Famous final scenes
My wife and I, sister and brother-in-law entered the Westside Tavern on Riverside Drive, a mirrored ball hung from the ceiling reflecting light shadows across the large room.
A country western band screeched music to an appreciative crowd as we wended our way to an empty table. The waiter appeared from nowhere and dropped four glasses of beer.
I gave him three quarters and told him to have one for himself, yes, beer was 15 cents a glass. Those were the days when no matter where we chose to spend a Saturday night, we could be assured of entertainment.
Up and down Drouillard Road, weekend pick-up bands twanged away at every bar and tavern — some beer joints a bit feistier than others, but en- tertainment nonetheless. The Canada Tavern on Tecumseh Road always offered a good show, dancing to live bands at Thomas’ Inn or the Rendezvous Tavern along the waterfront, the Lido “beer garden” in Sandwich and the Three Bears on Huron Line. The choices were endless.
Windsor earned the reputation for offering big name headliners such as Rickie Nelson and Brenda Lee at the Metropole Supper Club on Walker Road. The Metropole, owned by Nick Drakich, had a mystique about it. Many who never ventured in wondered what went on behind those windowless walls.
The entertainment was some of the best and the quality of food was excellent, smorgasbord for only $2.25 and a shot of rye for 35 cents. You can’t beat that.
Nick’s brother Mike owned the Top Hat. How I loved the Top Hat, the food, atmosphere and stage shows were always electrifying. I remember one magician who was so talented I went back to see him four times.
The crème de la crème though had to be the Elmwood Casino. Name any top notch star and surely that person had either performed there or at least was seen enjoying Al Siegel’s hospitality. Sammy Davis Jr. to Sophie Tucker, Jimmy Durante to Eddie Fisher and the list goes on.
In its 30- year history, although called a casino, there was never any gambling. But that thought was in the back of Mr. Siegel’s mind as an eventual project down the road. Al was the president and innovator of Windsor Raceway which opened in 1965. He hired Bill Rowe as general manager, a man I am proud to have called my friend.
The casino was a huge success but over the years. As the financial demands of headliners in Las Vegas skyrocketed, so too did the demands for top name performers at the Elmwood.
I read some entertainers were asking $100,000 for just one week’s engagement — too rich for Windsor’s economy. So it was inevitable the world renowned club was doomed to falter.
Al Siegel tried a dinner theatre venue that provided successes but nothing with the grandeur of the big name stars.
The end was in sight. I was a guest of Mr. Siegel’s one night and enjoyed a great roast beef dinner and Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol.
I will always remember it as one of the finest shows I have ever seen. I will also remember Dec. 21, 1974, the day Elmwood Casino declared bankruptcy. The casino is gone ... they are all gone.
How could we have let such a wonderful era slip away? If I can quote Bob Hope’s famous words: “Thanks for the memories.”