Before Park Ridge, Illinois, was famous as Hillary Clinton's home town, it was famous for the Deep End Club, one of the few venues that catered to teens in Chicago and the northwest suburbs. I've been thinking recently about some old friends from Chicago's Taft High School and the great times we had at the Deep End.
The photo is one I found on Google Images of someone from the Jefferson Ice Company band, which appeared at the Deep End. Between neighborhood bands, some Chicago headliners such as New Colony Six, Ides of March and the American Breed were booked. I believe even bubblegum band The Ohio Express graced the Deep End teen club stage. Yummy, yummy. It was a club where you could participate in a "love in" circle or do the Funky Broadway -- your option.
One landmark night, Deep End owners got on stage and asked the audience which direction they wanted the venue's music to go -- psychedelic or soul? The resounding answer -- soul music! So many of the cover bands hired brought music from Motown that we could dance to. And dance we did!
We managed to get our share of psychedelic music, as well, at the Kinetic Playground (aka Electric Theater) and the Cheetah II (aka Aragon Ballroom). I'd work after school and on Saturday mornings waitressing at Rose Grill at Higgins & Harlem just to spend all my money at the music venues, including Deep End.
Some little known trivia. One of the bouncers at the Deep End was none other than moonlighting Chicago cop Dennis Farina, who later turned Hollywood actor. He talked about wanting to head west even then, and made his dream come true.
If you have memories of the Deep End, let's hear from ya! If anyone possibly has photos, especially of the outside facade of Deep End, please post them in the comments! Below is a music schedule from an era gone past. Note that the music group Chicago (aka C.T.A.) appeared at the Deep End Teen Club for $1.50 admission. Does anyone remember which year that was?
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159 comments:
In my hood, we had The Pit in Glenview and The Panther in Deerfield. *Sigh* I remember winning a dance contest doing "the jerk" that was mc'd by Art Roberts and being heartbroken when my "boyfriend" danced with another girl to "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying." Thanks for the memory prompt, Cynthia.
Also remember The Hut in DesPlaines and The Attic in Arlington Heights, where I saw the Shadows of Night and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Everyone wore white at The Attic to show up under the ultraviolet black lights. Former high school coach Vic Giovannini co-owned both Deep End and The Hut.
Sorry to say our parents had to drive us everywhere and public trans was non-existent, so we were never able to go far. How I envied Chicago kids who could ride the el and make-out with their boyfriends on the train, with everyone looking and no one tale-telling.
I played The Deep End many times in the late sixties and early seventies. We opened for The Amboy Dukes, Styx, Arthur Brown, CTA, and even the Who before anybody even knew who they were. Vic Giovannini and Al Hummerding launched many bands and should really compile a history of the Deep End! It was a magical place!
I remember being thrilled to FINALLY be able to go to The Deep End! There was also a place on Oliphant and Northwest Highway, if I remember correctly. I can't think of the name of it and it's making me crazy. lol Thanks for the partial memory!
I believe the club on Oliphant and NW Hwy was the Cave. But I mostly went to the Deep End and the Hut.
The Holiday Ballroom on Milwaukee Ave was also another one for great bands. I also share memories with Cynthia with the Aragon Ballroom and the Kinetic Playground.
A lot of great memories. Thanks everyone!
I went on my first date at Holiday Ballroom at Lawrence & Milwaukee in Jefferson Park, followed by an ice cream sundae at Lockwood Castle, located at Peterson & Central. A tacky strip mall arose after the ballroom was torn down and Starbucks inhabits the old ice cream parlor.
I remember Lockwood Castle too.
One of the soul bands that played at the Deep End was Baby Huey and the Babysitters. I knew them personally.
It is extremely interesting for me to read that blog. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.
This blog is great! Thanks for your hard work on it.
Webmaster, I love your site. Thank you sooo much for working on it.
I played at The Deep End with a band called Shy...we were kids but I'll never forget how cool we felt. I'm still playing in a band called Libido Funk Circus!!!
Bob Pucci
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I tottaly agree with your opinion, but only this time! :)
Hello! That's me in your picture. And you are right, that was the Jefferson Ice Company, local Park Ridge band. I remember seeing lots of good music there; The Flock, The Mauds, Shadows of Knight.
I enjoyed the post!
Best Regards,
Alfredo (Al) Jahn
I worked at the Deep End in the late '60's. It was fun and magical. We saw REO, Chicago, Ides of March, Baby Huey, New Colony Six, Ted Nugent and a host of others. I still am in touch with Vic...he was my husband's boss for many years in teaching. Wally passed away but I got to see him before he was unable to speak.
I went to Maine South but made many friends from Taft, St. Pats (boys and girls schools), Holy Cross, Notre Dame. etc
My favorite band at the Deep End, or Papa Joe's, was Weapon's of Peace. Maybe I went one night hoping to see them & bummed that it was Styx or someone else who became famous! Anyone know what happened to them. My school, St. Scholastica, hired them to play at our prom in 1973.
WOW what wonderful memories reading what has been written here...
I practically lived at the Deep End..probably because it was within walking distance. I spent time at the Hut and the Green Gorilla too, though..
I feel sorry for kids not having a place like the Deep End to go go..
Vic Giovannini and Mr. Hummerding were wonderful. I made sure to go to Mr. H's wake, to tell his family what a wonderful thing he'd done for so many of us..
