Sunday, February 8, 2009

801 Anderson Street, The Burg



801 Anderson Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was The Anderson Bar & Grill.
Owner: Felix Nowicki :)

6 comments:

Tom Pass said...

"Count" Felix was a very fine musician and generally entertained his patrons by playing the organ behind the bar. He also had a microphone in ladies room and a collection of bazaar objects in bar area. Beers were 10 cents and if you were hungry, you could always enjoy a hard boiled egg.

Anonymous said...

Tom, don't forget the hot dogs cooked in beer for a quarter, served with yellow mustard and sauerkraut.

The bar was decorated with Tesla coils, and other assoted gadgets. The walls were adorned with photos and many paintings of Emmett Kelly style clown paintings.

There was an air jet mounted in the ladies toilet, IIRC, and a microphone nearby so everyone could hear the screams of surprise.

Felix had great chops along with an incredible memory for music. He challenged you to name a song he couldn't play and sing. If he forgot the tune or lyrics, he had the sheet music stashed away for pop songs from back as far as the twenties.

Have you ever seen anyone sing with a cigar stuck up a nostril?!? Felix did. He claimed to the the inspiration for Ernie Kovac's comic schtick.

God Bless "Count" Felix. He was a riot, and I'm so happy I got to see him perform.

WG Schultz
San Jose, CA

Anonymous said...

I forgot Count's motto:
"Thanks alot! You're in!"

Bill
San Jose

Tom Pass said...

Man, that motto brings it all back! I actually studied with him on Sunday later mornings for a short time.

Anonymous said...

The crazy "Count", boy does this bring back memories.
Bob Reck

Anonymous said...

The "Count" was actually a Julliard graduate, who played piano on the luxury liners, in the day. He, dad and Mr. Boruta (the clown painter) were friends for years. Mack...his brother is Ed Nowicki, the appraiser that worked for Don Schulte, also a concert pianist and one of the original "Merry Men", professional carolers. Ed's daughter is also a Julliard grad.