Ed Lauer: The Heartbeat of Fell’s Point

It was a cold, blustery winter night back in 1998. I want to say it was a Thursday night but that could be off a day or two. But I do know it was a weeknight. I was living at Tindeco in Canton and was a bit bored, so I ventured down to Fell’s Point to have a couple of beers and take in some live music.

Fell’s Point has always occupied a special place in my heart. The first house I ever lived in was at 1618 Shakespeare Street, the home of my grandparents, Joseph and Vera Borowy. It was a warm, cozy corner row home that seemed so much bigger as a child than it does today as an adult. I can vividly remember summer evenings on the front step, eating French Fries from Bob’s Big Boy. Grease drenched the brown paper bag as I went in for one fry after the next while listening to a neighbor across the street play an acoustic guitar atop his front steps. Memories like this run deep. And there were many.

So, on this random winter’s eve my first stop, which happened to be my last as well, was a now defunct place called Leadbetter’s, your quintessential dive bar. As you walked its floors towards the bar, you’d notice cracks in the flooring. The basement lights would peak through the cracks, and it made you wonder when hosting a decent sized crowd, just how secure the place was. But with friendly faces all around while enveloped by good music, no one seemed to care. That night’s featured performer was a fellow named Ed Lauer.

Then, Ed had a long, flowing mullet with hair that reached the middle of his back. He was energetic with a booming voice who played with passion. The obvious joy that music ignited in him was felt by those appreciating his talents. Leadbetter’s had to love it. It was like the Hotel California. People arrived but seemingly, they would never leave. Ed has that affect.

Over the years since, I’ve seen Eddie play so many times I can’t even begin to come up with a number. Whether it was at Leadbetter’s as a solo artist, at The Horse You Came in On with Frank Florence, at Admiral’s Cup with the Radio Dials featuring Jay Swanson and Jason Heiser, The Cat’s Eye with The Juneways alongside Dave Miller and Jess McQuay, or The Waterfront Hotel beside Todd Miller, Ed played his heart out.

Knowing that I had become friends with Ed over the years, others would ask me to try and get him to come out in the suburbs to play at establishments outside of the city. I’d laugh and say that the ONLY place I’ve ever seen Eddie outside of Fell’s Point was at an Orioles game. Sure he might venture to a Ravens tailgate lot to play before a game on occasion, or to the James Joyce Irish Pub, but for the most part, Ed Lauer was and to my knowledge always has been a Fell’s Point staple. His DNA is proudly scattered along Thames Street. Eddie has entertained thousands for decades and is as big a part of Fell’s Point as Cal Ripken is to Orioles Park at Camden Yards.

But recently, Eddie experienced a big setback. He’s suffering from heart complications that have not only sidelined him for over a month, but they’ve also placed his life in jeopardy. He is recovering slowly and just the other day after having his feeding tube removed, Eddie was able to take on solid food for the first time in over 30 days . Loved ones have shared with me that Ed’s will is very strong and with each new day, there’s some progress. But this man who did so much to bring enjoyment to our lives when we were down or felt the need to blow off a little steam along the cobblestone streets of Fells Point, now needs our help.

To get Eddie back to ground zero he’ll need to go through a few procedures which as you can imagine will be expensive. Plus of course with his down time comes lost wages. The heartbeat of Fell’s Point needs our help to keep HIS heartbeat going in a healthy way.

There are a couple of ways to help this prince of a human get back on his feet with the same vigor as you’ve tapped yours for decades while enjoying his talents. On November 1 at The Admiral’s Cup there is a benefit featuring the band Prance – A Purple Celebration.

Or if you can’t make what promises to be a great event, you can contribute to his cause (no sum is too small) via his sister Traci’s Venmo below.

Let’s rally together in support of one of our own.

That’s just how we do things here in Baltimore!

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/10/20/lombardis-way/ed-lauer/