1986

July - A live concert of the Skafish solo show, performed outdoors at the Catholic school of his childhood, St. Mary’s in East Chicago, Indiana, is taped. The performance is aired a few times on Chicago’s national PBS television station WTTW on the show “Image Union,” and shown several times on the local United Cable channel. Joining Skafish in his performance is a group of girls dubbed the “Gloria Girls.” Of the five dancers/backing vocalists, one is a prostitute, and two are exotic dancers.

Skafish’s performance is colorful, flamboyant, highly entertaining, and surprisingly well received by a diversified (non rock ’ n’ roll) audience ranging from toddlers to seniors. Skafish wears a fedora hat decorated with a hand painted scarf of his profile. Wearing bright red pants, a shirt with abstract hand painting, and blue shoes, Skafish’s five o’clock shadow is in contrast with heavy make up. Skafish dances and weaves non-stop on stage and through the entire crowd. The final long-form edit features 2 new Skafish pieces, 3 covers, and an interview segment hosted by cousin and radio DJ Bobby Skafish.

This year, Skafish begins producing various local artists, often performing most or all of the backing music tracks. As a keyboardist, guitarist and percussionist, Skafish begins working as a session musician.