Other things only a Clevelander would know/appreciate (Elyria, East Cleveland: roofing, farmers market)

[lisa12230]

Originally Posted by shagster

Wrestling on Channel WUAB 43 and WKBF 61 in the 1970s.

One show was called 'Big Time Wrestling'. The other was called 'All-Star Wrestling'. The theme song of one of the shows was a few bars from the song 'Classical Gas' by Mason Williams.

One of the more memorable wrestlers seen on the Cleveland shows was Pampero Firpo, a native of Argentina. He looked like something out of the jungle with his long black hair and short dumpy stature. He used to make threats about who he'd beat up and grumble 'Ohhh yeahhhh'. And the crowd would echo back to him, "Ohhhh yeahhh'. He was famous for his trademark death grip with his hand over someone's face, known as the 'El Garfio' face claw, that would render the opponent unconscious.

Other wrestlers seen on the Cleveland TV shows included Johnny Powers, Eric the Red, Andre the Giant, and The Sheik.

The wrestlers would rant before the match on how great they were going to pulverize the opponent. One wrestler once said, 'When I get through with him, he'll be looking at Cleveland and smelling Toledo."

Here's a video of Firpo:


Pampero Firpo promo - YouTube

Hey I remember that...my dad use to take me to the Cleveland Arena where we would watch Bo Bo Brazil and Eric the Red...Classic times indeed!!!

[shagster]

Originally Posted by OhioNative

I remember when they tried Dick Feagler as the anchor of channel 3 news, and at first he had a hard time keeping a straight face during stories where you just knew he wanted to make some sarcastic remark!

Yeah.

He used to have a show called 'Feagler and Friends'. Although it seemed he didn't have too many friends with all those sarcastic remarks he popped off at his guests with the intent of irritating them.

[shagster]

For those interested in the West Park area, here's a site about things that have gone by.

History of the West Park Neighbo

The main website:

http://westparkhistory.com/

[shagster]

Here's a Cleveland area Beatles tribute band from the early 80s era known as Revolver. Three of the original members were from Norwalk and one was from Akron. The video mentions the Carousel in Ravenna which later moved to Akron and went out of business in 2009 according to the web.

The group later had legal problems and the non-original members continued under the name '1964 The Tribute'

I remember seeing a news clip of Revolver at the end of the WEWS 6 pm news around 1984 and appearances on various TV shows. Someone on the WEWS news clip said that Revolver looked like the Beatles if you are far away. Ted Henry made a comical remark something to the effect of 'far away is where I'd want to be from them.'


Revolver - Live on A.M. Cleveland - June 20, 1984 - YouTube

[shagster]

Here's a site called Cleveland Classic Media for all you nostalgia buffs out there.

Cleveland Classic Media

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by shagster

Here's a site called Cleveland Classic Media for all you nostalgia buffs out there.

Cleveland Classic Media

Great web site. We were just visiting Cleveland last week from Atlanta, and upon seeing Dick Goddard my daughter said, "who's he?? He's old!" We tried to explain his standing as a Cleveland institution to no avail - she was not impressed. LOL

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by OhioNative

upon seeing Dick Goddard my daughter said, "who's he?? He's old!" We tried to explain his standing as a Cleveland institution to no avail - she was not impressed. LOL

I thought he was old 30 years ago! I wanted to cram those wooly bears down his throat.

[shagster]

Big Chuck did a scene on his TV show where he went off looking in the studio for honest Dick Goddard to pick the winning contest ticket from the barrel. Dick was seen in another room picking the pocket of fellow weatherman Mark Koontz who was sleeping in the weather room. Mark wakes up and says, "Hey, my watch is gone. And so is my wallet!" Goddard then puts his arm over his shoulder and says, "Oh, this is terrible. Let's see if I can help you find what you lost, Mark."

Big Chuck and Little John then arrive at the weather room and say, "Oh, it's Dick Goddard, an honest guy to pick the winning ticket for us!" Goddard says, "Oh, um, Yeah. Um, you wouldn't want a dishonest person to pick the ticket."

(Remember, this was a comedy sketch. Dick Goddard really is an honest, nice, apple-pie person)

[shagster]

Cotton Club is a noted soda manufacturer of the Cleveland area. People in other states often ask about how to obtain these sodas, such as Cotton Club ginger ale, which are not easily available elsewhere.

Encyclopedia of Cleveland History:COTTON CLUB BOTTLING AND CANNING CO.

Locals may remember the popular 'Big Ginger' TV and radio ads in Cleveland during the 1970s. Some are on youtube.

The shapes of vintage soda bottles were quite fancy. Some have also said that the shape of Big Ginger wasn't too shabby either.

For all you bottle-heads out there:

History of Soda Bottling Cleveland, Ohio

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by shagster

Cotton Club is a noted soda manufacturer of the Cleveland area. People in other states often ask about how to obtain these sodas, such as Cotton Club ginger ale, which are not easily available elsewhere.

I used to love Cotton Club's Cherikee Red Pop!!!