~ Malden Musings ~ Tommy Higgins Remembered

By Peter Levine

In the “life carries on but love continues” department…Tommy Higgins left us far too soon on November 27, leaving behind a legacy as rich and vibrant as the music he so passionately supported. In the pantheon of Malden Rock Hall of Fame, Tommy stands proudly alongside legends like Gary Cherone, Charlie Farren, Norman Greenbaum, Bobby Crowley, Teddi King, Mark McKay, John Surette, Vinnie Straccia, Marc Phaneuf, John Preziosa, Phil Bynoe and John Bionelli. His roots ran deep in Malden, growing up on Gale Street, where the sounds of life echoed from Frenchie’s Convenience Store to Sal’s Barbershop to my very own family home not far away on Charles Street. Tommy was a friend to most who crossed his path, radiating kindness and camaraderie along the way.

At just 12 years old, he was already captivated by the local music scene, often sneaking over to Presley Street to listen to John Surette and his band, Boys’ Life, rehearse. It was around this time that he met Marie Bionelli’s youngest boy John of the Emerald Street Bionellis – a meeting that sparked a friendship lasting an incredible 43 years. That bond would later lead to a remarkable chapter in Tommy’s life when, in 2000, John brought him into the inner sanctum of rock legends Aerosmith.

Tommy became a cornerstone of the Aerosmith team, playing multiple roles with unwavering dedication. He wasn’t just the keeper of the band’s archives; he was their “Swiss Army knife” – ready to step in for Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton or Brad Whitford during rehearsals. His contributions were invaluable, enabling the band to fine-tune their craft no matter the circumstances. To many, Tommy was as much a part of the Aerosmith family as the band members themselves.

Tommy’s story was one of passion, loyalty and an unyielding love for music – and his hometown, Malden. As he grew older, one of his favorite pastimes was returning to Maldonia. He’d take nostalgic drives through Edgeworth, revisiting the streets of his youth and reconnecting with the memories that shaped him.

Tommy Higgins was more than a man behind the scenes – he was the heartbeat of the music he loved and the people he cherished. His absence will be deeply felt, but his legacy will continue to echo through the halls of Maldonia rock history and the hearts of all who knew him.

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• Rest in peace, Mrs. Linda Marie (Chiccuarelli) Tamasi (former Malden HR Director Anthony’s sister). May her memory be a blessing.
• Somethin’ tells me we’re into something good…way to go, Ferryway Green! The facelift you so richly deserve is finally in the works. Some clever give and go along with some deft footwork has the Green on schedule to bring back somewhat of the old luster that we remember so fondly. From what I hear on the street, teamwork and cooperation between all parties involved put this baby on the fast track, and from what I also have heard, for what we used to call “the nice price.” Congratulations, Malden, for working together (key word, together) to get this thing done for the good of the children of Malden. Shame we can’t make it this simple all the time. Darn shame!
• As Malden Parking Director/CFO/Culinary Artist Ron “Hulk” Hogan put it so succinctly last week, there’ll be no Stephanie Muccini Burke walking through those doors anytime soon (yes, I know I’ve gone to that line quite a bit lately, last time, promise). Stephanie retired recently after giving her heart and soul to her adopted city, Malden, as the ARPA Director/maven. The former mayor of Meffa worked her craft in Malden city government basically behind the scenes, but her contributions were invaluable and will be felt within these here five square miles for years to come. My best takeaway at her retirement gathering at Exchange Street Bistro (loved the ESB pork sliders, by the way): Stephanie says to me, “Peter, if you played Judy Collins’ version of ‘Send in the Clowns’ one more time today in the office I was walking out there and strangling you!” Love it, Stephanie. The office won’t be the same without you. All the best to you and your wonderful family in the future and don’t be a stranger!
• Fascinating tale of yesterday Maldonia brought to life for you by John Montecalvo, who is just killing it on Facebook with his daily Maldonia history lesson: “Here’s one, Al’s Pool Room, upstairs on the corner of Pleasant Street and Commercial Street (very close to Bay Bob Esposito’s house). Spent many afternoons perfecting my billiard game there. Got to see Willie Mosconi play on those tables and learned how to ‘masse’ from the new(est) owner Ronnie L, who incidentally was an avid motorcyclist. The (alleged) Boston Strangler, Albert DiSalvo, also played pool there when he was a kid. He lived on Florence Street and got pretty good at pool and billiards all the while learning a lot about ‘street smarts!’”
• One Salem Street. What more can be said? It’s always sad when we lose an iconic architectural landmark such as this building. If you attended M.H.S., One Salem, Joe & Nemo’s, Bakers, the Converse Memorial Library, First Baptist, the Davenport Estates, Brigham’s, Jack Haney’s Café and “Butchie” directing traffic at the crossroads of Salem, Ferry, & Main are imbedded in your Maldonia memory bank. Time marches on, though. It is almost certain that if the building could have been saved it would have through the indomitable spirit of unsung Maldonia hero Barbara Tolstrup. Barb fought the Malden preservation good fight for 50-plus years, making sure we didn’t bulldoze our past into the dusty history bins (hope you are well, Barb, we’re all thinking of you). With that said, let’s now all put our collective good vibes together and try to save 15 Ferry Street from destruction. The absolute best thing for the future of Malden has 15 Ferry Street still standing, somewhere. With that said I look forward to what lies ahead with whispers of a developer having interest. These are the best of times in Malden if we keep an eye on our past as well as our future.
• Good golly, Miss Molly! How ’bout the Willow Tree in the middle of the pond at the Forestdale Cemetery all lit up and looking like a picture postcard from the back country in the wilds of Vermont! Way to go, Chris Rosa!
• Great to see Malden Compliance Officer (and former Malden Constable on Patrol) Dave Morse out and about and doing his Malden compliance thang! Best of luck and best of health, my friend!
• Ya never know which Maldonian yer gonna run into at the Big Y in Peabody…Valerie Carmody, step right up. My newest Facebook friend joins the roster of Big Y alum along with Danny Rao, Joey Peluso, Doc Doherty, Eddie Wilcox, Pam DeGroot, Arthur Carbone, Lisa Spadafora Solis and Steve Craven as Maldonians I’ve run into in the boffo vegetable section at the Y!
• The dark days of winter make me yearn. Yes, they have a way of tugging at the inner sanctum of the heart and making one wish for one last night of laughter – at me, at you, at Pete Robby, at anybody that happens to line up in your field of vision. Richie Cremone, you were one of a kind. I know that may sound cliche but damn it, if you knew Richie, you know of what the heck I speak of. And most of all, I miss your chicken soup. I really do. Said with love and reverence, of course. Love and miss ya, dude.
• Jimmy Cahill, Sandy Koufax, Tommy “Fudd” Proctor and former President George W. Bush walk into a bar…well, they didn’t walk into a bar, but they did meet up at a golf course in Kennebunkport, Maine, and touched each other’s heart and soul for a moment in time. Well, Stinger and Fudd’s heart and soul at least. Don’t believe me? I’ll publish the picture in the very near future.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – howdy! I’m The Old Ranger, Peter F. Levine, and Malden is my old stampin’ ground. Manys the tale of adventure I’m going to tell you about my hometown of Maldonia – true stories, mind you. I can vouch for that! Here’s one you may like… speaking of Boys’ Life: In the unassuming confines of a Malden garage on Presley Street back in the late ’70s, the raw energy of punk rock was born. At just 17 years old, John Surette stood at the helm of Boys’ Life, a band that would soon leave an indelible mark on the local punk/pop scene. With their iconic debut at the WBCN Rock and Roll Rumble, John boldly declared, “We are Boys’ Life, and we are here to make you feel old!” A mantra that would embody their youthful defiance and electrifying presence.

