To his family, he was always George Colovas. But to Michigan music lovers, he was Jamie Coe. Mr. Colovas, 71, of Plymouth Michigan, died from a heart attack while driving home from his Garden City nightclub, Jamie’s. According to his brother, Tony Colovas, of Parma, Ohio, George Colovas loved to sing and perform. Born and raised in Highland Park, he was also an outstanding basketball player who played at Wayne State University for two years. Mr. Colovas sang with a few bands in the Detroit area, catching the eye of Bobby Darin in the late 1950s. Darin signed Mr. Colovas to his record label and renamed him Jamie Coe and provided him with a band, the Gigolos. Mr. Colovas appeared a few times on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and enjoyed strong Regional success in the Great Lakes area. Jamie Coe & the Gigolos were fixtures on Detroit’s budding rock scene in the early 1960s. Performing at area teen clubs and nightspots, Coe and his band played their own regional hits like “The Fool” and “Black & Blue” as well as great cover versions of rock ’n’ roll standards. He released 45′s on many labels including Addison, ABC-Paramount, Big Top, Reprise, Cameo and Enterprise.
Listen for “I’ll Go On Loving You”, “I’m Getting Married”, “The Fool” and “I Was The One” on TUNEDEX MEMORIES!
May 12, 2007 @ 02:42:25
sorry to hear of mr. coes passing. i remember his hit the fool being played on wknr and cklw in detroit in the early 60s. this was a big hit in detroit, i dont know why but is unheard of outside this area. only sanford clarks version is known. to bad this would have been a n0,1 record nationwide had it been for more airplay. just a thought. he will be missed. mike retz
Oct 12, 2007 @ 19:57:26
Hi, I’m a record collector from England…Jamie Coe was known in the UK…I have his record, ‘The Fool’ in my collection….Jamie has now joined the other great Rock’N'Roll singers that have left us….Sadly far too many ..I miss them all…..Jeff Bolton,England
Oct 23, 2007 @ 00:06:08
God, what a shame. What would it have been like to grow up in the Detroit/Dearborn area without the sounds of “The Fool” playing on the radio. It was such a great time and Jamie Coe contributed great music and an innocence that all of us in that time period will never forget.
“Gather around me buddies…..”
Oct 29, 2007 @ 19:29:21
Oh, poor Jamie, we’ll never forget You, The Fool, especially,
Elvis sang too, not anybody. In Your Hungarian fan’s eyes tear-
drops… God with You… (Petz Nándor, Budapest, Hungary)
Oct 16, 2010 @ 12:04:30
Livind in France near Paris I am looking for hungarian relatives…
My father Lukasz Wawerka was born Budapest september 1908 and died in France in 1989.
His father was Wawerka Robert(killed at 14/18 war )and his mother Hangaî Ilona.
He emigrated to France in 1926. He had two brothers Karl and Ludwig who had to change their names to become “Sczabo” or Czabo??? after the ” Traité de Versailles) to remain hungarian rather than polish.
His mother got marriage again with a man named Tasnady.
They had a son…Erik?
During and after War 39/45 he did’nt receive news any more!
I am to day a retired Dentist and is 75.
Could you help me?
Sincerely
Claude, M. Wawerka
Nov 04, 2007 @ 17:31:52
I worked for Jamie for many years (bartender) Everybody Loved him and he will be missed by all the lifes that he has touched. I love and miss you Jamie.
All my love, Patti
Aug 11, 2009 @ 22:34:00
Hi , Patty
Yes , Jamie was the best Boss ever.. I had great times working for him. I will Miss Him Dearly… He will alway’s hold a special place in My Heart.
Dec 03, 2007 @ 00:07:30
I met Jamie in 1968. From that day forward he had a huge impact on my life. He was the kindest and wisest man I have ever known. Always avilable for his friends and sometimes even strangers. I was honored to hear him call me his “dear friend”. Jamie, I love you and miss you. Thank you for always being my dear friend.
With heart felt love,
Karen
Jan 19, 2008 @ 15:50:14
As a Swedish record collector, Jamie Coe´s “There´s Never Been A Night” has always been well-known to me. I know at least three cover versions of it. In Sweden it was recorded by The Father of Scandinavian Rock´n Roll Rock-Reggae, His Four Comets (EP “Romantic Rock”) in 1959. It was also recorded by Siw Malmqvist and by Bob Ellis. These three versions must mean that Jamie Coe and his song did make an impact.
