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Less than two months later, November 1958, the Detroit Free Press updated the story. In late September 1958, the Detroit Free Press reported Gagen and Bell were to become business partners in the downtown club. Gagen eventually became the bandleader at Cliff Bell’s, starting a business relationship with the club owner that would last over 20 years. By the mid/late-1930s, Gagen would often play for Cliff Bell at the proprietor’s Commodore Club as well as Bell’s later namesake club near Grand Circus Park. Ad for the Cliff Bell’s with Frank Gagen listed from Guest August 1958 (Courtesy of Dave Toorongian)Īmong the notable shows during his time, Gagen even backed up a trained seal named “Buddy” in 1937. By 1928, he was playing in Detroit on the Tashmoo excursion steamer and, at the urging of a friend, simplified his last name from Gahegan to Gagen.įrank Gagen backs up a Trained Seal – January 18th, 1937 ad (Detroit Free Press)ĭuring this period in the late 1920s and early 1930s, Gagen and his band played shows at various bars and supper clubs throughout the city as well as interesting alternative venues such as the Bob-Lo boat. Born in 1903, the West Burlington, Iowa native, Frank Gahegan started with nine-piece bands in his teens playing on cruise ships on the Mississippi River. In August 1942, the Free Press notes that zoot suit wearing manager Joe Beauchamp “…carries it with aplomb, savoir faire and je ne sais quoi.” By July 1946, the manager had purchased the place from his boss naming it Beauchamp’s.īy the time the Detroit Free Press wrote about Frank Gagen and his orchestra in 1935 it was noted his band had already been a popular draw in the city since the late 1920s. Beauchamp’s Match Book c.1950s (Courtesy of TM Caldwell) At some point in Spring 1942, the second location dubbed “Cliff Bell’s Six-Mile” due to its location at 870 W. In September 1941, “Bell has broken ground for a new place to be built in the North End”, the Detroit Free Press reported.
There really IS a whole beautiful "gay world" outside of Detroit.
What kind of gay man in his right mind would STILL live in Detroit?!?!? I moved from Detroit to West Hollywood years ago, and every time I go back home to visit, I'm reminded of why I left. After looking at the photos & comments I just HAVE to comment.