The Lucky Tiger Grease Stick Band was Mitch’s first real band, back when he was in high school in South Jersey. They played oldies music (ala Sha Na Na) and became the subject of an essay Mitch wrote for Parade magazine (posted below.)
For those who are curious, a Lucky Tiger Grease Stick was the stuff they used to brush into the top front of a crew cut, to hold the hair in place.
Mitch: While I am amazed that anyone is interested in even MORE details from our high school band, I am happy to share these photos from the 70's as well as the reunion. The one thing that has never changed is the laughter. Also our inability to end on the same note. But mostly the laughter. Note the bad haircuts in the 70's pictures. But at least we all had hair!
Our "venues" were mostly high school gyms, sometimes a church hall, or an auditorium somewhere. We once opened for Gabe Kaplan, the comedian. It was our "biggest" gig. Mostly what I remember was hearing people yell "We Want Gabe!"
Anyhow, I highly recommend a band reunion if you were ever in one. It remains, even today, an instant smile as soon as someone mentions it.
How I Got Young Again
Parade Magazine | September 14, 2008
We were never very good, and it never really mattered. Eight high school guys in a band. Guitar, piano, sax, bass, and drums. Three of us didn’t even play an instrument, just stood around singing, “Shoo-bop, shoo-bop.” We went by nicknames—“Rico,” “Greaso,” “Ace”—and we played dances, sock hops, even a local TV show once, singing songs older than we were, wearing hairstyles that were before our time. We practiced in my parents’ basement, and we named ourselves after the stuff kids rolled into their 1950s crew cuts.
Interviews with the Band
Marc - The Lucky Tiger Grease Stick Band
Marc - Members of the The Lucky Tiger Grease Stick Band, Mitch’s first real band in high school, give interviews during their reunion for Mitch's 50th birthday party. May 2008.
