October 1982, Florida Bravados at the Hollywood Greyhound Track, Claude Gaudette, electric piano; Michael Hyman, guitar; Joe Fraticelli and Marty K., sax; Zach Corner, bass; Charlotte Mucci, lead vocals; Doc Gerard, drums.

Around 1975, Mike Hyman followed Doc Gerard, who was doing his internship and residency at the University of Miami, and moved to South Florida where he formed a version of The Bravados there as an oldies band. Mongo Booth flew down for each group of jobs and when they became quite busy, actually moved to Florida for about a year.  Vocals meanwhile were augmented by Charlotte Solomon who channeled Connie Francis and Brenda Lee with remarkable accuracy.  Horns were often added to the group depending upon the size of the appearance.

In 1976 they played at Senator Scoop Jackson’s post-primary party in Miami, followed by a two-year stint at the Howard Johnsons in North Miami.  (Reflections perhaps of the Magictones at the Holiday Inn from “The Blues Brothers”?)  In 1979 they were featured at Larry Csonka’s Stagger Lee’s in Pompano, in 1980 at the Newport Hotel, at Sundays in Pompano appearing with the Belmonts, and in 1982 their biggest gig, before 15,000 attendees at the Hollywood Greyhound Track.  In 1985 they even spent a week as the inaugural act at a club in the Cayman Islands.

Mike as the final keeper of the Bravados flame kept this going until the mid-nineties, by which time even this good thing finally came to an end.

From left to right: At Stagger Lee’s circa 1978 (From left to right: Mongo Booth, Marty Kaye, Vince, Bob Henderson, Doc Gerard, Charlotte Hyman, Mike Hyman and Jeff Hyman); a Florida Bravados poster; Mongo Booth at The Rum Keg, Howard Johnsons circa 1977

But the math of the band’s duration is startling. For a full thirty-five years, the Bravados continued to play good ol’ rock and roll music for crowds big and small at literally hundreds of venues. This may just be remarkable.

Story of The Bravados written by Bruce Bergman