  Norwalk Member Username: Norwalk Post Number: 470 Registered: 11-2006 |
I just finished reading Chet Baker's Lost Memoir "as though I had wings" and there were a few references to The Rouge Lounge just outside of Detroit. Can anyone share their personal experiences with this club? I did find this on google.http://books.google.com/books? id=K11GJ-xaEcoC&pg=PA119&lpg=P A119&dq=rouge+lounge+detroit&s ource=bl&ots=Z6Gcu5xDDH&sig=n1 9JqouvImJ8X8uyjZh2YRjp038&hl=e n&ei=qSLASdqQLaaoM-6soKIN&sa=X &oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=re sult I had never heard of it before | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 516 Registered: 10-2003 |
This is too strange...I am just now transcribing my interview with Ed Sarkesian, owner of the Rouge Lounge. The Rouge was a significant Det jazz club for about six years, 1953-59. Located on Coolidge Highway in, you guessed it, River Rouge. Early integrated Detroit club, featured national jazz artists like Oscar Peterson and Terry Gibbs as well as Tommy Flanagan and Kenny Burrell. Ed also produced Detroit's first jazz festivals, held at the State Fairgrounds, 1959-60, and managed Peter Paul and Mary too. We didn't get to Ed before B Motown was published but will publish something about Ed for this years jazz festival. When Ed sold his club, Baker's took over that part of the jazz scene, more or less... | ||
Rj_spangler Member Username: Rj_spangler Post Number: 126 Registered: 10-2008 |
Jim, Johnnie Bassett's sister was a waitress there and he used to talk about seeing Kenny Burrell there. | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 1070 Registered: 08-2008 |
The Rouge Lounge was the talk of the old timers downriver. It sat on the west side of Schaefer Road at Campbell, right on the border of River Rouge and Detroit. I never saw a show there, I was too young, but my parents and their peers did. The most talked about appearances were by Oscar Peterson. I knew a man who was John Dingell's right hand man in Detroit for many years. He told me many stories about the lounge. If I remember correctly, the lounge was located in an old bowling alley that sat vacant until maybe the 70's and was then demolished. | ||
Eastsideal Member Username: Eastsideal Post Number: 420 Registered: 10-2007 |
There's a picture around somewhere of my parents with Billie Holiday there. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 519 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, according to Mr. Sarkesian it was the biggest bowling alley in Michigan. And Oscar Peterson was one of Ed's closest friends - Ed and Ray Brown and Oscar used to play Golf. Musicians liked Ed because he was honest and respected them - and he stood up for his beliefs, too, and allowed into his club anyone who was decently attired and looked as if they could pay their bill. Ed didn't even have a picture of his club, his stuff got tossed decades ago. I'd be happy to trade pictures of Detroit jazz musicians for any pictures inside or outside of the Rouge. RJ, thanks for that info, didn't know about Johnnie's sis. | ||
Rj_spangler Member Username: Rj_spangler Post Number: 132 Registered: 10-2008 |
I thought you might dig that little tidbit! | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 1114 Registered: 08-2008 |
Eastside, it would be reeeeallyy cool to see that picture. One in a million. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 521 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, Eastside, my pal and I will be writing an article about the Rouge this year and would love to include your photo. We have some newspaper ads but little else for visuals. |
