Speaing of Speakeasys

Speakeasys in Kansas City MY FATHER AND MAURICE'S GRANDFATHER

23 Jul 2008 In the early 1930's Maurice Grant's grandfather,and my father, Howard Fordham and his popular Band worked in a Speakeasy in Kansas City owned by the Mob...It was a good gig, and yes you had to give a special knock at the entrance, a tiny opening would appear, with one of the mugs eyeing you and deciding whether he would let you in or not.

Business was always booming, as it was prohbition,Dad's band was a solit hit, and the booze flowed. Howard Fordham decided it would be a great idea to build a similar speakeasy about 150 miles south of Kansas City, in Wichita, Kansas... It's name was "The Rock Castle."

Just when it was completed, the Mob came down from Kansas City, and burned it to the ground.Of course Dad had no fire insurance, and lost everything... A very tough lesson about messing with the Mob.

They were very territorial, and even considered Wichita too close to KC, and thought Dad, being a popular Bandleader with his Band, would cut into their sales of "Hootch." True story... I witnessed this as a little girl age four years. And yes they could ALL dance the Hootchie Cootchie,Shimmey, and do the Charleston. Suezenne Fordham
http://suezennefordhamchamberjazz.blogspot.com