By Jim G (64.12.97.7) on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 10:35 pm:

RJ, champion of Detroit music, had his house looted and burned to the ground during Thursday night's black out.
RJ is fine physically OK and will definitely make Alberta's West coast tour, which begins this coming Thursday, at Eli's in Oakland.
Except for his drums and a few other items that were in his van, he has lost
everything....absolutely everything.

Shortly after the blackout started on Thursday, RJ went over to his mother's house for a big BBQ so that the food in her freezer would not spoil.
RJ decided to spend the night at his mom's house, and returning to his own home Friday, he discovered it had burned to the ground,
apparently the result of same candle bearing looters who had broken in during the darkness.

RJ remains in good spirits and intends to get thru this sad situation with
head held high. He asks that anyone wanting to know about him or his
activities may do so by contacting Matt Lee at 248-931-2443. Several people
are talking about benefits for RJ. Tentative plans are for one at the Magic
Bag Theater on August 28th. I will be posting information on the Detroit
Blues Society web site as it becomes known to me.
Thanks,
Wolfgang Spider www.dbsblues.com

By Sue (205.188.209.109) on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 10:51 pm:

Jim,
I'm glad they're talking about having a benefit at the Magic Bag now. I heard that the Music Menu might host the benefit, and while that's where RJ has long played a regular gig, I think it's too small to hold all the people who would show up to support him.

Hopefully we can get an address via which his friends outside of Detroit can help RJ out if they feel so inclined.

He lost his vast music collection ...

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 03:09 am:

This is just terrible. RJ is truly one of the good guys of the Detroit music scene and a blues/R&B stalwart. I think a benefit would be very appropriate, and it should be held, but I'm sure it wouldn't begin to make up for what RJ has lost.

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 03:19 am:

This is awful news.

Our thoughts are with RJ.

David

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 06:13 am:

Terrible news. Jim, tell him we are thinking of him. Sad indeed.

By Keeping Soul Alive (81.128.245.159) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 07:51 am:

Hi Jim

Please tell RJ that we are thinking of him after this terrible event.

Why do these things happen to the good folks? He is such a warm guy and loved meeting him.

Tell him to take care and I hope he gets things sorted out a s soon as possible.

Best wishes

Colin Dilnot
Keeping Soul Alive

By Stephanie (68.50.216.139) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 08:57 am:

he is in my prayers...
Stephanie

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 09:27 am:

((((RJ)))!!!

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.21) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 09:33 am:

Theres always some scumbags that have to
sink to such low levels in there lives.
I hope they catch them and give them what they deserve.
So sorry to hear about this
and were all thinking of you Mr Spangler.
my best wishes
mel.

By RD (65.150.228.76) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 09:40 am:

I feared incidents like R. J. Spangler's would happen in Cleveland but thankfully our blackout only lasted one night. If it had extended to two or three evenings it would have been absolute chaos. I've never seen a city as dark as Cleveland was this past Thursday.

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 10:52 am:

We will pray for the best for him.
Soul Sister & Jimmy

By Vic Doucette (68.73.34.177) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 04:15 pm:

Metro Times editor Jeremy Voas (my boss) devotes his "Screed" column to this horrid event in tomorrow's paper. Pick it up or look for it online at www.metrotimes.com beginning tomorrow; I'll post a link tomorrow when the Web site goes up.
R.J.'s a friend -- and doesn't live far from me. I thought we were better than this.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.32) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 04:21 pm:

What can you say when something like this happens? I was sickened when I read what had happened. I don't know Mr Spangler personally, but my heart truly goes out to him. I don't think I could cope with something as devastating as that.

By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 05:02 pm:

My heart goes out to you also, RJ

Steve K

By Vic Doucette (68.73.25.181) on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 07:35 am:

Here's the link to the story in Metro Times:

http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5311

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 08:44 am:

Thanks for the link Vic.

David

By the count (69.14.113.157) on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:11 am:

This is nooooooo good,I kan imagine how he feels and what pain he is holding back,as most true musical heros kan only do.I have an idea that might be of some help to RJ,we KONTINENTALS kould possibly do a procedes donation to RJ at our steak dinner dance SEPT.6th.providing the dance will be a sell-out and go over our limit of ticket sales(400--450).I'am having a klub meeting tonite and will bring this to the members attention.Lets all help here and support RJ and help the KONTINENTALS put this on,but you must act fast so we kan give the hall an approx steak order and beer kegs,etc.Please go to the link for info on the dance and klick on comming SEPT.6th.
E-mail me or kall the numbers on the flyer you will see on the title.
THANX,"COUNT"
http:/www.kontinentalsthedoowopkruisers.com

By Larry (68.164.130.224) on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:33 am:

Dear RJ,
My heart goes out to you too.

Larry

By Allstate (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:28 am:

burglars with candles!!!!!!!!!!
sounds lika an insurance job to me!

By Horse (159.53.238.241) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 09:44 am:

Allstate,

Cheap Shot..!

R.J.,

Keep The Faith And Keep On Keepin' On..! And Remember: You Just Can't Keep A Good Man Down..! If there's anyway I can lend a hand,(drummer to drummer) just let me know. You can get me offline at sabrenomad@hotmail.com.

Peace

Horse

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 09:49 am:

Horse,
There'll be a benefit for RJ at the Magic Bag in Ferndale; the date is still in flux but stay tuned. The music community will turn out ...

By HORSE (159.53.238.241) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 10:18 am:

Thanx Sue. I'll be watching for details.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 07:28 pm:

Geez...
I get back from Detroit and read this sad news...
I would gladly donate records from my collection to RJ to help rebuild what he lost.

May these looters burn in hell for what they did.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By emaceo (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 10:29 pm:

Is this the same "RJ" from "RJ's Latest Arrival"? No matter, it was a messed up thing to do, and I wish the best for him.

By Julian (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 12:03 am:

Emaceo,

Could it be? Remember "Shackles"?

By Vic Doucette (68.73.26.197) on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 09:05 pm:

No, R.J. Spangler was not associated with R.J.'s Latest Arrival.
There should be more on the R.J. benefit in this Wednesday's Metro Times. I'll post a link when available.

By Vic Doucette (68.73.33.27) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 09:19 am:

R.J.'s benefit has been scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Magic Bag (that's on Woodward, just north of Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, for those not in the know). Don't know about start times, admission acts or anything else like that; this seems to still be a work in progress, with the number of people wanting to participate growing daily. Methinks it might actually be a problem finding time for everyone who wants to play.

My colleague, Keith A. Owens of Metro Times, devotes his column to R.J. this week. I'll post a link tomorrow when it becomes available.

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 09:30 am:

http://www.detnews.com/2003/entertainment/0308/26/b03-254361.htm

And my colleague Luther Keith, who's in a blues band himself, wrote this yesterday. The RJ part is halfway down the column:

http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0308/25/a02-253144.htm

By Vic Doucette (68.73.26.43) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 07:16 am:

Here's the link to the Keith A. Owens story in this week's Metro Times:

http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5319

By Bradburger (172.188.180.222) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 08:10 am:

What a terrible thing to happen.

Having experienced a house fire several years ago, it was a devestanting and tramatic time even though we got off lightly.

I can't imagine what it must be like to loose everything you have ever worked for and to find yourself homeless.

I hope the culprits are caught and made to pay for this hideous crime.

Paul

By radiogoon (67.192.65.189) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 06:12 pm:

RJ,

Sorry to hear of the loss. I was suprised to see how close you lived to my Uncle. If there is anything we can do to help, feel free to call on us. Enjoyed our time chatting with you and Joe Weaver at Heatstock this year. Take care and keep the faith....there's a song in there somewhere.

Dr.Z
The Hardtailz

By Vic Doucette (209.69.221.253) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 10:32 am:

I was at the Music Menu having dinner last night when R.J. called from Oregon! I had a chance to speak with him for a few minutes; he was in pretty good spirits, all things considered, and greatful for the outpouring of affection and support.
I told him that it had been my experience from my own bad periods that there was one good thing you could count on when in the roughest of times -- you find out in a hurry who your friends really are.
His response? "I guess I've got a lot of friends."