From the dingy, beer-soaked floors of The Rat and Cantones to headlining packed shows like their memorable record release party at The Channel, Boys’ Life ignited stages and drew in crowds hungry for their fresh new sound. Even getting to share the spotlight with legendary acts like The Jam, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Joan Jett – carving out their place among punk rock royalty through relentless hard work and wicked good songs!

But Boys’ Life wasn’t confined to Boston’s borders. They also took their rebellious anthems to the streets of New York City, becoming regulars at iconic venues like CBGB’s and The Ritz. Their relentless touring spirit (spearheaded by John’s big brother Dave) carried them to every gritty rock club from Portland, Maine, to Miami, Florida.

Their discography, though modest in size, was monumental in impact. Two singles, a six-song EP, and contributions to two Modern Method compilations – featuring their standout track “From A to Z,” which claimed the title of WBCN’s top local song of the year.

With their youthful audacity, relentless energy and trail of unforgettable performances, Boys’ Life etched themselves into Boston punk rock history, proving that a band from a garage in Malden could shake the foundations of the scene from the Marshall Gym to The Rat to Spit to Chet’s Last Call to Jumpin’ Jack Flash and all stops in between.

Postscript: Kathy Hannan, Traffic Supervisor Coordinator (and much more) for the MPD, this is your life…well, not exactly your life but a Maldonia Musings shout out to let you know Maldonia salutes and appreciates you. Kathy has been a bedrock institution in Maldonia for many years now and like several dedicated employees before her, such as Karen Anderson, Betty Christie, Kevin Morrison, Greg Lucey, Dom Fermano and the recently retired Deb Burke, are what make city government work so darn efficiently and in particular what makes Mayor Gary look so good (insert smiley face). Her contributions over the years may fly under the radar, but those who know her and her involvement understand how valuable she has been to Malden’s success. Kathy also has a heart of gold and a sense of humor to match as witnessed last week when her well-aimed barb was a direct hit as I sat and nursed a Ballantine Ale and drowned my sorrows to one of George Jones’ best tearjerkers (inside joke). Thank you, Kathy, for making my night and thank you for all you do. Dave (Angelo) will understand that I gave you the spotlight this week – another inside joke.

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