Lynne Harris Kalberg
The music venue in Arlington Heights was caller the Cellar
I remember Lockwood Castle too. All those great clubs we hung out at including the Green Gorilla in Des Plaines. What wonderful memories we have to cherish :)
Thanks for correcting me that the teen club in Arlington Heights was called The Cellar, not The Attic. Guess my mind got off on the wrong floor. Turns out that "The Cellar" even has it's own Wikipedia site. http://bit.ly/aZ85r1
Ah yes the Cellar. Thanks again for a trip down memory lane.
Pretty interesting site you've got here. Thank you for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.
Joan Smith
Yeah, I do remember that place, but in it's later incarnation as 'Papa Joe's". I saw Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, Ides of March, and as that band broke up later to be two groups: 'Ides'. and 'March'. I vaguely recall Styx playing there too. We had some good times there, met a lot of people, and enjoyed the foosball tables while the music played too. - ken
I went to Ridgewood High School in Norridge and we went to the Deep End almost every weekend.
Good memories.
Wasn't around when The Deep End existed but I live in PR and knowing some town history is how I learned of it.
After closing down it became a Toyota dearler and the building was torn down 5 years ago or more.
Seemed like it was in a funny place being so close to the Touhy, Busse & Meachem intersection and along with it being a samll building, I wonder if the noise from the traffic might of had an impact on it.
The PRFD still had a centralize fire station on the same block on Meachem and the C&NW railroad, as it was known before the RTA/Metra takeover operated Dissels that from what I remember as being much louder than the modern day Metra engines.
Of course with amps tured up high it probably downed all that outside noise out but I thought I'd ask anyhow.
Also are there any actually picture of TDE when it actually existed?
Never seen one before.
I too was at 'Papa Joe's" at the corner of Northwest Highway and Touhy if I recall correctly. That's what it was called in the mid-1970s.
I saw several bands there including Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, and Styx (for just $3.00) the summer of 1974. The band's first hit, Lady, had yet to become popular outside of the fan base.
I remember sitting on the floor to watch shows.
I played a couple of times at The Hut with my band, Churchill Moor, once with REO. We played the cellar once, and at an outdoor concert at Northeastern with Siegel-Schwall and Bob Seger System. I still have some pics of us at The Hut. Fun times.
There was also a short-lived venue in Lincoln Park called Elysian Fields. It was a 5-story Masonic Temple converted into a teen club with different entertainment on each floor: a palm reader, movies, house band, etc.
Steve, If you have photos of your group from the Hut, please share them. I remember Elysian Fields, which I think was around in the early 80s? It was the way to throw a party. Tired of the music? Go watch a film. Film over? Look at some art.
Many great memories, thx to all. The internet what a great thing for all to recall days gone by. Two I recall enjoying who hit it big were AURA and Birtha (the all girl band). Thx to my life long friend from Ridgewood (Mr Jaz) the bass man for enlightening me.
Woodchuck
Cynthia, how do I upload a photo from the Hut?
How do I send a photo of the Hut?
I was just looking at a picture of The Mauds at the Deep End in Park Ridge. The wall behind looks just like the one in my pictures of what I've been thinking was The Hut. I'm wondering now if it was the Deep End we were at, not the Hut. Hmm. Memory ain't what it used to be. I do know we were billed with REO Speedwagon, because one of them(can't remember which) asked me if my voice had changed yet(his reaction to my singing of "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring?"
I grew up about a mile from The Deep End in Park Ridge. As a teen, all I looked forward to was going there on Friday and Saturday nights. Remember the little business size cards they used to hand out with the schedule of bands each month? That was my bible! Now I'm a snowbird in Ft. Myers FL and just got tickets to see REO Speedwagon in concert here Friday night. Brought back memories of The Deep End because I was sure they played there. Was amazed at all the blogs about the Deep End when I googled it! Also loved "4 days and a night"!
Ellen
My sister and friends also went to the Deep End. We went to Maine West in Des Plaines. Mr. Giovannini was the Director of the Drivers Ed Dept @ Maine West. We were there just about every weekend for years. Made so many friends! What a great way it was to spend our teen years! Too bad there are/were not places like that for our kids to hang out and dance.
I remember the band schedule cards. Those cards helped me plan on when to get in line. The more popular bands had bigger followers. I wish I had kept a few of them.
Wow, I just went to a Styx reunion concert in Atlanta. I found this site trying to remember where it was that I saw them when they were just starting out. It was Papa Joe's! Thanks for the memories. And of the Cellar too. All we had out in McHenry was October One.
Terry
*smiles* For some reason I dreamed of Papa Joe's, aka The Deep end last night. I was amazed when a search brought me here. I went to Maine East and lived for Friday and Saturday nights. Ted Nuggent and the Amboy Dukes, Styx, local bands, etc. Sitting on the floor just feet from the stacks, dancing when you could, singing when you couldn't. Thanks for the good memories.
Oh how I remember The Deep End and especially The Hut. I went To Maine East and I don't think there was a weekend I was'nt at one of these or The Cellar, The Green Gorilla and the Rolling Stone in I think Glenview. I just happened to stumble upon this site, and I love it!
I worked in the 2nd floor concession area at The Hut for Wally and Vic during my senior year at Maine West (1965). My favorite group was The Untamed. There were many debates as to who were better: The Untamed or The Shadows. I was quite friendly with the guys in The Untamed--Al, drummer Bogy (unfortunately deceased several years now), Bob, Randy and Don. Anybody know of their where abouts? Also does anyone remember Nick, the guy with the white hair (albino?) who was a constant presence at The Hut and Maine West athletic events during those years? Sadly I heard about the death of Wally Hommerding years afterward. I've also heard that Wally Jr. is not a nice person.
I worked at The Hut in Des Plaines in the 2nd floor concession stand during my senior year at Maine West in 1965 and into the fall of that year. Wally Hommerding was my Accounting teacher and hired me to work that first year of The Hut's existance. I have many, many fond memories of the bands that played there and the people I met. At that time the most popular band there (at The Hut) was The Untamed--Al, Boogy,Bob, Don, and Randy. I was "tight" with them for a few years but lost touch over the years. There were many, many debates as to who was better: The Untamed or The Shadows. I know, unfortunately,that Boogy (Reeves) of The Untamed died in 2006.
I'd sure like to touch base with the remaining guys again. Again,unfortunately, I heard years later that Wally had died of ALCS. I sure wish I'd had a chance to say goodbye. Wally was a very positive influence on me.
Does anyone remember "Nick" (I think that was his name) a white haired (Albino?) who was a regular
at The Hut and the unofficial mascot of Maine West sports? I wonder what ever became of him?
Does anyone remember a location in Park Ridge called the "Bat Cave" I'm almost 100% positive of the name. One band I knew well that played there we called the "Dirty Shames" So can someone help me identify this place. I t may have been named that for several months, before changing names? Thanks, Glenn "jrd51" mentioned the "Cave" and that led to my inquiry :) Peace...
Glenn, I remember the name of the place "Bat Cave" and had friends who went there, but I never did. I don't think it lasted too long.
Wow... this is so much fun reading all of these memories. My older sisters went to the Deep End all the time. My place was Holiday Ballroom. I followed a band called Eden Rock and had a ton of pictures. What ever happened to them? They were awesome.
Thanks for the memories.
For more info on the early chicago pop music scene google electric theater or kenetic playground
I played in a group called the looking glass there,not the brandy song group, we wearer before them. We played with stud and Eden rock and many others. Fun memories.
Hi, anyone interested in a deep end or Papa Joe's reunion somewhere, I went to the clubs between 1970 and 1975 It would be fun. Candi
I went to Maine south class of '70 & lived in park ridge. Used to go to the deep end a lot. It was across from the park ridge inn. I remember it was at the end of a block & you had to go downstairs to the stage.
OK ROCKERS - I'M ON A MAD SEARCH FOR AN EXTERIOR PIC OF "THE DEEP END." I STILL LIVE IN PARK RIDGE AND HAVE EXHAUSTED MY RESOURCES AND NEED BY 03.15.13 (or later if need be) So far, I've contacted PR Historical Society, City of PR, PR Library's PR Advocate microfilm, Maine South, Gillick Realtors, Pickwick's owner, Bredemann Toyota, Summit Retirement (formerly Park Ridge Inn), local rock station 97.1, Dean Milano - the author of "Chicago Music in the 60s and 70s." Vic Giovannini (former Deep End owner), and others . . . below is my "bio" :-)
I am a Maine South Class of 71 grad (female) and frequented The Deep End at every opportunity between 1967 and 1971. My best friend met her husband there and in 2013 will be wed 40 years! Recall the lines of anxious "youngsters" lined up to enter, the punch cards, evenings when I would sit on that filthy floor to listen to my faves, everyone dancing to "My Girl," the "juice bar" upstairs and the smoking of cigarettes ("funny" and not so funny) in the back. At the end of each night, my girlfriends and I would walk to The Pickwick Restaurant, call our parents at the pay phone and those parents would not be too happy about picking us up. Hey - at least we were safe! Ahhh, those fond memories!
Please someone tell me that you captured a photo of that fun club!
Hey Oz, Great comments about Deep End back in the day. I'll try to get more attention to the blog and your comment through a few postings on Twitter and Facebook. BTW, on Facebook there is a great page called "Northwest Side of Chicago" which posts scores of historical photos. Ask if they have the one you're looking for of Deep End.
This is hilarious. I was in the MASS then Stardriver then Trillion then Wild Blue and now back to Trillion. The days of Deep End, The Bat Cave, Beginnings, the Hut, Rush Up Rush Over, on and on. Those were the best clubs to test the musical waters. Trillion is still alive and recording believe it or not and having a good time at it. 3 tunes are posted at www.trillion-music.us with 2 more on the way. They keep getting better.
Hi!
"I WAS THERE" - Yeah, glory days for sure! The Deep End was my favorite. The Hut was great too. Was at the Cellar in Arlington Heights (not the Attic :) when I think it was Cream was playing! Sheesh did we ever think?! BTW...this is Christy from Maine West, class of '71. Sure were great music days back then and for TEENS, no less! I still haunt the music venues in the area and love to do sketches of musicians on the spot. Still doing art after all these years! Long live MUSIC & ART!
Hail to the Blue Gold and White! peace!
Can anyone remember the dances from the deep end and some of the good dancers?
