West Michigan Mid-Sixties Bands

Looking for John Brown the best entertainer in the Silver Bullett in the 80's. If anyone knows where he is let me know. Would love to see him perform again.
April

Hi April,I think John still plays at Bob Sullivans hotel The Days Inn downtown G.R.!!! If you see him tell him Keith from Me and Dem Guys,and The Dead End Kids said hi! Thanks,Keith

John also does a karoke set in Grand Rapids on Wednesday nights. I don't know where but I will find out and post. He is a relatiave of mine.

Hi Judy,
John plays at The Radisson,(The old Holiday Inn )
on Ann Street.
Reason I know is my sons band ,First Row Live, plays there occasionally.
Have a good one!Keith

I can't believe that you saw my email. I am John's niece (Pat's daughter). I live in Rhode Island, but in Grand Rapids for a couple of days. Hopiny to see John tomorrow night at the Radisson. Grandma Loraine is in the hospital so don't know whether he will play tomorrow night or not. My sister and sister-in-law were going to meet me there. Hopefully, I will hear from him.
Judy

Okay, just talked to John and I need to clear something up. John Brown does a live performance from 5-7:30 PM at the The Landing, NW Radison Riverfront, 270 Ann Street on Wednesday afternoon. He is followed by another person who played with the John Brown Trio,Al Vendetti who does a great Karaoke set until 11:30 PM. John will try to be there tomorrow night if at all possible.

Hi,

I formed The fabulous rockabillys in 1980. Now have the infamous Al & The Black Cats.

I started with the Beveridge Brothers Band.

The Beveridge Brothers Band was preceded by The Swingin' B's ( Hal, Tony & Harry Beveridge). They played all over Grand rapids in te early to mid sixties. Yet I see no mention of them anywhere.

Al

You do now!

John Brown, Marsha and Jimmie Johnson best music in GR every Wednesday at the Radison Landing Lounge

Hello-
All the way back to the late 60's, I remember hearing the John Brown Trio: they were GOOD.... Much tighter and more musically evolved than the band that I was in (The Blues Reaction, a top-40 group from Greenville). While we played all over west and central MI, we only did one demo tape at a recording studio in Sparta, but had an improtu photo-op with a "Life" magazine photographer. Those were the days renting and playing at the Greenville armory (terrible acoustics!).....and getting kicked out of school if your hair touched your ears!

My husband and I had a lot of fun dancing to the John Brown Trio in Saginaw Michigan at the Fordney Club in 1966-67. Is this the same John Brown? I hope so - we enjoyed him so much and would love to now he is still performing.

I was in the service in Port Austin Mi and JBTrio was at the Fordney. They used to come up to the NCO club and play once in a while. We also had a group on base by the name of the Pie. I'm sure he doesn't remember that but we remember him. Can anyone say Cara Mia Mi (sp) Good harmonies

Looking for John Brown from Saginaw area in the 70's....Fordney Hotel. Trying to find him for my mothers 60th Surprise B-Day party. Good friend of hers from 70's, (Fordney Hotel). having a "lifetime" of her friends attend. Please HELP!!!

Okay Help me someone - looking for John Brown for my mom's surprise celebration...Rod or Darlene McDonald, Mike (Jake) Schrank. John hung out with my family in 60's and 70's!!! Anyone with information please respond. Thank you so much!!!

Trisha,
John plays regularly at the Radisson on Ann St,give them a ring to confirm.

Thanks so much Keith. It looks like I have to take a trip to G.R. this Wednesday.

Hi All, Just a quick note on John Brown Trio. Was and still is one of the best bands live I have ever seen. They were purists with the music and played most songs note for note just like they were recorded! The sound that those three guys put out was amazing. We went to see them alot in the early seventies at a bar on Bridge St. Anyone remember the name of the bar? Now that I know John is still playing, will make a trip to G.R. soon to see them. I wonder if that crazy bass player is still with them? He was so fun and intertaining to watch. Thanks for the memories and this cool site.

DOOOH! I just called a friend and It was the Bavarian Inn that we used to go and see John Brown. Anyone else go there too???

I was friends with a kid in the '70's who's step father drummed with a "John Brown Trio" in Lansing. Same one? I remember my friend had a 45 of "It's not Unusual." Any info on where that 45 can be obtained or heard?

