Skipper Dean (left) and The Avalons photo: Courtesy Skipper Dean

Of the famed Esquire, at the corner of Stanley and Ste-Catherine, CBC radio host Katie Malloch once noted, "[They] used to bring in major acts every week. I remember seeing Stan Getz, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard - there was never a dry spell!"

During the 1950s, '60s and '70s, the Esquire also booked Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ike and Tina Turner, Otis Redding, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Wilson Pickett, B.B. King, Chubby Checker, Joe Tex, Percy Sledge, Jackie Wilson, George Benson - the list goes on and on.

And opening for many of them was The Avalons, with veteran Montreal soul stars Skipper Dean and Jimmy Dooley.

"The Esquire was most unusual because the bar went around the stage and you'd come out [on stage] and see the waiters serving drinks at the bar below," the Nova Scotia-born Dean, now 63, remembers. "The first time I went there I saw Patti Labelle and the BlueBelles."

Dean would tour with the reunited Platters, work with The Temptations, then tour Australia with Canadian soul belter Jackie Richardson (also mother of Montreal soul singer Kim Richardson).

And beginning June 18, and running at the Esquire all summer long, Dean will sing alongside a veritable who's who of Montreal soul music - including his old Avalons colleague Jimmy Dooley and soul singer Sylvie Desgroseilliers - in the 54-song musical tribute Esquire Show Bar - La Revue at the Corona Theatre.

Does Dean miss the Esquire?

"I miss that type of room," says Dean, who will also release his first solo album this summer. "It fit about 200 to 300 people. You could just go in and relax. Soul is all about having fun and touching people's emotions. I don't really see that anymore. The Esquire really was one of Montreal's wonderful nightclubs of the era."

Esquire Show Bar - La Revue
At the Corona Theatre (2490 Notre-Dame W.), Friday and Saturday nights, June 18 to Aug. 30

 
 

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many exciting nights!!!     REG & NORMA GALE VISITED THE ESQUIRE SHOWBAR MANY TIME BETWEEN 1965-70. REG WORKED AT CFCF RADIO AT THE TIME. GOT TO MEET THE ONE & ONLY JOE TEX & REMAINED FRIENDS WITH HIM UNTIL HIS UNTIMELY PASSING IN 1982. ALSO SAW SAM&DAVE ...JR. WALKER.. KING CURTIS,,,ETTA JAMES. 'SKEETS' A WONDERFUL MAN WOULD GREET US & SEAT US. GREAT MEMORIES OF THIS CLUB...SINCERELY NORMA & REG GALE...MT. FOREST ,ONT.
REG & NORMA GALE		August 14th, 2009
The Esquire was "Home"     Going to the Esquire each week was like going home, Tony met you at the door and always got you the best possible seat. I was one one of the many young Airman who were stationed in up-state NY(Plattsburgh) and we all enjoyed the "Squire" Sure miss those days, the super people of Montreal and the "Squire".
Jim Ford		August 3rd, 2009
ESQUIRE SHOW BAR LA REVUE     Saw the show last evening (Thurs. Jn.19th) and we loved every minute. What a delightful walk down memory lane with a great cast of energetic and talented musicians, dancers and singers. Very special to see Father and Son perform together. Anyone who spent their youth in Montreal and remembers the Esquire Show Bar in its Hay Day must see this performance. Just had to write my bit on this show as I fear people are not aware that it is playing -- not gotten much publicity in the english press at any rate. A huge "Well Done!" goes to Michael Dozier and his group as well as my thanks for a most entertaining evening of song, dance, music and history.
Faye Stevenson		June 20th, 2008
such good good memories.....     seing the photo of the avalones, bring back so many memories, Bernie top of photo was a good friend of mine just like jackie richardson, jimmy dooly, I even babysat little Kim Richardson way way back when, the sweet inspirations with Sissy Houston (mother of Withney, came to my home cause my musician boyfriend then Jeff Brown were related and the famous Esquire show bar, such good good music then, all the famous groups use to performed at that club, I am really ancious to see the show this time because also Michael Dozier son of Jimmy Dooly I knew him as a kid and already his room was completely music, guitars, music sheet name it, I SINCERELY WISH ALL OF YOU SUCCESS IN THIS REVUE, AND I SINCERELY HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU ALSO, I have not seen any of you in ages, and I will be very happy to see you all.
claudette manseau		June 19th, 2008
Those were the days     Bring it on another place was the St Michel and Merv's
Darnley Holder		June 12th, 2008

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