A story on a Texas group The Valens / The Outcasts (not the Askel group) mentions the band trying out for a Houston club The Act III a Go Go. However a member of the Interns remembers there being two different clubs, “What a Way to Go Go” and the “The Act III”.
Andrew Brown provided the scan above and says there was also a club called “What a Way to Go Go”. The clubs might have shared the same location, but that’s still speculative. Act III’s address was 6663 S. Main, it seems its been torn down for a strip mall.
Does anyone have posters, photos or material from either club that would clarify this minor point about the Houston music scene?
I have a web site devoted to old Houston radio. I just added a photo which I took outside the Act III A Go Go on October 1, 1966. http://houstonretro.com. I don’t know if there was a real place called What a Way To Go Go. The only nightclub I know of with that name is the fictional one in the Batman TV series. I don’t really know. I was still too young for night clubs at the time.
My name is Matthew Miller of DigiPixel Studios. I produce golf videos and media content for a man named Anthony “Babe” Navarro. Anthony is the founder of Act III in 1960’s. He has some very amazing stories and pics. I realize that you posted this article 11 months ago, but if you’re still interested in contacting him, I’d be more than happy to make the introduction for the sake of Houston’s Music Scene. He is a spunky 78 year old now, though time has definitely take its toll. Therefore, if this is a story you’d like to pursure, I sincerely suggest that you move quickly. Hint hint. Take care, and either way… its a pleasure to see another interested in Houston’s History.
Matthew Kuehn Miller/DigiPixel Studios
14518 Hempstead Rd. Suite 4J
Houston, Texas 77040
281-772-8885 Cell (Best Bet)
713-462-2211 Office (Leave Message)
Today is July 20, 2014 and I have just returned from the grocery store where I met Anthony Babe Navarro. I have also found out where he lived. He is a hoot and 1/2!!!! I can swing by his house and ask if it’s ok to share info. I’m sure he won’t mind!
I remember the place well. Johnny and Edgar Winters with Willie Ornelas on drums and Buddy ? singing the ‘Harlem Shuffle ‘ while Kathy danced in the glass cage overlooking Main street.
Buddy Wright and the Right Sounds. Also Dave Russell and Art Boatwright all sang the Harlem Shuffle
My dad is Dave Russell. He’s 80 now. He has told me many great stories about his time singing at Act III. In November or December 1965 or 1966 Judy Garland headlined at the Astrodome. The Supremes were the opening act, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence. When they left the Astrodome, they and large crowd went to act three. Diana Ross got up on stage and sang with my dad. I believe it was Diana or someone from her group that told my dad he sounded more like a black man of any white man he had ever heard. It was a great compliment to my dad. My dad was friends with the winters Brothers.
Yes.i took Johnny Winters there…to perform..I was the highest paid Go Go Dancer..Act 111…Dome Shadows..
Can you elaborate on the great story? Thanks
The club may have been called the Backstage. Live GoGo dancers.
Nice seeing this used to drive Johnny to work danced at the act three whished I had pictures
I also danced over the street in that hot lil club in a hot red rinestone custome I don’t rember Kathy hmmmm this is Cindy Summers got any pic to share???
I also danced in the glass cage and I don’t remember any Kathy.
I am looking for Johnny Winter stories for Johnny Winter book
Have known Babe for 40 and more yrs. I havent’t seen him in a long while. e told me the club belonged to someone else . He would take it over after hours. Ask him to call please. 713-202-3393
It was definitely “ACT III a Go Go” and Johnny Winters played there a lot. I was a kid living in the Heights and we would go to Vallian’s Pizza every Friday night on South Main and pass by ACT III (Vallians was maybe a few blocks down South Main). The club had a big bay window facing South Main. The window was the back of the stage and you could see Johnny Winters long white hair as he was waling his guitar to the blues.
Yeserrrie…
Sal (Bubba) Maida Sr. was one of the original owners of Act III.
