Note from the back of the book - On the Road

When I wrote this note, I was returning to Indianapolis, Indiana after working in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It had been quite an experience. I don’t quite know if this is the place to tell all the details yet, but I will tell my children about it one day, soon. I left Indianapolis with “Roy”, my manager, a dancer, and a body guard. I had been working at a club called the Blue Grotto, I don’t remember its location.
I do remember “Jack” who played electric up-right bass. He had a really great band. That was the first time I had ever seen one like it. It was the time for a lot of firsts. It was the first time I had a fan club. People would come in, take pictures and even asked me to give them my autograph. Although they never knew I was from Indianapolis…it was the time to be from Detroit. There was even a spot on the radio…from Detroit. I remember the VFW after hours that served the best steaks I’ve had up to that point. I also remember a man who helped me when I became ill. I didn’t know his name, but he came in the club every night and missed me being there. Out of curiosity he asked the manager where I was and was told that I was ill. He came to where I lived and literally carried me to the hospital. He saved my life. I wish I could thank him again. I also remember Robert…an older man who lived in a log house, owned a parking lot. A very nice person. I remember “Juanita”. I lived in her house. I had a round bed, the first one I had seen. She had been Miss Oklahoma or some kind of beauty queen. She had a nice place. So many memories of things and lessons learned.

Written originally, February 24, 1964

Left Oklahoma City at 4:35. Stopped in Tulsa 6:45 -7:15
Saw DX Oil Refinery
Texaco with all the lights on this morning, it was pretty.
Joplin, Missouri - We didn’t get off bus.
Springfield Missouri, 11:20 - Lunch stop, fairly large city left at 12:10
Rollo, Missouri - 2:30-2:45 - Coffee Break
St. Louis, Missouri - 5:00
Lady and her three kids finally got off at Crestwood (subdivision of St. Louis). She got on at Springfield