~ Malden Musings ~ Deb Burke…Step Right Up

By Peter Levine

City Hall will see many leaders come and go, but another Debbie Burke? Fuhgeddaboudit! That’s a once-in-a-lifetime presence that won’t be walking through those doors again anytime soon. She was one of a kind – a true professional and a person I have thought highly of ever since her days at David Brickman’s Malden Evening News. Deb didn’t just serve Malden; she poured her heart into it, shaping its story with dedication, kindness, and an unwavering sense of integrity. Although she has since retired and ridden off into the sunset, her legacy is far from gone. As long as there is a Maldonia, there will be echoes of Debbie Burke’s impact – her passion, her influence, her spirit. That’s not hyperbole. That’s the truth.

Her departing message to colleagues before she drove down Pleasant Street one last time was pure gold. Leaving with class and dignity, her usual savoir faire shining like a well-cut stone, casting one last enigmatic smile over her shoulder – an exit befitting a legend but not before imparting these last words: “By now, I am sure that most of you are aware that I will be retiring after many years of service in the City of Malden. My last official day as the Director of OSPCD will be Jan. 9, 2025. I have had the pleasure of working with many of you over the years. It has been a great relationship, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working in an environment where ‘teamwork’ and support for each other thrives. The City is moving in the right direction, and I am proud to have played some part in key initiatives including the transformation of Malden’s downtown through the mixed-use redevelopment effort that now houses Malden City Hall. All of you deserve a ‘shout out’ for all that you do to keep Malden moving on a day-to-day basis.”

Wait, I ain’t done! Deb graciously agreed to answer some questions for enquiring minds in Maldonia. Of course, she socked it over the Bandstand and out of Devir Park (like Robby Santo used to do!). Have at it, Deb:

Question: What one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?

Answer: I was born and raised in Medford. Yes, little known secret I am a Medford Mustang, but at an early age I became quickly attached to my adopted city of Malden. From skating at the Rez and sledding down “Seven Bumps” at an early age to attending fireworks displays over Devir Park to shopping for shoes and dresses in Malden Square, my affection for the city runs deep.

Q: Where would you most like to buy a one-way ticket to?

A: Any beach with white sands, turquoise colored water and temps in the low 80s.

Q: What person, alive or dead, would you like to eat dinner with?

A: Lucille Ball, a female comedian, who broke barriers for women. Besides dinner I would welcome the chance to stomp grapes by her side in Italy or work at the chocolate factory with her (inside jokes for those familiar with the show I Love Lucy).

Q: What’s one song to play to put yourself in a good mood?

A: I don’t have just one. Lol. But I would say anything Motown. Some of my friends call me the Dancing Queen.

Q: What is the one piece of advice that most changed your life?

A: Don’t overreact. One of my former bosses told me once if you are upset with someone write them a letter. Put that letter in a drawer and look at it the next day. Chances are you won’t send it. But you will be the better person for it.

Q: What one bit of advice would you give your younger self?

A: Make mistakes, ask lots of questions and aim big.

Q: What’s the one thing that keeps you motivated?

A: An eagerness to keep learning. Whether it is through reading or conversation with others, I am a lifelong learner.

Q: What’s the one thing you want to be remembered for?

A: Honesty/hard work.

Q: Most admired or most inspirational mentor in Malden?

A: I would like to change that question to “working in Malden.” My mentor in that case was the late David Brickman, longtime owner and publisher of the Malden Evening News, Medford Daily Mercury and Melrose Evening News who insisted on reporters getting the facts straight and truth in reporting. He is also known for working for the passage of the Open Meeting Law. I was a big fan! Fun fact, he and his wife Estelle and me and my husband Phil share the same anniversary date – Day: June 6.

Q: Malden has long been known for its outstanding restaurants, delis and bakeries. Working in Malden for all these years, what were your favorite places to grab a slice of pizza, a sub or a burger?

A: From my days working at the MEN (1977-1986) lunches at Malden Deli and Gloria’s were a must and Friday night pizza dinners at the Highland Café were at the top of the list. Fast forward to today’s great Malden dining scene with its vast array of foods to satisfy everyone’s appetites, I am proud of the work I did some twenty years ago working as a member of a team that helped convince restaurants like Hugh O’Neill’s, Exchange St. Bistro and All Seasons Table to take a chance on Downtown Malden. So glad they did.

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• Congratulations and hot diggity dog to one of Malden’s best and brightest, Malden High School’s James Hyppolite! James recently announced to the world that he will be matriculating next year at Bridgewater State University, where he will follow in the footsteps of many a celebrated Maldonian. Let’s hear from the man himself: “I am blessed and extremely grateful to announce I will be committing to Bridgewater State to continue my academic and athletic career. I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for being there for me through the whole process. Last but not least I would like to thank the man above that’s given me the strength to put myself in a position to win!! Go Bears!” Best of luck, James, Malden’s got your back.
• Speaking of said celebrated Maldonians who traveled down to Plymouth County to “study” at Bridgewater State: David “The Pride of Public Facilities” Angelo, Bert Cioffi, Tommy Stein, Mike Carey, Eddie Cannon, Kenny “Miz” Mierzykowski, Tommy “Stiddles” Littlewood, Bobby “Pao” Paolini and pretty (1974) MHS grads Cheryl Freker and Cathy Winslow.

