Although I came to New York City in the early 50's to perform as an actor, and played opposite Grace Kelly in NBC's "Circle Armstrong Cheater's Lover's Leap," I often hung out at Walgreen's Soda Fountain with other starving actors. We sipped a root beer soda or chocolate milk shake for hours while trading woeful tales about failed auditions.
We also learned how to survive in the Big Apple. For example, I found out that my friend, Milt Kamen, a standup comic and French Horn musician was eating well everyday. For free. He told me to wear and suit and tie and meet him in front of the Astor Hotel, on 42nd Street and Broadway, the next day at noon. I was there and Milt led me inside, we took the elevator to the ballroom floor and got off to join people in line at this huge buffet table. It was laden with shrimp cocktail, slices of filet mignon and trays of delicious meatballs. We both pigged out.
Apparently, all the major hotels in midtown Manhattan had corporate meetings with buffet luncheons. Anybody could join their chow lines at noon and eat your heart out. I mean that in both senses of the word! You just had to be dressed properly and if challenged, mention that you were a friend of the company CEO.
So, Milt and I generally had lunch together at a different hotel every day of the week. It was a wonderful way to feel well fed, especially if you requested a "doggy bag" from one of the waiters. Then you had dinner at home. That's what survival in New York City is all about. At first I had a guilty feeling about living off the fat of the land. But it was only food and I was always hungry. Also, the way most corporations scam the public I was allow the company to help me survive.
One night, at open mike at Birdland, where jazz pianist Art Tatum was appearing, I did my standup comedy act with "the history of the snare drum and its effect on civilization." It went over well and a muscular chap in his twenties with a scowling face congratulated me. Bob Yeager was a drummer from Youngstown, OH and had just gotten off the bus that day. Did I have a room he could rent for a few weeks?
I had an extra room in my apartment and now I had a roommate. Bob and I got along very well and he was delighted to join Milt Kamen and I for a daily luncheon at one of the hotels. He was waiting to join the musicians' union and they required a six month period of residence before a membership was allowed. Bob did some non-union drumming, ate well at noon and followed me around as I auditioned at various clubs with my act.
After six months, Bob Yeager had his union card and decided he was going west to Los Angeles and work at the Hollywood Drum Shop. After six years he owned the shop and catered to all the top-notch drummers of that era, namely Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Louie Bellson and many others.
He expressed his appreciation for my helping him in New York be sending me a complete drum kit. A very nice gesture!
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