Read the entire Blog and remember all of it and then some. The Deep End was a great place, spent many a weekend nights there and in the Summer they were open on Wednesday nites or was it Tuesdays? Remember the band Four Days and a Night and Rufus and Shaka Khan, The Tenth Dimension and the Volvos. A reunion would be a great idea.There was one about 27yrs ago at Vic G's place Stagger Lees in Mount Prospect. Flashlight Nick (albino) is alive and well, saw him working at the Jewel store at Busse and Greenwood in ParK Ridge not long ago. Those were great times!!!
Is this the Candi from the DE who married Jeff and lived in Elmwood Park?
I seem to remember that before it was the Deep End , Bird's Eye Foods was in that spot. I think.
"The Pit" was mentioned which was in the club house at the Glenview GOlf COurse and on one particular groovy night they got the "Seeds"to play at the height of their "Pushing too hard"fame.The place was packed and after "the Seeds " played their 2 songs that the crowd knew, then it became strange. Sky Saxon and crew were certainly "californified" hippy types and we were highschool kids with dress codes.Sky Saxon was wild..i don't remember it being much of a stage,so they were kind of right in the crowd..I dug them but in ensuing years a few friends who were there that night,expressed their displeasure with the songs since they really didn't know any outside of about 2 of them.Plus they were about as close to the long-hair hippy freak bands that anyone had gotten too. Chicago treen bands for the most part dressed up and had modest Beatle haircuts as i remember,especially at the time we saw the Seeds...Flash forward a year or two and most of us looked like a variation of The Seeds in one fashion or another. ALl of this for a couple of bucks.The teenclubs of chicago suburbs were like a great legendary lost civilization built totally on memories. Hard to believe it existed and in such a narrow sliver of time.
Some of the dances I remember the crowd at the Deep End doing were the "Funky Broadway" and something called the "Dooper Dance." In the Funky Broadway, you swept both arms in unison up and down one side and then the other, while you gyrated your spine and raised one knee, then the other. (You'd have to see it) The "Dooper Dance" was pure northwest side, kind of like a combo of the "Jerk" and "Hand-Jive" focusing on the center of your body. Knees bent quite a bit. Any other dances? By the way, a "dooper" meant "dear old Oak Parker" meaning a collegiate or Ivy League type. At Taft High School, you were often either a "dooper" or a "greaser" -- and sometimes, eventually, a hippy.
Tom, Wow. I didn't know what the Deep End location was before it became a teen club. Bird's Eye Foods? Post the Deep End days, the place eventually became a Bredemann Toyota dealer, was torn down, and is now a condo.
Googled Deep End Club and found a Chicago Tribune article from some years back on the 1960s teen clubs in Chicago & burbs, including Chicago's Pink Fink, Westmont's Blue Village, St. Charles' Jaguar, Algonquin's New Place, Park Ridge's Deep End, Des Plaines' Green Gorilla, Glenview's Pit, Winnetka's Rolling Stone, Elgin's Blue Moon Ballroom and Arlington Heights' legendary Cellar. Groups such as Three Dog Night; The Lovin' Spoonful; Blood, Sweat and Tears; Alice Cooper; The Steve Miller Band; Cream; Buffalo Springfield; The Yardbirds; and even The Who actually played these venues before they became legends. See article: http://bit.ly/12VqCQG
Saddened that Dennis Farina, Chicago actor & veteran cop, died today, July 22, 2013, http://trib.in/15ZPSug He used to moonlight as a security bouncer at both the Deep End Club and Immaculate Conception Church dances when I was a teenager. A great guy!
Eden Rock broke up like most good bands. I wish they stuck together. I'm still friends with Jack, their keyboard player,we went to grade school together. Look up a band called Candy
I worked in a band when I was seventeen or so that opened for Rufus, The Flock, and Styx at the Deep End. However, what I most remember about that place is that I saw Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters there.
That would be fun
That would be fun. I was taft 1970 and I danced the nights away at the deep end.
As a member of Four/For Days & A Night and The Soul Machine, it was always fun to play at The Deep End, The Hut, Cellar, Green Gorilla plus all the parish & school gatherings. It was an amazing era that will never be duplicated.
Wonderful stuff; thanks! The Bat Cave club was (I'm pretty sure) at the corner of Oliphant and Olmsted in Edison Park, on the west side of Oliphant. This was right across Olmsted from the Edison Park train station, now Metra. My parents considered the Bat Cave a "bad influence" and I was never allowed to go there, nor to The Deep End, even though many of my friends did. I also have a vague memory of another club in Edison Park in that timeframe (1966-1968) but don't recall the name. I belonged to the IC Teen Club and remember officer Dennis Farina well.
Bobby Diamond - I'm good friends with Quent Lang from the Soul Machine and Jumbo - never got to see them tho. Didn't meet Quent til he played in the Mauds with Jimy Rogers a few years ago.
Yes, 4 Days and a Night, was my cousin Tommy Epplito's band. (sometimes went as Tommy Lee)
He died in 1972 when I was 3, and I would love to make a tribute website for him and his band as they were very very popular. They opened for Grand Funk and Ike and Tina Turner at the Aragon in 1969 and 1970 before the Aragon stopped having bands due to drug issues.
If anyone else has pictures, recordings or anything about four days and a night, please let me know.
To my knowledge, their prior name was "Dirty Shames" and Ron Kaplan, later to join Cryan Shames was their drummer.
