually places an ad in the
Post-Gazette about Norm's birthday, but for some
technical reason, it didn't get in this year. Even so,
the house was packed and he felt that many of the folks
who came found out from our website. Thanks Dave & Carol
and to all those who have expressed their appreciation
for documenting Norm's legacy online. Your feedback
really makes all the work worthwhile into bringing this
info to you and the rest of the fans. Norm and the band
are also thrilled and honored that so many of you come
and visit the site and then to come see them play as a
result. It fuels the band to keep rockin' their best and
bringing good times, fun & love to all. I get my kicks
with maintaining the site just for the honor, new
friendships and fun of being part of it all. Hats off to
all our website and events fans! As DeNiro said to Billy
Crystal in "Analyze This & That" You....you...you're
good!
June 7 -
2003 Wilberts: New club Downtown Cleveland by
"The Jake" (Jacob's Field)
Norm was the first out of town band to play this new
venue. What a beautiful room it is! Once again they
played a 2 hour opening set and mixed a lot of old and
new songs. It included "Nothin To Lose", "Boilermaker",
and some new songs. They took a short break and ended up
playing another hour and a half. Wound up the night with
a great version of "Smoked Two Joints".
Notables in attendance: Joni, Peanuts, Perry &
Ronnie came all the way from Pittsburgh to see the show.
Friday,
June 6 - 2003 Wild Rib Cook Off & Music Festival -
Norman featuring Jake's Blues Downtown Erie, PA under
the Gazebo
Jakes Blues went on
first and was fantastic! He's one of Norm's most
favorite bar room rockers on the planet and ours too.
Then Norm came on and had a blast playing for so many
people outside under the gazebo and the place was
packed. During the set, Norm got a couple boys from the
audience to come up and bark onstage to the song "Love
Dog". After that, a mess of girls jumped up onstage and
danced the rest of the set. To close out the set, they
brought Jake up to play with the band which turned
everybody on because he's the best out of that whole
area. They also got Jake's drummer Nino up to sing on
the last couple songs. The show was supposed to be over
at 10 o'clock but no one wanted to leave so they ended
up playing till 10:30.
Notables in attendance: George and Jan Donachy
and their 3 beautiful kids, Jake's wife Shelly and her
family
Monday, June 2 - 2003
Carhops
It was the anniversary of their Monday night jam. The
place was packed! The whole evening was filmed and audio
recorded by Jim & Rich from MCA TV & Jon R Gonzalez set
it all up for everyone to be on TV, free of charge.. Joe
Grushecky opened the show and did a short set and
sounded great. Then Norm, Harry Bottoms on bass, Herman
Granati on keys and Bruce Logan (the club owner on
drums), came on and did a short set. They opened with
"Love Dog" the old Canned Heat song "Work Together" and
the last song "I Shall Be Released" by Bob Dylan. They
had a great set and kicked everybody's ass. ;-) After
that, a young group came on between 14-18 years old by
the name of "Strastosphere" They were really good
especially for their age. After that, a guy named Bruce
came on and sang a couple Journey songs and did a really
good job. The night was closed out by Monday night jam
regulars, Sugar Ray, Craig King and Jo Be.
Notables in attendance: Dave & Carol, Alan Land &
Debbie, Ted Thompson
News Flash:
Norman had Phil
Brontz (Tenor Sax Player of 8th Street Rox Band) in the
studio this week working on a couple of songs for
Norman's soon to be released CD tentatively titled
"Recycled". It will feature 18 songs that Norman wrote
between 1977-1987. Stay tuned for availability! |
