On The Sly

More Plattsburgh rock 'n' roll - with tunes and history - are at:

www.myspace.com/miketheravens

and a site for Rollerland at

http://www.myspace.com/northcountry60sscene

This reunion was better than I could have imagined!! The turnout was huge, people came from all over the US. It was unbelievable to be with so many friends again.The Stowaways were AWESOME. Thankyou to Bentley, Mike, Jim, Ken, Craig, Geoff, Spencer, and all the event organizers for making this happen.

I cant tell you how exciting it is to see that THE Stowaways are going to make an appearence at the reunion. I'm a 75 graduate (St. Johns) but have some great memories myself of Bently and the band during practice sessions as well as at the "Y" dances. The band inspired me and other North Country rockers to start their own bands. also, Its great to hear from Bob Anthony. He carried on his "tutorship" of other north country bands through till the late 70s. He allowed us to even practice in the rooms upstairs at the "Y". anyhow, lots of great memories with the Stowaways......even from a 75 graduate. thanks for the memories dudes. what ever happened to the hearse you guys used to carry your equipment around in!

Hello Foxy,

My name is Dan Rose and I’m the personal manager of Bentley Austin, who is contracted to play with the Stowaways at the PHS 40th Reunion July 14th at Jim’s Place.
This is in reference to former Plattsburgh YMCA Director Bob Anthony’s letter explaining that he will not be able to make the Performance in July. When it was relayed to Mr. Austin that Mr. Anthony could not make the event, due to a family reunion, Mr Austin had a hissy and responded by saying, “Well maybe Mr. Austin won’t make the performance. Maybe Mr. Austin has got to go to his own family reunion"
(It is well known that any of Mr. Austin’s relatives have long since severed any ties to him) but personally knowing Bentley Austin for over thirty years, I would not put it past him to adopt a bunch of people to call his family, just to be able to have a reunion.

Luckily all Mr. Austin has done is boarded himself in his Malibu Trailer, and has been brooding ever since. Conversations with him through his boarded up door, though, have brought forth some interesting information to pass on to your readers.

It appears the warm fuzzy feeling everyone has for The Stowawys is not really shared by the band. According to Mr. Austin, the band hasn’t spoken to each other in close to the 40 years it has been apart, and it is asserted that Bob Anthony is largely to blame.

“Golden Lungs Robbie” is the name bestowed upon Bob after we got him up to sing various times at the “Y” dances. He was a natural, and the only problem we had was that more girls swooned over him than the rest of the band when he appeared”, sniffled Austin.
“We knew Bob was our ticket to stardom and finally approached him to join the band and hit the road for the “Big Time”. And do you know what Bob did? He responded by saying “Are you kids crazy? I’m not going to do that!” It crushed us. Jim and I quickly
left the band, and within a few years the Stowaway Band was just a memory.” whined
Austin.

On top of that, Ken Phillips and Bentley hate each other due to both being Hollywood actors and trying for the same roles with Ken getting most movie offers and even performing on stage in England. The only work Bentley ever got was a stand-in for a
“Weight Watchers” Commercial.

Spencer Bosworth & Mike O’Connell hold ill feelings after the years of both fighting over the same groupies, which came to a head when coming to the realization they were both married to the same woman (at the same time).

Drummer Geoff Jones, who was head chemist at Kodak in the 80’s, got involved a little too much with the wrong crowd (Instamatic users) and hasn’t been able to get that “developer monkey” off his back. Geoff can hardly remember his own name, much less the rest of the band’s.

And Jim Wells is a mystery. “I have my suspicions, what with Jim living so close to two borders, (Plattsburgh, & Florida), but I don’t want to say anything, or the next role I might get is that of “poster boy” for QuickCrete Cement and one day be discovered at the bottom of Lake Champlain", bawled Bentley.

I personally hope that Mr. Austin comes around. He is driving me crazy. For instance, instead of the normal Deli Tray requirements for his dressing Trailer at Jim’s Place, he has requested 21 Michigans/with to be cut bite sized with tooth picks in each one...... What
the heck is a Michigan? I’ve heard of N.Y. Strip or Idaho Potato but Michigan?, I swear he will be the death of me. I just can’t wait for his confidant, Paris, to talk some sense into him (after she’s released from jail).

Let’s just hope for the best come July 14th. Either way, it’s going to be quite a show.

Sincerely,

Hollywood Danny Rose- Agent to the Stars.

(Foxy's note: Great to hear from Hollywood Danny! The word of the On the Sly blog has obviously spread to Hollywood, so maybe a movie or TV series is in Foxy's crystal ball.)

