LET ME HAVE MUSIC

                           LET  ME  HAVE  MUSIC

                                NORMAN  V.  KELLY

 

I imagine that all cities, big or small, loved music as much as Peorians, but historically we were rather fanatic about ours.  The music madness started even before the Civil War, and in 1882 we had one of the most beautiful Grand Opera Houses in America. Our early entertainment halls, theaters and hotels featured a variety of entertainment venues.   Once Prohibition began the Vaudevillians took over our music and hotels hired live acts that drew people from all over the Midwest to Peoria, Illinois.  Of course we had other varieties of entertainment that gave Peoria the reputation of being a bawdy, wide-open river town and the folks here thrived on that reputation.  It is hard to believe that we could get even more involved in music and entertainment but when WW11 came along Downtown Peoria was the center of fun of all kinds.    But at the heart of it were the live entertainers, dancers, singers, and of course live bands. I thought that I would take a look at just one of those small-town bands that was spawned from our musical heritage

and continues to present day.

 

Michel Stanley Marshall was born in Pekin in 1939 and as far back as he can remember he loved music.  “I remember when I was very young just being content to sit by the radio and listen to WMBD and guys like Wayne West.  I would memorize the words and sing along.”

Once ‘Stan’ began school he sought out every opportunity offered him to sing in choirs and from that point on he wanted to play every kind of instrument he could get his hands on.  “Norm, once I was in high school in the 50’s I got together with other guys that loved music and I formed a band I named “The Spotlight.” Now I was no great musician but I surrounded myself with outstanding musical talent.”  

 

Stan entered Bradley University but the pull of music was strong so he went on the road.  “I had no interest in writing music all I wanted to do was play it.  We did Elvis songs, Johnny and the Hurricanes and a lot of the Beatle music.”   Stan’s group was on Local TV with Bill Houlihan’s

‘Hi-Fi Club’ on Channel 25 but the road called once again and off they went heading west to California. 

 

“But before we left we saved a lot of our earnings from places like

Wynona’s and bars all around the area.  Some of them were tough places and we had things thrown at us. So off we went to California for fame and fortune.  None of that came our way.”

 

Once back home the band played wherever they could get a gig. “We played Chuck Wyatt’s Holiday Inn from eleven until three in the morning.  One night a man was shot by a man with a gun right in front of the band.  We just kept playing.”   

 

Stan and his band played some popular places and a lot of private gigs as well. “Not to brag but it was a pretty popular band and we even played for Governor Jim Thompson. We played for a lot of wealthy local Peorians, people you would know, Norm.  We traveled so much, through all that bad weather, snow and ice, but I am proud to say that we made it to 99% of the jobs we were booked to play.”

 

Stan’s first marriage ended when his wife made him decide between her and his music. He has been married to his wife Sheila for over thirty years and have two grown children.

 

                                        BACK  TO SCHOOL

 

“I went to Midwestern Broadcasting School but all during that time I still had the band. We played at the Club Peorian, a really hot spot on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. I took the train up to Chicago and back and of course the hours at school. I was so tired most of the time that I slept through most of those train rides.”

 

Stan worked part time at Marshal Fields and had what most men thought was an ideal job. “I worked at the Chicago Playboy Club and it was not glamorous at all.  I worked fourteen hour days…no hanky panky…just work. Oh, it was tough work for $125.00 a week. I saw celebrities like Kenny Rogers and there were about 75 bunnies hopping around, but very few of those were really gorgeous.”

 

Stand started his broadcasting career at KVRD in Arizona and back home he went to WAAP a local radio station. He slipped back into music and for seven years he worked for Roy Demanes. He worked at a lot of the local radio stations and still managed to play 125 dance jobs a year.  Stan left broadcasting in the 70’s and went to work at the Continental Regency, staying there for sixteen years finishing up at The Holiday Inn on Brandywine in 2005. “I have a real estate license and that keeps me busy today but I still have my music.  As I said many times it was a hell of a ride.”

 

Editor’s Note:   Norm is a regular contributor to NEWS and VIEWS, and is a local Historian, true crime and fiction writer.  norman.kelly@sbcglobal.net