~ Malden Musings ~ MHS Alumni Association Fundraiser

By Peter Levine

It’s always a pleasure to hear from the one and only Patty Kelly (and her equally wonderful husband, Wire Inspector for Inspectional Services in Malden, Frankie!). As Development Director at Bread of Life and a dedicated member of the Malden High School Alumni Association board (and stone-cold Maldonian, I might add), Patty reached out about a fantastic opportunity to support future Malden High graduates.

The Alumni Association is on a mission to raise funds for student scholarships, and they’ve got a unique way for us to help. For a $100 donation, you can “name” a seat in the Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High. Imagine: a plaque honoring someone you love, an inspirational figure, or even yourself – forever linked to the MHS experience. With about 600 seats claimed so far and 300 still up for grabs, there’s still a chance to make your mark (or someone else’s!) in the heart of our community.

This could be the perfect holiday gift for anyone with a connection to Malden High – a heartfelt tribute that also helps empower the next generation of students. If you’re interested, check out the Alumni Association’s website for details on seat naming and how to purchase. Let’s help Patty and the Alumni Association reach their goal – this sounds like a wicked good idea!

Go here and make somebody happy: http://maldenhighalumni.com/seat-naming/

It is said in Malden Musings…

• Quick holler to one of the old Y Gym Rats, Franny Barthelemes, who I hear is an avid reader of this column. You always wanted Franny on your team at the old Y cuz he knew where all the dead spots were on the court, and he was smart enough never to get caught under hoop on the balcony side unless you kept your dribble. Otherwise, fuhgeddaboudit! If you know, you know.
• Another Richard Young will not be walking through the door at the Parking Department in Malden anytime soon. Dick was the trusted, reliable and conscientious jack of all trades in the department, but after 10 years of keeping the highways and byways of Malden clear of parking scofflaws, he has decided to hang up his Parking Department hand-held device. The good life awaits in retirement. Happy trails to you, Dick, Malden wishes you many happy post-work years, my friend, you will be missed most definitely.
• Happy 82nd trip around the sun to Lisbon Street’s most famous son, Norman “Don’t Call Me a One-Hit Wonder” Greenbaum! Forever immortalized by Texas-born artist Jesse Melanson who had painted a four-story mural at 110 Pleasant St., facing the Exchange Street side, in honor of Norm’s iconic number one hit, “Spirit in the Sky.” With his freak flag full of wisdom glitter flowing and his hippie denim jacket – Norm – along with his sweetie, Bonnie, endeared himself to Malden forever at the unveiling back in 2019 with a serious charm offensive. Zay gezunt, Norm.

Apropos of nothing…as the 1970s faded into memory, weekends in Malden took on a life of their own. Like most kids across the country, Malden’s youth roamed the streets, high on cheap beer, good pot and the thrill of nightlife. They claimed street corners, slipped into the shadows of Malden’s many parks and found their way down to our favorite haunt: Malden Square. Here, under flickering streetlights and the incessant clatter of traffic, the Granada Theatre – faded and fraying but still magnetic – drew in the young and restless. In those lean days of Jimmy Carter, underachieving Red Sox teams and sky-high gas prices, the Granada offered fun-filled evenings of second-run movies (I saw ‘Ben’ there in ’73), grimy floors and the occasional booze-fueled riot.

The “Midnight Movie” series at the Granada was a somewhat brilliant yet predictably risky move. It all began one October night in ’79, with a screening of “The Kids Are All Right,” a film featuring British rock legends The Who. The idea was innocent enough, but by midnight, chaos was brewing. When the volume request was denied, frustration ignited into something else entirely. Nearly 200 kids erupted in a riot that spilled from the darkened theater, taking over Pleasant Street and Irving before charging up Ferry. Windows shattered – with the Judson Square area feeling a significant brunt of youth dissatisfaction. That night 15 youngsters – one a girl barely in her teens – were arrested, with the spirit of youth rebellion echoing down those streets for weeks after.

Then came December 5, 1980. The feature? “The Song Remains the Same,” Led Zeppelin’s ode to rock and reckless abandon. The Granada was packed again, this time with a crowd of 650. Malden Police Patrolman Alan Butt recalled the scene, describing the crowd as “drinking, smoking, and looking for trouble.” They waited outside for an hour and a half before they were allowed to enter, smoking weed, language colorful.

Sgt. John McCallan summed it up: “They just went wacky! They wanted to raise some hell, and they sure did!” By the end of the night, the theater faced $5,000 in damages. The exact cause of the chaos remains as much a mystery as ever.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll admit that I and some acquaintances attended both of those infamous nights. And while a few in the crowd may have chosen to raise hell, I assure you – no one from Edgeworth was involved in the mayhem. As always, gentlemen and peacemakers. Insert smiley face.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – last week I found myself strolling through the Square again, tracing steps that once took me past places now just memories like the Granada and Strand Theatres, Grant’s and Kresge’s, Joe & Nemo’s, Gordon’s, Charlie Brown’s Bar & Grille, Jennie’s Pizza, Dandy Donuts, Woolworth’s, the old “Y,” the Horseshoe Bar & Grille and Sizzleborg. Each locale seemed to whisper its own story of the past. I remembered the comfort of Jack Haney’s bar stools, the sounds of the antique jukebox playing at Centre Bar & Grille and the sights and controlled discord at Roli Music.

The familiar names rolled on in my mind: the Daylight Bowling Alley, No Where’s End, the Kernwood, Tom McCann’s, Brigham’s Ice Cream, Signor Pizza, Jack’s Music, the 99, Signor Pizza, Topsy’s Chicken, Jack in the Box, Jordan Marsh and Sparks. They all wove together: the sights and sounds of a town that grew with us, that shared its warmth and familiarity with us.

And while I felt a longing for those days (who doesn’t?), there’s a new spark in Downtown Malden today: a fresh energy that has rekindled the city’s heartbeat. You can feel it throughout Malden and in every nook and cranny of the Square as young faces and new eateries breathe fresh life into these ancient streets. The recent infrastructure upgrades are impressive, like watching something old and beloved being restored, and now with the new City Hall standing proudly (four years now!), it’s like a big fat ephus pitch ready to be swung at. A fresh beginning for Malden.

Thank you, Mayor Gary “Beast Slayer” Christenson, for holding onto our past as we move into tomorrow. Onward, Malden!

Postscript 1: My life is complete. Saturday night, November 16, the Irish American Club was nothing short of electric! The indefatigable Harvey “OG” Nadler took center stage during one of the IA’s famous Karaoke Nights, delivering a performance that would make Elvis and Engelbert blush with envy. Harvey didn’t just sing – he commanded the room, radiating that Nadler charisma and charm in the process showing us all a side of him we never knew existed. His adoring fans cheered him on, and rightly so. Who knew karaoke featuring Harvey Nadler could feel like a Vegas show right here on West Street off Devir Park?

Adding to the joy of the evening were Dan Grover and Kevin Killian’s little brother Brian, manning the bar and pouring some of the coldest, crispiest Ballantine Ales I’ve ever had (and, of course, drank responsibly). Their presence behind the stick made the night even better.

The highlight (which there were many)? A hilarious quip from one of Harvey’s longtime friends – who, for obvious reasons, wishes to remain nameless: “I wish Harvey would use his singing voice when he uses his regular speaking voice.” Roasted!

Harvey, you knocked it out of the park and left us all wondering: Is there anything you can’t do? Bravo to you, Billy Hart, and to everyone at the Irish American Club who made it a night to remember!

Postscript 2: I do quite a bit of kidding in this here column. I bust beans a lot (hello Stinger), kiss mucho derrieres (hello Mayor GC) and heap praise in a hyperbolic manner at times (hello Harvey, hello Edgeworth) but believe me this time when I tell you, Malden (from my heart and with all sincerity), you are very fortunate to have Glenn Cronin as Police Chief. With all due respect to some of my favorite people and former Police Chiefs of all time (hello Kenny, hello Kevin), Chief Cronin may have given the most heartfelt, the most inspirational, the most straight from the gut eulogy in my lifetime when he spoke at Scott Carroll’s service two weeks back. It resonated throughout the hallowed Immaculate Hall, leaving nary a dry eye in the house. Dave Angelo and I must have gone through at least a box of tissues in the process. I kid. Just a little. More on this extraordinary moment in Malden history at a later date.

–Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.