Mike Tafoya

Memories, of Cleveland Oh. Nov.1978.The first thing I remember about the TV show we were to do at the Agora Ballroom was why Cleveland.  Not that there was anything wrong with Cleveland, I wanted to fly to either coast and not drive. You see, we spent the previous three and a half years driving all over the United States. I wanted to get there without spending the time in a car. That’s when I was informed that we were hiring a tour bus in Cleveland, nice. Also, the show was to include Meat Loaf, Ian Hunter, and Mick Ronson. Plus, the ladies who sang with Meatloaf either on stage or on the record, Ellen Foley and Karla DeVito. Ellen Foley who sang on the Bat Out Of Hell, we (the Boyzz) met her at the Paragon Studios in Chicago in Dec. 1977. We played on her demo at the same time we recorded our own  (at Paragon Studios) with Steve Popovich (Cleveland International records) in charge. Barry Mraz (who produced the first Styx albums) at the helm, Stu Cook from Credence Clearwater Revival who worked with the band to tighten up and make us studio ready, and Jon Polous our manager and biggest fan to keep the peace and negotiate a deal. Jon Polous is the one who bought Steve Popovich and put the Boyzz on the radar and signed to Epic/Cleveland International Records.

The first thing we saw at the hotel was Chalk lines in the front of the foyer, you know the kind we see on TV to mark the spot where the murder victim was found. Makes one think. Once settled in the hotel we made it down to the hotel restaurant to eat, the guys told me that my youngest brother Mark Jeffery, was there and in a U.S. navy uniform. Sure, I thought. They weren’t lying, he was there and in uniform. Somehow he was sent to Cleveland before boot camp?

After that we went to the Agora Ballroom, which was a showcase concert club and where Meat Loaf made his launch a year before. There was a recording studio above the club itself. During sound check Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson came walked in and Gil and I were excited as hell. We were fans and to be there with these artist’s was truly a BIG thing.  Ian and Mick taught the band a new song of his called “Standing In My Light”. This was to be his first time on stage since the Hunter/Ronson (Once Bitten, Twice Shy and England Rocks, later Cleveland Rocks) project fell through with a breakdown or something. Anyways, we’re on stage with these gentlemen once the first song was worked out we tried out “One Of The Boys”. Ian didn’t care for our version and suggested we simply rock the song without the frills? He was right, it was a jam night and we were to have fun.

After dinner we made it back to the Agora Ballroom, back stage Mick Ronson asked us if we’d be interested in doing a song with him and Dave Angel, Kent Cooper, Gil Pini, Anatoly (Tony) Halinkovich, and I say “YES”. We went to a back room with our instruments and learned a song  (I can’t remember the name of the song though}. Mick Passed away in the 90’s, and I wanted to say that he was a real gentleman and true Rock Icon who is truly be missed. Later that evening the opening act The Iron City House Rockers came by and Meat Loaf and the Ladies showed up and the rest of the evening was plotted out with Steve Popovich, Jon Polous and the rest of us

First, the Iron City House Rockers set, which was very good. Then, Meat Loaf does an introduction; mind you Meat Loaf was sick with the flu and so wasn’t feeling on top at the moment but he’s a total pro and the trooper in him was there. He can sure act excited!!

Then the Boyzz did a six-song set followed with Mick Ronson playing and singing a song with us (not on the broadcast). Then the big excitement IAN HUNTER with MICK RONSON ‘LIVE’ on stage for the first time in about two years. “YEAH”, the crowd was on their feet. Now mind you, the Boyzz set was a total kick ass set and was totally well received, but Ian Hunter/ Mick Ronson set was a happening! He did Standing In my Light with the Boyzz and Ellen Foley to the loud responsive audience. Followed by One Of The Boys (not on the broadcast). Next, Meat Loaf and Karla DeVito join the stage for a kick ass version of Whole Lotta Shaking Going On. The stage is full and everybody was rocking. I remember Kid Leo (legendary DJ now on Sirius Radio), Jon Polous, Steve Popovich, and the rest of the Cleveland International crew and the local Cleveland rock people shaking, sweating, and clapping as well.

When the set was over the whole room was on their feet and we left the stage. The audience yelled for more and the Boyzz answered, Drive Me Crazy was our answer. It’s been our encore for the last year or so and continued to be for the rest of our tenure of the Boyzz.

That night at midnight was Gil Pini’s 22^nd birthday. Gil and I end up back with the cleanup guy and he offers us some pasta dish and Heineken beer. When we finish the whole place was empty. So here we are, in the middle of the night, alone, and not sure how to get back to the hotel. We walked and eventually found our way back to the hotel and celebrated the night’s festivities and Gil’s birthday.

The next night we were in Pittsburg, and the rest is a blur.

Mike uses Gibson Guitars, Gibson Strings, Epiphone, Marshall, and Crate amplifiers, and Dunlop guitar Picks.

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