Dr. Shock, host of Dr. Shock’s X-Ray Chiller Theatre on WUPW-TV Channel 36 in Toledo, OH. The show was put on by a local pair, Lance Otto Smith and Doug Agosti. The show ran from July 1989 to September 1992 until it was forced off the air and replaced by infomercials, which nobody watched. After being replaced by infomercials, Agosti and Lance Otto Smith partnered to form After Shock Productions. Dr. Shock’s X-ray Chiller Theater website is a must for fans. https://ghoulardi.tripod.com/shock.html
Rick’s Drum Shop, 1483 W. Sylvania Ave.
Opened November 1978. Sold in 1991 and soon after relocated to 4100 Monroe Street as Dave’s Drum Depot.
Renee’s, 1532 S. Byrne Road.
Late 70s/early 80s nightclub. Later became Henry J’s nightclub.
“Advertised as a place to move together, Renee’s, 1532 S. Byrne Rd., is just that. Originally a disco, the jocks at Renee’s now spin both rock and disco records. Renee’s spacious three-level dance floor, possibly the best In Toledo, is usually filled to the maximum on Thursday, which is college ID night. Renee’s also has two well-stocked bars. Renee’s does have a dress code (no tennis shoes or faded jeans). On college ID night beer is $1.75 a pitcher, but there is not much emphasis on drinking, because dancing is the main attraction. The décor is Impressive with thick, plush carpeting under low, lounge-type furniture surrounding the dance floor. There is also an elevated area isolated by lattice work away from the chaos of the main floor.” – BG News, November 29, 1979
Toledo Speedway Jam – July 21, 1979
Lineup:
Blue Öyster Cult
Eddie Money
Molly Hatchet
Outlaws
Roadmaster
Touch of Joy, 6048 W. Central Ave.
Touch of Joy, 6048 W. Central Ave., at Marsrow Ave. Opened in 1980. Became Tiffany’s Gentle Touch in 1982 and owned by Joseph Garry. Garry co-owned the well known Jolly Trolly Restaurant in Toledo in the late 1970s. Tiffany’s Gentle Touch later became Tiffany’s Escort & Massage. Closed in February 2009. Demolished.
Seaport Automotive, 2607 W. Central Ave.
Seaport Automotive (Racing Engines) 2607 W. Central Avenue. Located on the southwest corner at Douglas Road. Owned by Dick Titsworth of Sylvania, Ohio.
Bob’s Market, 6625 W. Sylvania Ave.
Rusty’s Jazz Cafe, 2202 Tedrow Dr.
Rusty’s Jazz Cafe, 2202 Tedrow Drive (designated Jazz Avenue in 1997). Margaret “Rusty” Monroe opened Rusty’s in 1963 at 3310 Secord Road, then relocated the club to 2202 Tedrow Drive in 1979. Rusty’s Jazz Cafe was sold in 2001. Rusty passed away in 2008.
“Jazz places flourished in Toledo and at hotels including the Park Lane Hotel, the Secor Hotel, the Hillcrest Hotel, and the Commodore Perry Hotel. But it is Rusty’s Jazz Cafe, Murphy’s Place, Ragtime Rick’s, the Waiters and Bellman’s Club, and the Aku-Aku Club that are the notable places — now all gone.” – Barbara Hendel, The Blade, February 28, 2021
Black Panther Carry-Out, 1215 Dorr St.
Operated by James Mitchell (former pro wrestler). Demolished. Mitchell’s most well known rivalry was with Gorgeous George. After retiring from the ring, Mitchell opened a store in the Toledo area called Black Panther Carryout. The walls of the store featured photos and memorabilia from Mitchell’s career, and locals would come in to talk wrestling in addition to shopping. He passed away in 1996 at the age of 87.
Local Musician: Tom Scholz (Boston)
Born in Toledo, Scholz grew up on Edgehill Road in Ottawa Hills and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School. Before his musical career, Scholz received both a bachelor’s degree (1969) and a master’s degree (1970) in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked for Polaroid Corporation as a senior product design engineer. Scholz had a keen interest in music and began recording demos in his home studio while working at Polaroid. He spent six years unsuccessfully submitting demos to record companies. Eventually the demos attracted the interest of Epic Records, who signed Scholz and singer Brad Delp to a recording contract. Most of the guitar, bass, and keyboards on Boston’s debut album were performed by Scholz in his home studio. Boston’s first album is filled with hits, including, More Than A Feeling. The track took almost five years to complete. Scholz noted the song was about a “fantasy event. But it’s one that almost everybody can identify with, of somebody losing somebody that was important to them, and music taking them back there.” Crafted in Scholz’s basement, the song was the bands first single and immediately went gold after it’s release. Scholz also started his own line of guitar effects under the name “Rockman.” Among the many Rockman effects available, one could reproduce the unique “Boston” guitar sound.