Brad Bohlman offers this remembrance of Pete:
"Pete's the only person I know who can claim to be Class of 65, 66, and 67 (when he did graduate). I remember Pete from my sophomore year at MHS. He was a free spirit and had the reputation of being a tough guy, but we both sang bass in Mr. Minkler's chorus and we got along well. I recall on the chorus' field trip to Chicago in the spring of '67 some students at a high school we were giving a concert at said something like "look at those guys wearing dresses" (we were in our choir robes) when we walked past them in the hall. Pete came very close to taking a swing at one of them, but calmer heads prevailed and we survived to sing another day.
Happy holidays to everyone!"
Steve Stark has this memory and a question:
"On the Chicago choir trip Pete and Mr. Minkler's son, Mark, stationed in a very high hotel room -- threw furniture out of their windows into the courtyard below. As I also recall the trip-that Chicago audience would probably have gotten the better of the choir from Minnesota had Pete followed through with his fists.
Was Pete one of the Ex-Boys?"
Brad Bohlman responds:
"You're right, Steve. We're lucky Pete didn't take the swing as us suburban kids from Minnesota were no match for the kids at the high school in Chicago. I have to admit that it was a bit scary being there at first, but I recall that in the end we got an rousing ovation. Also on that trip, I returned to the hotel almost an hour after curfew one night because the group I was with (Carol Springer, Bonnie Board, and another cheerleader whose name escapes me) took the wrong el train back from Rush Street. As the doors of the elevator opened on my floor, Mr. Minkler was sitting there glaring at me. I knew I was in trouble. As I stepped into the hall, all three of the girls said "Good night, Brad" simultaneously as the elevator doors closed. A smile crossed Mr. Minkler's face and he said "we'll talk in the morning". Thankfully, we never had that conversation.
I believe Pete was an Ex-Boy. Wow, been a long time since those days."
Jeff McIntyre has this recollection:
"I thought he graduated in 1968....I seem to remember a standing ovation when he walked across the stage....."
Here is the recording of Pete singing Beer Bust Blues, a 45 that he recorded as the Scotsmen in 1966 or 67:
Brad Bohlman responds:
"You're right, Steve. We're lucky Pete didn't take the swing as us suburban kids from Minnesota were no match for the kids at the high school in Chicago. I have to admit that it was a bit scary being there at first, but I recall that in the end we got an rousing ovation. Also on that trip, I returned to the hotel almost an hour after curfew one night because the group I was with (Carol Springer, Bonnie Board, and another cheerleader whose name escapes me) took the wrong el train back from Rush Street. As the doors of the elevator opened on my floor, Mr. Minkler was sitting there glaring at me. I knew I was in trouble. As I stepped into the hall, all three of the girls said "Good night, Brad" simultaneously as the elevator doors closed. A smile crossed Mr. Minkler's face and he said "we'll talk in the morning". Thankfully, we never had that conversation.
I believe Pete was an Ex-Boy. Wow, been a long time since those days."
Jeff McIntyre has this recollection:
"I thought he graduated in 1968....I seem to remember a standing ovation when he walked across the stage....."
Here is the recording of Pete singing Beer Bust Blues, a 45 that he recorded as the Scotsmen in 1966 or 67:
This track actually got included on a 1986 compilation of 1960's garage bands under the title of "Garage Punk Unknowns, Volume 6". Here's the link: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/garage_punk_unknowns_vol__6_of_8/ . Somehow, I doubt that Pete ever saw any royalties from that record.
