The Funky Monkey, Griswald's drummer, is dead
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We always enjoyed the 'Funky Monkey'. He resembled the
Saturday Night Live character, Father Guido Sarducci. I never
saw him without a wide-brimmed black fedora, black vest,
sunglasses, and a cigarette. He was quite a character, not
to mention a very good and entertaining drummer. We were
always disappointed when we saw the band and he wasn't
with them.
The Blade carried an article of his death (not available on-line), which
said that he was the drummer on the Griswald's recording 'All the Way Down'
which 'was played heavily on radio stations in Europe.' He also played on
'Full Time Blues', playing for fifteen years with the Griswalds.
Former band member, saxophonist Big Daddy Cool (Rick Schefdore,
who has become blind from a result of diabetes in the last two years
and only occasionally appears with the Griswalds) said Mr. Szombati last
played with the band in June and had been sick since July of 1999.
He added that Mr. Szombati 'was the guy who made everybody dance. He was
the funky guy.' He went on to say, 'Monk traveled extensively in the six
years I was with the band. We hit every state east of the Mississippi,
except for the far southern states, and parts of Canada.' Mr. Szombati also
toured Europe with the Griswalds.
Mr. Szombati's sister, Barb Berry-Wettle, said, 'His music was his
prime concern. It was his passion.'
Mr. Scheforde added, ' He liked seeing people forget about their problems
and enjoy their friends and dance and put the world behind them for three or
four hours.'
The drummer did not like the overt aggression of some contemporary
music, his friend said. 'He felt the blues was a more humanitarian way to
approach problems,' Mr. Schefdore said.
Mr. Szombati grew up in East Toledo and North Toledo and attended
Woodward High School. He played in neighborhood groups and followd his
favorite bands Foghat and Steppenwolf.
When music couldn't pay the bills, he did painting, roofing, and odd
jobs, his sister said.
http://208.16.183.11/../class/cat106/3465843.htm
Allen Paul Szombati
Published on 09/01/2000
Allen "Funky Monkey" Szombati, 44, died Wednesday morning, August 30, 2000,
at home with his family. Born on January 5, 1956, he lived in Toledo
throughout most of his short life. He loved to play the drums from the time
he was just a young boy, and spent his life pursuing that dream. He found
success with the local Blues band - The Griswalds, and was proud of his
recordings. His first album, Two Aces and A Jack, received national
publicity. Allen had wonderful experiences playing with legendary artists
like Mitch Ryder, Buddy Guy and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn. In his free time
Allen enjoyed bowling and playing cards. He is survived by parents, Sadie
Szombati, Bert (Millie) Szombati; sisters, Barb Berry-Wettle, Jill (Scott)
Gauthier; daughter, Angela Szombati; nieces, Christine (Ted) Saneholtz,
Cindy (John) Danko, Jordan, Cassidy, Hannah Gauthier; nephews, Mark Berry,
Mathew (Angela) Berry, Logan Gauthier; great-nieces and nephews, Alex and
Emily Danko, Sydney Saneholtz and Hannah Berry; special friend, Carol; plus
many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Allen was preceded in death by his
older brother Andrew. Friends may call on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and
Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kinsey Funeral Home, Consaul Street.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 2, 2000,
at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's Catholic Church Church. Burial will be in
Calvary Cemetery.
The family requests tributes to the Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the
Little Sisters of the Poor.
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