Ron Starr
ronald.starr@hotmail.com
I was too young to go to the Deep End in Park Ridge, but I can vividly remember what the outside looked like. What did the inside look like?? It was always so mysterious to me. Thanks for anyone who can describe it.
Maureen, To answer your question, the Deep End was fairly dark inside and basically had three levels, the dance floor/band dias area, then up some steps to the concessions and juke box, then up another set of stairs to kind of a crow's nest that was more well lit. They finally closed off the crow's nest when they thought people went up there to drink covert booze and smoke weed. Everything in the place was constructed in painted wood and had a casual, rustic rec room quality. Off the dance floor was an outdoor three-season patio with a large, tall fence around it. It wasn't fancy, but it was our everywhere for awhile.
I was lead guitar player in a band that played at The Hut many times. We also played at the Deep End, The Pit and the Green Gorilla a few times and Catholic Church sock hops almost every Sunday night back in those days. We were the Sons Of Tyme. My name is Ken Welter. Our bass player was Greg Bartolone. Our keyboard player who played a Vox Continental organ, was Craig Jamriska. Our drummer was Pat Dalessandro and our lead singer was Gerry Cwienkala. Greg, Pat and I went to Maine East. Craig went to Maine South and Gerry went to Notre Dame. Our claim to fame was when we beat the Amboy Dukes in a battle of the bands at The Hut. (Pre Ted Nugent, unfortunately!)!! Great memories! Ken Welter
I went to Maine South, Played at the Hut and several other Places.
Our Band was Called "The Lonely Souls"-Another place I haven't seen mentioned, but many big-name Bands played there is "The New Place" in Algonquin. The Cellar was Great,for sure.
Tommy K
I snuck into the Deep End one Friday night. I don't know if my memory is correct, but I think there was a new band called Sanata playing with this fabulous guitar player. To tell you the truth, I didn't like that "Spanish" style of music so much at the time. I ws only 16 of 17 at the time. Can anyone verify this. Santana at the Deep End?
If the Who and other "new" 60s bands at the time appeared at the Deep End, I can believe Santana did as well. I don't remember them being there myself, but I'm sure another reader can chime in. I did see Carlos Santana give an impromptu guest performance at a tiny dance club in Berkeley, California back in 1971, along with Tower of Power. I wrote a separate blog post on 1/20/15 that mentions it "Experiencing Sugar Man, Then Losing Track of the Song for Decades."
What was the name of the group with Tom Guetzlaff as lead singer and Bob Altergott tht played at the Deep End often? All from Taft. Thanks, Margie
Margie -- Wow, Bob Altergott. I actually dated him a couple of times when I was 16. Great sax player. I know he was in a band called The Darts, which gave such a great cover to the Standells' "Dirty Water," better than the original in my estimation due to Altergott's saxophone. He also appeared in Pezband, but not sure if he was a regular member.
Don from Gearhead wants to know. When the band back together for the World Tour?
There was nothing like the 60's. I remember The Deep End in Park ridge, The Green Gorilla in Arlington Heights,The New Place ( in a big barn in Algonquin; parking was in a grass field ), The Blue Village in Westmont, The Spot or thirsty Whale on River Road North of Irving Park, The Hut in des Plaines,and of course The Celler ( I think in Arlington Heights. For $1.50 os $2.00 where can you get all live bands and the girls were all friendly and we danced for hours. I remember the slow dances when both myself and the girl I was dancing with were soaking wet ( but The Jade East held up )
These were the best years to grow up as a teenager !!!!!!!!!!!!1
On a Live 365 station I learned about a group called The Knaves and a song called "The Girl I Threw Away," which was a B-side to another song.
One of the members was a city resident and the others lived in Niles, Morton Grove and Skokie so considering that I wonder if they played at The Deep End?
Mike, I personally don't remember the group or the song, but one of the other readers of this blog post might. If someone does, please comment!
This may not have anything to do with the group directly but according to a post in this upload Gene Lubin one of the band members died a month ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ttzAYMEsw
Interestingly there's a few other uploads of this son and 2 of them have the guy in the control booth saying take 4 just before the song.
Thanks for posting the schedule! I was a member of the Luv Complex that played there on May 31, 1967 with Baby Huey. We played a few times, once with the New Colony Six.
I remember seeing the Knaves at the Cellar a few times. They have have few songs on the Dunwich CDs that are still available on Amazon.
There were actually two cellars in arlington heights. First in basement of old Bell Telephone building on Northwest Hwy.Second down on Northwest Hwy. at Euclid. Bands included Shadows of Knight,Cream,Saturdays Children,The Maudes,Amboy Dukes,Buddy Miles,Blue Cheer,The Yardbirds and The who.
Does anyone remember Paul Bogush and The Paul Bogush Blues Band? They played the Deep End frequently.
Cynthia Gallaher Thanks for recalling the Bat Cave. I guess you're right and it didn't last that long. Plus the other choices were Great.
Before I forget? Does anyone remember the "Buckinghams" playing at any of these N.W., Suburban Venues?
Does anyone remember the bat cave in edison park-sam the sham played there! I was in a band in 69, 70 ish & we were to open at the deep end for styx, who did not show! We sucked & it was a brutal experience. The band was quo vadis, Stan Antkowiak from palatine ave at harlem!
