Friday, January 22, 2010
Gaslight Square was once the hottest entertainment venue in town and, in fact, was known throughout the world. It has been compared to Bourbon Street, Beale Street, and Key West, and nothing in St. Louis today can equal that two-block area at Boyle and Olive.
Gaslight once featured some of the most talented musical artists from the area and beyond. Yet, on a frigid Wednesday night, Jan. 10, 1962, the hottest spot in town was turned into a scene that, in my mind, rivals an icy landscape in Siberia.
I knew the area well. When I was a teenager, I took the bus from north St. Louis County to Boyle and Olive each week to take drum lessons from a fine drummer and teacher, Roy Germauche. His studio was in the Musical Arts Building.
A few years later, my band (the Bob Kuban Band) was booked at the Butterscotch Lounge. From the lounge, we watched the Musical Arts Building burn -- its flames consuming the Three Fountains Restaurant.
I’ll never forget the firemen coming into “Butterscotch” to get warm, icicles having formed on their helmets and clothing. When I tried to walk across the street that night, it was like walking across a skating rink; the water used to fight the fire had frozen and was several inches thick.
Two days later, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that eight pianos - four grands and four uprights - were encased in ice and had actually been spared the flames of the fire.
In the early 1960s, when Gaslight was first becoming a tourist destination, I played there quite frequently, and, for a year or more, I played there each night. During that time, some very special memories were made. For one, I saw and met the great drummer, Gene Krupa at Jack Carl’s 2-cents Plain deli.
I was playing at the Living Room at the time, and it had been my routine each night to stop by the deli on my way home to get “carry-out.” One night in the dead of winter, I entered the deli and saw Gene Krupa sitting at a table by himself, eating a sandwich. I had admired this man since I was kid, and I felt like I just had to talk to him. I told him I was a drummer, and he invited me to sit down. We talked for about 15 minutes, swapping stories and anecdotes about drumming and how much he enjoyed playing St. Louis. He was very cordial, very welcoming. On that occasion, I believe he had come to town to perform at the Crystal Palace.
During 1963 and 1964, I played at the Living Room six nights a week, even though I was teaching school at Bishop DuBourg High School each day. During that time, I often saw some St. Louis Cardinal baseball greats and a newcomer named Lou Brock come into the lounge and do nothing to call attention to themselves. They wanted to be anonymous, and the other clientele respected that.
While not a Cardinal “great,” Bob Uecker was certainly one of the most well-liked and funniest players to ever play on the team. He was a dry and witty humorist. Once, when some of the team arrived following a game at the old Sportsman’s Park, I asked him how (large) the crowd was, and he replied, “Well, counting the players on the field . . . ,” He was a very engaging guy.
In recent years, St. Louis filmmakers Bruce Marren and Leah Ganz produced two documentaries immortalizing Gaslight Square. One was titled, “The Forgotten Landmark” and, the other, “The Legend Lives On.” In my opinion, both gave an accurate account of an era – from Gaslight’s Beatnik days to its demise in the early 1970s. In addition, Thomas Crone wrote a book about it, and a musical production also depicted Gaslight Square from a playwright’s perspective. Without a doubt, these art forms help preserve its history. But best of all, we have our memories.
Bob Kuban is a St. Louis musician and even though it’s been more than 40 years since Bob Kuban and the In-Men’s Top 40 hit “The Cheater,” he is still performing music in St. Louis and around the country The popular drummer plays for some of the biggest parties in town. www.BobKuban.com
Comments
flyoverland (anonymous) says...
I enjoy these columns by Bob. I only got to go there once, a bunch of us sneaked over one summer night and were stunned to see our PE teacher working as a bouncer. We never squealed on him and he didn't squeal on us. I hope you continue to look back at some of the other clubs. A friend and I also sneaked into the old Club Flame between Edwardsville and Wood River to see Fontella Bass one night. We were 15. Hitch-hiked out there and my friend had uncharacteristically bought a pack of Camels on the way. Neither of us smoked. When I asked him why he bought them, he said, "you'll see." We get there and the bouncer looks at us and asks what we think we're doing? My friend says, "my dad just sent us out to the car to get his cigarettes." They let us in and we heard a great show. I'd also like to see you do a piece on Collinsville Park Ballroom. There were many great shows there. The Del-Rays and the Guild were there a lot and I know I saw you guys there as well. Many of the big name acts from the 30's and 40s played there and you could probably do ten columns on the Benld Colosseum.
January 22, 2010 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Towncar07 (anonymous) says...
I remember the Three Fountains...and many a night at Whiskey-a-go-go. Lots of fun memories and great music...things began to go downhill when a Bud Split cost $ 7.00 Singleton Palmer once remarked to me as I was passing by the bandstand that the best time is the present, because it never stops until you do.
January 22, 2010 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Towncar07 (anonymous) says...
hallard...what a spiteful thing to say about Bob. Many St Louisans would totally disagree...your probable beef is that you were at a dance that Bob was playing and the girl you asked to dance said "get lost". So you take it out on Bob. pity.
January 22, 2010 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cards64Fan (anonymous) says...
These articles by Bob Kuban have been so much fun. Obviously the negative poster didn't read that the name of the column is "Flashback" so it's probably about Bob and about things he's been involved in in the past. People my age find this column a lot of fun because it is about things we remember. The Gaslight Square days provided a lot of memories for so many people. What's next? The Highlands and the old ferris wheel?
January 22, 2010 at 10:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hallard (anonymous) says...
the best part is, they removed my posts because they are true
January 22, 2010 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hallard (anonymous) says...
like drinks in the face on the Admiral if you dared say "here is your drink Bob" rather than Mr. Kuban. Or how about when he dictated how loud your amp could be. Or how about booking your band under Bob Kuban's name and then he doesn't show up - leaving you holding the bag on tickets.
Grow up Towncar07 and admit you are a member of his cult.
January 22, 2010 at 11:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rapier311 (anonymous) says...
I to enjoy these flash back articles. I was to young to experience Gas Light Square or the Admiral in it's hey day but grew up hearing the stories of them and how big they were. I hope Bob keeps up the good articles!
January 23, 2010 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sheriff (anonymous) says...
Great article. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Bob Kuban is a first class act for 40 years and continues to inspire.
Unfortunately some on this site can not recognize talent.
The gaslight documentaries at the history museum was a journey back
in time to a lost St. Louis treasure.
January 23, 2010 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )