Famous Dance bars in the '70's and 80's.

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May-28-14, 10:45 AM
JulianaMoon

Famous Dance bars in the '70's and 80's.

Hey Fellow Detroiters!!

I actually found this site doing a search for the name of a bar I used to go to in he 70's. [[I found out it was The Token Lounge). It pulled up a thread from an old site that turned into this one in 2009. It was about Dance Clubs/Bars in the '70s, and it brought back so many memories of my late teenage years partying at the Silverbird at 6/Telegraph. The drinking age was 18, but I found an ID at Hines Drive and the picture looked EXACTLY like me. I swear. What a find! We were at the clubs every weekend. I always wonder whatever happened to the bands that played the clubs back then. I recently saw an old video of Bittersweet Alley. It's on YouTube. I thought others might want to rekindle those days on a thread. Who was at The Silverbird Saloon the night Ted Nugent showed up, and played with the band "The D.C. Hawks" for an hour? I was.
May-28-14, 03:00 PM
Smirnoff

Wasn't the Silverbird Saloon a biker bar & not a dance club?
May-29-14, 06:17 AM
Downriviera

The Silverbird was more of a rock bar with bands. People danced but I wouldn't consider it a dance club. Before Silverbird it was West Side Six, I saw the Rockets there. Uncle Sams just down the street on Telegraph was a dance club in those days. The Look played there too, and Dave Edwards is still around.
May-29-14, 07:17 AM
Hastings

I remember the West side six. There was a club farther south down telegraph in behind where the giant whipped cream can was. Saw Strut there on my 18th birthday. Any one remember that one or kopolskis on Conant?
May-29-14, 07:40 AM
DetroitPlanner

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

Wasn't the Silverbird Saloon a biker bar & not a dance club?

I remember it as JL Seagulls.
May-29-14, 07:51 AM
Smirnoff

The very best dance club in the 70's was Tuesday nite @ Coral Gables!!!!!
May-29-14, 08:08 AM
rb336

JL Seagulls I remember, I think it later became a church, now it is empty but still has the lighthouse. Uncle Sams turned into Nitro. There was a dance club called Taboo, I think, where Aretha used to hang out. A lot of girls I knew used to go to a gay club next to Bookies so they wouldn't get hit on
May-29-14, 01:37 PM
mikefmich

Red Carpet & Painted Pony were the first two that came to mind. I was at many others but....the ol' hard drive doesn't work as well as it used to. ;)

Oh yeah...Uncle Sams too.
May-29-14, 06:19 PM
Lowell

Alvin's on the north end of the WSU campus was having its day during that timespan. I closed out that place more than once.
May-30-14, 06:31 AM
Downriviera

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

The very best dance club in the 70's was Tuesday nite @ Coral Gables!!!!!

Yes it was. People lined up to get in on a Tuesday nite. I made good money hustling on the pool tables there. Several John Travolta aka Tony Manero wannabees there.
May-30-14, 03:02 PM
pgn421

You had The Grafitti, on the east side on Mack ave. the greatest dj, Dr. Johnny Fever, played all the hits from the 70's. It was like a small Studio 54, like in New York!
May-31-14, 10:03 PM
factoryrat

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulianaMoon

Hey Fellow Detroiters!!

I actually found this site doing a search for the name of a bar I used to go to in he 70's. [[I found out it was The Token Lounge). It pulled up a thread from an old site that turned into this one in 2009. It was about Dance Clubs/Bars in the '70s, and it brought back so many memories of my late teenage years partying at the Silverbird at 6/Telegraph. The drinking age was 18, but I found an ID at Hines Drive and the picture looked EXACTLY like me. I swear. What a find! We were at the clubs every weekend. I always wonder whatever happened to the bands that played the clubs back then. I recently saw an old video of Bittersweet Alley. It's on YouTube. I thought others might want to rekindle those days on a thread. Who was at The Silverbird Saloon the night Ted Nugent showed up, and played with the band "The D.C. Hawks" for an hour? I was.

I saw the Rockets there as well, also Mitch Ryder, the Romantics, and others. It was a tiny place, and they would pack them in. I was never asked for my ID, maybe I just looked older.