The John Brown Trio were the last people to see my brother alive. My brother(Kevin Murray) was a clerk at the Fordney Hotel the night it was robbed.Another clerk was shot and killed in the lobby.Kevin was in the kitchen with the JBT. When he heard the commotion he went to check it out and was kidnapped. His body was found several months later in a wooded area off the Vienna rd. overpass.

Spent many a nite at the Fordney Hotel with JBT in 1969/70.

Just saw John last Wednesday at Holly's Landing in Gr. Pat Sage, the drummer came in and Al, the base player, does the karoke when John finishes his 2.5 hr. set. They did Cara Mia and a few other songs, as a group. Sure brought back memories of the Bavarian and the Century Post. John is like family to me as he and my older half sisters are sisters and brother. We call each other cousins even though we technically are not related. It was wonderful to see him and seeing Pat and Al was an extra treat.

I use to follow the John Brown Trio. I would go to the Metro Bowl in Lansing to see him. I have two 45 speed records that the trio cut somewhere here in my house. John use to come into the place where I worked in Greenville.

I played drums with the John Brown Trio back in the late 60's. I used the name Mike Jay back then. I had a set of drums stolen from the trunk of my Dad's car after gigging at at the Armory near Bay City (I think it may have been Alma?). It was a real honor for me to work with John and the bass player who used to do a crazy rendition of 'I Like Peanut Butter'.

Last time I saw John was in Kalamazoo. I was working with a road group from Atlantic City in the main room and John was doing a solo act next door. At that time, he was performing a Commodores tune and I thought there was a big group behind him but no, it was just John with all of his electronics and synthesizers. If anyone knows his whereabouts, I'd sure like to say hello.

Gary,
John is at the Radisson on Ann Street here in Grand Rapids every week check him out.

I've had a copy of "It's Not Unusual" for years. I'm glad to know the JBT has Michigan roots!

Doe John have an email if so could I please have it.i am an old friend Dick Beatty

I remember the John Brown Trio playing at the Metro Bowl in Lansing MI in the early to mid 70's, as well as the Fordney Hotel in Grand Rapids. I spent many nights each week listening to the amazing sound he, Pat, and Al produced each and every night. My ex-wife Fran still has a copy of their single "Walking Through the Night". Would like to know how I can get in touch with him.

Remember John, Pat and Al from the Harlequin Room in the Metro Bowl in Lansing. Also used to go see the John Brown Trio at Houghton Lake and once at the Fordney. Several years later went to see him in Kalamazoo. I have pictures around here somewhere of them at the Harlequin and used to have a cassette I recorded. Great times, great memories. Great band. What a hoot, coming across this page.

Chuck and Robbin,John is playing at the Radisson on Ann Street(Grand Rapids) Thursday from 6-11 with Frank and John of Me and Dem Guys

Is John still playing at Radisson? Lot's of us from the Zoo (Bullet days) would love to take a road trip and see him.

Yes he is Laura,on Thursday night he plays with 2 of my old bandmates from Me and Dem Guys,Frank and John in the band called Legends,they're a lot of fun go catch 'em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just want to be sure I got this correct. He plays Thursdays with the band. What time? I was told he plays 5-7:30 on Wednesday. Please set me straight :)

I found web site, think I'm good.
www.thelandinggr.com/entertain-me

Laura, They start at 7:00 PM I believe and play until 11;00 PM. We have a little bit on them in our Website: www.WestMichMusicHystericalSociety.com under Bands, Legends

Laura,6 till 11 on Thursday,enjoy!

I to remember the John Brown Trio from the Fordney Hotel in Saginaw...also a bowling alley in Lansing ....loved to hear him sing..."hooked on a feeling"..... Proud Mary..

