SALEM WITCHCRAFT BIOGRAPHY

Arlen joined Salem witchcraft in 1970, when, then, lead guitarist, (Dennis Lazarski), and lead singer, (Mark Derrick), wanted to exit the band, leaving Jim Duffey, (Bass player) and Moe Oshaughnessy, (drummer), to carry on in the Rock and Roll scene.

Arlen suggested adding a keyboard player, as he had a very talented organ player in one of his earlier bands. (Terry Emery-Livonia, Mi).

The band placed an ad in the Livonian Observer, and Dave Hall answered the call.

Salem Witchcraft’s first professional job was on New Year’s Eve of 1970.

With Bob Drake as their manager, a professional P.A. system, and a travel van, the band hit the road running.

They quickly became one of the area’s top draws, as well as, very accomplished musicians.

After honing their skills, and recording a couple of Arlen’s songs at Allied Sound Studio, in Detroit, Michigan, they grew more popular than ever, and continued their ascent in the music scene.

The 70’s were the start of the Rock-n-Roll era in Michigan. With the drinking age lowered to 18, every establishment that served liquor tried to outdo the other, in size and Big Name Entertainment.

Salem Witchcraft grew even bigger with the addition of new keyboardist Ken Rewekant. He brought on a whole new energy, stage presence, and the latest in new gadgetry in the synthesizer world.

The next turning point of the band was the hiring of Bruce Lorfel as their manager.

Bruce took the band to the next level, booking shows at all the Colleges,

Ford Auditorium, Pontiac Stadium, Masonic Temple, the Agora Ballrooms, and had the band opening up for, or guest starring, with the likes of STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, BOB SEGER, FOREIGNER, TED NUGENT, THE BABY’S, KISS, and AEROSMITH, just to name a few.

By now Arlen had honed his skill as a writer, and the band recorded five records, two videos, and appeared on a host of live Television shows.

The recording of the bands first big hit was “Sandman”, a song Arlen wrote one night after watching Bad Company do a live show on television.

The song quickly climbed up the charts and was being played throughout the Midwest, as well as Canada. It took the band from $500 per show to $2500.00 per show. Quite a difference in the way the band was traveling now.

Salem Witchcraft had on their payroll, a Manager- (Bruce Lorfel), Attorney on retainer,

(Tom Weiner) Full time Booking Agency,(ITA), Accounting agency, (Ron Geddish Assoc.),

Road Manager, (Chris Best), and, a boatload of Roadies. Victor Sabu, J.C, (Jim Collins). Doug Padden, Powerhouse, Kevin Downey, Pick, (Dave Nichols), Mr. Riddell,

Bruce, (spot man), Don, (The Wiz).

The band owned a house on Ford Rd. in Garden City where the roadies lived and the band recorded in the basement, plus they rented a large garage in Westland, where they practiced, and stored the bulk of their stage equipment.

Salem Witchcraft moved up to a 21 foot box truck, which transported their complete lightshow, and P.A. system, now big enough to supply the above named headliners, the power and brightness that they needed to be heard and seen, which helped to open up more doors to the band.

The band went through another Keyboard change and added Kurt Schreitmueller in the late 70’s. This took the band to a whole new level.

Kurt could not only play Keyboards as well as most of the national musicians, but he could sing as well.

Salem Witchcraft never sounded better or did better gigs as when Kurt was in the band.

The band had changed managers at this time as well and signed with DMA out of Southfield, Michigan.

Dave Leone, (R.I.P.), and Nick Caris, brought in every national record company executive they could find and had the band recording with national producers.

Much to everyone’s regrets, nothing ever came of all the meet and greets.

Salem Witchcraft fought off every naysayer and every closed door to keep the wheels turning as long as they could, but sometimes things just aren’t meant to be, at the time you’re trying to do them.

After so many years of traveling, touring, recording, practicing, playing, and just being away from home together, the wear and tear of the roller coaster ride was just too much for the band to take.

“It truly is just like a marriage, being so close for long, that sometimes, without bearing fruit from all the hard work you do together, there comes a time that you just need a little space from each other.

We went places and did things together that have filled our lives with so many wonderful memories, that you could truly say, it was definitely, one of the best times of our lives.

Looking back, it was such a wind tunnel that everyone got sucked up into.

All the wonderful people we met, all the beautiful places we had the opportunities to explore, and the BAND was all that mattered.

We would live, breathe, and eat, MUSIC,

Whew what a wonderful ride that was!”

Arlen