Stu Nunnery

Stu Nunnery only put out one self-titled album that contained the classic song "Isle of Debris". The album came out in 1973 and was on the Evolution record label. To my knowledge, it has not officially been released on CD. So, does anyone know what happened to Stu?

I recently heard from Stu (again) and he is alive and doing well. Below are a couple of pictures of him. More infomation will be coming.....

Jonathan Round

Jonathan put out one album on the Westbound record label with a cover version of The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil". This has to be the scariest version of this song ever - complete with thunder and Jonathan's crazy sounding laugh.

So, where is Jonathan Round today?

I just received this sad news this evening.......

Dear friends, family and fans of John's. I posted earlier that I am a co-worker of John (M's). I was informed tonight (February 2009) that he passed away earlier this evening. I have no further details at this time. I am currently in a bit of a state of shock. For all those curious he was living in the mountains in Colorado and working on a book that for privacy sake I will not discuss here. I believe the book will be published, he had arranged that before this happened. For all those who knew him and loved him I'm sure you will be taking this loss as hard as I am. I wanted to write on here so that he can be remembered for his works and his beautiful, artistic soul. I'll miss you dearly John.

To everyone interested in Jonathan Round: I just wanted to say I was in absolute awe that so many people were still talking about my brother's work and the "legacy" he has left behind. We (my entire family) are still trying to process John's passing last week. As one of you caring people had stated, he was living in the mountains in Colorado and working on what would be the culmination of his life's work - a book about improv, theater and performance. It is brilliant - and not surprising as my brother had a mind and a heart unlike anyone I've known. Once my family has moved through this particular moment, we'll be planning a celebration of some sort. I say celebration because he truly lived his life as he pleased - which is a rare and brave thing. We need to celebrate "true originals" like my big brother more often. Hopefully while they are still around. Ya dig? I will monitor this blog (thanks to you Ill Folks) and honor my family's wishes about whether or not to post an announcement. After reading this I agree with my other brother - we may not have the facility to hold the people that show up! Brooke, we appreciate your understanding toward the family's privacy. My husband came back from Colorado yesterday and said John's "other" family was a class act. Please pass my thanks on to the others for taking such good care of my brother. And, Becca? Call your aunt more often, eh? Annette

I write for a local newspaper here in colorado. I knew John fairly well and wrote his obit. I decided to share it with you all here: John Mariotto lived in Central City for a number of years and died suddenly February 16th. I first met John after I moved into the Granit Block on Lawrence Street ten years ago. I had my drums up there on the second floor in apartment number three or four (I don’t remember exactly), and did my best to annoy my neighbors at all hours. My first meeting with John came when I was walking up the street in front of the building and came in contact with his dog, Nikki. Nikki was a big dog, weighing in at a good 100 pounds and made it very clear I’d better be nice or else. John called from the open door and said, ‘Who is it?’ To which I responded, ‘My name is Rio. I live upstairs.’ “Come in, come in!” He said. Never in my life have I seen an apartment more cluttered than my own. Books piled sky high, newspapers and journals replacing what should have been carpet, and ashtrays overflowing with yesterday’s butts. I felt right at home. John himself was a large man, seated behind his desk and computer, and spoke with a voice larger than life. “I’ve heard some guy playing the drums upstairs.” He said. “Is that you?” “Yeah, that’s me.” John then invited me to listen to some stuff he recorded under the name, ‘Jonathan Round.’ This stuff was no joke, believe me. He was the vocalist on the album and had the vocal power to rival the works of none other than Blood, Sweat & Tears. What really hit me was John’s rendition of “sympathy for the devil”, a work so dark and eerie it made the Rolling Stones sound like the Osmond Brothers. “Jesus! You sound just like David Clayton-Thomas!” I proclaimed. “Ha! I get that a lot!” I bugged him for weeks after that to start a band, but he wanted nothing to do with it. “Naw, I’m done with all that.” He said. I couldn’t believe it. How could all that talent sit around all bottled up? Turned out John’s latest passion was writing a book on improvisational theater. Almost every time I came around he was working on it and invited me to read his latest chapters. I could tell it was good, but it was somewhat beyond my understanding. Not much of a theater guy, me. John then came by my place now and again, with a handful of CD’s he wanted to listen to. We would sit around for hours drinking beer and smoking cigarettes and listening to what was we thought the best undiscovered musicians we were aware of at the time. Aside from the theater, John loved music. He would sit in one of my chairs, eyes squeezed shut, and just listen to whatever we had playing on the CD. “Man,” he would utter. “That’s just plain magic, it’s magic!” Later on, John had a heart attack and went through a round of open heart surgery. The effect on his health was not lost on anybody. He lost weight and was soon confined to a scooter chair. I now regret not visiting him more than I did during that time. Like an idiot, I just assumed he’d be around forever. The very last time I saw him was during a spontaneous visit at Alan’s Second Hand Store in the same building. He was having trouble breathing and I asked him if there was anything I could do for him. His voice was scratchy and weak. He was disappearing right before our eyes. “Naw,” He said, “I’m fine.” John did not want to be thought of as a burden to anybody. After that, I heard from the grape vine that an emergency crew was spotted outside a small apartment in the Granit Block. They had taken a body away. I suspected the worst and I was correct. John was gone. His beloved Nikki died just a few weeks before him. Some friends in the neighborhood helped him find another dog, but John wasn’t very satisfied. There was no replacement for Nikki and never would be. Just before this printing, I was able to converse with John’s brother, Dave, via e-mail and telephone: “John grew up the oldest of 10 children in the 60's, in the heart of Motown, Detroit, MI. Life was good but tough, and the family soon moved to the suburbs and the city of Roseville, where John attended High School. John quickly became a crowd favorite in the drama department, acting and singing in many of the school plays. During this time he also learned to play guitar and his voice and acoustical guitar talents would carry him to his first record album, given the name most people in Detroit knew him by at that time: "Jonathan Round". After a disappointing attempt at a second album release, John turned to his second love, the theatre. In the late 70's, he moved to Chicago where he studied for several years under the legendary teacher and director Del Close. Upon returning to Detroit, John formed "The Detroit Times Theatre Company", producing many shows with his group at local venues. John then began what would become his life's work, an extensive book on Improvisational Theatre ("Improv") technique. (not yet released). Like many artists, actors, and musicians, John headed for California in the early 90's, and on the way stopped in Boulder Colorado, where he fell in love with the mountains and the people and decided to stay. John moved up the canyon to Nederland, then Rollinsville, and on to Central City, which he finally called home. John worked at several casinos and hotels in the Central City/Blackhawk area while he polished his book for release, and you could find him around town with his most trusted companion, his dog Nicki. John loved sharing stories of his adventures in music, theatre, art, and literature, and was always happy to have a lively conversation filled with political satire. John is survived by his mother (who herself is an accomplished singer for over 30 years), nine brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends who will miss him dearly. John followed his own path, lived life to the fullest, did it his own way, and never compromised - a rare and beautiful person that is hard to find in today's world.”