Bubba brought Johnny and Edgar over from Beaumont. He always claimed he discovered them. City of Houston would threaten to shut club down because the hottie go go’s were causing accidents coming under the overpass where the glass window was. I was 21 then. Bubba Maida would have been 102 years old on March 31,2014. He died at age 86 still a swinger, we loved dancing.
He was a great story teller. He also owned the chain of Houston Shoe Hospitals in Houston.
He told me he bought Act III from Kenny Rogers.
What a thrill to read of the ’60’s.
Come Saturday nights it was either ballroom dancing at the Shamrock Hilton across the street or finding a Rock n Roll club. BYOB back then.
JON L MAIDA RAN THE CLUB
THE MAIDAS ALSO OWNED HOUSTON SHOE HOSPITAL
Yea, I spent alot of time at that place until I got drafted. It was very small. Alot of fights. I did meet alot of life long friends there and yes, Johnny Winters really did play there.
I am Babe’s daughter. Kathy is a woman he married she was not around during the time of the club. The court took her son away from her due to her drug addiction and she moved to Palm Springs, California with Babe in the early 80ies.
The club was solely his. Edgar and Johnnie played there on a regular basis. I saw John Forsythe there one night.
Do you remember any Go Go Dancers?
Dana, one of the go go dancers was Johnny Winter’s girl friend in 1968?
Kathy, It has been so many years. I can picture Babe perfectly and hear his voice. What great memories.
Eddie Wayne
I moved to Houston in the summer of 1966. My college roommate, Ken Smith and I came to Houston a month early to find an apartment before signing up for fall classes at U of H. We arrived in Houston the same day, August 1, 1966, when Charles Whitman had shot all those people from the clock tower at UT. We could see the smoke from the rifle as we drove down the highway past UT.
The next day in Houston we signed up for our apartment on the Gulf Freeway where Ken knew some Odessa girls, flight attendants, who were living there at the Gulfway apartments. The girls took us out that night. We started out the evening at the ACT III where Johnny and Edgar Winter were playing. There were only 7 or 8 people there that night. The girls knew Johnny and during his break he came over to our table. He was the first musician I ever met in Houston. When he learned Ken and I were musicians, too, he asked us to start up the next set. I remember playing two songs. I don’t remember the first but the second was “Johnny B. Goode”, not realizing it was one of Johnny’s favorite songs to play.
Is this Bob Bailey from the Shades?
I got it now. Yeah! I remember shiny time “what a way to go go”! Love!
I worked at the Act lll in the 60’s, waitress. The dancer I remember best was Cheryl. John L Maida ran the club but I think his dad, Sal owned it. Not sure I remember “Babe”, there was a manager who worked for John L, maybe that was him.
I was a go go girl in 1966 working for money to go to u of h… John L Maida was the man who paid me in cash every night. The Houston Post ran a story about me working there. I met Joe Namath there. Lots of other football players… Bobby Crockett I believe played for razorbacks. My mom and I made my dance costumes by sewing fringe onto panties and bra and a bikini I had.. had to get fringe from southern fabrics. I remember a girl named Donna who looked out for me as I was quite naive and Carla a feisty little redhead who was girlfriend of local golfer Don can’t remember his last name… they fought a lot . I only lasted one semester because I couldn’t stay awake in my 8am history class because I was up til 2-3am
Cheryl married my good friend Donald Robinson…
I remember Cheryl well. Do you know where she is now? When she was pregnant with her daughter she danced until she was about 8 months along, I also remember a dancer named CeCe.
I had a good friend, also a waitress, named Dottie. Wish I could find her.
Roy Head and also BJ Thomas used to occasionally sing with the band.
