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!
TUNEDEX MEMORIES @ songsyoushouldhaveheard.com 
mike retz
May 12, 2007 at 2:42 am
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
jeffreybolton
October 12, 2007 at 7:57 pm
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
Rocco Schettini
October 23, 2007 at 12:06 am
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…..”
wawerka
October 29, 2007 at 7:29 pm
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)
wawerka claude
October 16, 2010 at 12:04 pm
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
Patti O'Brien-Geipel
November 4, 2007 at 5:31 pm
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
Lisa Wagner
August 11, 2009 at 10:34 pm
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.
Sharon Rychcik
October 18, 2016 at 6:22 pm
I also worked at Jamie’s on 7 mile. I though Jamie was a very good person and very nice. I enjoyed working there and I’m sorry for hearing of his passing away. Sharon
karen collins schaffer
December 3, 2007 at 12:07 am
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
Ake Roos
January 19, 2008 at 3:50 pm
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.
john Willemse
March 23, 2008 at 11:09 am
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
Sandi Bilokury
July 28, 2008 at 4:35 am
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
Rick Richards
August 25, 2008 at 4:32 pm
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)
Bill Menor
June 4, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Rick Richards, you introduced me to Don (Sheldon) Brown at the Detroit Main Library, one night I stayed at your home to go to a Scrabble tourney early the next morning. Please e-mail me at scrabil@yahoo.com (scrabilatyahoodotcom). Sincerely, Bill Menor, Detroit
robert westfall
December 19, 2008 at 8:41 pm
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
Len Brown
January 14, 2010 at 12:37 am
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
Brian Young
February 9, 2009 at 8:13 am
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.
Mark Flanary
February 14, 2009 at 9:12 pm
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,
Patti Obrien-Geipel
December 11, 2015 at 1:49 am
Hi Mark, Stop by the Jamie on 7 reunion page on fb. Would love to see you there! Just type Jamie’s on 7 in the search bar & join. Everyone is welcome!!! I loved Jamie & miss him so much!!! 💖💞💖
Thanks Patti
Dean Clouse
March 23, 2009 at 12:05 am
Jamie, You were a true artist. I will miss you but we still have your great music! Dean
John Sullivan
April 8, 2009 at 9:04 am
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!
teri williamson
June 19, 2009 at 1:49 pm
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.
madeline rebeschini hall
June 22, 2009 at 2:51 am
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.
Greg Smith
June 26, 2009 at 10:50 pm
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.
Lisa Wagner
August 11, 2009 at 10:10 pm
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
Ray Hogan
March 8, 2010 at 8:54 pm
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
Greg Smith
March 8, 2010 at 9:32 pm
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.
Ray Hogan
March 9, 2010 at 7:20 am
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.
Hal Neil
December 5, 2010 at 12:48 pm
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.
Kaye
August 22, 2011 at 12:10 pm
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
Todd Lovas
June 22, 2022 at 10:32 pm
Ray, This is Todd Lovas, talk about inner whisperings, I’ve been trying to find you for decades. Touch base with me, I’m easy to find !
Greg Smith
March 9, 2010 at 10:06 am
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
Ray Hogan
March 9, 2010 at 7:59 pm
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
marjorie smith
August 14, 2010 at 11:09 pm
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
marjorie smith
October 16, 2010 at 2:08 pm
i would love to hear from you ray
Ray Hogan
October 28, 2010 at 3:56 pm
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
Ray Hogan
October 28, 2010 at 5:23 pm
OK Marge, my email is: raka1246@hotmail.com
Write me direct.
Ray
Bob
December 9, 2011 at 5:44 pm
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
Kevin Bagwell
April 4, 2012 at 12:44 am
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)
mike
December 21, 2012 at 2:55 am
Jamie just came to mind tonite while i was listening to music on youtube…well ray, you dont remember me but now i remember you after all these years…i was good friends with bob wilson in high school, but i didnt know you then….1965 …and i used to go to westside six, jamies on 7, windjammers in livonia after he owned it and jamies in garden city too…I havent seen or heard of bob in years, whats he up to ?
mike chanter
December 21, 2012 at 3:10 am
P.S. – im adding this additional to the above. …I remember jamie very well after all those times in all the bars he owned, although i never really got to know him, he always said hello to me…he was very well known around the detroit area and is missed even to this day. …i even remember now that he played at the gay haven in dearborn.
funny too that after going to jamies on 7, we would always go to the rams horn there in livonia after bar closed, as I see kevin made a post…..ahhh, the good times around the detroit area !
Patti Obrien-Geipel
February 17, 2014 at 1:31 am
I was a bartender for Jamie, at Jamies on 7 downstairs. I still think of him so often. I must say he was the best boss ever!! I always considered him a very close friend. He watched over me just like I was his own daughter!! He cared so much for everyone and touched many lives. No other like him!!! I love & miss you Jamie very much!!! Please watch over my Rick up there sweetie!! Thanks, Patti bamboobeachpatti@aol.com
Country Paul
June 1, 2014 at 8:46 pm
No mention yet of what I thought was his biggest hit, “How Low Is Low,” which should have been a big breakout for him; what an excellent record! Sorry to hear of his passing, and that I’m this late with my condolences. 71 isn’t all that old these days!
James Robert Antrobius
July 16, 2021 at 4:11 pm
the old muzzy will miss u ,great time at crazy rose on middlebelt