Hi Foxy
Thanks for Plugging the upcoming reunion with THE STOWAWAYS. The boys promised to send me a copy of your interview. Been gone a long time but have always thought back to my life growing up in Plattsburgh.
When Spencer, Geoff and I were kids we used to haul our equipment around Prospect Ave in a red wagon and play at parties....Spenc's big brother Nelson and other upper classmen were playing us tunes by the Stones, like "The Last Time" and "Little Red Rooster", and encouraging us to get hip. I got to hook up with neighbor Robin Canale and learn from him and his garage band, then go off to Rollerland with my big sister Sharyn (Dad made her take me) she used to ditch me the minute we got there - it was a mutual agreement we had! My music education was intense. I got to hear The Twilighters record Shakin All over, and Mike and The Ravens, The Stratatones, the music and the excitement for a young kid was endless. Man I just wanted to be a Rock N Roller.
I am Really looking forward to this event, thanks for your blog, its heart warming, humorous and it helps keep me grounded out here on the left coast. I look forward to meeting you at the reunion.
Ken Phillips

(Foxy's note: Great to hear from you, Ken, and there are alot of people anxious to see you once again. It will be a great party. You mentioned some great local bands -- you probably gave me an idea for a future blog.)

Foxy:

Man this Stowaways Reunion is the best. The Stones couldn't draw a bigger crowd in Plattsburgh. To all our buddies in the band, thank you for making this happen in our lifetime. They were all our buddies too, back then they were stars that were touchable. We all know who the best band in the North Country was then and they kept it going through the Brodi era.

Mr Anthony, have a tough time calling you Bob. You sir are one of the most dedicated men I remember. Do you all recall what respect you held for this guy? We were all his kids. Fair but don't cross him, what patience. As you can tell I was glad to see his comment. Sure wish you could be there, an Honorary Guest by all means.

Gonna be a goodtime in Plattsburgh,

Thanks Foxy there is something about what you do for the North Country. FOXY FOR MAYOR.

Hey Foxy - I've been pre-occupied the last several weeks and just finally had an opportunity to catch up on the blog. You really know how to bring us all back... I can picture the old neighborhood and friends like it was yesterday! As for The Stowaways reunion, I can't make the Main Event on Saturday but I do plan on "sneaking" into the Friday night event as a member of the Class of 1971. Loved those Y dances...I hope my favorite dancing partner, Skip O'Hara, will be around!!

i will be out of town that weekend of the "main event" but best wishes to all the "stowaways" who used to hang out at our house with stan and to the others i never really knew . i know stan is planning on being here. in case something happens and i am still in town, foxy save me a dance.

(Foxy's note: You can bet that if Foxy and Cricket ever hit the dance floor, it will be captured for posterity by North Country Cable!)

Foxy, altho I moved from P'burgh to Salem, MA in 1980, P'burgh will always be a big part of my life. When I became computer literate [sort of ] about 3 years ago, I now read the PR every day and also get the weekly Plattsburgh Rotary newsletter on line. I've really enjoyed keeping up with what's going on up there.
I also enjoy your blogs. They bring back lots of memories and it nice to know what some of the kids are doing now. Yeh, they may be grandparents now, but to me they are still kids ! When you mentioned earlier about the Stowaways being back, I said I'm going to be there for that. Now the date is set and it is the only weekend all summer that I can't be there !
That is the weekend that about 70 Anthony family members will be having our annual family reunion at Silver Lake and since I am now the patriarch of the family, there is no way I can not be there.
I'm really sorry I can't be at the concert and I am a little concerned - if I'm not there, who's going to keep you kids in line ? Have fun, I'll be thinking about you guys.
Bob Anthony

(Foxy's note: Great to hear from Bob Anthony! As all of us who were teens in the Sixties know, Mr. Anthony was the director of the YMCA. He is still very well-remembered in Plattsburgh. Sure wish you could be there for the big weekend, Bob, but I'll bet there will be some souvenir DVDs produced!)

Once again Foxy you have touched a nerve with people across the nation. I too grew up watching the The Stowaways. They were an inspiration to us younger guys (LOL) and as you all know I had a reasonably successful music career in and around the Burgh' for many years. Mike, Geoff, Spence, Kenny, I am so pleased to see you are doing this. I am planning a Rock & Roll Doctors reunion this summer and hope you can make it to Peru for that event. Over the years I have had the PLEASURE to play with all these fine musicians and frankly, not only are they great players but, great men as well. I've said it before and I'll say it again..... I Love You Guys and I hope to see you soon. Hey Mike, Melbie says hello!!!!! Oh Yea.. Foxy if Geoff should ask for my E Mail by all means Please give it to him. He and David Curtain started it all for me. You know ? It's almost impossible for anyone to describe the feeling you get when playing or JAMMING with a great bunch of players. No rehearsal just get on stage and go!!! Again I have had that pleasure!! Thank You Foxy for all you do! You have no idea. Randy

(Foxy's note: Thanks, Randy, and keep me posted on the return of the Rock & Roll Doctors!)

Hey Foxy,
Any chance I can purchase a copy of the interview? I can't make it to the big Stowaways reunion, but I'd sure love to hear what those jokers have got to say for themselves!
Dianne in Austin