Show Notes: 10 July 2011

July 10th show rundown:

This week was a sad one at The Meridian Lounge.  A good friend of The Swing Shift Radio Show passed away this week, Salvatore Michael Valdaro, Jr.  We never called him Salvatore or Michael – to us here at the lounge, he was just "Pops."    

Pops was a lover, a fighter, and poet – he was born in Brooklyn, but lived most of his life in Jersey City NJ – and yes, he carried the accent with him.  Italian descent, a proud American and in love with life.  He was old school New Jersey, not that painful Guido culture that we see on television nowadays.  No, Pops was the real deal. 

 

TC and "Pops" Valdaro, April 2011

I never met a man more opinionated, nor can I recall enjoying conversations and history lessons so much.  If you came out to the lounge over the past 8 years, you may have seen him, flitting in, hat on his head – always making time to talk to the ladies.  He was a terrible flirt, and the gals loved to chat to him.   

Laurenda kissing Pops good-night

Pops and Jerry "Smokin" V

  

He would have his son Jerry bring him in – Jerry’s a big time friend of Swing Shift as well.  Between the two of them – no night was ever dull or quiet. 

  

To honor his memory and what he meant to all of us here, our infamous musical director Bobby Marlette and I went over all we knew about our departed friend, and then we chose music that we thought best described him: 

• Frank Sinatra – World On A String
• Dean Martin – Volare’
• Sammy Davis, Jr – Don’t Talk about Me When I’m Gone
• James Darren – Here’s to the Losers
• Peter Lawford and Jimmy Durante – Swingin’ With The Rhythm and Blues
• Peggy Lee – Big Spender
• Tony Bennett – Chicago
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Ol’ MacDonald’s Farm
• Michael Buble’ – Come Fly with Me
• Louis Prima & Keely Smith – Old Black Magic
• Ray Gelato – Pizza You
• Frank Sinatra – That’s Life
• Jerry Vale – Non Dimenticar

Here is the show as a direct download - take a moment and listen - I know you'll like it.
"Pops" Memorial Show - 10 July 2011
 

"It's Martini Time" this week was suggested by Friend of Swing Shift Joe Smyth, who wrote to us telling how that was his family's favorite drink at every holiday; and seeing as how the subject matter of this week's program was a very old fashioned kind of man - it fit perfectly.  

Thanks to Will, the One Minute Bartender from OneMinuteBartender.com for providing his recipe.

 

Requiscat In Pace, Salvatore’ Michael “Pops” Valdaro - a good friend of The Swing Shift Radio Show.  He wasn’t a singer, play-write, musician, scientist or doctor.  He was shoe maker, a municipal city worker for Jersey City, a husband and father.  He was a good man who would tell stories, he would make you laugh and smile.  On behalf of the entire Swing Shift Radio family, the cast and crew here at the Meridian Night Club and Lounge, we want to offer our sincerest condolences to his surviving children, family and friends.

For those out there who may have questions about cancer, please go talk to your doctor – get regular check-ups and pay attention to early symptoms.  Don’t let anything get by you. As Pops would say, "You only got one life...live it well."

See you next week on The Swing Shift!

Tommy Cage

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