Tom Gallagher, John still plays every Thursday Night, for Sully (Old Shamrock) at the Radison in Grand Rapids (Ann Street and the Grand River (Old Holly's Landing) with the band Legends. Call for times, as it changes from time to time.

hey John!!! we still have the Rosanna 45 and would love to get a cd of it, do you know how? We use to request it all the time in GR and loved listening to you in Gr ka
Amazon. max and Shirley

HEY I'm tryin to find a couple of friends...they were a couple of MUSICIANS---THEY WERE PLAYING WITH PATTY AND Buddy DeWayne at THE CANOPY the bass player was PAT and Lead guitar was Ray they were brothers. if you know who they are please give them my e-mail address,,,,,gitpicker1@att.net;;;;;;;;;;; they played in Grand Rapids Michigan thanx john stoken

We went to see John Brown at the Silver Bullet in Kalamazoo all the time. Loved him and his music. Would like to get a group of people to go see him and that would surprise him to see all his fans.

Does anybody have John Browns e-mail or is he on facebook.

LUCY,

John Brown doesn't do computers, but you can see him play every Thursday Night at Sully's Place on Ann St and the River (Old Holly's Landing)

My wife and me would often go see the John Brown Trio at the Fordney Hotel in Saginaw in the late 60s early 70s. Tightest band ever back in the day.

Myself, Betty Gunter & Betty Douglas went to the Harlequin Room in Lansing a lot in the early 70's. Happy to hear the guys are still playing.

Used to have a crush on John Brown. Spent a couple of evenings with him. Wonder if he'd remember me today. Where is he now?

I worked as a bellhop at the Fordney hotel in 1965 and 66. John brown and I were friends. He was 18 and I was 17. One time we decided to go swimming at Sanford lake, and john thought it would be fun to take his 50cc Honda. Unfortunately we took I 75. Neither of us had I'd , so when we were pulled over and asked what our names were john said john brown and I replied tom sawyer which believe it or not is my name. The troopers response: up against the car. Those were great times. Haven't seen or talked to john in 47 years.

Does anyone know where we can hear John now? I was going to the Radisson but he isn't there any longer.

IS THIS JOHN BROWN THAT PLAYED AT DANIALS DEN IN BAY CITY ? WENT TO SCHOOLCH IN GREENVILLE MI ?

I will never forget John Brown from the Fordney. I got married and didn't go anymore but as soon as my son (I married young !!!) was old enough he went there and became friends with John Brown. When Kelly was going to get married he asked John to play for his wedding at a large church and John agreed. one of the songs he was going to play was "So much In Love". Unfortunately, my son died in an auto accident six weeks before the wedding and I had to go and tell John about it. It was a sad time but John Brown was great-playing alone or with a group-he stood out. I will always think of him.

I remember John and the John Brown Trio very well . I worked At the Fordney Hotel as a waitress and then bartender for many years starting there in 1971 . Those were the best years of my life . I miss John , Pat and Al very much . Would love to be able to touch base with John and the Trio again. And yes i was There the night my young friend Kevin Murray was kidnapped and killed , That was the worst day of my life ... All of us working steadily at The Fordney Hotel were like a family .

Amina, I stay in touch with Big Al,we both still live here in G.R. Unfortunately John is not doing too well, he's had some major health issues, so keep praying for him!

Looking for John Brown, guitar player EXTRAORDINARE, D.A. & The Witnesses's worked across town in Saginaw, MI, us at the KEG, John at the Fordney Lounge. Would love to re-connect.

If you know how to contact John or Al Vandetti, Who is the reason I became a bass player, please pass this on. Most sincerely wanting to see John, Al, & Pat. Eve Allyn, Bass player for D.A & The Witnesses's band.

My sister Tina, friend Rita and I followed the Trio from The Metro (Lansing) to the Northway (Houghton Lake) to Saginaw and Grand Rapids. The best sound ever. John did Rod Stewart better than Rod. Maggie Mae was my favorite. I have the 45 of Walking Thru the Night somewhere. Sorry to hear he is having g some health issues, glad to hear he is still singing. Next time I'm in Michigan I will check out his Grand Rapids gig.

I lived at the Fordney Hotel in the 60's, in a room next door to John; such great memories, dancing to his music in the Fordney Lounge, and then riding around in his corvette late at night in Saginaw. If anyone has John's, Pat's, or Al's phone number in Grand Rapids, please email me! Would love to laugh over old times at The Fordney with the guys...keep playing John, and God bless...Len

Talked to John at a car show a couple years back...also went twice to see him on Wed. eve on Ann St....do have the phone # he gave me. Dan B