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Tampa Rocker Johnny G. Lyon Cooks Up Something New

Photo by LENORA LAKE

Johnny G. Lyon fronts his band during a set at The Proud Lion Pub, which will be a home base for the group. Lyon spent $25,000 renovating the restaurant.

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By LENORA LAKE

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 30, 2009

Updated: 03/30/2009 10:56 am

TAMPA - A well-known Tampa musician has ventured into the restaurant business for a second time with a pub that has been around more than 25 years.

Johnny G. Lyon of the Johnny G. Lyon Band, known as JGLB, has reopened The Proud Lion Pub, 124 W. Fletcher Ave, which he plans to be home base for the rock 'n' rollers. In addition to the music, the restaurant serves pizza, salads, chicken wings, sandwiches and lots of cold beer, wine and mixed drinks.

The Proud Lion, which had been closed for several months, came to life again on St. Patrick's Day with about 200 guests. Since then, it has drawn fans of the group and the pub, which has been in at least three locations since about 1980.

Lyon, who says he is in "mid-50s," previously owned another area restaurant and bar, which he sold in 2004. He said he has looked for another establishment since.

"When I found this place, we knew it was perfect. What a chance to get a place with such a long reputation," Lyon said.

He said it is now the group's "first choice of a place to play. And we are trying to line up others, too."

Although he is the sole owner of record, band members Tommy Duncan, Ray Blade and Ben Jammin will share in restaurant's success.

Lyon spent about $25,000 renovating the place, which has a main dining room with a bar. An adjacent room has tables, booths, a pool table, a bandstand and a dance floor for about a dozen people.

Co-manager Hayley Pavlick worked Friday night, seating guests, taking orders, serving and checking, with Lyon, on guests' reaction to the meal.

"We've gotten pretty positive response. We visit every table and find out what we should add to the menu," Hayley said.

Jack Green, 56, of Lutz, was among those. A longtime JGLB and Proud Lion fan, the retiree sat at the bar eating chicken wings.

He said in 1984 he lived across the street from The Proud Lion when it was on North Dale Mabry Highway. It had moved there from East Busch Boulevard.

"The night after I moved in, I walked into it there and never left," Green said.

He also followed the band through performances at other Tampa restaurants and bars.

"If he can't make it run, nobody can," Green said of Lyon.

Tribune correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

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