'The Roar of L'Amour'

I RETURN FOR ONE NIGHT - On 2/25/89, I return to Host/MC the legendary Janes Addiction show 

Taken from a Facebook post:

On February 25th, 1989, three and a half months after I quit, Jane's Addiction played L'Amour in Brooklyn.

Why am I telling a story about a show I didn't work?

Well in my case I actually came back for one night to host it.

When I left L'Amour in November 88, I left abruptly and didn't tell anyone.

Word got out immediately to the regulars, but it took a bit for industry to find out.

So, JA gets booked and Faces Magazine contacts me asking if they could host it with me.

Faces were huge supporters of mine and included me in their magazine a few times but didn't realize I quit.

I explained I quit and that I really didn't know about the gig.

After talking a bit, they inquired if there was a way to come back for that one night ... hmm ...

It gave me an idea.

There was a local Manhattan band called Demolition Boy that was interested in working with me.

I thought they would be a great fit so I called the owners and Mike Parente answered.

I asked if JA had an opener yet and he yelled to Ken Kriete (who stepped into my shoes and more) if he booked anyone.

Mike replies "no band yet, what's your idea?"

I said I have a band and a way to make the night a bigger event and Mike said "its slow today, come to the office"

I drive in with the Demolition Boy demo and both Mike and Ken agreed they fit and Mike said "tell me your idea"

I told him, Faces magazine will cover the event as well, but they want me hosting it.

Mike didn't hesitate and said, "of course you can", which was awesome to hear.

He said, "so you come in and DJ that night and ...", I stopped him and said, "only host".

He asked why, I explained I was done with that aspect of my life, but introducing 2 bands and Faces, I can do.

We discussed the club since I left and while Mike and I had our "moments" in the 49 months I worked there, he was incredibly complimentary and he said, "customers still ask about you".

We shook on it and as I was going back to say goodbye to Ken, Mike called me back to his office and asked if this was my way to work with the club again.

I said, "let's get through one night" and we laughed.

It was an awesome conversation.

I work out whatever I had to between Faces, L'Amour and the bands and for the first time in 3.5 months, I am returning to L'Amour.

There were only two bands, so DB had a full soundcheck and dressing room.

The band was impressed that their first L'Amour gig was this big and I even had Dave Gizzo assist me as far as running the night for them as a road manager.

Faces get there with a big banner and I said, "put it on top of the bleachers" and I will tell the club security that nobody is allowed there until JA goes on ... trust in Chuck.

I hit the stage for my return with a loud AH YES INDEED and received an awesome response ... THANK YOU L'AMOUR, I introduced DB and they go on and killed it.

After the set they go to hit the dressing room and I say "nope", follow me and I lead them to the top of the bleachers where Faces Magazine are waiting.

It's on ... the band looked like stars doing a photo shoot right after playing and in front of thousands of people.

Everyone was looking at the happening while the equipment change-over was going on.

They were sweaty and spent but looked like stars.

The band does the shoot and interview and as security walks them backstage, I tell Faces to let the crowd digest what they saw and in 10 minutes we will hit the stage.

10 minutes go by, and I hit the stage for the second time and do a rap about JA losing the Grammy to Jethro Tull. Even JA fans that had no idea who the f I was or why people were yelling "Ah Yes Indeed" were getting hyped now.

I bring out Faces, and we start throwing tees to the crowd, but made them work for it.

"Who wants a tee? LET ME FN HEAR YOU!!!"

After a few more minutes of hype, I say something like "stick around for Janes Addiction and the place went nuts.

A member of their management said I got the crowd perfectly ready for JA and John the club stage manager said "he used to do this for a living" lol.

JA were awesome and I had so much fun.

It was the perfect way to leave L'Amour behind.

I get to the front to get paid and Mike was all smiles.

We hugged and he said, "are you interested in hosting more shows?"

My face said it all and to Mike's credit, he agreed.

See earlier in the night we had an argument over guest list.

They felt I had too many and we fought and I said, "take it out of my pay".

They responded, "you are not getting paid" and I said exactly.

I brought in a great opening band, Faces Magazine and hosted the event all for FREE and they still had to fight me over $100 worth of guest.

As much as the night worked, it solidified my time was over.

For years the owners and I were able to both work together and see things differently.

But that time was gone and a big reason why I quit.

George, Mike and I, were three A-types and it was never going to work.

BUT WHAT A GREAT WAY TO LEAVE OFF

Jane's Addiction killed it

Demolition Boy killed it

Faces magazine killed it

And ...

So did L'Amour and I ... all puns intended.

Oh, and if the idea of my hosting big nights and making them bigger sound familiar,  it should - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1De9n1mfTt/

Next time I saw George and Mike was over 20 years later in 11/09, when they did a "Chuck Kaye" night at the SI L'Amour that Donnie Tranchina put together.

It celebrated the 25th anniversary of my first full month in Brooklyn

RIP Mike P.

Chuck Kaye

Ah Yes Indeed

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Various images from The Faces Magazine night with Janes Addiction, Demolition Boy, Faces staff and the awesome crowd