The Esquire Show Bar

Does anyone remember the Esquire Show Bar? Located in Montreal, it was the hot spot for black acts in the 40'2, 50'2 and 60's. Every famous black act played there -- everyone from Little Richard to Chubby Checker to Martha and the Vandelas to........you name it. In deference to Brian's misspent youth in the smoky Montreal nightclubs, we went to the Esquire Show Bar Revue at the Casino Lac Leamy last Saturday night. Man, it was spectacular! Four men decked out in shiny silver suits and three women in flashy outfits and high heels singing and dancing their way through every rhythm and blues tune you ever heard. They went through...

Sweet Soul Music, Shotgun, Under the Boardwalk, Its your Thing, Nowhere to Run, Aint That a Shame, Lucille, Long Tall Sally, Unchain my Heart, Mustang Sally, I Feel Good, The Thrill is Gone, Proud Mary, Think, If you don't know me by now, Chain of Fools, Hold on I'm Coming, Lonely Teardrops, Nowhere to Run, Midnight Hour, Stand by me...........and a ton more. Are you singing yet! I know you are.

It took me back to my high school days and so many high school dances and budding young love moments flashed through my mind. They were so professional, but the guy who stole the show was the father of the lead singer. Out he pranced in the second half in his glistening tuxedo and patent leather shoes and he treated us to a performance that was astounding. He must have been in his seventies, but as he danced, sang and joked through his numbers he proved that this old man had lost none of his touch. The crowd went wild! No wonder they kept him backstage during the first half. His poor son took a back seat the rest of the evening as pops owned the stage and had the entire audience eating out of his hand.