Stan, Thank you for commenting! I never had the pleasure to visit the Bat Cave but heard quite a bit about it. Where exactly was it located in Edison Park? I remember the name of the band Quo Vadis and may have seen them at another venue. One of my friends saw Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs perform at the Harlem & Foster Shopping Center back in the same era, and loved the show. I owned one of their 45s.
Remember the all girl group "The Daughters Of Eve?"
Santana never played at the Deep End or the Chicago Band circuit of the 60's and 70's. However their was a Rock Latin Band with a Santana like rhythm sound that went by the name of, "KRACKER," they played the Deep End on Fridays or Saturdays and would often play the Holiday Ballroom (a converted movie theater) on Sunday night which was another teenage dance spot, which hasn't been mentioned...many of the same bands that played at the Deep End played the Holiday Ballroom which was at Milwaukee and Higgins
Santana never played the teen circuit in the northwest suburbs, however there was a band called "KRACKER" who did play the Holiday Ballroom fequently on Sunday nights. They had the same Latin sound as Santana.
I think that you meant the Cellar in Arlington Hts. During it life it had 2 locations: the first was north of the rail tracks near downtown, and the 2nd near NW Hyway and Euclid.
I was in a band called "The Henchmen". We ate the Deep End and The Hut often from '66 to '68. We all went to Maine South. I was in class of '68. The Band showed promise but broke up due to the war in Nam. It was either go to college or get drafted. Playing those places was a lot of fun. Some of my friends are amazed at the bands I saw during that time.
Loved your group !
Tom from Maine Easy class of '69 ?
I still have my Deep End ID! Maine Easy class of 1969.
My husband worked at Bredemans Toyota before they sold and tore it down. He said an upstair wall had autographs from everyone that played there. Too bad he didn't get a pic or even a piece of the wall. I went there many times with my girlfriends. Great memories.
Devon & Central.....of course, it's a Starbucks now:( remember that giant punch bowl full of ice cream maybe 30 Scoops if you ate the whole thing in an hour it was free?
The Batcave was in Edison Park
I played the Deep End many times circa 1967 as bass player with the Nightshades. Bob Zemke lead guitar (deceased), Larry Lacoste rhythm guitar, Kenny Lacoste drums. We also played a joint in Roselle often called the Dark Spot, the Pit in Glenview and many others.
Further to the post above re: the Knaves - I was friends with Howard Berkman who played guitar in the group. I believe Stu Einstein was the bass player. Howard (deceased) wrote one of their better known songs "Leave Me Alone (Why Don't You Go Choke Yourself).
I'm trying to recall the name of the club on the east side of Sheridan Road at Devon on the second floor near the Loyola U campus. Any ideas?
We were so lucky! Besides dancing at the Deep End on Fridays or Saturdays, then on Sundays we would also hear live bands at local church dances on Sundays like I.C. or St. Paul's, My favorite band was Four Days and a Night. I wish I had paid more attention to the bands instead of the teenage boys!
Hello I'm helping a friend look for her father. A guy named Wally who her mom met at the Electric Theater in Chicago in 1970 April or May. Her mom's last name is Begovich and she was one of four girls that people called the banana splits. This I know is a strange question but anything you can offer in the way of remembering a guy named Wally he had glasses would make his daughter's dream come true. She's a music lover too. God Bless Merry Christmas marilynndawn@gmail.com
To answer Tom Lavin's question, the club on the second floor on Sheridan Road north of Devon was called Baby Huey's. Not to be confused with the band "Baby Huey and the Babysitters." And if I'm not mistaken, previous to the liquor and entertainment bar Baby Huey's, the locale was a folk music coffee house called It's Here. You sat on pillows, drank coffee and mellowed out with acoustic folk sets.
the bat cave on Oliphant near northwest hwy.
went there a lot
ok Jackie totsch
from lynn halicki
I remember you. I was Bob’s girlfriend for a while and hung out at The Hut. Have a photo of the Nightshades that Bob gave me. Use to gave the 45 you all recorded of ‘Birthday’.
Lots of memories of Bob, left us way too young. I went to Maine West and loved when Glenbrook South would compete with us. You had a really great team. Jay was one of your best. Those were great times.
I remember you and The Nightshades. Bob and I dated, met him while playing at The Hut. Heartbroken when he left us way too young. Have great memories and still have the ‘official ‘ Nightshades photo. Think it was a promo photo. I had a copy ‘Birthday’ that you all had recorded, it was great! Wonderful memories. I went to Maine West and loved when Glenbrook South Gymnastics competed with us. You had some great athletics...think one was named Jay?
I still have mine it is a combination Hut/Deep End. Also have my Green Gorilla card but I don’t remember going there.
The Batcave was in Edison Park near the train station
It was called the Batcave near the train station in Edison Park really love that place.
We lived on Elmore in Park Ridge on the east side of town so it was an easy trip down Northwest Highway or Avondale
Here's a lineup of bands that played the Deep End
http://www.45worlds.com/live/venue/the-deep-end
Ken, I started going to the Deep End in the Fall of 1967, and remember almost every band listed via your link. Of course, the Deep End continued through 1970, at least. Not sure when it closed. Does anyone know?
1975 I believe.
Remember the Deep End and the Hut vividly. Attended Maine South and Mr Hummerding was on the kids side. Played once at the Deep End but I remember the band my brother was in "The Lonely Souls" playing at the Hut in DesPlaines. They had Battle of the Bands on certain nights and was always fun.
batcave
i could be all of them depending on the current girl. i played in the Sandells at the bat cave. taft 67. taft had some really kick ass bands like the woodsmen etc.
