Mondo-Kane (1978-1979) NEWS FLASH~ Rebecca and Al  found after 27 years! (More near page bottom)
   
The first notable incarnation was actually a six-piece ensamble drafted by self-acclaimed punk-rock 'star' Eddy Detroit (also self-acclaimed Warlock, conga-drum player, and vocalist).
The line-up included a designated lead-vocalist (Ben), who looked and sounded almost like Bob Seger.  He contributed alot to get things going quickly - we had a gig lined up in two weeks from the first meeting.

      As I recall, Eddy D. said he had a flute player and cellist lined up, too, but I think that was bull ~ we never saw either.

Really, Eddy  was just a big azhowl (TOS)~ as we soon learned, and so we organized a mutiny.  Ed grabbed all the cash from the first  hall gig along with some other people's equipment (including my $30 microphone & stand) and split. Thief.  To my knowledge (and delight), he has never been heard from again.
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GIGS
Mondo-Kane was rather short lived, unfortunately.

* Carpenter's Hall (St. Clair Shores) * Nautical Lounge (St. Clair Shores) * Kennedy Jr. High School (St. Clair Shores) *  Dolly's Den (Clinton Twp.)  * Exit Lounge (Madison Hts.) *  Boyne Hotel ??? * VFW Hall. Clinton Twp. (wedding reception)  *


Editor's Note: I'll try to add dates and organize these in chronological order, if and when I can sort it out.  If anybody has any memories and/or photos to contribute, please e-mail me or use the feedback forum (link at bottom of page)
The History ~
    As a 4-piece band, we moved quickly, adding a lot of material in a relatively short period.  We each had quite a bit of freedom as far as what songs we played, and covered a wide range of artists so as to appeal to a diversified audience.  There were match books printed up that said "Mondo-Kane - Polkas to Punk Rock", which pretty much sums it up.  Yes, we did everyrhing from "The Beer Barrel Polka" to Ramones tunes.  This, presumably, would prepare us to accept any kind of gig from weddings to bars.
    Ben dropped out sometime after a New-Year's Eve gig, a few weeks into things.  If I recall, I probably had more to do with that than I'd ever owned up to. Call it greed or call it ego ~ but we really didn't need the "extra" person nor voice and 4 way vs. 5 way pay split seemed attractive.  I'm sure the increased spot-light time was a major factor on my part, too.  Anyway, we kinda started being two-faced until the singer got tee'd and split.
Rare out-take from a basement photo-shoot for promo pix - top: TC,   left: Ron,   right: Al Foyt,    front: Rebecca
Mondo-Kane at Valentine's Day dance at Kennedy JHS (1979)

From left, clockwise:
Terry (guitar) and Ron,  Rebecca (guitar),  Ron (drums),  Al (bass). 

We instisted on finishing our set, which ran over-time, and continued playing after the lights came on and most of the kids had left.    
    We became the "house band" for Dolly's Den, and played 4 or 5 (maybe it was 6?) nights per week.  We did 4 sets per night. I think it paid between $200 and $300 each, which was decent money.  Our only overhead was beer and a few bucks we'd throw to our lightman.  We had 8 or 10 150 watt floodlights Ron spray painted different colors (which worked), and used a 600 watt PA with reverb for the vocals only.  It worked.
     One cool thing about the night-after-night gig was the opertunity it provided us to get creative (to avoid boredom).  At one point, I would set down my guitar, work into the drums a foot then a hand at a time until I was on the stool drumming; Ron (being a very versatile and multi-instrument musician) would go out and crank out some cool licks on the guitar while running around (usually naked from the waist up), then we'd reverse the switch and finish up the tune.  I sware - we NEVER missed a beat!
 
     I don't remember if we broke up before we got called back, or maybe we just never got called back - but I know we only played there those 2 nights.
At one point, we "spread our wings" and got ourselves a Monday and Tuesday gig at The Exit Lounge" in Madison Hieghts.  This was a cool bar with a runway that extended from the center of the stage out like a bridge over the bar pit to the actual bar.  A lot of Detroit's top club acts played there on the weekends, and the Mon/Tues was like an audition to earn an opening slot for the Wed-Sun stretch.
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NEWS FLASH! ~ Sept. 2007
Rebecca DeSantis contacted after 27 years!
Thanks to www.motorcityrocks.com, Rebecca has contacted the author, and provided links and updates to her musical history (in addition to many humorous stories) spanning more than 2 decades since 1979!
Click HERE to go to Rebecca's "Music By Rebecca" site
Click HERE to go to Rebecca's MySpace
Contact Rebecca by e-mail thru her site at:
"Music By Rebecca"
NEWS FLASH! ~ Jan. 2008
Al Foyt contacted after 27+ years!

One thing leads to another, and Al Foyt, the bassist, has somehow located Rebecca, and then me!
Al is still a resident of the same state, and actively playing in "Road Krew".  He has continued his musical endevours, and compiled a lengthy resume performing with many of the area's top-notch musicians, and played some of Michigan's largest and most reknown stages (including the Fox Theatre).  Al owns and operates a digital recording studio, which he built himself, and is constantly expanding... Links to his website and contact info COMING SOON!