Right off the bat, let me invite you to a special birthday party. Yes, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, yours truly, is celebrating his 50th birthday. So you are invited, 2pm Sunday, September 11 at the Plymouth Fall Festival, which interestingly is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Right downtown Plymouth Michigan in the cute little Kellogg's Park that everyone always talks about. We will have a FREE, all ages, Benny and the Jets Band concert and birthday party with cake and ice cream for all.

 

In the press release the Fall Festival sent out it mentions how Benny has performed with everyone from Chubby Checkers and Paul Revere and the Raiders to Bob Seger and Eddie Money. How Benny played at the Fall Festival in 1970 and now 35 years and 30,000 gigs later he wants to invite everyone to the BIG 50th Birthday and 50th anniversary celebration. 

 

One person I expect to be at the party is Farmington Hills entertainment agent Jerry Patlow. Back in the day, Jerry worked with all the bands including Del Shannon, Moose and Da Sharks, Rocks Gang, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Tommy C. Band and Benny and the Jets.

 

Also expect to see Bob Harris. Bob also has worked with a who's who of the entertainment and newspaper industry, names like Bob Hope, Sonny and Cher even Johnny Ginger and Mr. Belvedere. Bob had his photo taken with the Rolling Stones in 1964. Many years later he got Mick Jagger to autograph that photo. At that point Jagger said Bob Harris is the "Oldest Rolling Stones Fan." Several newspaper articles were written about the meeting. Benny and the Jets wrote a song about it. There was even talk of a made for TV movie. Bob at times has talked about raffling off some of the Rolling Stones memorabilia for charity.

 

Seems Farmington Hills City Councilman Barry Brickner who is also the chairman of the Eight Mile Boulevard Association came up with an idea to have Eminem autograph bricks from the old Artillery Armory. Sell these bricks on Ebay and raise some money for charity. A great idea that looks like it is going to be a fun way to benefit many people.

 

Speaking of benefits, last week I mentioned the violent stabbing death of Jennifer Holliman. Leaving behind three little babies ages four, two and one year old. I am proud to say one of our readers donated $100 to the fund set up at all Standard Federal bands. These kids have a father now in jail, no mother, no food, no TV, no toys!  I am not going to ask you to donate $100 but you might be able to put in five or ten. The Jennifer Holliman account at Standard Federal has to last these babies for the next 16 or 17 years.