I played bass for the Commonwealth, one of the bands listed - great time - New Place, Green Gorilla, Cellar, that was a fun time
So many great memories of the Deep End (and even Hut) from back in the mid-late 1960's. Hung with 2 other guys (Colin Chomezko & Bill Faklaris) who both went to Taft HS in Norwood park area of northwest Chicago (I attended Gordon Tech in the city). Routine always the same every Friday and Saturday night dance the night away to great soul music at the Deep End until close then trip to pizza place called Double Z's on Montrose Ave in the city. So many great soul bands back then like 4 days & a night, baby Huey & the Babysitters, and others. Also saw CTA, REO Speedwagon (when they were all still students at UI, Champaign), Outsiders (with their 1 hit from mid-60's: Time won't Let Me). The list goes on and on. After HS, the 3 of us all attended Wright City College, worked in the same grocery store (Dominick's #2-River Forest), and spent every weekend together. On Sundays we'd go to the Holiday ballroom in Jefferson Park neighborhood. Big difference there than Deep End & Hut as Holiday catered to an older crowd. When we weren't in school together, working together, or dancing at those venues, we were practicing dance routines at one of our homes. Sounds kind of kiddie-ish now, but that was our life back then and we lived for the Friday & Saturday nights at the Deep End. We were so close back then that in early 1969 when Colin received an induction notice to report to the Army, the 3 of us decided to enlist together on the buddy plan. No thought to that not really meaning anything in terms of staying together, just very good buddies who decided we needed to support each other. Ended up only staying together until end of boot camp then never stationed remotely close to each other until Bill and I ended up in Vietnam (about 300 miles apart......him in III Corps, and me in Central Highlands of II Corps). Sadly Colin passed in July of 2018, and Bill in January 2019. Miss my good friends but always have great memories of our days together and how much fun we had at the Deep End.
Gary, Thank you for posting your story about you and your friends. And thank you for your service. Your story echoes much of what our generation on the northwest side of Chicago went through in those days. I wish more young people would get together and practice dance routines in their homes (such good exercise and fellowship) rather than playing video games remotely with one another.
The above Deep End schedule is from 1968.
I know the Deep End very well. I dated the nephew of the co-owner who played in a band called Four Days and a Night. They were booked there a lot and my most favorite memories were going there with my girlfriends from Taft High School and listen, watch and dance to their phenomenal music. GREAT musicians. The absolute best time of my life. Too bad we can't go back in time. The weekends were so special when they played there. And as for "wheels", we also had to get a ride!
Anonymous, I also remember the group "Four Days and a Night" and loved their music. Saw them at the Deep End, but most often at the I.C. Teen Club (aka Immaculate Conception on Talcott). I probably knew you. I also knew a gal who dated the "Night" of "Four Days and a Night." Was that you? haha
I had 4th row center seats to see the Beatles in 1966 at the International Amphitheater. I sat right behind Saturday's Childten who I saw play later at the Cellar.
Mr. Giovannini was my driving teacher at Maine West. He would have us drive to the Deep End so he could take care of business. He was a great guy.
Did you open for the Amboy Dukes at the Deep End and if you did, what year? I saw them there and am trying to find out the year. Thnx
Hi MrBenz44: I looked up some Amboy Dukes dates and didn't see any for the Deep End, but found these:
1965-1966: The Cellar, Arlington Heights, Chicago, IL
March 25-26, 1966: The Bat-Cave, 6684 North Oliphant, 1/2 block south of N.W. Highway, near Park Ridge, Chicago, IL "Opening"
They also appeared again at the Cellar in May 1969 (with the Cosmic Messengers)
I don't remember them at all appearing at the Deep End, but maybe they did. I saw them at the Stevens Point Rock Festival aka. The People's Fair in Wisconsin 1970.
I met my first girlfriend, Helen, at the Deep End. The band, I think, was Four Days and a Night. Great soul music with four white guys and a black lead singer who had a terrific voice and showmanship. Helen was standing behind me and I turned around and, in a fit of unwarranted courage, asked her to dance. She said yes and within moments I was holding a girl in my arms and “My Girl” was playing. Helen eventually dumped me a couple of years later but it was a wild ride. I never met a girl in a club after that. From then on it was communes and workplaces.
I remember The Hut in Des Plaines. I painted the walls on the inside psychedelic colors amd designed the sign on the outside - I think it was a silhouette of the Beatles.
I saw Styx at the Deep End circa 1970 and Quicksilver at the Kinetic Playground. Loved the live music venues of the 60's and 70's. When music was great and almost free.
Muddy Waters yes! I remember a Muddy Waters tribute band named Hot Bottom hung out in a really cool loft music space in Chicago somewhere. Often had jams with up and coming blues artists. Good memories
in 1968, May 17th was a Friday. Could be that year, for the ticket pic shown!
Anybody remember the band "little boy blues"from Chicago
I used to work at the Toyota dealership and there was a "green room" upstairs for the bands to hang out. The walls were covered with autographs and grafitti from the bands. Too bad nobody ever photographed them.
