Even back then it was a long-time landmark. Coming over the crest of the Atlantic Beach bridge, one was struck with the large red neon sign dominating the view above the ocean’s horizon, proclaiming simply, “LOU’S”. For any number of years before that summer of ’64, Lou’s earned an eminent reputation as an “in” place for the stylish, recognized as a haven for upperclassmen and a post-college sophisticated crowd.

Inwood’s Lou Calabria and his brothers Joe, Tony and John were the proprietors but had entrusted band hiring to astute entrepreneur Hank Engelbart of Far Rockaway (later to become a Cedarhurst merchant of some note with a surf and ski shop on Central Avenue).

Composed of the same players who had so honed their musical skills at The Blossom the summer before (Mongo, Bruce, Gary, Jeff and Aaron) The Bravados’ audition set consisted of Nathaniel Mayer’s “The Village of Love”, Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”, Dion’s “Drip Drop” and the Isley Brothers’ “Shout”. With a terrific vocalist and a tight band, the presentation was rousing. Hank had never heard anything quite like it before-the Ithaca/soul/fraternity party sound was just different. Startling too, he hired the group on the spot for the whole summer. Then the thrill began.

The booking was to be for every Friday and Saturday with Friday the big night. For the first few Fridays, things were busy, but not overly so. Besides their theme song, King Curtis’ “Soul Twist”, then recent additions to the repertoire included Roy Orbison’s “Down The Line”, Jerry Lee Lewis’ “I’m On Fire”, Bobby Freeman’s “C’mon and Swim”, Mel Torme’s “Comin Home Baby”, The Beatles’ “Slow Down” and “You Can’t Do That” and The Stones’ “Tell Me”-all danceable and dynamic- but the word needed to get around. Meanwhile, Lou was charging $3.00 per head for guys, entitling the patron to two drinks – a fairly stiff admission fee for those days, equal to more than $32 in 2025 currency. (Entrance to the 1964 World’s Fair was only $2.00.) Gals were free because the presence of the women drew the men.

When word spread that there was a great band, dance contests (someone from Hewlett named Charlie Crane won every week) and sharp girls in profusion, Lou’s became an instant mecca. At the height of that summer, one Friday night Lou’s scored over 800 enthused patrons. This was a remarkable turnout, incomparable for the time, duplicated nowhere else and extraordinary for a place of that size. The party spirit was palpable; the music and the crowds created a genuine and singular synergy of excitement, remembered by the Bravados of that summer as the most enjoyment they ever experienced playing music.

Some Bravados during the Lou’s 1964 summer:

This success generated bookings for The Bravados to play dances in the expansive ballroom at the widely known El Patio Beach Club in Atlantic Beach – inspiration for the beach club in the movie “The Flamingo Kid” – (since the 1970’s renamed the Sands at Atlantic Beach) and to be the back-up band for visiting stars such as The Tymes (on July 13, 1964) and The Duprees. They played a like job that same summer at Lido Beach’s leading venue, the Malibu Beach Club, there backing The Shirelles.

(The sacred building that housed Lou’s still remains, but it has long since been converted into the Atlantic Beach Village Hall, site of a band reunion twenty years later.)

Summer 1984, Reunion at Lou’s. Left to right: Bruce Bergman, Gary Gross, Jeff Reckseit, Mongo Booth, and Aaron Prestup.

Summer 1984, Reunion at Lou’s. Top left to right: Bruce Bergman, Jeff Reckseit, and Aaron Prestup. Bottom left to right: Gary Gross, Mongo Booth.