Ex-Allegan Mayor could really shake ’em down

“All the memories came flooding back… Old Mrs. McAvoy eating that horrible chicken… and the terrified child running from the burning wreck.” — Vivian Stanshall, 1972, “Rawlinson End.”

I stumbled onto the Gorden Funeral Residence obituary this morning for John Hotchkiss of Allegan, who died last week at the age of 78.

Yes, it prompted a flood of memories.

Hotchkiss was mayor of Allegan in 1987 and 1988 and he served on the City Council for 26 years. He also was an administrator for Allegan County’s program for disabled and handicapped individuals.

But what I remember best about the guy was his remarkable talent in playing and singing golden oldie rock ‘n roll songs and coordinating performances a local band once known as “Political Suicide” and local Cabaret fund-raising events.

He did pick up some notice for his efforts. The Kalamazoo Gazette once ran his picture that featured the caption, “We Built This Town…” a reference to the popular Jefferson Starship song.

Hotchkiss and local man about town Steve Ross were the heart and soul of the Cabaret efforts by putting together “Allegan’s Got Talent” style shows. Local people were encouraged to pick an old favorite song from bygone days and perform it live in front of an audience.

Of course, there were some klunker performances, but the show included some surprisingly good presentations. I particularly remember a local gentleman getting out a saw to play and sing the Rolf Harris classic “Tie Me Kangaroo Down.”

I also remember local talent performing and singing “Nadine” by Chuck Barry, “Singin the Blues” by Guy Mitchell, “He’s So Fine” by the Chiffons (“Doo Lang Doo Lang, Doo Lang”) Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl,” “Rockin’ Robin” by Bobby Day and the traditional closing entry “Good Night Sweetheart,” by the Spaniels, as sung by Ross with doo-wop style backup from the entire cast.

Then I remember fondly that Political Suicide was invited to perform at the VFW in Wayland, featuring an audience participation number of Herman’s Hermits’ “Henry the Eighth.”

Hotchkiss always was the lead on at least one of the numbers in each of the three shows I witnessed, singing and playing his bass guitar.

I also remember the man as being intelligent, gracious and witty, sometimes mimicking the old Mel Brooks line in “History of the World” by declaring, “It’s good to be the Mayor.”

My message to the late John Hotchkiss is shamelessly stolen from Bob Hope — “Thanks for the Memories.”