Lakewood Lore

Music man had fans all over Cleveland

Third jewel in the crown of Lakewood’s musical past -- alongside his contemporaries, maestros Sammy Kaye and Alvino Rey -- was piano-playing, dance-band leader George Duffy, whose sweet strains won a large following of loyal fans wherever he appeared.

Perhaps Duffy was destined to become a music great, having been born across the street from the legendary bandsman with the battered top hat -- Ted (“Is Everybody Happy”) Lewis -- in Circleville, Ohio.

In 1909, when George was 1, his parents came to Lakewood, settling into the Clark Terrace in the 11800 block of Detroit Avenue. Later, they moved to Clifton Boulevard at Whippoorwill.

George attended St. Rose Elementary School on West 116th Street in Cleveland and formed his own band while going to Lakewood High School in the mid-1920’s.

In the fall of ‘26, he left, short of graduation, to work. He played at various Lakewood spots, including a Greek confectionery next to the Homestead Theater on Detroit near Hird (his first job); Asiatic Gardens, Detroit and West 117th; and Merry-Go-Round Nite Club, Clifton and West 117th.

His Lakewood success won him engagements in downtown Cleveland. Over the years, he entertained at the Cleveland Hotel, Gingham Club, Hollenden Vogue Room and Statler Terrace Room. During one period, he had a 13-year contract with the Statler Hotels organization.

George’s career ended at the age of 55 with his death from cancer in 1963. “He was well-liked and nice to work for,” remembers Arthur Berchtold. A retired local pianist, he used to relieve Duffy on the keys during breaks at the Lake Shore Hotel cocktail Lounge on Lakewood’s Gold Coast before it was called the Gold Coast.

Bertchold, who at one time took lessons from Duffy, said that his mentor also played piano at Euclid Beach Park and, toward the end, in Cavoli’s Restaurant on Clifton just east of West 117th.

J.J. Howlett II, Duffy’s friend and neighbor for many years on Wooster Road in Rocky River, recalls George as “a wonderful person, always laughing, who couldn’t turn down anyone on a favor.

“In ‘52, while I was piloting a Marine helicopter in Korea, George and his wife Dolly kept an eye on my family,” Howlett said, expressing eternal gratitude.

George’s widow, the former Dolly Rooney, died five months ago in Indianapolis. She lived near one of the two Duffy sons, Christopher, who is president of the Wabash Valley Broadcasting Corp. in the Indiana capital. Other son James is public relations director of Time-Warner American Television and Communications Co. In Greenwich, Conn.

George’s sister, Ellyn, who currently resides in Lakewood’s Clark Terrace, was at one tome a dancer in New York City. Later she operated the Magpie Dress Shop at Detroit and West 117th, reselling clothing purchased from Broadway actresses.

Ellyn and George had a brother, too -- Evan, an accomplished saxophonist in the Duffy Band. He also was with the Ferde Grofe Orchestra and played the sax solo in Grofe’s famous rendition of “Donkey Serenade.” Evan’s death in 1963 followed George’s by only four days.

This article appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post February 15, 1990. Reprinted with permission.

More Lakewood Lore