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All,

Robbie Tronco and I have been doing an afterhours party at the Mansion... in honor of SOUL but obviously inspired by our days at The Story and Catacombs in the '70s-8)s!! There are actually some people that have been coming that used to go to both clubs... even remember Frankie Who, Frankie Sestito, Billy Kennedy, Donald Stone, David Todd, and my brother Jimmy Del Femine!!

Here are the details:

From the City of Brotherly Soul…
troncoDELphia productions presents
S O U L S U N D A Y S
Soulful music inspired by: The Second Story, Catacombs, Paradise Garage, and The Warehouse

Spun with love by:
Philly’s Legendary Robbie Tronco
&
DEL (Philly & Chicago)

The Mansion
(corner of 19th & Sansom Sts.)
11PM till 3:15AM
Admission $5 (free with flyer before Midnight)
Hosts: Winston & Marsha

YOU CAN’T FAKE THE FEELING WITHOUT FEELING!!!

Try to make it out, it's a small room in an old brownstone (you'll recognize it when you see the building). It would be great to get a crowd from the Story and Catacombs... maybe we could start an earlier Sunday party (to allow for all of us who need to rise up early on Monday mornings!.)

All the best,

Del (Robert Del Femine)

Carterette..just a bit on the sound system, it originally was the system from the Music Box in Margate built by Alex Rosner, Wayne Geftman then double the system and Alex + Donald Carucci installed it, it featured hand built Luxman amps,backed with Macintosh power, it had slotted and bullet jbl tweeter arrays, voice of the theater mid range cabinets and Rosner's custom bass horns, the 360' sound was incredible plus the fact it had low cielings and a small dance floor with bleachers on either side.
I was lucky to play on the original Music Box system and then upstairs at the incredible SS, but talking about the Catacombs sound system puts a smile on my face to this day. It litterly moved people..of course along with the legendary dj's were the fantastic light persons that you were a big part of..

Stay well
Frankiewho

Hey I had my own dance at the combs,I would dance on my toes like I was running in place.I started that dance and people would do it at the combs.Some people thought is was Mark Berts but it was me..I still love to dance I like Danny 718 sessions in NYC.Philly was has had nothing after combs..

Thanks Frankie for the updated sound system comments. In retrospect, I probably should have mentioned the light show as I was one of the club's light jockeys. The best way I can describe the lights would be minimalistic, yet definitely effective. Our best effect were the old "FLASH" bulbs which could only be used once a night. These were old photographic light bulbs. Imagine the nichochrome wire in a magiccube (dating myself for sure!) in the size of a 300 watt lightbulb. Additionally, the strobes were two in the floor of the bass speakers and four in the ceiling. I think I made my mark by memorizing the keyboard solo for "Love Is The Message" and playing it on the strobes. However, you could never forget your first visit to the club once you saw the larger than life phallus standing next to our own Miss Linda, the club's manager.

I used to go to Catacombs after work on the weekends.I loved listening to Wayne playing all the new music.I picked up a lot there.I especially liked to go on nights when David Todd used to weave his funky magic.I miss him....And I am looking forward to the reunion.It is definitely going to happen thanks to the efforts of Frankie Sestito. Can't wait to see everybody.....

I am very excited about the possibilty of a SS/Catacombs reunion. Pls post planned early.I met a DJ in DC who used to hang at Catacombs on occassion-he goes by the name Mandrill. He plays at a small club in DC called the FAB Lounge. We talked about old times-. Listening to him play took me back-way back. Hope to here more on the reunion. Yea-cant fake the feeling-G. Hunt

Yes My Friends, please let me know about this reunion. I have danced many nights away with Mark (both of them, Lawrence, Earl, Tinka, Anthony, Stuart, Tony, The AC boys. Those Richard Long systems (Clubhouse-DC Garage-NYC) were awsome. but the Combs had a true studio sound that once I heard it I couldn't return to the Clubhouse - I had to hear my music on that system by David and then later Donald. I remember hearing David spin three turntables at once truly amazing ! Thanks to the poster about the light bulbs... I finally know after all these years that it wasn't only the A.. it was something special about the lightening strikes as my friends and I called them. (Smile)

I too watched and listened as David Todd spun 3 records at once at Second Story. I originally started working at Second Story and then was asked to work the door at Catacombs with Michael (Muscles)-gee, 30 some years later its all still crystal clear-how I still miss it all.

I was a Paradise Garage, Melons, Better Days, Loft, GG's Barnum Room New York guy. I had a friend from Philly who used to come up for the summer and stay with his cousin in New York. He would tell me about Catacombs and I would say there's no way any Philly club could be better than a New York one, especially the Garage! One Friday night me and my boy Pete said, "lets hit Philly and try to find this Catacombs Reggie would always talk about". We hit Center City, parked the car and took a walk down 13th Street...it didn't take long for me to know that I was home! We asked where Catacombs was and found it. Got to the door, showed my Paradise Garage membership and was greeted with open arms. That first night at Catacombs was one of the best nights in my life! The music, the lights, the people, the dancing! Well, we basically went to Philly from that point on every Friday and Saturday for the next year or so. I became good friends with John Troy and Tink. John Troy told me about a club that was going to open called Wild Cherry and did I want to move down there and work at the club. I gave my job and parents two days notice and I was in Philly. Even while working at Wild Cherry's I missed being at Catacombs. I when I finally quit Cherry's in 1985 I worked the door at Catacombs which was the coolest s*** in the world ! I just recently went down to Philly and ran into Nafis. You hear all the sad storys about all the truly good people who are no longer with us (God Bless Them All), but to see Nafis, John Troy and Tizzy really brings me back to a time when life was adventurous and full of loving people. To hear Mark B and Oliver are still doing their thing is crazy cool! David Todd mixing Hold Me Tighter In The Rain or Side by Side or Bodytalk is forever in my heart's ear. And Donald Stone...do you know how many leg cramps that man gave me!!! Anybody with any news about a reunion or anything about the old crew please contact me at Lionel0526@yahoo.com
Love You All....Lionel

I am in tears remembering this club. Linda taking my $ (seven dollars wasn't it?) at the door, by the giant p****,changing my clothes in one of the two bathrooms, and David Todd's music (Bob James early in the night, slowly building up to Weekend, Melodies, that music that wouldn't let you sit down for a minute!) I was on one of the few white regulars (me, Patrick, Wicked Wanda, pouring baby powder on the dance floor) it was a MARVELOUS free atmosphere, it didn't even get good till 5 AM, all us regulars stayed until the 1 PM closing,Paris you were my best friend I ever had, where are you now? EVERYONE associated us, Paul and Paris, God we had fun

Hey Paul,you were my best friend too. Those were the days when we were always together thru the thick and thin of things. What an adventure we had. Catacombs was more like my home,and my friends there definitely help raise me up in this world. When I reflect back, I feel happy and sad at the same time. love forever, Paris

Please keep me posted regarding a reunion.

Well its about time...........OMG I searched for a few years after the clubs closed to find something on-line or to try and find workers and people connected to the clubs and friends as well......I have my ex to thank for finding me and letting me know whats going on and the links online and the long overdue reunion........So in case any of you are wondering ..........Its me........Linda ...the one and only Loretta Young..lol sorry inside joke only joe barnes would get.......anyway..........love to hear from someone so please get in touch ...........I just spoke to my ex after like 14 years or so and he just send me pics from one of the Halloween bashes at the combs and he has tons so Im glad that I was a photo freak and even more so that he was and still is a pack rat.....thanks gordon !!! ok.........now im waiting to hear from some of you so get busy !!! love to you all, Linda...........muah

Well look who the cat dragged in; and its about time! Betty wasn't the only girl who remembers Loretta Young. Carterette aka by Betty as Miss Carter remembers her fondly and is oh so happy to see her come home. Unfortunately, not sure if I'm gonna make it to the reunion, but will be there in spirit. Is there anyway you can webcast it? LOL!!! Miss L....please check out my website out at http://WhatEverProductions.us to get my e-mail address so that we may begin to dish. Miss you much!!!!

Hey its me...fill in the blanks up top under Manager.........I am Linda Young and Im dying to hear from someone .........please get in touch !!!

Carterrrrrrrrrr.........omg..............hahah finally someone found me.............I just left you a message on your email...........so happy to hear from you..............we have so much to catch up on............love , linda xoxox

Wow, Linda, wonderful that you found this sight! I see you in my mind's eye like 25 years have never come and gone! It is Paul, of Paul and Paris fame (infamy?) The Catacombs was beyond special; in fact it holds a place in my heart that most people reserve for Church or religion, and that reverencey extends to you and all the regulars who made The Catacombs the unequalled, magical place that it was! Can I post my email address up here? I would love to hear from you and so many others!

Linda. Did not get your message. Definitely wanna catch up with you. Try this e-mail:
whatever DOT phl AT verizon DOT net

Hey all ..........my email addy is Lyoung214@hotmail.com...............let me hear from you !!! Have a great weekend

Hey Linda, You were the best nite club manager ever, we all shoulda gave you more props for not only allowing us all to do our own thing in the club, but joining in and pumpin it up to the next level in a real kool way,(dare I speak of Ethel?). Please keep in touch!! Always, Paris email:abrahamrac@aol.com

Hey Paris and thanks for the nice compliment and the response.........I feel guilty as you remember me but Im having a senior moment.......refresh my memory if you would..........hope I didnt offend you in anyway.....but its been a long time.........hope to hear back from you.

Hugs, Linda

I miss Catacombs too. I used to close the place. I loved how they would slow down the music At about 5 a.m. < I would Take renaldo and all the boys back to my place in jesey for an after party! WHAT FUN!

Catacombs-"A Most Serious Musical Experience"
Never since that club, have I ever danced for 8 hours straight. I, along with my sister and my best friend would bust our butts to be there every weekend. David Todd was my fave, he started out slow and worked you all night. Donald Stone just jumped right in with the up-tempo house (my sisters favorite, Donald, let her have free access to the booth all night). We were among a small core group of white regulars, always there, always til they kicked us out @ 1 PM Sundays. I dream about that place to this day, 20 some-odd years later. I'll never forget the night we showed up to a plain white note on the door-
"CATACOMBS WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE"
I have only one question....Is it further notice Yet?

actually the note on the door, ripped from a standard college ruled spiral notebook, taped up with plain scotch tape, read,

'catacombs will be closed until further notice, thank you, the management"

for decades now i have joked how offended i was that they THANKED ME, for them having closed the center of the universe right in our faces with NO notice...

we knew that instant and over the following months, that it would be a lifelong 'grieving process' for the place....

some entity like it, is sorely needed. it cannot be duplicated, but that vibe can be reinvented someway. sometime, somewhere, or so alot of us think.

viva donald.

Here's a funny memory from Catacombs: My sister was always in and out of the booth on Saturday nights while Donald was playing (I'm pretty sure Dominic was workin' the lights) and sometimes I joined them. We would leave our bags in there while we danced. One particular night, there was a pile of 10 bags or more and I was digging around looking for mine to change my T-shirt----I was bent over behind the console where all the amps were----and the music stopped. This wasn't unusual---sometimes the DJ's would cut the music and you would hear the hoots, whistles, clapping, stomping and sometimes a tambourine----then they'd cut the music back on----so, I'm bent down, digging away, waiting for the music to cut back on----and it didn't! Once I realized people were sort of hollering, I stood up---and Dominic rushed around to where I was standing (he was MAD!)---and I realized that I KNOCKED ONE OF THE GIANT AMP PLUGS OUT WHILE I WAS DIGGING!! Of course, I was rushed out of the booth, banished "forever" (but my sis got to stay) and they got it plugged back in and the music resumed. I was sure the entire crowd was looking right at me when my head popped up behind the console---I was mortified! Donald smirked at me and let Dominic be the Heavy in kicking me out of the booth. I was told I'd never be allowed back in there again. Two weekends later, I actually got invited back (I think my sister persuaded Donald to forgive me) and I apologized so profusely---he laughed at this point (he was such a sweetheart, when 'combs closed, we followed him to any other club we knew he'd be playing at like MSP for a brief time) and he told me he though it was funny!
Maybe you were there that night??
I really miss that club! It was an otherworldly experience. I still have about 10 cassette tapes from Donald---he used to give us tapes allot. David Todd NEVER let anyone in off the floor. I hounded and hounded him and he FINALLY sold me a tape for $50 with the promise that I would let it go. Well, that tape broke from overplaying and I kick myself for not having copied it first! It started out w/ Somewhere, then Side by Side, then Hold Me Tighter in The Rain---it was classic David Todd! I'm so so so sorry that I wasn't able to attend the recent SS/Catacombs reunion, but maybe Tony White is out there somewhere planning a more 'combs-centric bash in the future. I miss Oliver, and Keith, Tony and even Dominic--I was never good with names but faces are etched in my mind and soul! RIP David and Donald and all the happy feet that stomped around that small dance floor! Does anyone remember the special shows with LeJa Dance Theater?
If I ever get rich, I would like to try and resurrect Catacombs. I'm rambling now, but I have so many good memories from that time and place!
Thanks for everything, and thanks for this forum!

I was the one of the few white boys who used to be at Combs every weekend in the early 80s. I always felt welcome. I dindn't do the DCA like everyone else, just straight to Catacombs. I remember Paris. The best Dancers that ever lived use to work the Combs! Lights and Sound the BEST IN PHILLY! Do you all remember Chico and Amber,Angelo the list goes on and on. I am Brian who use to dance with his shirt off right in front of the DJ booth and sweat my a** off! I remember coming out on 12th street and the sun in your eyes would just kill you.

My experiences are what shapes me and makes me what I am today. Some experiences make me frown and others make me smile. Thinking back to the days of The Catacomb... I was probably 21 or so I guess :-) Even so, my experience at The Catacomb was like no other. I had attended The Clubhouse in DC and The Garage in NYC, but there was no club like the Catacomb. The sound system and the creative skills of David Todd prompted some sort of musical travel where no other could take me. And for this I am truly grateful.

Keep me posted about the next reunion :-) Blessings!!!!!!!

Combs was my club I had my own dance there.On my toes running in place like.Every one though it was Marks dance but it was mine..

After combs there has been nothing in philly like it.At least in NYC they still have some parties.The spirt of the Garage never died there..

I am so happy I found this post and anxious to make a few comments and express some love. I am the hansome white boy - balck at heart that was close with David, Donald, Blonde Susan, Nicki, Oliver, Shelli, and many others. I miss the club so much that I search the internet all the time and I do find some decent mixes to bring me back to the good days. Some of you may remember me hanging in the booth and on the dance floor working my a** off.
I am doing really well these days and only work a block away from the Beasley Building and pass the Catocombs door everyday. Give me shout if you like to say hi. Ricky 215 7784164... Again I miss everyone especially David and Donald.

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=144607042672&h=Jpi-8&u=0aWjM&ref=mf

open the link for a memory... I was always there. first white chick who had the balls to walk down those steps...I love all of you! philly is/was never the same...

part of who I am, eternally.

wow so good to see you all . for many years now i miss david and catacomb so much it hurts. david change my life and dtill it is for the better. i learn how to treat other good and dance with the spirit of GOD . thank you so much for the joy i feel each day

Hey Chico, I mentioned you here earlier. You still in Trenton? You know who this is. It's Brian from Philly. last time I saw you we all went up to NY. What's up with you ? Hope all is well. Have you talked to Miss Amber lately. I talked to her about a year ago. She still doing her thing. Can you believe some of the Dinasours from way back still goin?