Chuck Francour

Chuck only released one album - Under the Boulevard Lights - on EMI Records. The title track is a Klassic. There was also a 12 inch single which contained the title track. So, whatever happened to Chuck Francour?

Steve Baron

Steve Baron put out three albums. His album "A Wanderer Like You", contained the classic song "The Magic Magician". The story I heard from a DJ at the time this album was released was that it represented Steve's last shot at making it in the music business. Steve said "If this one doesn't make it, I'm going to do something else." Evidently that is what happened since I never saw another album by him.

I recently heard from Steve's bass player - Jef Lowell. He informed me that Steve passed away in March 2002.

Several months prior to Steve's death, he sent an e-mail containing information about what he is currently doing:
I produced several projects, went back to school and have become an RN with some creative projects on the side. I think I am a different person and the same. I just got back from NY. Mostly the beach.

Batdorf and Rodney

John Batdorf and Mark Rodney released three albums in the early to mid-seventies. The albums were titled: Off the Shelf, Batdorf and Rodney, and Life Is You. Each of their albums contained one or two songs that received airplay on FM radio stations.

So, what happened to Batdorf and Rodney?

For the latest information on Batdorf and Rodney, visit their website at Batdorf and Rodney. We finally heard from John Batdorf. Check out the site for the latest information.

Cheryl Dilcher

Cheryl put out several albums on A&M Records in the early to mid-seventies. Her albums are rare and collectable today and have not been re-released on CD. Several years ago I heard from a DJ that she was living in Southern California and considering releasing some new music, but I never heard anymore about it. So where is she today?

Update on Cheryl Dilcher - Monday, April 16, 2007

Yes, I have heard the rumors that Cheryl passed away. I do not know if this is true or not. A couple of fans have sent me e-mails about a posting on a music related website. So far, I have only seen it posted on one site. I am still attempting to verify if this information is accurate.

Sadly, the news of Chery;'s passing has been confirmed. I received word from several fans of Cheryl's that she passed away in 2005.

Michael Fennelly

Michael was a member of the group Crabby Appleton that put out a couple of classic albums in the early seventies. Their self-titled album from 1970 featured the classic song "Go Back".

A couple of years later, Michael put out two solo albums. The 1974 album Lane Changer featured the classic song "Touch My Soul." Neither of Michael's solo albums have been released on CD even though they were originally on Epic Records.

I recently received an e-mail from Michael. He reported that he is living in the Pacific Northwest and that he retired from the record and music business several years ago.

Mike Quatro

Mike put out several albums in the seventies which featured several underground FM radio songs. However, to this day, none of these albums have ever appeared on CD. Another interesting fact - his sister was Suzy Quatro who also released several albums and had a big hit in the late 70's with the song "Stumblin' In". She also played Leather Tuscadero on the TV show Happy Days. So where is her brother Mike?

A product of the same musical Detroit family that spawned rocker Suzi Quatro and the all-girl garage band the Pleasure Seekers, Mike Quatro also enjoyed a lengthy career on the Motor City club circuit, issuing a series of solo records during the 1970s. The son of jazz band leader Art Quatro, he began playing piano at a young age, and as a teen earned a spot performing on {#The Lawrence Welk Show} during the late 1950s. By the end of the following decade, however, Quatro had largely turned away from performing to become a promoter, booking live dates throughout Michigan; his shows were notable for their pioneering use of closed-circuit video technology, anticipating the increasing reliance on video over the years to follow. By the early 1970s he returned to performing, soon signing to the Evolution label and issuing his solo debut Paintings in 1972; Look Deeply in the Mirror followed a year later, and in 1975 Quatro moved to United Artists to release In Collaboration with the Gods. Despite a fervent local following, he failed to reach a national audience, and subsequent efforts like 1976's Dancers, Romancers, Dreamers and Schemers, 1977's Live and Kickin' and 1979's Getting Ready made little impact on the charts. Out of the public eye for well over a decade, during the 1990s Quatro formed his own music and video production venture, Quatrophonics; in 1995, he also issued Vision, his first solo LP in 16 years. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Jake Jones

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