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From: Steve Clarke
To: info@rockinghamremembered.com
Date: May 7, 2006 12:50 PM
Subject: The old "Tin Can " building
Hi Joel,
I grew up in Rockingham and I'm part of the Class of 74.
While most people remember the "Tin Can" and that it burned down,
they may not remember what happened the night it burned. I certainly
do!
I was the drummer in a local band that consisted of me, Henry "Tank"
Thomas, Terry Miller and Garry Raines. Funny thing is I don't remember
what we called ourselves that night because we changed names so much!
But I believe we called ourselves "White Heat" then. We were "hired"
by the 9th grade class from the old Rockingham High to play. I believe
we were paid about $50.00. We didn't even have a vocalist and we
played our own music.
The night was fun and ended around 11:00. The band left then and we
were all to meet up at a friends house near Ellerbe afterwards. Our
so-called roadies, Joey McDuffie, Danny Thames and Steve Neal, all
loaded up our equipment after we left and took it to one of our houses.
On the way to meet us they saw the fire trucks heading to the Tin Can
and pulled back in and saw the place was up in flames. There were a lot
of people around from what they told us. And they found out the truth
of how it burned down.
Seems a couple of the 9th grade girls decided to smoke some cigarettes
while the chaperones were outside. There were some exercise mats near
the door, one of the chaperones walked back in and the girls threw the
cigs under the mats thinking they could retrieve them but never got the
chance. This all happened while we were playing and it must have
smoldered the whole time.
When our "roadies" met up with us they were all excited telling us about
it and they told us it burned to the ground. Then all at once we all had
the same thought.
We were the last band to have the honor of playing the "Tin Can". It
was mentioned in the Raiders newsletter the next week at school saying
just that.
I'm not sure you'll even find this fact interesting but just wanted to
share this with you.
Steve Clarke
Myrtle Beach, SC
Class of 1974
ps: All I wrote about can be verified.
Also, your friend Mike Key is a cousin of mine. I don't know him
personally but his dad and my grandmother, Josephine Key Clarke, were
brother and sister I think. Maybe his dads dad was her brother. Can't
remember and can't get my dad on the phone to find out!
And, just to let you know I visit your website every Sunday! It takes me
home. My dad, Carl Clarke still lives there as well as other family
members.
I've been living in Myrtle Beach 11 years now. Prior to that Atlanta.
It's been awhile since I lived in Richmond County. Grew up actually in
Cordova but hung out in Rockingham most of the time.
Thanks for the website! I really enjoy it!
Steve Clarke
To: info@rockinghamremembered.com
Date: May 7, 2006 12:50 PM
Subject: The old "Tin Can " building
Hi Joel,
I grew up in Rockingham and I'm part of the Class of 74.
While most people remember the "Tin Can" and that it burned down,
they may not remember what happened the night it burned. I certainly
do!
I was the drummer in a local band that consisted of me, Henry "Tank"
Thomas, Terry Miller and Garry Raines. Funny thing is I don't remember
what we called ourselves that night because we changed names so much!
But I believe we called ourselves "White Heat" then. We were "hired"
by the 9th grade class from the old Rockingham High to play. I believe
we were paid about $50.00. We didn't even have a vocalist and we
played our own music.
The night was fun and ended around 11:00. The band left then and we
were all to meet up at a friends house near Ellerbe afterwards. Our
so-called roadies, Joey McDuffie, Danny Thames and Steve Neal, all
loaded up our equipment after we left and took it to one of our houses.
On the way to meet us they saw the fire trucks heading to the Tin Can
and pulled back in and saw the place was up in flames. There were a lot
of people around from what they told us. And they found out the truth
of how it burned down.
Seems a couple of the 9th grade girls decided to smoke some cigarettes
while the chaperones were outside. There were some exercise mats near
the door, one of the chaperones walked back in and the girls threw the
cigs under the mats thinking they could retrieve them but never got the
chance. This all happened while we were playing and it must have
smoldered the whole time.
When our "roadies" met up with us they were all excited telling us about
it and they told us it burned to the ground. Then all at once we all had
the same thought.
We were the last band to have the honor of playing the "Tin Can". It
was mentioned in the Raiders newsletter the next week at school saying
just that.
I'm not sure you'll even find this fact interesting but just wanted to
share this with you.
Steve Clarke
Myrtle Beach, SC
Class of 1974
ps: All I wrote about can be verified.
Also, your friend Mike Key is a cousin of mine. I don't know him
personally but his dad and my grandmother, Josephine Key Clarke, were
brother and sister I think. Maybe his dads dad was her brother. Can't
remember and can't get my dad on the phone to find out!
And, just to let you know I visit your website every Sunday! It takes me
home. My dad, Carl Clarke still lives there as well as other family
members.
I've been living in Myrtle Beach 11 years now. Prior to that Atlanta.
It's been awhile since I lived in Richmond County. Grew up actually in
Cordova but hung out in Rockingham most of the time.
Thanks for the website! I really enjoy it!
Steve Clarke
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