Lee Rand at the Aloha Lounge – October 18, 1963

Regular readers know I like posting vintage Entertainment pages from the Lorain Journal dating back to the 1950s and 60s. Lorain had such a vibrant nightclub scene back then, with something going on every night. 

Above is the page from the October 18, 1963, with the clubs, restaurants and other entertainment options.

There are the usual ads, for restaurants like Heilman's, Manners, Kenny King's, Vian's, Sherwood Inn, Golden Dragon, Tropicana, and McDonald's. New ads (to my eyes, anyway) include Pool Palace (at 710 Broadway).

It's always fun to take note of the entertainers appearing at the various venues and try to find out if they ever hit the big time or not (such as Woody Earnhart and Zsu Zsa). The ad for Colony Lounge above features Grecian Dancer Katina. I'm not sure if she was a local performer or on a tour.

But at least we know that Lee Rand, appearing at the Aloha Lounge at 651 Broadway in Lorain, enjoyed a fine career as a vocalist during the 1960s and 70s.

One of his early breaks occurred when he appeared on the Jackie Gleason show in October 1962. The story below from the Journal of October 18, 1962 tells the tale. (The article also reveals – Shhhhhh – his real name.)

And this article (below) from September 29, 1962 provides some additional information behind the Klak-Stik (which I first wrote about back here) and how having Lee Rand provide the vocals on the "Klak-Stik Kick" record led to his appearance on Jackie Gleason's show. 

Anyway, here a few of Lee Rand's recordings found on YouTube, including Stagger Lee (1963), You're a Song Within My Heart (1963), Today's Lament (1967) and Love & Her (1962).

Although I was unable to find out what became of Katina, a couple years after the 1963 ad, she was in very good company during an appearance at Benny's.

Feb. 10, 1965 Journal ad