Story Behind The Song

John Bacich (1920s-2012), known as "Johnny Rex," was a World War II combat veteran, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed "King of Skid Row" in Minneapolis's Gateway District during the 1950s. A real estate investor with a knack for storytelling, he built a small empire in the gritty neighborhood--home to over 3,000 single, often itinerant men like lumberjacks, railroad workers, and pensioners--by owning the Victor Hotel (a cheap "cage hotel" with chicken-wire cubicles), Rex Liquors, and the freewheeling Sourdough Bar on Washington Avenue near Nicollet Mall, famous for its 10-cent beers. The nickname "Johnny Rex" came from his lawyer, as locals struggled with "Bacich" and saw him as the unofficial "Mayor of Skid Row," a benefactor who handed out dollars, hosted inclusive crowds (including gay patrons spared from harassment), and even buried customers without family. As urban renewal loomed in the early 1960s, Bacich documented the vanishing world through photographs and 16mm home movies, later narrated for his 1980s film Skidrow and a 1998 TPT documentary. Married to Barbara for 47 years, he wintered in Florida, remained a community connector until his death, and inspired the 2016 book The King of Skid Row by James Eli Shiffer.

Song Description

John Bacich (1920s-2012), known as "Johnny Rex," was a World War II combat veteran, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed "King of Skid Row" in Minneapolis's Gateway District during the 1950s. A real estate investor with a knack for storytelling, he built a small empire in the gritty neighborhood--home to over 3,000 single, often itinerant men like lumberjacks, railroad workers, and pensioners--by owning the Victor Hotel (a cheap "cage hotel" with chicken-wire cubicles), Rex Liquors, and the freewheeling Sourdough Bar on Washington Avenue near Nicollet Mall, famous for its 10-cent beers. The nickname "Johnny Rex" came from his lawyer, as locals struggled with "Bacich" and saw him as the unofficial "Mayor of Skid Row," a benefactor who handed out dollars, hosted inclusive crowds (including gay patrons spared from harassment), and even buried customers without family. As urban renewal loomed in the early 1960s, Bacich documented the vanishing world through photographs and 16mm home movies, later narrated for his 1980s film Skidrow and a 1998 TPT documentary. Married to Barbara for 47 years, he wintered in Florida, remained a community connector until his death, and inspired the 2016 book The King of Skid Row by James Eli Shiffer.

Lyrics

Song Title: The King of Skid Row


(Verse 1)

Old Johnny Rex owned a bar down on Skid Row, With sleepin' rooms just up the steps.

For two bits a night you could stay up at Johnny's, And drink yourself out of your head.


Gandies and gamblers and grifters and ramblers, And strangers with money to spend.

For forty odd years, the King of the Skid Row, Was always a drunkard's best friend.


(Verse 2)

He saw 'em come in, with a spark and swagger, A pocket of plan in the eye

He'd watch 'em crawl out, with a shake and a stagger, A hopin' the sun wouldn't rise


He not one ta judge, never asked for a story, Just poured out another cold glass, and say

"Troubles will fade, like whiskey-soaked glory, But boys, a stiff drink's built to last."


(Verse 3)

In the morning, a Sourdough drink was a nickel, And breakfast and lunch for the day.

But five bucks in change, and a Frisco pool later, The boys on the Skid Row remained.


As true to the King as a knight to a damsel, Distressed as a blizzard in May.

And broke as a sailor the last day of shore leave, And as drunk as they were yesterday.


(Verse 4)

The clock on the wall had a permanent stoppin', At five minutes past closing time.

The dust on the bottles told tall tales of troubles where dreams were exchanged for a dime


Then Johnny would nod from his stool by the counter, a silent and knowing old sage

He knew every lost soul, every forgotten encounter, Written deep on life's grimy page


(Verse 5)

The whispers would start, when the money ran thin of leaving, and turning a page.

But the pull of the bar, and the warmth deep within, boys, Kept 'em stuck in that comfortable cage


For outside the doors, lay the world cold and sober, A place where a man had to fight.

But inside, with Johnny, the long day was over, Lost in the glow of the night.


(Chorus/Outro)

So hoist 'em up, boys, the Mayor is buyin'! There's no fun in drinkin' alone.

And hats off to Johnny, and hats off to Skid Row, Hats off to havin' a home.

Yeah, hats off to Johnny, and hats off to Skid Row, Hats off to havin' a home.