Joe’s Place – “Where Music Lives”

What seems like a long time ago, I was 12 years old (actually it was 60 years ago) that I went to my first dance in the basement of St. Theresa’s Church in Port Colborne. This was put on by a church youth group that my older brother John belonged to.

It was there that it happened for me.

I fell in Love.

Playing that night was a band called “The Beanies”. A 3 piece band featuring Al and Neil Lacroix on Bass and Guitar and Mike Manger on drums.

It was the greatest moment in my short existence. It was then that I decided I would be a drummer, and music was going to be my greatest Love for the rest of my life.

I convinced my parents to buy a set of Silver Sparkle Coronet drums displayed at Mione’s Radio Shop in Port Colborne. 

And that was the beginning.

Needless to say, that was the start of a journey I will never forget. I am not about to write an autobiography (maybe another day), but music has been a part of my life in various forms since then.

Musician, Promoter, Agent, Night Club Owner, Restauranteur, Producer, Music Buyer, Music Society Chairperson, Music Competition Judge, Entertainment Consultant, Stage Management, Festival Organizer and my most important role MUSIC LOVER.

While raising a family in Port Colborne, ON and earning a living working in manufacturing, I was performing in a variety of different bands and enjoying many of the greats at concerts on a regular basis.

And that’s another long story.

After my 25+ years in manufacturing, playing music as a hobby and attending concerts by the greats, it was time for a change of careers.

Hello Joe’s Place Restaurant/Nite Club featuring Live Blues & Jazz/Thai and Italian cuisine.

So I now became a Restauranteur, Music Buyer, Promoter and continued with my love affair with Music.

Once again I have to say that the Joe’s Place adventure is a story in itself, and I am not writing an autobiography.

But I do want to share with you the amazing performers that entertained us on a regular basis. Below is a gallery of photos of most of the performers (I don’t have photos of all so those are mentioned at the bottom of the gallery}

Move your mouse or tap on a photo to find out who they are.

ENJOY! And feel free to leave comments especially if you were there for the different performances.

No Photos available for the following shows, and I may have missed some bands (if anyone has some photos or names of bands please send them over to me}

• Lady Day at Emersons Bar and Grill featuring Joyce Carolyn produced by Herb Nelson Sr. (the first link takes you to a video of the same play different performers)
• The Sattalites
• James Anthony & the Night Owls
• Jerome Godboo & Deep Down
• Arlene Bishop
• Mike McKenna
• Philip Sayce Band
• Blue Meanies
• The Dues Brothers (Then) – (Now) The Official Blues Brothers Revue is led by Wayne Catania (Jake) and Kieron Lafferty (Elwood).
• Carpet Frogs with Greg Godovitz (Goddo)
• Steven Barry Band
• LMT Connection
• Livin’ Blues Band
• New York Minute
• Rust Never Sleeps
• Phil Reynolds Band
• Backstreet
• Michael Keith Band
• Black River Blues Band
• Tibbi Jackson
• Latin Express
• Sandy Vine & The Midnights
• Sam Crosby
• Still Life
• Jones Bones Quartet
• 2nd Heaven

Possibly the only video of a show at Joe’s Place in existence that I am aware of – Please prove me wrong

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