I remember the Concord back in the early 80's. I worked as a busboy in the main dining room between 1979 - 1982 and one of the best. Weekends, holidays and the summers. The dining room was crazy back then. Fun times. Never will forget it. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for sharing this.I'm 46 and this tears me up that in reality all the good places to go are disappearing.I play bass in a band in NJ that plays mostly current music.For the most part, the bars are empty everywhere.I know of few bands,good or bad that are drawing well.My point is,I guess with our current economy and lackluster entertainment,the younger generation have no interest in going out,let alone attend a beautiful resort in the Catskills.Back in the heyday,wow!
My parents would go to the Concord every summer. This was their getaway paradise. My father's gone now and when I think of the Concord, I think of it as his special place.
What a great time for a young kid when I worked there in the summer of '71.. Parked cars, waiter at pool restaurant and worked the spotlight at the evening shows. The last job gave me access to the entire hotel so when I wasn't working I hung around with the young daughters of the guests. Not bad... The spotlight gig was an eye-opener. Entertainment to me meant The Stones, Ten Years After, Credence Clearwater...and here I was listening to Steve and Edie, Lanie Kazan, Trini Lopez.and watching Buddy Hackett and Jerry Lewis. What I didn't know until I saw it first-hand was that all these guys were real entertainers who knew how to command a stage and work a room. Trini Lopez was the biggest surprise. Remember him, the Lemon Tree guy? I was told in advance that he would have the old ladies in their fur shawls dancing on the tables. Yeah, right. Well, if you were there that night you have seen the tables shaking under the weight of the bejeweled ladies. OMG! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Trini was amazing. I was having such a great time up in the projection booth that my spotlight was dancing all over the place. sorry Trini. I'm glad i got to see this scene while it was still alive and kicking. What a summer!
Elizabeth "Jackie" Horner Goldstein July 9, 1932 ~ February 8, 2020 (age 87) She was a great person. It was a great honor to have met and studied Ballroom Dancing with Jackie at the Concord Resort Hotel in the late 1990's where we both worked. By that time she had worked in a multitude of Catskill Hotels. She taught dance and I was a licensed Masseur which gave me access to her classes with the hotel guests. It was fun to hear her tell of her involvement with the movie Dirty Dancing. A few years after the Concord closed in "98" she mailed me a post card to say hello and ask if I was still dancing. She was such a wonderful lady and always so friendly and encouraging as a teacher. A bright beautiful light. Once every few years I would wonder how she was doing and would do a google search. Was always great to see that she was doing what she loved. Teaching dance. This is how I learned of her passing. The dancing and choreography in heaven has definitely improved. Very grateful and honored to have known her. Peace be with her and her family and friends. Bart.
I was a band leader/drummer at a number of the Catskill Hotels. 1948, Edgewood Hotel, 1949 Shady Nook Hotel, 1950Grand Mountain Hotel, Concord Hotel. Incredible memories. Bob Haft, Boynton Beach, Florida
Fantastic video. I started going to the Concord from the late 1960’s until the late 1980’s. Started going when I was like 5 years old (failed miserably at skiing). I absolutely loved going there, every time I knew I was going, I was so happy. I have the layout of the Concord burned in my brain, I know every nook and cranny, but it’s so great to see it again the way it was, on this GREAT video.
"Trip the light fantastic." "Would you like to ...." Being asked to dance. The first time I heard that phrase was at the CRH. Sounded fun. Something out of WWII music maybe. Great live music every day and night at the Concord Resort Hotel. I'm grateful for my time there.
I used to go to the Concord Hotel with my late husband and daughter. Wonderful memories. I just moved to the Catskills from NYC 6 months ago. I wanted to go see the hotel again and now realize it was torn down. What a shame. I remember meeting Michael Spinks there. He was training for a fight. He was a nice guy.
This is awesome!! Thank you so much for posting this! I have a memory of ice skating with my dad when I was 5 in the early 70's:-) I was just talking about that memory with my mom tonight,,,
I was there many, many times. First at a single's weekend; then with my husband; with my husband and daughter; with my husband, daughter, parents, and sister. I did all the things you could do there, enjoyed the food, music, but especially the night club. Always had a great time. Watched Morris Katz paint, other people give dancing lessons, makeup lessons, skiing lessons, everything. Now it's just a wonderful memory!
I played trombone with Al for 7 straight summers and winters during the holidays from 1978 until 1984. It was a fabulous time and the memories have never faded. I also bought a painting from Morris Katz and pitched softball to Wayne Gretsky and other famous hockey players around 1980 and even sat in with Chaz Palminteri's band when he was in the music business with Jeannie Pizzi. What a great place to work and play.
Wow. Al was a strong musician, trumpet performer, and arranger. It was an honor to interacted with him, at the Health Club, for the final thirteen years of the Concord Resort Hotel.
I was there in the mid-70s. My high school concert choir got invited to perform when they had the NY State teacher’s convention. I’ll never forget the magnificence of it all! I think their pool was where you could actually swim from indoors to outdoors without ever leaving the pool. How I wish we could have something like that again!
I only arrived on that storied scene in Dec. of 1985. Thirteen years later the Concord Resort Hotel had to close. That was late 1998. Again I thank the people and place of the Concord Resort Hotel. Tremendous and inspired. Happy Continuance to you all.
I worked at the Concord from 1957 to 1961. Worked weekends, Cristmas/Hanukah, Passover and assorted weekends. It was a great time to be there.. Worked in the dinning room as a busboy for Chick Kaiser and Irving Cohen. I remember everything about the place. It brings tears to my eyes to see the ruins. If anyone reads theis and was there at that time, tell me.
Hi Marty--I just read this (June, 2017)...my parents worked there in the 60's (Bonnie Riseman and Warren Beyer) and my uncle Jesse Schultz was there his whole life. I would love to surprise my parents with some old Concord memories on their anniversary. Please contact me at lisabscanlon@gmail.com if you have any ideas. Thanks!
I was there in the 50's thru the early 70's. I remember Chickie and Irving. Their faces are right in front of me. I remember how Chickie loved the track. Only the best memories. So sad to see the videos of it in ruin. I have many photos of my family in the dining room and around the hotel.
@@wendyflorin48 Well sadly Mr. Cohen died about 6 years ago in Florida. He have a beautiful house in a community called Boca West. I work with Mr. Cohen in the dining Room from the very 1980s until it closed in 1998 and I didn't live far from him. We will go out for breakfast or lunch 2 to 3 times a week and I tell you even though I'm in my early fifties, I still couldn't keep up with him.
OMG I am so happy to see this video. My name is BART and I gave massages at Men's Health Club for thirteen years until the place closed. I knew Guilda and Shelly well and also Al Altieri, Mr Cohen, and Katz the artist. I knew Ellen Kudler as a very gracious lady. Heck I used to play table tennis with the blond piano player at the outside pool. His name escapes me now. I knew many of the people on the dance floor and some of them were my customers. I sure do miss the place.
thanks for sharing,iwas a busboy,1966,also parked cars valet,helping my friend busy fri pm,sun,pm,never will be duplicated,the scene was great,and going to the track at nite
1974 to 1988 we spent almost every Passover and Rosh Hashanah with extended family. That dining room, the game room, the steam room, what memories indeed!!!
The Men's Health Club had two steam rooms, two saunas, and a cold plunge in the middle. And a Massage Room with about seven massage tables. It was tremendous. The rest of the campus was amazing.
My grandfather did much of the renovation work on the Concord in the late 60s n early 70s with his contracting company Maplewood stone Co out of Monticello.
Anyone remember Erskine Hawkin's? He was a regular at the Men's Health Club during the mid to late 1980's. Legendary Composer, Musician, and Band Leader. So many fond memories of the Concord.
I remember him very clearly he was the band leader. After the Concord close I returned to New York and started to work for a very famous French chef across from the famous Carlyle hotel in Manhattan where Bobby Short was performing his shows. Bobby Short and I would talk about Mr. Hawkins before Bobby short passed away himself about 10 years later
@@itsokitsok5020 All this time later thinking back to conversing with Erskine Hawkings in a great Spa Setting at the Men's Health Club it makes me happy to think of your relationship to Mr. B. Short and your discussion regarding Mr. Tuxedo Junction. Thank you for having spoken here earlier.
Worked there in main dining room, AND set up shows for headline entertainment. Was an amazing place. The nightclub was so large there were hidden doors in the paneling with spiral stairs that went down to dishwashing stations because the number of bar glasses was astronomical. The basement was like a city. You could drive a golf car or fork lift down the halls, there was a fire Dept and a reapholstery shop and they kept EVERYTHING from 100 yrs of Reno. The kitchen was the size of a football field. Never again will we see the likes of these huge super-resorts. Thousands and thousands of employees. An amazing time and place.
I played with Al Altieri for 7 summers from 1977-1984 and also during the winter holidays. We made amazing memories. I was his right hand man and the laughs never stopped. We shared plenty of desserts and great paddle ball games. Then I finally had my first child and did not return. He was an excellent band leader. I also played with the show band in 1974 and the "Sunshine Brothers" in 1975 and 1976 in the Nite Owl Lounge. Seeing this video makes me so sad that these days are no longer.
Mr. Altieri. Al. Spoke with him many a time after a shift at the Men's Health Club. Major professional musician. Great conversationalist. He was a disciplined focused musician versed in various aspects of musical composition. He had music related skillsets and knew it. Who knew I would meet him. Best wishes Al. and family, Tremendous musical heritage.
The Concord Night Owl Lounge was an amazing big room with its long curvaceous bar and many tables and every seat having a great viewpoint to a stage that hosted many great famous and non famous performers until the actual shut down in Nov. 1998. For instance, Tom Jones enjoyed a few trips to the Night Owl Lounge once upon a time and performed well after midnight into the next morning. Imagine Tom Jones performing for fun still in his prime. It's Not Unusual. Post Imperial room or Pre Imperial Room performances or really just anytime. Can only imagine how Great the Night Owl Lounge entertainment experiences might have been back in 63-66. Bravo. Even The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel played there. Loll. Just Kidding. Although Joan Rivers and Rita Rudner were actually hilarious at the Concord and many many other talented performers enjoyed that great venue. Good likelihood they were in the Night Owl Lounge at the Concord Resort Hotel at some point. Wish I could have experienced Marlena Shaw in the mid 60''s at the Night Owl Lounge. Must have been amazing.
I read in the paper recently that Morris Katz, the very fast artist who used toilet paper, had passed on. I see his art work at my customers homes weekly. I met many wonderful people both as customers at the hotel and as workers. I will always be grateful to the people and place of the Concord Resort Hotel. Bart.
Oakton Manor in Pewaukee, Wisconsin is my claim of fame. My dear old dad ran it for over eighteen years. He later was a VP at Host Enterprises in Lancaster, Pa. and did enjoy working vacations at the Grossinger. I welcome anyone to contact me. This was a by-gone-era and a great part of American History, you'll never see again.
No phones no computers everybody was real great times when going to camp cost only 1500 dollars for 3 months write a letter once a week 1 phone call a month
Im originally from Long Island. Don’t forget, the Grumman plants closed in the late 80’s and early 90s with 10s of thousands of layoffs. Many moved out of NY state. No doubt this contributed to a loss of clientele to these great hotels.
He was eccentric but he was a very fast artist. I believe he used acrylic paint and instead of using a brush or blade he actually used toilet paper to administer the paint. He could produce a wonderful painting in under sixty seconds. He would take suggestions from the audience and about sixty seconds later he had created an amazing art piece. I am sure some of the folks reading this own some of his art. Bart. PS. Hi Gilda and Shelly! Hope you and yours are well.
Wondering now if that blond piano player, in the outdoor pool area, was named Leonardo. Been a while. He was married to the Parker family I think. Nice guy. Wonderful musician and very competitive table tennis player. I was probably giving Massage Treatment while that video was being created. Again thank you for posting.
My daddy and my grandpa hall my moms dad worked there in the 80s as far as I know. Sadly my grandpa hall passed away while working there in 83. ); Rip grandpa hall and Daddy
I worked there in the mid to late 80s. I was a waiter. I remember Mr. Cohen, Steamboat " TIES JACKETS APRONS AND HAIR NETS WE'RE OPENING UP!". Jack Levin, Chief Farina, Jimmy Abrams, Poppy Martinez, Deb "little bit", Jackie Butler and Johnny Choo Choo!! One of the people I remember best was a my friend Chris Hogel, RIP MY BROTHER you are remembered and missed!
Irving Cohen, Steamboat, was am amazing man and family friend of ours. Wow! Such great memories and to read his name again. God bless his family. He was a true gentle giant.
I attended a few NY State Elk's conventions back around 1987-1991. I actually got Michael Spink's autograph after dinner in the big dining room. His loss to Tyson was his only one I remember showing my wife all the electrical outlets along the huge concourse that was supposed to be the site of the slot machines for the planned casino. Sad that none of those plans came to be.
Yeah I was on the grounds when Mr. Spinks was training at the Concord Resort Hotel. Then Michael was fighting for his mother who had passed away ahead of the Tyson fight. Then Tyson showed up tired that day. The rest is history.
went there with my mother and grandmother in the late70s. we went a couple of summers. I was about 8 or 9 years old. My grandmother liked to go the saturday night shows. one summer, the saturday night show was glenn campbell. my grandmother makes a face, and starts complaining he's too loud, yada yada. Glenn opened with rhinestone cowboy. truth be told, I knew rhinestone cowboy from all the radio airplay, but otherwise I didnt know glenn campbell.
Omg.i worked there for many years. That was my 1st job @the day care. I loved Gilda Marx son dillon. I will never forget that energetic kid. Is this her site? My wife and I would love to chat with her to see how Dillon and leah are doing.
Does any one remember singer Laura Watson and the Bay Perry four. They were great in the night owl lounge. Those were the days. I also remember having a drink with OC Smith,just before he went on the Carson Show! And if your reading this Bart, I remember you and your co-worker Jimmy, who I played ping pong with. I also am the proud owner of a Morris Katz work of art, which I paid 50 bucks for which hangs in my florida home. What times we had. Those were the magic years!
@118295557802336370851 Hi Sandy, Bart here. I played ping pong/table tennis with a variety of people during the 13 years I worked there. I have been trying to remember who my co worker Jimmy was. I wonder if we have his name right. I remember almost of of the Licensed Massage Therapists that were there during my time. One co worker named Allan Silverman had a good game. I hope he is well all these years later. I agree with you that those were the magic years! Best wishes.
@@MrJessDancing hey Bart! I hope you are doing well! Eating a late dinner here...I am in the PNW now. Have you seen and/or read Becca's book: "Ever After"? I think you would like it.
@@Robert-pe5hf Bon Appetit Robert! Salute from the ANE. Thank you for speaking about her book. I met her a few times at the Concord's Night Owl Lounge. I will absolutely look for her book. "Ever After." Thanks.
@@Robert-pe5hf Hi Robert, I am not finding her book in our Library system or for sale online. Please double check the title and the publisher. Appreciated.
Does anyone remember The singer-entertainer Chi Chi Navarro? She performed with all the top bands Tito Puente, Joe Cuba, Randy Carlos and many more. They were present her as "The Latin American Bombshell". She performed often as a regular at The Concord, Grossingers, The Browns Hotel, The Pines all the big hotels and all The Bungalows in the Catskills.
