You may have heard of the Hip Hop Summit, the World Music Expo, the South By South West Music Conference, or even the 70s Music exhibit now at the Detroit Historical Museum. I felt honored to participate in the Old Man Music Get-Together. This get-together happened Thursday when my band was playing at John Cowley's Irish Pub downtown Farmington.

The Pub is becoming the premier live music club in our area. Bands including Robert Noll, Killer Flamingos, Ultra Violet, Liz Larson have become regulars. Cowley's also promoting a French wine tasting event 7 till 9pm April 26. A chance to sample some excellent old world wines expertly paired with Chef Paul's Plates de Paris.

But back to the get-together which featured several old men, all current or former old rockers.
Jimmy James WPON radio DJ and horn player in the Redford Big Band. Tommy C from the Tommy C Band, who's son Tommy Clufetos is now playing drums for Rob Zombie, see www.tommyclufetos.com. Gino the Mailman long time music fan and Jerry Patlow. Jerry kind of the Godfather of our group a former music promoter and agent.

Back in the 70s Jerry had a dozen oldies bands traveling the country doing concerts every night of the week. Bands with names like Moose and Da Sharks, Rock's Gang, Elvis Shelton, Phil Dirt, Myron and the Deltrons, Wdsels Edsels, even Teen Angels, Steve King and the Dittlies and yes, Benny and the Jets.

Patlow not only worked with all the local bands but many of the national ones too. Names like Chubby Checker, Freddy Boom Boom Cannon, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Coasters, Drifters and Paul Revere and the Raiders.

So our group of music royalty with a combined age of over 250 years decided to take the get- together from Cowley's to Green's 24 hour hamburger stand on Orchard Lake and 10 mile. Greens truly and old time burger joint fitting such a group features them famous sliders and a nice juke box. And what do a group of old rockers talk about? Probably the same thing most any group of guys talk about. Girls, cars, music, money, food and the price of gas.

The Great Pretender came on the Juke Box Tommy knew it was the Platters from 1956. Moose used to eat 20 White Castles every time we would go to a gig on the road. Gino mentioned area gal and former Playboy model Amy Haze is now one of the finalists for the WRIF girl contest. Then mentioned a place in Canada that is selling an 8 pound Cheeseburger. Of course we argued whether it was possible to eat an 8 pound burger. A little girl in my senior class ate 13 Whoppers. Jerry used to like Burger Chef especially when they had the Fixin' Bar. Free lettuce, cheese, pickles, relish, onions and real tomato slices. That's a burger.

To reach Ben E. Jet call (313) 730-1627 via e mail benejets@aol.com and see the web sites www.bennyandthejets.com and www.reverendguitars.com.