Honky-Tonk Days In Arizona
Come dance and fight to the music of Buddy Long.
By: Jeb Rosebrook 01/01/2009
Gone are the “bulls messing with the heifers” at Sarg’s Cow Town, Abel Hall, the Matador, Chester’s, Riverside Park Ballroom, JD’s and Mr. Lucky’s. Phoenix Madison Square Garden was the most recent loss, torn down in 2005, to be replaced by a nondescript office building.
Buddy Long outlived them all. He was the ticket to the honky-tonk scene that twanged in Phoenix, Arizona, in the 1950s and early 1960s.
“Slowly, I’m falling more in love with you...” Buddy Wheeler’s steel slides Buddy Long and his Western Melody Boys into the Webb Pierce favorite. A tall, lanky, Louisiana-born, 25-year-old redhead, his cowboy hat cocked back, stands on the stage. Dressed in a flowery cowboy shirt, cowboy pants and boots, Buddy leans into the microphone. Dancers join together close; be it love for a lifetime or one night. The song echoes the post-WWII honky-tonk scene in Phoenix; “Slowly, you’re winning a heart that can be true.”
The honky-tonk scene in Phoenix included a litany of clubs and dance halls. Vern & Don’s, where Frankie Starr gave Glendale’s Marty Robbins his start. The Stag, Sciotts Ballroom, the Cactus Garden, the Bridge. The raucous Sarg’s Cow Town, where the Russian farmers from Glendale awaited their Saturday night fight with the cowboys. The nearby Riverside Park Ballroom, where thousands danced to Bob Fite and his Western Playboys. The Silver Saddle where Johnny Dakota sang. Chester’s in Glendale. Saturday nights at Madison Square Garden, where a young Phoenix disc jockey, Ray Odom, promoted big-name Country artists appearing in the Garden’s wrestling ring. The seats were pushed aside as 3,000 danced to the music of Buddy Long and the Sunset Riders until three in the morning, with vocals also supplied by Chuck “Eloy Flash” Mayfield and teenager Jimmy Spellman.
Among all the honky-tonkers, Buddy Long stood out for his crowd pleasing charisma. “Buddy knew hundreds of songs,” says Buddy’s drummer Terry Wells. “He sang them like the one you wanted to hear.”
“He knew the best dancers in Phoenix,” remembers Duane Eddy, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who played guitar for Buddy from 1956-58. “Whenever Buddy played a new location, he’d call them up and invite them out. Watching those people dance would inspire others to get up and try their own fancy steps. That created a powerful thirst for all. The clubs sold more booze on the nights Buddy worked than any other band.”
Comments (4)
thanks jeb.i enjoyed every night i played phoenix.just down scottsdale rd at a place called the bonanza club,and the best old honky tonk ever macs and marges on e.vanburen,to the cotton club on w.vanburen,and the old pm club downtown on washington,as well as so many more.the real bloddy buckets of honky tonks.thanks for bringing old memories to life.i'm in coldspring tx now,
but phoenix az is never far from this old
country musicians mind.at 73 yrs old i still do old marty,little jimmy dickens ,and
all of the old timers.real country.thanks again.billy cole
Thanks Jeb I really enjoyed the story..
and the great photos. I wrote a story about Ken "Goldust Charlie" Kennedy..
and while interviewing his widow~Rubye,
she provided numerous images.
Some were picture and playbills of Ken playing the drums with `Johnny Dakota",
and the `Western Playboys'.
If interested I have them on disc..somehwhere.
Best Regards,
Rob Cook
Bisbee,Arizona
http://www.WallaceLadmoGerald.com
Great story Jeb!
I was first a drummer after returning from Vietnam in 67. Gig'n down the street from JD's. Later moving to bass guitar in the honky tonks at night, while my day gig was turning records at KHAT for Ray Odem starting in 1970. Yea, Buddy was the real deal. I learned from his program and the players he had around him. He is a Az. Music Hall of Fame candidate for sure.
Gary Clemmons
Thank you Jeb Rosebrook for a great story and pictures of Honky-Tonk Days In Arizona. I was lucky to be a part of it and memories of great friends and wonderful fans.
Thanks again also to True West.
Terry Wells
Spring Valley, AZ
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