This is Randall Dollahon, guitarist and former working Houston musician, in the second half of the ’60s. I played on a regular basis at the Act III, mainly in ’66 and ’67, I think. I played there with the Winter Bros. (second guitar, doubling on organ when Edgar got up to sing and play alto sax) – I think the name of that group was “The Black Plague”. I played guitar on Edgar’s first album (on the Epic label) “Entrance” . I was also in a group called the “Soul Inc. Trio”, with Bob Anthony (Gonzalez) on electric bass and vocals, and Gary Bowen on drums, featuring the amazing Benny Ace on vocals (I wonder what became of him- I thought he was destined for stardom for sure!). This group can be seen on the cover of “This Week In Houston” , week of Aug. 19th, 1966 (I think). (I saved my copy, fortunately). The group is shownperforming on stage, fronted by 3 dancing girls (“Girls In Cages Dancing Continuously” in the bottom left corner. At the top of the photo is “Babe Navarro Presents / Act III / Au Go Go” . I received my weekly pay in cash from John L. Maida, I recall – a very nice man, wonderful to work for, as was Babe Navarro.
I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything. I moved to Miami in 1974, and (long story short) became a tenured music professor in (what became) the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, teaching in the Studio Music and Jazz department there for 37 years before retiring in 2012. That career would not have been possible without the invaluable on-the-job training and experience I got from working in Houston bars and nightclubs for ten years, playing behind singers like Edgar Winter, Dean Scott (I was on his recording of “Harlem Shuffle” with the Traits), Roy Head, B.J. Thomas, Joyce Webb, Don Russell, Bobby Doyle and many others. I think the Houston music scene at that time was amazing, and I am very happy to have played a small role in it.
P.S. to last message: I forgot to mention lots of work with Mickey Gilley before he became rich and famous. What a wonderful experience that was for a junior in high school!
The John L Maida Family still owns the Seeburg Jukebox from the Act III…and it still works! If it could talk instead of only play 45s think of the stories. I was 6-8 years old when my father, John L , would often take me to the club on Sundays after church to check on the place. At that age, I remember asking dad about the swings and cages inside the club and that’s when I learned about GoGo dancers. My favorite jukebox button selection was A1, which was “Midnight Hour”, by Wilson Pickett. Long live the tales of the Act III.
Do you know anything about The Royal Sounds aka The Swingin’ Sounds? I think Bobby Wright sang for them? Give a listen to an incredible live recording of The Swingin’ Sounds Live from Van’s Ballroom here on Youtube
:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ClT1_Qu2k&t=1029s
Anthony Silva
The Act was the place to go .
Frenquently went to The Act with my bride who I met there and married 52 years ago.
John L Maida and his dad always met you at the door. John L and I are still long time friends and still meet once per month for dinner and dancing.
Edgar and Johnny played great music.
There sound was fantastic.
Met many life long friends there. Yes there were some fights but to few mention.
Sal Maida always stood leaning on a pole .
John L was busy ensuring all was going good for all.
There were many regulars and lots of beautiful
ladies…
The club was small but had a big following.
The Act was the party place to be .
Yes the Maida ‘s we’re responsible for the Winter’s success.
In my opinion anyone who was a regular at the The Act will always remember the good
Times listening to the Winter Bros and dancing the night away.
Thanks John L Maida for a great 60’s ride.
I took my future wife there for a date. I told her to fall to her knees and crawl in since she was only 17. I remember one night cutting off the electricity & stealing the mannequin that was kept in the dancing cage during closing hours.
Joe this is Tommy Benbrook Teddys brother. Is your brother Chris?
I lived in Houston during this time. Never went to the Act III, but well remember driving past and seeing Johnny through the big window rockin’ out. Looked like a happening place!
I was from Port Arthur and well recall Johnny and Edgar from neighboring Beaumont. Definitely were local stars. Saw them on Ch. 6 local CBS affiliate, over in Louisiana at the Big Oak Club. Johnny had an apartment in Nederland, once met him with a small group of musicians. Lots of players then but the Winters were from another planet.
The thing about ACT III was it had so much energy. Most of the time you had to stand up if you didnt have any place to sit. The accoustics were not that good as I remember but hey, who cared. You got to see Johnny and Edgar Winter. After that I pretty much started going to black clubs, like Club Delta, Latin World, The Cinder Club. John Roberts and the Hurricanes, and the TSU Toronadoes. They could flat play.
