Jem Targal was born in
Ann Arbor, Michigan at the University of Michigan
Hospital. His family lived in the small community of
Whitmore Lake until Targal was 2 years old while his
father attended, and taught, at the University.
The family then moved to a small town in Turkey named
Teke. Targal’s memories of the 300 year old home
include lots of scorpions, a big stone wall, and a goat
trail that wound its way toward two castles. The house
itself had a room that Targal recalls was his favorite.
He refers to it as “the Jasmine Tea room.” It
had a window which looked out over the city of Istanbul.
He still recalls the spectacular colors of Istanbul at
sunset.
Targal’s father was then teaching at the American
College in Istanbul. There were seven families, all
related, living in the house together. Targal’s
Grandfather, a retired general, was there. So, too, was
Targal’s uncles. One had been the head of NATO
forces for several years; the other uncle was a
professional wrestler. Then, in 1951, Targal’s
family returned to Michigan.
The moved into a house on Marlboro street in the city of
Detroit. The street was near Jefferson Avenue and within
walking distance of the Detroit river where Jem often
wandered to watch cargo ships or gaze across the river at
the Canadian city of Windsor. Targal went through school
in Detroit, graduating from Cooley High school before
moving, with his family, to a beautiful house in the
suburban enclave of Troy.
While attending the Detroit schools, Jem began his stage
training. He studied violin from the time he was eight
years old, and, in high school, he acted in school
theatrical performances.
Once in Troy, Jem enrolled at the nearby Oakland
Community College in Auburn Hills. At Auburn Hills, Jem
developed his interest in art and painting. He started
some of his major projects and also contributed editorial
cartoons to the school newspaper. It was there that Jem
met Drew Abbott. Drew was a monitor in a speed reading
class in which Jem had enrolled. Jem knew who Drew was,
and had seen Drew playing in folk music clubs in the