I use to love to go to the town of Monticello at night. We were young and looking for girls going from hotel to hotel. We couldn't afford a hotel so we stayed in an old Bungalow Colony. One friend had a 1961 Chevy that sometimes rolled back going up a steep hill. Trying to sneak into the premium hotels, but were always thrown out. The best was picking up girls that were hitching rides.That all stopped when I went into the Military, Vietnam. When I came back some of the older hotels and bungalows were closed. I loved to go fishing. We found an old bungalow with a lake across the street in White Sulfur Springs. It was hidden from the road and great fishing. The only problem the other side of the lake were Chasidim. On Sat. the kids use to throw rocks to scare the fish and called us Shabes Goys, but that didn't stop us. We found the owner of the lake who happened to be the town magistrate and he put a stop to them spoiling our fishing. I couldn't believe how things changed. The Catskills was taken over by Chasidim. Miss the Old Days.
Alexander Anthony Altieri December 23, 1928 - July 16, 2023 Ossining, NY Alexander Anthony Altieri passed peacefully on July 16, 2023, at the age of 94, in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
and glenn made quite a scene. on the stage they had a paper screen, and it was lit, and then the music starts, and glenn jumps thru this piece of paper. you see this piece of paper rip open, and glenn jumped out, singing rhinestone cowboy. then the next morning, I went downstairs, and I figured I'll hound the lobby for a glenn campbell autograph as he's leaving the hotel. glenn appeared and he's already signing, and I asked for an autograph, and he gave me a friendly "sure you can have one
Anything would look better than whats there now. At least if nothing is being built on the site Capelli should finish cleaning up the mess he left behind and plant some grass.I drive by the site 2-3 times a week.Hundreds of uncovered yards of contaminated soil,bent rusty steel,garbage,,,Real eyesore for the community.
Some day this hotel will be torn down, and some day we will all not be here, but tonight at the great Concord Hotel, we will drink, and we will dance. if you saw the movie butterfly effect..... ....well you know what I mean.
Visit the proposed Catskill Resort Museum website and learn how we are trying to preserve the history of the Catskill resorts. Jack Godfrey, President 845-567-1777
Its a different business environment now. The concord was a big expensive behemoth. And young people dont flock to rhe catskills to sit by the pool all day and then smoke cigars and dance a waltz all night. The cruise industry upped their game. The concord might have survived if they made innovations in food and entertainment that the cruise ships have done.
hello this is miles 716 again i knew when capelli bought it it will never rise again when i pass by there i still cant believe iti dont think they will never build anotherhotel there how is luchow doing anybody know
That is a nice dive in the video. Best wishes to you, Gilda'a daughter, and your family. Wishing you the best. Water aerobics / Yoga. That is very Gulda. Awesome. Best wishes to Guilda and family. Bart.
Uughhh if these ppl in this video could only see what the catskills has become ... they'd be embarrassed....sullivan county n.y. has become a drug riddled gang emporium and severely poverty stricken .... I sure do miss the great days of my youth in Sullivan county...I miss when this place was booming....
35 years later, I threw out that autograph. held no value to me. threw out the muhammed ali autograph I got at laguardia airport in 1981. but autographs are a dime a dozen. dealers look at the quality of the signature, the color of the signature, what the autograph is on: the quality of the item that is signed. yada yada. Actually, I buy old letters on ebay. old soldier letters. some celebrity letters. I like the hold document, and not just a signature.
I WAS THE ATHLETIC DIRECTER AT THE PINES HOTEL FOR 10YRS I HAD MY FIRST JOB AT THE BRICKMAN HOTEL WHEN I WAS 15 YRS OLD MURRAY POSNER WAS THE OWNER STEVE EHRLICH OWNED THE PINES
