By Patricia Griffin Mangan
Special to Inside
Hots Michels has never read a note of music though he has tickled the ivories for decades. The notable pianist at the Chicago Chop House, 60 W. Ontario St., was born on the South Side. He was nicknamed "Hots" by an uncle who enjoyed the burlesque revue of Hotsy Totsy. (The word hotsy-totsy means just right or perfect. It was invented by Billy DeBeck who created the comic strip "Barney Google and Snuffy Smith.")
At l5, Michels quit high school and borrowed $200 to open a milk store at 78th St. and Ashland Ave. "I had to work at the store and duck the truant officers until I turned l6," he said. "School and studying were not my bag." He never took a piano lesson but learned to play by ear.
He was a "hyper" kid and remains that way. He played music in the evenings—and found he had too much time on his hands during the daytime and off hours. A born "risk taker," Michels went into other businesses often blind to the extent of his lack of experience and capital. Thus, some businesses failed though others made the grade.
The talented man played lots of gigs and entertained at many saloons. He then landed a job at the Executive House and later Hy's of Canada. When Hy's of Canada folded, Michels' followers moved further west to 60 W. Ontario St., The Chicago Chop House Restaurant.
What few people know is that Michels was a participant in the introduction of piano bars which now exist around the globe. A big break for him was playing at the Sherman House Hotel. While most major acts entertained in the College Inn at the Sherman House, many locals, celebrities and tourists also paid a big price to dine at the Well of the Sea Restaurant. As crowds poured into the hotel, the management of the Sherman House came up with the idea to have Michels play the piano between these two rooms to entertain guests as they waited for seating.
This ingenious planning, which made guests comfortable and added revenue to the liquor tabs, was indeed the formation of the world's first piano bar. Guests not only enjoyed a cocktail while waiting for dinner and entertainment but they got to know one another and even sing along. Tourists, as well as the entertainers themselves, relayed this successful concept to restaurants in other cities who followed suit. People generally detest waiting but they found this time pleasurable. Guests could enjoy themselves from arrival to departure. More importantly, they could laugh with one another.
Michels is more than a musician—he's been an entrepreneur since he was a kid. His ventures landed him notable mention in Studs Terkel's book "Working" and in Alan Smith's book "People Called Smith."
He's found success as a songwriter. His song "I Knew When You Smiled You Were Irish" was played annually on St. Patrick's Day by Wally Phillips on his radio show. His easygoing, fun personality and genuine interest in people make him a good listener; that serves customers well when they come out to laugh, talk and be heard.
Because Michels has struggled most of his life, he's versatile. He can converse on business with business people. He also likes to joke around and enjoys nonsense. "People come out at night to forget their day troubles," he said.
Michels has owned four bars, worked at a radio station, owned a security company and even raised hogs in his backyard—to the dismay of his neighbors. The seven years of hog raising won him and his partner, Hal Whilte, a ribbon at the International Livestock Show at the Chicago Union Stock Yards. Agriculturists were amazed when two city slickers gained national news attention, even a photo in Life Magazine.
Whenever Michels got bored, he tried something else. He was one of the investors in the Mill Run Theatre, as well as the Midnight Sun Broadcasting Company in Alaska. For him, the problem with bar ownership was that he could not always be present due to his evening work.
This entertainer never slights the regular customer at the piano bar in favor of the hierarchy of celebrities and politicians. The Chicago Chop House has become known for great food, fun and customer service—as well as the hospitality of the guy at the piano bar.
"I have seen and heard it all in the bar and restaurant business," said Michels. People trust him and confide both good news and troubles. Perhaps he makes them forget their woes with laughter and his concern for them.
"I was once hit on the head with a beer bottle in a bar at 63rd and California," he said. A fight broke out between two hot headed Irishmen and though Michels ducked while playing, it was a second too late. He continues to roll with the punches and has no plans in retiring.
Michels has played the piano for weddings and charity events. He has met people from around the world who visit the restaurant after learning of him by word of mouth or through magazines such as "Inflight." Often he serves as somewhat of a tour guide of Chicago when tourists seek his advice as to places to visit. He happily obliges them and offers directions.
This piano player has chatted with so many people that it would be difficult for him to remember all their names. Yet, he remembers faces and greets customers with a smile, usually a big smile. He conversed with John Lithkow and Marv Hammlish, and recalls meeting Don Rickles, Steve Lawrence, Edie Gorme, Liberace, Cyd Charisse, Sammy Davis, Jr., Abbott and Costello, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Sidney Poitier, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Bob Hope once called Michels to ask him for recommendations of entertainers to sing in Vietnam for United States soldiers.
"While playing at the College Inn, I was asked to visit the table of President Harry Truman," he recalls. "He liked my music and we conversed for half an hour." This was after two years of Truman's presidency.
"Tourists love Chicago," said Michels, and they appear to like the camaraderie and fun afforded by piano bars. Often, people stand behind seated guests at the piano bar to await the next seat.
Michels is too busy and modest to claim any fame or give himself due credit for any of his accomplishments. Life carries on for Michels who certainly could write a book himself. A title could be "Man On The Move." "I will never retire," he said.
In addition, Michels has a "secret talent" which he has never disclosed over the years. Customers remain in disbelief when Michels accepts their requests for a song written on a napkin or piece of paper. Without reading the song title, and in public view, Michels takes the folded napkin and tears it up in tiny pieces. He then proceeds to play the tune and never misses. Friends have begged him to confide in this secret in his will.
When people need to get out and enjoy themselves, many head to the Chicago Chop House—where the performance of Hots Michels really is "hotsy totsy." |
