Page 14 - The Wayne Dispatch

Music man’s life reaches coda

By Carolyn Marnon During these heyday years They remember him as “fair, hum-
It’s hard to miss the huge guitar ble, quiet, even-tempered and rarely,
on the sign outside the humble he took to playing lap if ever, swore. He would tell them
house on Wayne Rd that was home “swearing is a sign of ignorance.”
to Victor Music Studio. This is the steel guitar with local Al was extremely proud of his
story of the man behind the music son’s accomplishments and talents.
whose life sonata finally reached its bands. He played with The He was also proud of how well his
coda. daughter has handled all of life's ad-
Alphonse Victor Tupakavich was Ramblin Boys and with versities. He was proud of both his
born March 27, 1929 to John and children, each in their own way.
Anna Tupakavich, both of whom the Melody Drifters. His daughter says she will miss
were of Lithuanian descent. He grew He idolized the one and sharing what her dad would call her
up in Detroit attending All Saints "stories." “I could go just about any-
Parochial Grade School, Beard Ele- only famous steel guitar where and come back with a ‘story,’
mentary, Wilson Middle School and she said. “He was ready to be all
Cass Technical High School. player Jerry Byrd. ears. Like he had a choice - Hah!
It was during his schooling that One of the greatest compliments my
Al's amazing artistic abilities began. Alphonse Victor Tupakavich Dad ever gave me is when he would
His children, a daughter and son, Al was diagnosed around this customer was willing to wait, he even come to me for guidance and stated
can attest to this from the school pa- time with Optic Nerve Atrophy thus offered to apply tattoos-removable that I helped him to be a better man.
pers they found with the actual writ- deeming him legally blind. This diag- ones of course! Nearing his last days, he communi-
ten lesson on one side and Al’s nosis did not prevent him from con- As big box stores and the internet cated to me how thankful he was for
depictions of various war and army tinuing to pursue his passions of art began making it harder for the "little all we had done for him. Brought me
battles on the other side. and music. Prior to his diagnosis, he guy/small businesses" - Al Victor to tears. I told him it was the other
Al's interest in playing guitar had been driving a couple classic trudged on doing what he did best - way around.”
began in his teenage years when a cars which he was proud to have providing one-on-one service by Memories abound in his family.
friend of the family would visit and owned. “When cars had whitewall being, according to his daughter, “his His soft spot for his 30-pound grand-
bring along his $1,200 classic guitar. tires” he would say and "they don't sweet, knowledgeable self” chatting cat. The yearly appearance of
Al’s mom couldn’t give him such an make 'em like they used to". it up with whomever entered the “Spidey.” Playing Hot and Cold.
expensive guitar. One Christmas Al’s musical journey continued in doors of the music shop. He did so Carving pumpkins. Watching the pa-
when he was 16 years old, his mom the mid-1950s. During these heyday for an impressive fifty-four years up rade. Frequenting places like The
surprised him with a six string fret years he took to playing lap steel gui- until 2018 when, at the age of 89, his Town Peddler, Karma Coffee, IKEA,
hole Kay, his first guitar. Although he tar with local bands. He played with health began to decline. and Aunt Rosie’s. Playing checkers
was appreciative, his true desire and The Ramblin Boys and with the When you drive by the old store, and being beaten by Al almost every
interest was to play what he knew as Melody Drifters. He idolized the one you will notice the landmark yellow time despite his sight-impairment.
"Hawaiian" guitar – also known as a and only famous steel guitar player guitar out front that Al designed and Listening to the MOJO in the Morn-
lap steel. With his mom’s permission, Jerry Byrd. built with some help through the ing phone scams. Trying to get lucky
he was able to trade in the Kay so Al found work at Rigley’s where years from two of his brothers-in- with scratch-off lottery tickets. The
that he could get his first steel. He al- he made various signs and Palmer law. He also designed the artwork life-sized paper-mache witch he
ways felt a little bad about having Paint Company which is famously on the sign situated above the guitar. made for the elementary school one
done so. known for paint by numbers art kits. Lest you think Al’s life was con- Halloween. “Witch Hazel,” the last
The music bug was planted. In It was around late 1959-1960 that Al sumed only by music, Al did have a piece of art Al created during this
time, Al became a talented self- got a job at Foxhole Records in Gar- personal family life that began in the last year while he was quarantined to
taught player of both guitar and the den City. He began giving guitar les- mid to late 1960s when he met his his assisted living apartment AND he
steel. Through the late 1940s Al and sons. In 1964, Al moved back to the wife, Joanne, at a get-together hosted made her while having almost no vi-
his family spent many days at Hick- home where his mom and brother by her cousin and his wife. A beauti- sion.
ory Park, the American Legion hall had lived on Wayne Rd., and it was ful 38-year love story began on No- The poem he penned titled
in Temperance. His mother was the there that he established Victor vember 22, 1969. In May 1970 they “Michigan” that was given the State
bar owner at the time. Music Studio. He worked in the front were blessed by the birth of their Senate Special Tribute seal from
It was during the late 1940s when of the house and lived in the back. daughter and then on Al's 43rd birth- Senator Loren N. Bennett. The magic
Al honed in on his artistic side. At He continued teaching guitar for day in 1972, he was blessed with the and card tricks he would do. His im-
the age of 17 he took 3rd place in a total of eleven years. His family gift of a son. pressive ability to pull a tablecloth
AAA's National School Traffic Safety says he took pride in this and the Every card that Al gave Joanne out from under everything on the
Poster Contest. He took art classes role he played in shaping the musi- throughout their 38 years of mar- table. The phone calls that ended
through Art Instruction Inc. based cality of so many. He diligently kept riage was handmade by him. Many with “Love you. Be well. Over and
out of Minnesota. a hand-written record of each and of them were displayed at his memo- out.”
In 1950, Al enlisted in the Army every student and lesson. rial service last month. Al died Over and out.
and served as a Private First Class Al took great pride in his guitar March 7 at the age of 91. If you have a special memory of
cartographer (map maker), yet an- shop and what he brought to the Al’s children recall their dad Al or Victor Music Studio, the family
other way to indulge in his artistic table. Not only did he provide sales being on the “strict, rigid side.” would love to hear about it. You can
side. In 1952, he was honorably dis- of various items, he offered repairs, Through the years, however, they reach them at stupakavich@-
charged. restringing and tuning of guitars. If a found him to be a “softie at heart.” gmail.com
14 · April 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch