There's some sad news this week from New Brunswick. Bob Magee, an iconic New Brunswick barman passed suddenly on April 26. He was 46 years old, and those cuties in the picture are his twin daughters Sydney & Morgan. They're two and a half. Bob had left tending bar and gone into the world of daytime workers several years back.
I had my first legal drink at The Ale 'n Wich at one minute after midnight March 14, 1986. The bar was and is a treasure. It's your local dive in the best possible sense. It was my local for a couple of decades. Mark and I knew Bob well and he was a friend. He took over as manager and head barman about the time that we opened Stage Left. He brought live music back to the bar. He was an encyclopedia of sports knowledge. He could hustle people at darts (literally throwing darts backwards over his shoulder). Most important, he always always always had a smile on his face and a warm welcome for old friends and new ones. He never forgot a face and he was the face of The Ale 'n Wich for more than a decade.
He should be recognized, and so I felt the need to tell you about my friend Bob. Never a mixologist, but really a bartender's bartender.
If you knew Bob and you want to celebrate his life, or if you didn't and you want to take part in the celebration, This Sunday, The Ale 'n Wich is hosting many of the bands that Bob used to book. If you want to know what rock sounded like in New Brunswick in the 90's, come hear:
- The Fletchers,
- Dangerbird,
- The Stuntcocks,
- Laurence Hart,
- Bionic Rhoda,
- The Thin Men and
- Jigs and The Pigs.
That's right, I said "Jigs and The Pigs!" The $5 cover and 30% of the bar's gross ring will go to the The Morgan and Sydney Magee Trust. Doors open at 2. Facebook page is here.
If you can't make it but would like to send a donation, you can do that by mail:
The Morgan and Sydney Magee Trust
c/o The Ale 'N Wich Pub
246 Hamilton St
New Brunswick NJ 08901