George Stewart Remembers
Scotty Mclachlan was perhaps the most unusual laid-back band-leader I have ever met. I had just replaced Les Douglas on trombone and my first gig with Scotty's band was at the Stork Club, Port Stanley some time in the 1940s. That night all went well until we came to a certain piece of music. We started off with the introduction, then all I could hear after that was the rhthym section playing and no melody. Scotty who was standing close to the microphone said
"Stewart!! you're supposed to be down here singing!"
I said "I don't sing"
He said "I thought you took Les Douglas's place"
I said "Only for trombone - I don't sing!"
This sort of conversation went on for some time and the dancers, thinking it was a comedy routine, started to gather in front of the band wondering what it was all about. Finally one of the sax players picked up the melody and we all finished the tune without further disruptions!
If I remember correctly it was in the late 1940s that I was playing at Ipperwash Pavilion with the Bobby Downs Band one Saturday night. The piano was so old and so badly out of tune that the band could not tune up to it. Not even close! We complained strongly to the management that the piano was in such poor shape that something had to be done immediately to remedy the situation. They agreed. The next Saturday to our chagrin they had only painted the piano! It looked good but was still wildly out of tune!!