Chapter 2 – Eastown Theatre meeting Faces

The Eastown Theatre was located on the east side of Detroit and opened in 1931 as a movie theatre, and then in the late ’60s, it became a rock music venue. By the 70s, it had lost some charm. However, you could still see the beauty of Renaissance Revival styles, including Spanish and Italian classic Baroque elements. It featured a 6-foot high-lit dome in the auditorium with a gold-gilded ceiling. The lobby featured imported marble with a broad, elegant stairway that flowed to the mezzanine. The Eastown Theatre was partially destroyed in 2010 by fire and demolished afterward.

Faces played at the Eastown Theatre in Detroit on April 3 and 4, May 1, 2, and 3, and then October 16 and 17 of 1970.

Faces first album, First Step, was released in March of 1970, and it was all rocking rhythm and blues. It was an amazingly brilliant band and so much fun to watch live. The guys had a blast playing on stage, and it was always like a party going on.

After the first show, when most concertgoers had already left, my two girlfriends and I stood on the dance floor before the stage when Rod Stewart walked up to us! It seemed strange years ago, and I can’t imagine what people think reading this now. They didn’t use limos then, and maybe Stewart got left behind somehow. They used taxis and friends to drive them around. So Stewart asked us for a ride to his hotel.

We were all walking down the street to get to my 1964 blue Mercury Monterey car. One fan ran up to Stewart to get an autograph, and he gave Rod his parking ticket to sign. The fan ran away, yelling, “Rod Stewart signed my ticket.” Then Rod seemed worried and asked what it was that he signed. We told him that it was no big deal.

I was afraid to drive because I was drinking wine at the concert, so I had my girlfriend Marg drive my car. I sat in the front, and the other girlfriend sat in the back with Stewart. Marg was a bit nervous driving, and while merging onto the expressway, we almost got into an accident, but we got him safely to his hotel.

At the Faces concerts after that, Rod Stewart remembered us and ensured we got backstage. And my girlfriend, who drove, was welcome to take photos of the band in the dressing room and backstage while they played.

One night, I was late for the concert and drove myself there, and while walking into the dressing room area to look for my friends, I saw Ron Wood further away on stage testing equipment. I waved and said, “Hi,” he said, “Hi.” He kept looking and smiling, so I ran up and tried to kiss him, but we turned our heads simultaneously and bumped our noses. We both yelled, “OW!!” it hurt for a while. But we laughed. My one chance to kiss a future Rolling Stone, and I failed. But he was a friendly and fun guy, as were all the guys in the band, entirely down to earth.

There were seven Faces shows at the Eastown, and one in particular at the Birmingham Palladium in Michigan was memorable. Faces played at the Palladium on April 17th & 18th of 1970. I’ve done my best research, and I’ll say it was April 18, 1970.

My two girlfriends and I were standing on the side of the stage. During the song’s chorus, “Three Button Hand me down,” Rod came over to us two or three times and held his microphone out to us, and we sang the lyrics “Three button hand me down.” That was crazy incredible and so much fun! We sounded pretty good.

After the show, there was a party at the home of the local band called Third Power. Third Power was an American psychedelic hard rock band formed in 1969 in Detroit, Michigan. Their lead singer, songwriter, and bass guitarist, Jem Targal, is a Facebook friend of mine. I had to verify where that party was, so I messaged him, and he replied. “That party was at the “Power House.” What a night! We all played at the Palladium, then headed out to our farm to party. So glad you were there too. Thanks for the Memory!”

So, we were on our way to a party. Members of Faces were riding in a few different cars that night down the famous Woodward Avenue. From the 1950s onward, people would cruise the avenue, show off their hot rods, and join friends at local hamburger joints.

Once again, I had my girlfriend Marg drive, and I sat in the front seat with another girl. Ron Wood sat in the back seat with other friends. In another car that drove by and honked at us was Rod Stewart. We saw him stick his leg out the window, and I recognized his shoe.

We cruised down Woodward Avenue with “Hot Rod” Stewart in another car and Ron “Woody” Wood in mine. (The annual Woodward Dream Cruise, which began in 1993 and continues today, is considered the largest single-day automotive event in the world.) But this was my ultimate dream cruise.

As we drove further into a rural farm area, the radio signals and the music went out. That’s what happened in the old days. After a rocking Faces concert, I couldn’t be without hearing music, so I figured I’d start singing. I felt I had to keep people entertained because it was my car. What music did I choose? Chuck Berry, who else? As a Jagger/Stones lover, it was a natural choice. I knew most of the lyrics to “Maybelline” and “Memphis Tennessee”. I still remember all the lyrics to “Johnny B. Goode,” so that one must have been my best. The girl on my right accompanied me with various vocals, guitar sounds, and drum beats on the dashboard. I believe I drank the remainder of my Mateus Rose wine from my leather wine boda. It always gave me courage.

When we finally got to the party and exited the car, I saw Stewart and Ron Wood talking. Ron pointed to me and told Stewart I was a good singer. I thought, Oh no, please don’t. I was embarrassed. I guess I forgot he was in the backseat the whole time.

All I can recall is going into the house and finding a comfortable sofa, and I wondered where my friends had gone, then I fell asleep. In the morning, my girlfriend couldn’t find her costly Minolta camera. Everyone was looking for it, including the members of the Faces. Someone found it underneath a car.

After 50 years, it’s impossible to recall conversations with people. Certain things have stood out in my mind. When Rod Stewart spoke to me at a party, he said, “I like your shoes.” I believe I just said “Thanks”. I think he was just being nice. I did work very hard to find those fabulous shoes, though. They were red and white leather spectator shoes like his. They matched my red and white leather jacket.

As time passed, more and more fans from the concerts discovered which hotels the Faces parties were at. Fans sat on the floors in the hotel rooms and hallways, passing wine bottles and joints around. There were guys, girls, and guys with their dates just waiting to see Stewart and the band in a more personal setting and perhaps get autographs.

I remember sitting on the floor in one room with people talking all around me. Then, suddenly, I heard this voice that came out of nowhere, and it was Rod Stewart singing the beginning of “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder. How beautiful it sounded. What an incredible memory that is. Then he appeared in the room and exited the door with a blonde.

In October 2009, Rod Stewart’s 25th studio album, Soulbook, was released. He sings classic material from Motown. The second song on his album is “My Cheri Amour,” featuring Stevie Wonder, who also plays harmonica. It’s beautiful.

My girlfriend, Marg, had enlarged many of her photos of Rod Stewart and gave them to him. I remember watching him put them in his big red leather carry bag.

Some people might tell me, “You don’t know Diddley.”…well, I was in the right place at the right time again. In July 1970, Bo Diddley played at the Birmingham Palladium. Before the show started, my sister and I were standing with other people, far from the stage, when Bo Diddley suddenly approached us and asked if we’d escort him to the stage. His words were, “Would you two lovely ladies like to escort me to the stage.” He put his arms out for each of us to hold. It was an honor—my blonde-haired older sister on one side and my brown-haired self on the other. It’s a sweet memory.

Readers may wonder if I’m here to reveal the Publius Enigma behind two of Pink Floyd’s albums and artwork; why am I writing about my younger years? My early days are a part of what happens years later. It’s all a part of the music journey. Plus, I’m hoping readers will understand my love for music and how deep it is in my heart. It’s also for me, so I can refer to it if my memory fades.

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