Talkin' About Sy's Generation

By SEAN C. LEDIG The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 28, 2007

WEST TAMPA - Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey and Grace Slick, all in their 60s, are considered among the elder rock 'n' rollers.

But they're just kids compared to Sy "The Major" Sopkin, harmonica and bass player for Crossfire. At 86, the Carrollwood Village resident is living proof you're never too old to rock, said his son and band mate, Jim Sopkin.

"He does get a unique response," the younger Sopkin said. "At first, people poke each other with their elbows and point to him and laugh. But when they see him play, then it turns to respect."

Sy Sopkin, a World War II veteran, doesn't look the part of rock musician. Sitting on the stage, wearing black socks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers' sandals and a Hawaiian shirt with hibiscus leaves, he looks more like any other retiree who might be seen walking peacefully along Clearwater Beach.

But any doubts vanish as he jams on the bass for the Sam the Sham classic, "Wooly Bully." Next, he hands the bass to his son and plays a bluesy harmonica on Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Pride and Joy."

Crossfire performs a mix of classic rock, pop and country music. Their repertoire spans the decades and musical styles ranging from Hank Williams Jr. to Jimmy Buffett to the Eagles to John Mellencamp.

Peter Droutos, manager for Rick's on the River, 2305 N. Willow Ave., said Sy Sopkin is an inspiration for him. Droutos said he can count on Crossfire to draw a crowd at the club's outdoor stage when the weather cooperates.

"He's got a lot of fans and he rocks," Droutos said. "I wouldn't mind being in his shape at 86. Hey, I wouldn't mind being in his shape at 55."

One of their regular fans, West Tampa resident Joe Rossiter, said he looks forward to Crossfire's performances at Rick's.

"I've been coming here five years and I think they're all awesome," he said. "When I know that they're here, I come on up."

Crossfire performs twice a month at Rick's. Though he enjoys jamming with his son and their friends, Sy Sopkin said he usually stops to rest after two sets. Afterward, he either goes home or sits back and watches the band perform.

The elder Sopkin is a self-taught musician who started with the harmonica as a high school student in the 1930s. He furthered his skill while serving in the Army Air Corps in Northern Africa during World War II. Sopkin said he and other musicians used to practice together to relieve the boredom and loneliness between missions.

"While we were overseas, we just entertained each other," he said. "Your ability grows as you get exposed to other ways of playing."

Glenn Parker of Tampa said he respects Sopkin as a fellow self-taught harmonica player.

"He learned like I did," Parker said. "His mom and dad gave him a harp and he just went to his room and practiced with no one to play for."

The war still weighs heavily on Sopkin's mind. It was in Casablanca, Morocco, that he met his wife, Mary Lucille, who served as a flight nurse. They were married after a two-week courtship and stayed together for 60 years.

After the war, the Sopkins found themselves stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. Though they were sometimes sent away for other assignments, Tampa was never far from their minds. When Sy Sopkin retired, the family settled in Tampa.

Jim Sopkin and his siblings were given piano lessons as children. Jim also learned to play the trumpet before switching to the guitar.

When Sy turned 70, Jim gave him a guitar and an amplifier. Sy learned to play it, though he said he is partial to the bass.

Father and son played together for several years until Sy's wife's health declined and he became her full-time caretaker.

Sy returned to the band after his wife died in 2004.

"When my mom passed away, he was lost for a while," Jim said. "I invited him back. He had to practice for a while, get his chops back."

One of Jim Sopkin's childhood friends and band mate Jeff Kopseel said Sy used to encourage his musical interests as a youngster.

"I've known The Major since we were kids," Kopseel said. "Jim and I used to go into his Dad's room and practice on his instruments."

Like their musical repertoire, Kopseel said Sy's appeal reaches across generations.

"People just love him," Kopseel said. "When he does one of his medleys on the harmonica, whether you're 90 or 9 years old, people just love it."

Debra Schieler of Lutz agreed. After dancing to "Wooly Bully" with her friend's young daughter, Schieler said she was surprised that Sopkin is 86.

"I think he's great!" she said. "And it's great that he's still playing."

With a little pride, Sopkin said many of Crossfire's fans think he is younger than he appears.

"They're always surprised to find out my age," he said. "A lot of them never met anyone from World War II. You know, [World War II veterans] are dying at the rate of 1,000 a day."

Because of his life's experiences, Sopkin said he enjoys meeting fellow servicemen at the concerts.

"There were some guys that had come back from Afghanistan and they sat and talked with me," he said. "One guy leaned on my shoulder, telling me of the rough time they have over there. They congratulated me for surviving my war."

Reporter Sean C. Ledig can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or sledig@tampatrib.com.