Mar 23, 2008 @ 11:09:45
Jamie,
I am sad to have learned of your passing. I knew you well and your brothers; Bill, Tony and Danny as well from our school days at the Greenfield Schools.
so long my old friend
John
Jul 28, 2008 @ 04:35:07
Just learned of Jamie’s passing.
Jamie and I shared rides and worked together at Westside 6, Pompei’s in Dearborn and the Funny Farm. I first heard him sing at Dunrovan when I was only 17 years old.
Oh, George…my dear friend…you are definitely missed and my heart is saddened.
May you Rest in Peace my dear friend.
Sandi
Inkster, Michigan
Aug 25, 2008 @ 16:32:53
As a former Detroiter now living in Australia, I am saddened by news of Jamie’s passing last year. I just saw reference to it in the Soulful Detroit web site. I remember seeing Jamie sing The Fool in 1964 when I was a Detroit high schooler, and later in the ’90′s at his clubs in suburban Detroit. One night while exercising at the Plymouth Vic Tanny’s, I ran into Jamie there and we reminisced about the old days. Del Shannon had just passed away and we talked about how sad that was. Jamie – I have your CD and will always remember what great music you made.
Rick Richards, Sydney, Australia (via Detroit, Michigan)
Dec 19, 2008 @ 20:41:45
I have been trying for sometime to get the Jamie Coe cd “a Long Time Ago”. The email listed marilyn bond does not reply. Does anyone know where I can obtain this?
Bob Westfall
Jan 14, 2010 @ 00:37:04
Hi Bob,
Saw your posting which is almost 2 years old. I too have been trying to track down Jamie Coe’s cd. Unfortunately, Jamie’s manager who released the cd passed away awhile ago. Did you ever find a copy of the cd? I’d be interested in acquiring a copy of it.
If you located one, please let me know. Maybe we can work out a trade.
Best regards, Len Brown Dripping Springs Texas
Lenb7291@aol.com
Feb 09, 2009 @ 08:13:12
Robert,
Marilyn Bond passed away recently, which is why you are not receiving a reply in regards to a Jamie Coe CD. You can find it from time to time on eBay, or sometimes locally at Detroit Records Shows.
Feb 14, 2009 @ 21:12:36
We had a great time at all of Jamies Bars, the one on ford rd, back in the late 70′s and 80′s 7 mile rd, 2 floors of fun, then at the windjammer, in livonia
The one on ford my good friend Jake the snake Brown was a bouncer there, and big Jim , I know Patti the Bartender Hey Patti,
Just a great place to go and meet a lot of good people, all thu the years , and Jamies Band is Great.
I used to talk to Jamie on his breaks, he is missed,
Mar 23, 2009 @ 00:05:41
Jamie, You were a true artist. I will miss you but we still have your great music! Dean
Apr 08, 2009 @ 09:04:03
I just returned home to Michigan last week for a visit and his name came up. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I remember seeing Jamie at the Dairy Workers Union Hall in Highland Park, MI. He had just recently released “How Low Is Low”.
He was a great performer and will be greatly missed!
Jun 19, 2009 @ 13:49:57
I spent many a youthful night @ either Jamie’s on & or the Ford Rd. place. He was always sweet and kind and friendly. I ran into him a couple of years ago @ the Windjammer and he remembered me from over 20yrs. ago. Jamie, you will be sadly missed.
Jun 22, 2009 @ 02:51:00
Many of my friends and I would go the Gay Haven to dance. We loved Jamie and the Gigolos.
Such good times there. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Jun 26, 2009 @ 22:50:44
For anybody interested I am the now 45 year old son of Grant Smith who was the bass player for the Gigolos, Jamie Coe’s band. I still have the Association’s Greatest Hits album Coe (that’s what we called him) gave me for my 10th birthday.
I have put on my server a collection of MP3 files of their songs: http://gregnmary.gotdns.com/gigolos.zip . It’s a zip file of about 77 megabytes.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 22:10:39
I will always Love and Miss Jamie.
Jamie and his Family was a part of my life for many years. When I got the call Jamie pasted away all I could do was cry. There will Never be another Jamie. He had a Heart Of Gold . LOL Everytime I hear a Neal Diamond song I think of him and the old day’s . He will be Dearly Missed .
Thank You Jamie and Family for being a part of My Life.
Love Always , Lisa
Mar 08, 2010 @ 20:54:02
I was Jamie’s drummer from June 1970 thru June 1971, having replaced “Bo” Savich at the time. It was one of the most memorable musical experiences of my life. Artistic differences forced me out of the group the following year, but I rejoined Jamie in 1973, and stayed with him for five more years. Now just a trio, with Chris Dixon on organ, Jamie and myself, we played all the pop hits and had a lot of fun.
