Saxophones, Flute, Keyboards Lead Vocals
Member since 1995
The details of Paul's checkered musical career prior to joining the Dittilies are, by and large, too sordid to go into here... suffice it to say that he did various theatrical gigs (both pit and onstage) for some years, and shortly before hitching his wagon to Mr. King's star, he put in a long stint at that Sodom and Gomorrah of Inkster, the Mustang Lounge, performing with Wally Jackson and the Sundown Band (aka The Wild Ones -- yes, that was Paul). Earlier, he put in a year with Jeff and the Atlantics and (more or less) lived to tell, and as a member of the Kid Gloves band, backed up The Contours and Robert Penn, among others (drummer Jim F.'s not the only one able and willing to drop names).
Paul is grateful for the opportunities the Dittilies give him to offer up his diverse musical skills, cobbled together over the years in a desperate attempt to keep working, as well as other elements of his shadowy background (and the chance to work with a swell bunch of guys). Career highlights include performing a solo (alto sax) rendition of the National Anthem at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and (with SKD) playing at Detroit's historic Fox Theater.
Mr. Johannes has a B.A. in English, but strives to not be a smarty-pants and correct others' usage (except for fellow Dits, of course). In his rare spare time, he enjoys reading materials both high and low (including the collecting of comic books), space age pop music (much of it on orphaned vinyl), and hanging out and travelling with his one-in-a-million wife, the incomparable Dagmar.
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