I'm looking for any pictures from the deep end Also looking for pictures of Wilkins music (jefferson park) from the 60s or 70s thanks
Whenever I'm down I visit this webpage and no matter how many times I re-read the exact same comments, I'm taken back to those wonderful late teen years I lived through in the late 1960's. Sadly my 2 best friends back then (that I did everything with especially dancing at the Deep End every Friday and Saturday night) have since passed away. We were all 18-19 years old back in 1967-1969 and I wish it was not the case, but I'm the last one living even though I was the oldest, and am now 73. I could never imagine back then that someday I would be my grandfather's age, but as we all know......time marches on. Anyway, I'm just so grateful for this blog's author for starting this page and keeping it up and running. It provides me with a comforting place to remember those good old days with my best friends during a time when our biggest concern was having enough money for gas and our weekends at the Deep End, and making certain we had our dance moves down pat (and of course dancing with all the beautiful high school girls in and around the Park Ridge/Des Plaines area). I miss those moments more than I can describe, and I suspect I'll always feel that way. I had heard there was some sort of mini reunion of Deep End patrons back in the early 1990's or so, but I didn't hear about that at the time, nor have ever read about such a gathering on this blog. It would be great if something like that ever were to come about again, but I'm guessing the youngest DE fans would all probably be in their early 70's now so likelihood seems slim to none at this point. BUT, at least we have this vehicle to recall the good old days, and it provides plenty of joy for me. Stay well all. Gary Bosco
Ken, what was the name of your band?
Hi. My name is Ken Fabian. I was the bass player from the band called, "Sin." Sin had 7 members. We also had horns so we did a lot if Chicago's songs and songs from a band called, Aura. Members of Sin visited The Deep End / Papa Joe's many times to see Aura and another band that had horns and kicked but. There name was "Jumbo" Jumbo covered a lot of Chicago's songs and did a fantastic version of Make Me Smile. Jumbo had ten or twelve members, hence their name, Jumbo. Getting back to "Sin," we played there right when the name change took place to Papa Joe's. We opened for a band called "All Star Frog." I still remember that night. It was Magical!
Ken, I really loved all the horn bands of the era: Blood, Sweat & Tears, the band Chicago, a band from the west coast called Cold Blood, and many of the great Motown and Rhythm & Blues bands. On the northwest side of Chicago, I dated the drummer from the horn band National Guard. They never played Deep End, but many of the various church dances, and local "Battle of the Bands." There was also Pez Band, which had a great following. They played at Strawberry County on River Road in Schiller Park and many different venues. I frequented Deep End before it ever became Papa Joe's. It was good it kept going. We thought it would forever!
Met my first love of my life in the Deep end - we danced for years, starting there in 65. I was from Chicago , she was from Park Ridge - VietNam took me out along with our relationship - after 5 years together. My Brother Bob Compton regularly played his Gibson SG Standard at the Cave in Edison Park thru out the years - back then - Best years for music without a doubt . I still play my guitar - in Crimea these days tho. Spasibo Bolshoy.
Thanks for the memories - Met my first love at the Deep End in 65 - I went to Taft - she went to Maine South . We still email each other.
I still have my ID card from the Deep End, what great memories!
The Who never played there
Yes, you're right! The Who never played at the Deep End. I was mistaken. They played at the Cellar in Arlington Heights.
The Woodsmen were awesome.
I worked at Papa Joes in the 1973 1974 timeframe. Biggest bands playing there at that time were Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, STYX, Ides of March (with Jim Peterik, great guy) Harvey Mandel, and Kracker. This timeframe was right when Ted Nugent and Styx were about to explode. Both basically made it big at the same time. For shows like that, the place would be just completely jammed In an article I read, Vic G got called by Ted with Ted saying he wanted to play there. This was a time in the 70’s when Ted was making $70k a show. Vic told him I can’t afford you Ted. Ted’s response was if you just pay for moving my equipment I will play for free. Great sound on the main floor. All wood inside. Ma Nuge would typically show up for Ted’s shows and come to the back and drink coffee with me. A really nice lady. My biggest thrill was one night I got to go upstairs to the band room to get Ted as it was time to play. He was jamming in the band room with his band, (tiny room) wailing on the guitar. I was a 16 or 17 year old guitar playing kid in awe. Most of the bands at that time weren’t playing before the show. Lots of fond memories from Papa Joes.
I went to Taft class of 1970. We just had our covid delayed 50th reunion. SO FUN!!!
I was at the reunion, too! Who are you, my fellow alumni? So many of us have fond Deep End memories.
We lived fairly close to the Deep End and I loved going there and dancing to the music with all the lovelies 👍
Aww that brings a tear to me eye 😥
My old stomping grounds 👍 We were the wild one's use to live on the corner of Elm & NW Hwy across from the Lutheran Church 👍😎
How about the “The Green Gorilla” in DesPlaines? It was located on the corner of Golf road and East River Road.
How about the “Green Gorilla” in DesPlaines?
The WHO played at the Celler in Arlington Heights
Wasn't that the band Ralph Malten was in? I am still friends with his sisters Marilyn and Patty.
Wasn't Ralph Malten's band The Commonwealth ? I am still friends with his sisters Marilyn and Patty.
Lynne Harris Zito Kalberg
Maine East class of '69
Met the one I regret losing touch with, at the Deep End....Clark Schroeder.
Lynne Harris Zito Kalberg
The band was called General Assembly. My brother was the base player!
Yes. The band was the General Assembly. My brother was the bass player
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