Hi, I’m Big G from the Pearl Handle Band. We used to play at the “Red Lions” all the time in the late 70’s.

  One good memory of playing at the “Lion” in Champaign one night,we were listening to the local radio station upstairs before our show. They were running a call in for a free pizza for the first person that could name the singer of the next song. I knew who it was from the first note she sung (Timmi Yuro, “I’m Hurt”).

 So when they asked for our address for delivery of the pizza, we told them we were the band playing at the “Red Lion”, and that they should deliver the pizza to the stage. So about half way through our second set, we saw the pizza coming through the crowd.  We stopped long enough to explain what was going on,while we ate a slice. We gave the rest of the pizza to some people in the audience, and played the rest of our show.

  Thanks for many good memories.   Your pal, Big G

      P.S,   Hey Slink, if you happen to read this, do you remember me bailing you out of the 18th district lock up in Chicago one night in the distant past?  Ah, those were the days. Get my E-Mail from these people, and let’s catch up.

Can anyone help with finding some of the photo people? I played  Saturday in the Lugnutz and 3 differnt people took a butt load of pix I would like to see them or buy them. Contact me Johnny_Bop_2000@Yahoo.com There is lower slash markes between johnny_Bop_2000 Thnaks for all.

I took alot of great pictures of friends from the old days at the reunion and I was wondering how I could get tehm to you for the reunion disk or to share them on the website. I saw people I had not seen since I was 19!!! I am now 46!!! What a great idea! Great fun!
Brenda

I was in Champaign dropping my kids off at college when I heard that there was a Red Lion reunion going on at the “Alley Cat”. This is exciting, I though, let’s check it out. WOW, what a trip!

I first moved to CU in the early 70’s, to work at Gemini House, as alternative service during the Vietnam war. We were unpaid, and therefore poor, but we did manage to get out to the bars every night. First stop, the WigWam. Often the next stop would be the Red Lion. What a time!

After a while, I got a “real” job…I worked for CV Lloyde, repairing rock & roll equipment and building electronics for his PA. I fixed many a Marshall, Sunn, Acoustic, etc. Those old amps were quite the thing, I guess. We used Crown DC 300 amps for the PAs. Electric Boy (Greg Danner) and Mark Radi designed & built speaker cabinets. The legendary Bear (the one from Garcia’s) designed a bass cabinet for us. We called those “bear bottoms”. CV had a PA for bands that we called an “All Star Frog” system, since they were the first to use it. Mathew Bertram (founder of August Systems) and Bob Wendt (later at Rosewood)  were two of the salesmen there.

There was a great little resturant, PJ’s, where it seemed every rocker who was up at noon had lunch. Chrisite Clinic tore it down to put up a parking lot.
Anyway, working in the business meant attendance at the Red Lion was almost mandatory! What a great place to drink & meet people! And the music was always great. Moe Moesele’s bands were great. And Head East was one of my favorites. Anyone know what happened to Roger Boyd?

I saw CV at the reunion, also Bear and was thrilled to see the Rave together again. I remeber when Gary Ostyke had long red hair. Bryan Cook still looks like Clark Kent.

Anyway, what a great event!! When do we do it again? Next year looks good for me!

I used to go to the Red Lion in Bloomington during the years 1973-1976. I went to ISU.   I really had a great time watching the bands back then!!!  I always thought Slink Rand was a great guitarist and he still is!!!   What a show he puts on!!!!  He was the highlight of the Reunion!!!!   I still remember him playing that guitar as if he was ringing a bell.  [sounds familiar}. I came from Twin Lakes, Wisconsin to hear just this band.  I am so glad I did!!!  I would like to see more of Slink.  I saw alot of cameras at the reunion.  I did not know you could bring a camera or else I would of too!!!  I hope someone is making a cd or dvd of the music at this reunion.  I will gladly buy!!!  If anyone wants to sell me a copy of Slink Rand footage or Slink Rand photos, let me know as I will gladly pay!!!  Also what price did the back drop fetch and the REO Speedwagon sign fetch????  The reunion was a gas and at my age [53], that is saying something!!!!!!!!!

It was sooo much fun seeing all the old friends and bands!  I was a young-un that snuck in often and had a great time at the old Red Lion Inn.  It was a blast to see Slink and to have Michael come up and sing!! WOW!!  The whole crowd was singing along it seemed.  All the bands did a great job, even when with a few missed cues and all.  Wonder what happened to all the old bouncers (sorry if you were there but….) like Bwana, Carrie and them? 

Can you believe how we all looked?  Some have aged very well and others….  All in all tho I thought everyone looked fabulous!!  Anyway, I agree that we should not wait another 30 years to do it again.  People came from all over the USA to be at this party.  That should show something.  WOW!!!  Can’t wait!!  Also, looking for that CD to come out.  I for sure will want one. 

Terri Lee

Well, I my voice is toatlly shot and my ass is dragginn but what a great time. Thanks to everyone who put the gig together.

I worked at The Lion for a while in the early 70’s. I replaced the legendary “Bear” at Garcia’s. I also roadied for several bands including Frisky, Punch and very early Water Brothers. What a time that was. Music every nite of the week. Sex, drugs and rock and roll. As I have had to admit to my now grown children I am not always proud of all I did but nor do I regret it. Of course I dont remember it all either!

It is going to be a great weekend. Just hope old friends will recognize one another. Thanks to Bob, Larry and all who contributed to this flashback. The website is great and the Hollywood link is awesome too. Roll another one…..just like the other one.

 John Curtis

p.s. Is there a basement at Fat City??

I also worked at the Champaign Red Lion the last couple years they were open.  I am now a college professor and live in North Carolina with my wife and kids.  I try to get back to Champaign at least once a year and visited a few weeks ago.  Champaign has changed so much since I left but it is always great to drive by the old Red Lion.  It was a great place to work.  The people and music were great and it is a real honor to have been part of it.  I will always fondly look back at those times.  Unfortunately will not be able to make it back to the reunion, but I hope that you will post lots of pictures of the old crowd on your web site.  RAF    

I had the privilege of tending bar for the last two years the Red Lion was open.  I had spent so much time there the years before I finally figured out it would be cheaper if I just worked while I was there than spending all my money drinking.  In fact I was one of about 4 people working that last night in March 1980 when we closed down the bar.  Even then I knew CU would never have anything like the Lion ever again and 26 years later we still don’t.  Being a townie and loving live music as much as I do I have followed the music scene here in CU for a very long time.  The REO roadie truck was parked down the street from my house when I was in junior high and then when they moved to Los Angeles (I think that’s right) then the guys from the All-Star Frogs stayed in the same place and they parked their truck there as well.  If you can’t tell I really miss the Lion I had a lot of fun and saw some great bands over the few years I was old enough to get in there and will always cherish them.