Indie Local History
Setlist: King of the Night Time World, Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Move On, Calling Dr. Love, Firehouse, New York Groove, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, Christine Sixteen, 2000 Man, Guitar Solo, Love Gun, Bass Solo, God of Thunder, Drum Solo, Shout It Out Loud, Black Diamond, Detroit Rock City, Beth, Rock and Roll All Nite. NOTE: Last show with Peter Chris until 1996. Some video from the show: https://youtu.be/_adfj9zpKCA
Formerly Renee’s. Henry J’s commercial: https://youtu.be/DljwJa9M75g
Donna’s Beauty Room, owned by Donna [Swartz] Brockhoff, was located in a small strip mall on the northwest corner at Central Ave at Waldmar. Jim’s Pizza Paddle, Sterling Food Store, Sylvania Cycle Shop and Radio Shack were also located in the same strip mall. Opened in 1979. Closed in 1989. Most recently the location was a Subway Restaurant. Research shows Donna passed away in January 2, 1996. I recollect seeing many heads under hooded hair dryers when riding by the shop as a kid. The photo below shows the strip mall in 2007, many years removed from it’s glory days. It has since been remodeled and is now void of what little character it had, particularly the recessed-angled store fronts.
Before Toledo Speedway there was Fort Miami Speedway. A one mile dirt oval track on the Fort Miami (Lucas County) Fairgrounds in Toledo, Ohio. First used in 1902 through 1957. Replaced by Lucas County Recreation Center.
Opened in December 1969 by Rev. Albert Reed in a former small Kroger store (photo below). Demolished.
Central Motel, 6636 W. Central Ave (at Zone Ave.). Sold April 1988. Demolished. Replaced with First National Bank. Changed to Fifth Third Bank 1996. Demolished 2008. Replaced with Walgreens (demolished 2017-18). Replaced with Chick Fil-A.
A conversation with Weezer bassist (and Toledo native), Scott Shriner
“Recently, while holed up in a Phoenix hotel room, the Toledo native discussed the basics of rock stardom with the Toledo City Paper…”
Former site of the Notre Dame Academy (Built 1904-Demolished 1960). Aku Aku opened December 13, 1960. Closed 1973. Reopened as trucking motel until 1984. Demolished 1989. Now a Rally’s.
Art Tatum Boyhood Home, 1123 City Park Avenue along the Dorr Street Corridor in the Junction Neighborhood. Built in 1905. In 2021 grant money will be used to “start revitalizing the home into the Art Tatum Zone, a museum for children and families that will provide a multi-sensory learning experience about the musician and the neighborhood.”
“Born in Toledo in 1920, Art Tatum was, and is, the giant of jazz piano. Count Basie called him the eighth wonder of the world. Charlie Parker once said, “I wish I could play like Tatum’s right hand!” Dave Brubeck once said, “I don’t think there’s any more chance of another Tatum turning up than another Mozart.”
Ron’s Music was created by Ron “Crazy Ron” Pollman on February 14, 1973 according to Ohio Sec of State filings. Ron’s Music later became Toledo Musical Instrument Exchange (TMIE). Ron later opened The Used Music Shop. Many great memories of going to TMIE to buy and rent. Ran into the other Ron often. Former Ron’s/TMIE location demolished. Now Meyers Auto Wash.
“Musicians on a budget should look into Toledoan Ron Pollman’s latest venture, The Used Music Shop, at 2425 W. Laskey (next to Sommerset Hall). Pollman, who has 47 years in the music business with former shops Ron’s Music and Toledo Musical Instrument exchange, has created a new hub for buying, selling and swapping musical equipment.” – Toledo City Paper (1-2-2013)
On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, Ron Pollman passed away at the age of 74. https://www.pawlakfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Ronald-Ron-B-Pollman?obId=21371101