A little night music please… “Malden Musings” Top 10 songs – rescued from obscurity – involving Malden-based artists:

• Norman Greenbaum – “Petaluma” from his 1972 album “Petaluma” (Norm and his gal pal Bonnie have a podcast, try it – you’ll like it!)
• Extreme – “Watching and Waiting” from their (sadly) long neglected (brilliant) first EP, the self-titled banger “Extreme.”
• Phil Bynoe – “For the Love of God” – an instrumental from the live album “G3: Live in Concert”; Stevie Vai on guitar, Phil on bass. Phil is an MHS Alumni Hall of Famer, a monster on bass guitar and a wicked good kid, as we say in Edgeworth. Nuff ced.
• Marc Phaneuf – “The Lady Is a Tramp” – “Tony Bennett: Duets II”; vocals by Mr. Bennett and Lady Gaga, tenor sax by Marc Phaneuf. Not bad for a kid that grew up on Greystone Road. Just an FYI but Marc’s parents were socially aware warriors before socially aware was allowed to be. More on them later.
• The Ames Brothers – “It Only Hurts for a Little While” – a greatest hits classic from the pride of Suffolk Square!
• Charlie Farren – “East Coast, West Coast” from his time with the Joe Perry Project (1981) from the record “I’ve Got the Rock ’n’ Rolls Again.” Charlie performs to this very day, and this ain’t no lie, he still got chops!
• Ed Ames – “Kind of Hush” from his solo album “Time, Time.” Ed branches out from the brothers and from being Fess Parker’s Daniel Boone sidekick.
• Boy’s Life – “Two Doors Down” – a song reportedly written about a Presley Street neighbor (Billy Murphy) two doors down from where John (Surette) and his family grew up. A local classic by these garage rock legends. FYI, John goes down in the Levine Family playbook as a courageous trendsetter who wasn’t afraid to take chances with his music and culture at large. Helps when you have older siblings like Steve, Dave and Paula. Hey, his parents weren’t too shabby either, but that is story for another article.
• Chet Cahill – “Don’t Stop Me from Crying” – bassist and (sometimes) vocalist with the Boston-based band Berlin Airlift – from the album “Berlin Airlift,” leader Rick Berlin’s eponymous debut with Airlift.
• Joe Bucci – “Splanky” – internationally famous Malden organist, from his album “Wild About Basie!” – very, VERY cool “bachelor pad” music! I know very little about Mr. Bucci – so, if you have info, let me know.
• Slapshot with Malden’s Mark McKay on drums – “Step on It.” FYI, Mark’s older brother Matt was a renowned guitarist/shredder in his own right, doing time with Gary Cherone in the band Adrenalin before Gary joined Extreme and Rick Berlin, who needs no introduction if you have ever followed the music scene in Boston.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – speaking of Extreme.. .Highland Avenue’s Gary Cherone and his band are back in the spotlight again. Gary, Nuno, Patrick and Fig just finished the “never ending tour” for their latest release, “6,” which saw them circle the globe, it seemed, 10 times over (I hear tell they go back on the road soon, stay tuned)! Rave reviews from coast to coast and continent to continent seemed to revive their career with axe-slinger unapparelled Nuno Bettencourt receiving the lion’s share of praise. Gotta put this out there, though: Gary’s voice is as strong and as soulful as it has ever been. “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Spoiler alert: They really haven’t stopped touring and making good music since their eponymous release back in 1989 – just took extra-long breaks in between (insert smiley face). Nuno has really come into his own as the years have passed: eloquent, frank and most times speaking directly from the heart. It seems as though he has finally found a good place using his voice, his words and that virtuoso guitar shredding. A really good voice with really good words, by the way! On a personal note, I gotta add, and an extremely good kid (pun intended) with a heart of gold as well as a ton of talent.

One last Extreme note of interest: I rarely mention the baddest low freq freak in the game, Pat Badger. But not on purpose. He’s just taken for granted and, on occasion, a bit overshadowed. But take a moment to think how good you must be at your craft if you gotta keep pace with the premier shredder in the whole rock world as well as keeping up with three of the best drummers in the world over his career with Extreme: Paul Geary, Mike Mangini and now Kevin Figueiredo. Very impressive indeed!

Postscript 1: With National Vietnam War Veterans Day approaching, Malden-based Air Traffic Controller released a music video called “Jimmy’s Song,” depicting the story of James Magyar, Army veteran and father-in-law of lead singer-songwriter Dave Munro.

Long story short… Jim was asleep in the cabin of a Caribou aircraft approaching Phu Quoc Island when it plummeted into the ocean. He awoke to someone frantically trying to help him out of his seat harness as the plane was swallowed by the South China Sea. The officer swam away, and Jim gave it one more try, squirming, finally freeing himself from the belts, making his way out.

The video is directed by Jasper Hamilton and the song has hit 100,000 streams. ATC is releasing their “dash acoustic EP” Friday, March 28 and performing a special acoustic show at City Winery Boston. “Jimmy’s Song” will absolutely be played, along with acoustic renditions from all 5 ATC albums.

Postscript 2: Emerald Street’s Marie Bionelli, may your memory be a blessing. More on Marie in the very near future.

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate and can be reached at Pe*****@ao*.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.