24 karat was kitty corner on the east side of Telegraph just south of 6 mile. That was more of a disco. Only went there once. I was afraid of getting busted by D.R.E.A.D.
May-31-14, 11:26 PM
DetroitPlanner

What about the Student Body on W Warren or the Liedernacht?
June-02-14, 10:45 AM
JulianaMoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

What about the Student Body on W Warren or the Liedernacht?

What year was that? My brother went to Marygrove and hung at at the clubs downtown. I hung out at September's on the east side, or hit the Telegraph strip. Never went to Uncle Sams though. Did get a job there, but was too irresponsible to show up my first day.
June-02-14, 10:47 AM
JulianaMoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by factoryrat

I saw the Rockets there as well, also Mitch Ryder, the Romantics, and others. It was a tiny place, and they would pack them in. I was never asked for my ID, maybe I just looked older.

24 karat was kitty corner on the east side of Telegraph just south of 6 mile. That was more of a disco. Only went there once. I was afraid of getting busted by D.R.E.A.D.

Yeah!!!! The 24 Karat!! Gosh,I haven't heard that name in ages!!!! Mitch Ryder played in a field at 12 Mile and Drake in 1980. We all went with kegs and put blankets down and it was unreal. We lived right in the area, and saw this band setting up, so we drove over to check it out, and man were we surprised when it turned out to be Mitch Ryder. Anyone else happen to be there?
June-02-14, 10:52 AM
JulianaMoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downriviera

Yes it was. People lined up to get in on a Tuesday nite. I made good money hustling on the pool tables there. Several John Travolta aka Tony Manero wannabees there.

Was that place over I Warren or Roseville? Like a tiny disco near an industrial area or something. I was on a first date and I think he took me there.
June-02-14, 11:00 AM
JulianaMoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hastings

I remember the West side six. There was a club farther south down telegraph in behind where the giant whipped cream can was. Saw Strut there on my 18th birthday. Any one remember that one or kopolskis on Conant?

Strut. Saw them sooo many times. Kopolskis!!! THAT'S the place my date took me that I spoke of earlier. I saw Michael Jackson on the big screen singing one of his hits from like 1981 and thought...is this a disco???
June-02-14, 11:06 AM
JulianaMoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

Wasn't the Silverbird Saloon a biker bar & not a dance club?

I was a Silverbird regular. I was on that dancefloor every Friday and Saturday night with one of my girlfriends, trying to get the band to notice us, and fall in love with us. It was a little of both. Bikers hung out more around pool tables and the bar.
June-02-14, 11:09 AM
JulianaMoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downriviera

The Silverbird was more of a rock bar with bands. People danced but I wouldn't consider it a dance club. Before Silverbird it was West Side Six, I saw the Rockets there. Uncle Sams just down the street on Telegraph was a dance club in those days. The Look played there too, and Dave Edwards is still around.

If I had a dollar for everytime I saw a girl puking in the bathroom at the Silverbird.
June-02-14, 11:16 AM
DetroitPlanner

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulianaMoon

What year was that? My brother went to Marygrove and hung at at the clubs downtown. I hung out at September's on the east side, or hit the Telegraph strip. Never went to Uncle Sams though. Did get a job there, but was too irresponsible to show up my first day.

The Student Body was early 80s and became Walsh's by 1990 or so. It had lots of bands and was in Warrendale.

The other bar became the City Club.

Getting back to the Mitch Ryder talk. He used to being a Warrendaler he used to set up atop a bar during the Street Festival and Play. This too was back in the 1980s.
June-02-14, 11:50 AM
jcole

Wasn't that the SideDoor? It was a three level bar; rock at the middle level called the Side Door; country in the basement and groups that did 50's/60's stuff upstairs with an older crowd

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hastings

I remember the West side six. There was a club farther south down telegraph in behind where the giant whipped cream can was. Saw Strut there on my 18th birthday. Any one remember that one or kopolskis on Conant?
June-02-14, 12:46 PM
mikeinmotown

I'm surprised no one mentioned The Arorta Bar "The Main Vain Of Detroit" at 6 mile west of Woodward. Best music in town. Does anyone remember Bimbos on Woodward near 7 mile. Bimbos was a great dance club.
June-02-14, 01:04 PM
Honky Tonk

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeinmotown

I'm surprised no one mentioned The Arorta Bar "The Main Vain Of Detroit" at 6 mile west of Woodward. Best music in town. Does anyone remember Bimbos on Woodward near 7 mile. Bimbos was a great dance club.

Saw David Bowie there right after the "Young Americans" album release. I believe he played there 5 nights straight. I also saw Tim Buckley there, on one of the worst snow days Detroit ever had. I think a total of 5 people came out. Tim and his band showed up. He looked around and said, "well, if you guys showed up, we're gonna play". Put on one hell of a show. A friend spun @ the Aorta. Spent a lot of time there too. I'm surprised no one mentioned Lansdowne or Ginnapolis, 12 & Middlebelt.
June-02-14, 05:40 PM
Downriviera

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulianaMoon

Was that place over I Warren or Roseville? Like a tiny disco near an industrial area or something. I was on a first date and I think he took me there.

Coral Gables was in Taylor on Ecorse Rd near Telegraph. Its a gun store now. And thats ironic because one night an ex of mine wasn't happy that I was dancing with other girls so she told the bouncers that I was packing. They threw me out.
June-02-14, 05:42 PM
Downriviera

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulianaMoon

I was a Silverbird regular. I was on that dancefloor every Friday and Saturday night with one of my girlfriends, trying to get the band to notice us, and fall in love with us. It was a little of both. Bikers hung out more around pool tables and the bar.

Anyone remember a band that used to play there called Salty Dog? I think they were from Boston.
June-02-14, 06:59 PM
Smirnoff

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Saw David Bowie there right after the "Young Americans" album release. I believe he played there 5 nights straight. I also saw Tim Buckley there, on one of the worst snow days Detroit ever had. I think a total of 5 people came out. Tim and his band showed up. He looked around and said, "well, if you guys showed up, we're gonna play". Put on one hell of a show. A friend spun @ the Aorta. Spent a lot of time there too. I'm surprised no one mentioned Lansdowne or Ginnapolis, 12 & Middlebelt.

Or Jamie's [[Coe) on 7 mile & Middlebelt - what a blast!
June-02-14, 07:39 PM
Django

I know this is a Detroit thread but I used to bounce at The Nectarine Ballroom, which used to be Chances Are, the The Second Chance, now I believe its called The Necto. Its still there on Liberty St but not nearly as big as they scuttled the first floor. I was there in the late 80s and on Sundays we had Black Night as we all called it. The Wizard AKA Jeff Mills would spin the shit out of that place and everybody from the city would come down to dance and party, everybody dressed up and driving these crazy ass cars. This was the late 80s when drug money was everywhere and all the crazy shit that goes with it. The Wizard was truly amazing and I had a couple of his mixed tapes that I wish I still had. His bodyguard Tyrone saved my ass one night out front from being mobbed. I was the only straight white guy who would work both gay night and Sundays "black night"
Lots of good and bad memories working there.

Before that when I was a teen it Was Spankys in Waterford. I didnt get down to Detroit till College where City Club and Bookies were the scene. The original Bookies on 6 mile not that whatchamacallit on Cass.
June-02-14, 07:59 PM
drpoundsign

I got into Uncle Sam's with false ID back in 1978. You know, when your'e invincible? My late Mom was NOT happy about my going anywhere-even at age Twenty two! lol. The Firebird advertised itself on the radio in '79 as an Alternative to the Discos. Disco was starting to suck around then, and when it went down, the whole recording industry almost did WITH it. All those gals in the Disco Dresses. I still have a Firecracker Glass from Uncle Sam's. The Sin Drome was up the street from them.
June-03-14, 06:30 AM
Smirnoff

Uncle Sam's had the coolest drag racing video game back then [[mid 70's) - you actually sat in the drivers seat, watched the Xmas tree countdown, revved engine with the gas pedal, then shifted gears on a hurst shifter.
June-03-14, 08:03 AM
rb336

I remember the weekend dance parties on the Boblo boats
June-03-14, 09:35 AM
Honky Tonk

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb336

I remember the weekend dance parties on the Boblo boats

And, of course, the Moonlight Cruise. How about the "Battle of The Bands" @ the pavillion on the island?
June-03-14, 01:06 PM
carolcb

I remember Uncle Sams and Chances Are. Chances Are in 1976 the night before the Michigan/Ohio State game. I wish I could remember the name of the band that played that night, but alas it has been too long ago. Good times were found in Flint back then as well.
June-03-14, 03:57 PM
mallory

Great thread. Had my first underage drink at Coral Gables in Taylor. I remember when Kraftwerk played Uncle Sam's. Awe-some!

I DJ'ed at a bunch of places in the 80's and still have the vinyl to prove it:
Sabatini's on Plymouth, Gangster's on Telegraph and Joy [[till it burned down), Club Mayhem I think was on Grand River, Shot's on Southfield in Allen Park, the Bob-Lo boat in '84, Tangerine Room/River Place [[88-90), the Warehouse downtown, Ortheia's Place on 8 Mile, Van Dyke's Lounge, Club UBQ, Sud's Factory in Ypsi, and my favorite: Gibson's Lounge!

What was the name of the place that was on Telegraph in Dearborn [[Heights?) that was pretty awesome looking from the road? I never went in there but I remember driving by it a zillion times and it looking pretty spectacular.
June-03-14, 10:37 PM
DetroitPlanner

Quote:

Originally Posted by mallory

Great thread. Had my first underage drink at Coral Gables in Taylor. I remember when Kraftwerk played Uncle Sam's. Awe-some!

I DJ'ed at a bunch of places in the 80's and still have the vinyl to prove it:
Sabatini's on Plymouth, Gangster's on Telegraph and Joy [[till it burned down), Club Mayhem I think was on Grand River, Shot's on Southfield in Allen Park, the Bob-Lo boat in '84, Tangerine Room/River Place [[88-90), the Warehouse downtown, Ortheia's Place on 8 Mile, Van Dyke's Lounge, Club UBQ, Sud's Factory in Ypsi, and my favorite: Gibson's Lounge!

What was the name of the place that was on Telegraph in Dearborn [[Heights?) that was pretty awesome looking from the road? I never went in there but I remember driving by it a zillion times and it looking pretty spectacular.

Actually Gangsters became the first Club Mayhem. It was located right next to Ashley's where Benny and the Jets were the house band for years. After it burned it moved to GR and US-24. After the fire, the old location's sign read "We are too hot for this location, go to Grand River"!

Desoto's.
June-06-14, 08:08 AM
kryptonite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowell

Alvin's on the north end of the WSU campus was having its day during that timespan. I closed out that place more than once.

I'm friends with Alvin these days. I email him the occasional update on his former place. He's not much on emails though and won't join facebook. Basically I see him once or twice a year when he's in Detroit area. He's good friends with my next door neighbor is how I know him actually.
June-06-14, 08:37 AM
Honky Tonk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowell

Alvin's on the north end of the WSU campus was having its day during that timespan. I closed out that place more than once.

I remember going there Tuesday nights for Open Mike, and seeing some woman named Thornetta Davis singing a song or two.....
June-09-14, 08:56 AM
mallory

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Actually Gangsters became the first Club Mayhem. It was located right next to Ashley's where Benny and the Jets were the house band for years. After it burned it moved to GR and US-24. After the fire, the old location's sign read "We are too hot for this location, go to Grand River"!

Desoto's.

Yes, I remember the fire well. A guy that I DJ'ed with back in the Gangsters days called me when he saw it on the news and we drove down there. I still have the pictures of the remnants. Then when Greg [[the guy who owned the place) moved to Grand River and I worked there for a while but it just wasn't my scene. Didn't he change the name to "Grand River Rock Cafe" or am I thinking of another place?

Thanks for the Desoto's flashback. Couldn't remember the name and never did make it in there.
June-12-14, 12:16 PM
MizMotown

After Uncle Sam's it was NITROS and then MAXIE'S I believe. Used to go underage when it was Nitro's [[kinda a teen hangout) I-Rock and Harpo's, Shelter, State Theater Bar [[actually one of the last concerts I seen was there awhile back, Disturbed and Drowning Pool.) Backstage [[Woodward)

In the suburbs definitely Jamie's on 7, Jamie's on Ford Rd., Tremor's, Simon's [[Downriver), and a bunch of others...lol
June-12-14, 12:31 PM
MizMotown

Oh yea... Blondies on 8 mile.

Detroit cover bands I remember besides Bittersweet Alley are, The Look, Halloween, Adrenilin, Seduce, The Rockets, Wally Jackson [[Mustang Lounge, Inkster)
June-12-14, 03:25 PM
Django

The Red Door which is now Avalon Bakery. That was the 90s but a great place to suck some balloons and have a good time.
June-12-14, 06:13 PM
Downriviera

What was the name of the bar on the east side of Telegraph south of 5 mile. They had bands there. I think the building is not there anymore.
June-12-14, 06:21 PM
rb336

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizMotown

Oh yea... Blondies on 8 mile.

Detroit cover bands I remember besides Bittersweet Alley are, The Look, Halloween, Adrenilin, Seduce, The Rockets, Wally Jackson [[Mustang Lounge, Inkster)

cover bands? I seem to remember BSA, the Look, Adrenalin and the Rockets doing some covers, but a fair number of originals.
June-12-14, 06:22 PM
rb336

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

I remember going there Tuesday nights for Open Mike, and seeing some woman named Thornetta Davis singing a song or two.....

The Chisel Brothers featuring Girl Thornetta. Whatever happened to the Chisel Bros.?
June-13-14, 07:18 AM
DetroitFats

The Freestyle at Telegraph and Joy had bands several nights a week, mostly originals, sometimes "new wave" or punk. Up Telegraph a bit was The Ranch, which was not unlike Freestyle.
As far as dance clubs, even though I never went, I remember Cheeks on 8 mile as being pretty trendy in the 80's. Always saw lines of limos coming and going from their parking lot.
June-13-14, 11:36 AM
DetroitPlanner

Wooley Bully's was on Kelly in the 80's.
June-14-14, 06:12 AM
turk1957

Talk about bringing back some great memories... Uncle Sams's was THE place in the mid-70's for sure... I saw Son Seals at Alvin's... sat at the first table from the stage... Remember it being so loud that I couldn't hear for days, but also didn't care... What was the name of the 2-story bar on the east side of Telegraph, between Ann Arbor Trail and Joy Rd? I believe it was in the location where the Belle Tire store is now...
June-14-14, 12:47 PM
Downriviera

What was the name of the 2-story bar on the east side of Telegraph, between Ann Arbor Trail and Joy Rd? I believe it was in the location where the Belle Tire store is now...

Desoto's, mentioned earlier. And yes, The Ranch was the one I was thinking of by Telegraph and 5 mile.
June-17-14, 06:45 AM
Smirnoff

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizMotown

In the suburbs definitely Jamie's on 7, Jamie's on Ford Rd....

Just wondering, anyone know if Jamie's on Ford Rd in Garden City is still open? Jamie's house band is still playing at local bar gigs [[Jamie Coe Band).
December-11-17, 08:29 AM
rartinian

I was the DJ at JL Seagulls and Maxies/Nitros also a club on Joy Road called Dimples. Very cool telephones on the tables. Many great times in these historic clubs. DJ Robbie Knight
December-13-17, 12:21 PM
Warrenite84

There was the Ritz with Confetti's at Gratiot and Frazho, New York New York at Hoover and 11 mile, Traxx on Gratiot near 7 Mile, and The famously grungy Main Act theatre over on the East Side along I-94.