For about two years before his untimely passing, I was prompted many times through inner whisperings to call him and see him again. I never did. I shall always regret that I didn’t. That just goes to show you…when intuition calls, one should learn to recognize it and respond. GOOD BYE OLD FRIEND. I MISS YOU DEARLY.
Ray Hogan
Mar 08, 2010 @ 21:32:30
Hello Ray,
You may remember me as “polish boy” (I think that was you, long time ago). I am Grant Smith’s son, he being the bass player at the time. You came over at least once I can recall with my Dad and gave me a pair of old sticks. I had the old black and white poster of you guys with you in back and Bob the guitar player with his mittens and my Dad in his hat until it was lost in a fire several years ago. I was just about to go see Jamie when I learned of his passing. Funny after all these years to run into you online.
Mar 09, 2010 @ 07:20:12
Hi Greg, I’m sorry to say that I don’t remember you. How old were you in 1970?
In the Summer of 1971, when I was with Jamie and the Gigolos we were playing at a club in east Dearborn called “Pompei.” Grant met a woman named “Marge” there. They sort of fell in love and he and she moved in together. After a few months Grant and Marge and my wife Chris and I (we have since divorced) used to live next door to each other in a duplex in Westland, MI.
I went to high school with the guitar player, Bob Wilson, but we didn’t see each other after that until I joined the Gigolos in June of 1970.
Thanks for responding,
Ray Hogan
P.S. Do you remember Sue Haskin? She eventually married Jamie and was with him until his death. Her and I and my ex-wife Chris were good friends.
Dec 05, 2010 @ 12:48:36
Hey Ray;
Remember me you were my drummer also.. before Jamie.. I was certainly surprised to find you. Jamie and I remained friends until the end. What a loss. What are you doing now???. We sure had some good times. remember Jack & the misfits.. Wow getting old.. are any of the old gang still around??. Hal Neil aka Hal James.
Aug 22, 2011 @ 12:10:19
Hal, How nice to hear from you. In the past I have thought of you often. I hope you find this and respond.
My email address is: raka1246@hotmail.com.
Please contact me.
Ray Hogan
Mar 09, 2010 @ 10:06:19
Hi again Ray,
No problem. I’m sure quite a bit has happened in your life since then =]
I was 6 and 7 years old back then. My mother, stepfather and I lived in the sorta lime green house my stepfather bought from my dad off Joy between inkster and middlebelt in Livonia. I remember (vaguely) the duplex in Westland too.
I lived with He and Marge for a couple years in my teens. They were married until my Dad died a few years ago.
I remember Jamie well, but don’t recall Sue Haskin. He was very nice to me. I still have The Association’s Greatest Hits album he gave me for my birthday. He even wrapped it with a bow and everything.
Where did 40 years go my friend?
Anyway, nice to see you here and I hope all is well.
Greg Smith
Mar 09, 2010 @ 19:59:45
Dear Greg, I am so sorry to hear about your father. What did he die from? We became pretty good friends for those few years. I thought he was a magnificent bass player. Sometimes, I could hardly keep up with him on the drums, and I considered myself a pretty good drummer too!
The last information I had of your dad was that he went to work for Westinghouse down in Texas. Is that right?
Again, I am so sorry to hear of his death!
Ray
Aug 14, 2010 @ 23:09:02
hi ray,,, its been so long. grant died in dec. of 2000, he had lung cancer and went very fast. he was a good husband and dad to our kids, its been almost 10 years and i still miss him like crazy
marge smith
Oct 16, 2010 @ 14:08:15
i would love to hear from you ray
Oct 28, 2010 @ 15:56:39
Dear Sweet Marge,
How are you? So very sorry to hear about Grant. Please send me your email so we can communicate that way instead of this.
There’s so much I want to talk to you about.
Ray Hogan
Oct 28, 2010 @ 17:23:18
OK Marge, my email is: raka1246@hotmail.com
Write me direct.
Ray
Dec 09, 2011 @ 17:44:39
Used to see Jamie at the Westside 6 in the late 60′s. Always put on a good show. Did a wonderful Neil Diamond. He was a class act
Apr 04, 2012 @ 00:44:49
I am very sorry to hear of Jamie’s passing. I had moved away and didn’t here the news until well after. I was stunned. I used to manage he Ram’s Horn at * nmile & Middlebelt and frequented Jamies on 7 often. I had many a great laugh with Jamie,and hold very cherished memories. R.I.P. my friend. You are missed. Would love to see some of the old crew from there as well. Kevin (Bizee_B60@hotmail.com)