Part Two: Eddie died, then the party began!

October 13, 3:47 PMDetroit Karaoke ExaminerJeff Holmquist

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Al Kaplan ( pictured, right) joins in, saying: “Eddie always loved his Harley Davidson. He was a great guy. Seeing him during that vigil, meant a lot to Eddie and meant a lot to us.” Splendid songs are providing soundtrack.

“Where The Boys Are” (Boyz?) is background, while Larry Bliss briefly talks about his daughters and wife, Merja, who’s originally from Finland, and is actually employed as a singer in the area. We learn of Larry’s 29 years owning two Siberian huskies.

 http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchandlisten/play/bc12486d4      "Where The Boys Are"  

 "Carol C." ( She sang this "live" at Mario's, that same night. Nice isn't it?)      

Al does recall, with relish, the thrill of a 12 year olds existence. That’s when he and Eddie discovered that they could climb atop the doctor’s office, at 9 Mile & Coolidge, and actually enter, via a trap door, to descend into the building. They slept overnight on that roof! Al says: "Is that cool, or what??

The next day, their “sleep over” cover story disintegrates, as both sets of parents confront them at Katz’s Delicatessan.

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/c71171326  "You Can Call Me Al"    By "Elliebear". (Just boatloads of fun, and very well sung too!)

As the Boyz Club heads off to Pine Knob for concerts, or the Woodward Dream Cruise (antique cars), billiard halls, or a ride on Al Kaplan’s boat - it’s unanimous. They all say:

“I’ve never known a group like this”. “We’re always involved and care for the other person.” “It’s absolutely incredible that all the wives like each other too.” “We’re like brothers”.

It echoes throughout.

Rick Levine is a big exuberant teddy bear of a guy, custom made for hugs. He says he “can’t put into words what this group means. (Dirty job, someone’s gotta do it) It’s a life changing experience.”

When Rick is "down", or worried about the Michigan economy, The Boyz Club  fills every void. He’d never really experienced men’s activities with other men, though he socialized as being part of a married couple.

Larry Bliss and himself, (Rick, in the multi colors!) grew up on old Jerome street, four doors down from each other. Both were born one day apart in Harper Hospital, April, 1948.

He remembers Junior High School “hoods”, and how current Boyz member, Greg Sikorski protected them. He was their “Fonzi” - a real life one!  (pictured, lower right)             

Rick gravitates to the “good” in humans He dips into his aging sugar bowl, and proclaims Sikorski to be “the sweetest guy you could imagine.” He spoons out more, when he recalls Eddie Cohen, as a “very sweet guy, tough, but having a heart of gold.”

"Brent Hollywood" is also a karaoke aficionado. He’s THE authority on the group’s initiation into the sing-a-long world. It was June 2008, at a place called “The Inn”, in Royal Oak. Brent’s daughter had recommended it.

It seems that Mr. Hollywood and Al Kaplan were quite the ladies men, at old Oak Park High. (He’ll still peek.)

Brent (lower left) has animated hands and expressiveness, of face, to go with that gray wavy hair. That slow, savoring smile emerges sometimes, as he recognizes and enjoys a statement he’s just heard.

He remembers Eddie as “wild and impetuous”.

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/c2aae051      By "Spooky"   "I Will Talk & Hollywood Will Listen"   (Just tremendously done and enjoyable!)

There IS a legendary tale within the Boyz Club. A quarter century ago, Ted S got group seats in a crowded restaurant. How?

Here's how: The waiter said: "What's (actor) Michael Douglas doing here??'

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/b6b29944   "The Masquerade" By "Wallace" (Powerfully assertive, fairly masterful.)

End Part Two.