Saw Toby Redd at NYNY and Ritz many times...
December-13-17, 01:14 PM
rb336

Quote:

Originally Posted by rartinian

I was the DJ at JL Seagulls and Maxies/Nitros also a club on Joy Road called Dimples. Very cool telephones on the tables. Many great times in these historic clubs. DJ Robbie Knight

I remember Nitro, I think it is now a "throw back" club. JL Seagull's still stands, I think - I remember the "lighthouse" it had
April-16-19, 08:58 PM
Steven Smith

The aorta was the place to be on thursday night sometime you with wait two hours to g

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeinmotown

I'm surprised no one mentioned The Arorta Bar "The Main Vain Of Detroit" at 6 mile west of Woodward. Best music in town. Does anyone remember Bimbos on Woodward near 7 mile. Bimbos was a great dance club.

Aorta bar was a great place to be on Thursday nights it was oldies night big fun
April-16-19, 09:32 PM
EastsideAl

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Wooley Bully's was on Kelly in the 80's.

Beach bucket margarita night at Wooly Bully's nearly brought about my premature demise.
April-17-19, 05:15 AM
Maof

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

Beach bucket margarita night at Wooly Bully's nearly brought about my premature demise.

As well as upside-down kamakazi's. It really was a fun bar.
April-17-19, 06:23 AM
jcole

The Side Door on Telegraph, next to the giant whipped cream cans, was where I had my first date with my now husband.
April-17-19, 02:11 PM
GPCharles

Played a lot of foosball at the Aorta.
April-18-19, 01:31 AM
archfan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maof

As well as upside-down kamakazi's. It really was a fun bar.

It was indeed. It was our hangout every Wednesday and Friday for a year or more. Also, I now know why folks say, "seems like just yesterday".
April-19-19, 10:20 AM
pjbear05

Quote:

Originally Posted by mallory

Great thread. Had my first underage drink at Coral Gables in Taylor. I remember when Kraftwerk played Uncle Sam's. Awe-some!.

OMG, I was at that concert. Remember Florian handing his "pocket calculator" controller into the crowd.
April-19-19, 10:26 AM
pjbear05

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

Beach bucket margarita night at Wooly Bully's nearly brought about my premature demise.

Getting held down laying back in the barber chair with 3 people pouring tequila, triple sec, and sour mix into my mouth, damn!
April-19-19, 10:45 AM
kathy2trips

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikefmich

Red Carpet & Painted Pony were the first two that came to mind. I was at many others but....the ol' hard drive doesn't work as well as it used to. ;)

Oh yeah...Uncle Sams too.

Did I used to go and see Cheap Trick in the mid-70s [[1975-1976) at the Red Carpet, or did I just dream that? Too many Singapore Slings, perhaps? LOL
April-19-19, 10:57 AM
kathy2trips

pictures

Attachment 38001

The Aorta? Heck, I was a regular! Harvey "Motown" Turner played the most spectacular dance music...rock, Motown, you name it......if it was danceable, it got played. Harvey also had a side biz that did security for Harpos. He and I are still in touch via Facebook. Great times!
April-19-19, 01:09 PM
Maof

Quote:

Originally Posted by archfan

It was indeed. It was our hangout every Wednesday and Friday for a year or more. Also, I now know why folks say, "seems like just yesterday".

Good memories for sure. Just wasn't the same when they expanded and when they reopened on Grosbeck.
April-19-19, 01:20 PM
bust

Clearly my adolescence came too late. Best I came by was The Shelter/St. Andrew's, Bookie's [[on McNichols, but only once, alas), and The Warehouse.

Then again, I still like a lot of the music I was listening to back when.
April-19-19, 04:53 PM
Meddle

So far, these are all local hangouts that some knew and some didn't. But were there any really FAMOUS clubs that people elsewhere knew? Maybe some that made TV shows or movies?
April-19-19, 07:59 PM
softailrider

Cheeks, at the old Sydney Hill Health Club on 8 Mile East of Schaefer. Around 1972 or 1973. Before my time but it was there.
April-26-19, 10:03 PM
Downriviera

What was the name of the Studio 54 style disco in Detroit known for not letting news anchor Doris Biscoe in?
April-28-19, 07:11 AM
jcole

pictures

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downriviera

What was the name of the Studio 54 style disco in Detroit known for not letting news anchor Doris Biscoe in?

This what you're talking about?
Attachment 38054
https://www.detroityes.com/mb/showth...Woodward/page2

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