I am originally from Baytown Texas and I went to Garner State Park alot. That is where I met all kinds of people from all over Houston but Milby was the hotbed and Jones too as well as Reagan. I started going to R&B venues with some of these people I met. Kind of like a mascot. I was a little younger than my friends. Before long there I was at ACT III. Then Van’s Ballroom where I saw alot of live music and eventually I was hooked on the Soul Brothers, Inc. Anyone who knows me know I have a passion for music, especially R&B.
i know you have the passion for great music my friend
My name is Jerry Haines , I was the Drummer
For the group the Valens, our band had set in for the gracious Johnny &Edgar Winter Group @the Act 111 in Houston TX.
Shortly after that Johnny called and needed a drummer,I was only 17 yrs.old at the time
and was very honored to have the opportunity to play with them.I was also honored to play with Dean Scott , Roy Head,.
and many other great musicians
I now live in Pa, and at the age of 70 I am still playing drums like I was 17. What great a great experience.
Hi Jerry,
Cool to see you drummed with Johnny Winter, Roy Head and others. Did you do any recording with them or other artists in the ’60s?
I also did studio work at Gold Star Studios in
Houston, also backed Johnny Lee a few times @ The Nesadel in Pasadena, played at Gilley’s few times and was an acquaintance of Sherwood Cryer.
I am writing a Johnny Winter book, can you email me figflint@yahoo.com
I grew up in Spring Branch playing guitar in a local band, The Jesters. In 1961 we were booked to play the Bay City HS prom. Our bass player couldn’t make the gig so I called Red Novak at H&H Music to see if he could find us a fill in. He called back saying he had us a player who would would meet us at the high school at 7 PM….the gig was from 8-12.
The guy showed up with a amplified standup bass playing thru a 4×10 Fender Tweed Bassman. He was great and knew all the stuff. Turned out it was Kenny Rogers. Wow how cool was that. I use to go see Kenny at Paul’s Sidewalk Cafe, another South Main club, when he was playing bass with Bobby Doyle.
I attended UT from 64’ thru 66’ and was in a band, The Wigs, with Boz Scaggs and another Houstonian….Keith Karnaky(well known Houston jazz drummer today). I first met Johnny at The Act III in the spring of 1966 and we became lifelong friends. In 1967, I worked the Gulf Coast Chitlin Circuit Clubs with Houston saxman, Grady Gaines who was the leader of the Upsetters, Little Richard’s band from 54’ to 58’. I later joined the band Mother Earth(68’ thru 76’) and moved to Nashville. One night Johnny showed up at my house off the Cumberland River with the legendary Jack Clement who Johnny had done lots of sessions for in Beaumont back in the early days. The three of us ended staying up all night playing my collection of 50’s Fender Guitars(Broadcasters, Tele’s, 54’ Strats etc.) and Gatemouth’s 2/01/51 Esquire that he recorded Okie, Dokie, Stomp on.
Whenever Johnny played Nashville he’d call me and we’d hangout at his hotel suite reminiscing about the Act III club days in Houston. I remember Randall from Saturdays spent at H&H to hear Bucky Meadows and Joey Long jam.
Those were the days!
Can you forward my post to Randall as I’m sure he’ll enjoy reading it as I did with his three posts.
We have a very good mutual friend in “Texas” Tom Slaughter from H&H Music.
Thanks,
John
I was driving home this afternoon, listening to a 60’s station, when Mitch Ryder’s “Devil with a Blue Dress” came on. I was transported back to 1966-1967, dancing in the cage at Act III. I had a white fringed mini- dress and my white go- go boots with my blond Sassoon haircut. When that song came on the jukebox, they would shine a blue spotlight on me and I would have a ball! BTW, I was never a paid dancer or a waitress. I was 16 years old and I danced for fun. I tagged along after hours with the Valerio brotjers (also underaged) when they played for the Winter Brothers.
I also partied at the Dome Shadows in those days
Gay, did you go to Sam Houston High? The gal I knew was so studious; she must have had a secret life after school! There was a group of gals from SHHS who went to Domed Shadiws often in 1967-69.
The club may have been called the Backstage. Live GoGo dancers.