DiscoMusic.com

I remember Gino's very well. I was a regular for years. I would love to hear from others who were regulars too.

Cuban Jose, Leo, Toby, Skinny Tony, Stella, Vince, Cesar and Grace. Come on guys, you were the best dancers and you can add so much more to the memory of Gino's.

Greetings! Heck yes, I remember Gino's II. Gino and his infamous leather vest.

I say damn! You guys just took me back to the best days of my teen years; awesome memories… People wearing the disco space suits, girls wearing mermaid dresses, and the staple of characters that practically lived there. The dance contents/shows that “Lizard Woman,” the skinny Asian-looking drag-queen or transvestite that always danced to Quartz’ “Beyond the Clouds” and would always get the sympathy vote and win.

I started going to Gino’s II at 16 years old. It was the first time I saw gay and straight people co-mingle. Nobody cared who was what. It was a feast for the eyes and ears…it was about the music. I always believed Michael Angelo played the best music. Earliest recollection of the music he played: Jessica William’s “Queen of Fools,” Lipps, Inc. “Rock It,” (Don’t remember the artist name), “Land of the Tiger Drum,” and a song which I always wanted to know who the artist was – and still looking – the song would say, “You can tie me upside down. You can tie me up to a tree, but you ain’t never gonna f*** me in my a**.” Gino Soccio's, "Les Visiteurs,: and "Dancer." I started collecting vinyl back then and have amassed over 1000 records that I guard with my life! Still play them and get together with some friends for some friends as we listen to the "old disco."

Anyhow, the list of characters I remember from there were drag queens such as Viva (became famous for impersonating Madonna), and another taller, skinner guy drag queen named Derek (don’t know his drag-queen name) who would wear white 60’s style white boots.

I also remember the fights outside, drinking behind Gino’s. I have so many memories I would like to share.

Were the dancers mentioned, Cora, was she not Filipina? I remember this – and if it is her – my brother dated her.

Anyhow, lets get this motha’ going! Write some more…Oh yeah, the Yoshinoya on the corner. Yukk and Yumm!

Martin “Tio”

It is so good to read some of the Gino's crew is still around and remember all the good times. I remember "Lizard Woman" also and have a photo from one of her performances. I also have a photo of Miss Viva. I'll try to get them scanned. Maybe we can start a Gino's web page or online club? We would have a few drinks behind the club too and then dance our asses off for hours. Does anyone remember Miss Gypsy? My friends John (passed away), Joe (dj), Anthony (aka Antoinette), Paul and Rod were there every Friday or Satuarday night and sometime Mondays or Wednesdays. It was tough to find a new outfit for all those nights, but we were creative back then. :) The Holloween and New Year's Eve parties were great too. I was about 16 when I started clubbing at Gino's and I too remember the leather vests. Let's do the time warp again. Robert "Berta"

I was trying to rembember Cora, was she Michael Angelo's dance partner? I know his regular dance partner's name is Cessy, but that was earlier. There were a group of very fashionable black queens there who were also very good dancers, Tony Coleman and Atkins are the only two names I can recall. God Bless

I've lost contact with many of old crowd and some are no longer with us, but it sure is good to hear there are others out there. I was 14 the first time I went to Gino's, it was the only club that would let me in, heck I just wanted to dance. Remember "Love Bug" by Tina Charles and "Run To Me" by Kelly Marie. I too have spent a life time collecting the vinyl just to capture a moment in time. Has anyone seen Santos aka Grace Mendez? She used to do the whole Grace Jones act. Hey, what about the liquor store up the street, we used to stop by and pick up a cocktail in a can just before walking upstairs for show time. Rudy aka Rula Lenska had a Gino's reunion about 15 years ago, it was a blast dancing to all the old music and finding out I could still do the jitterbug and the latin hustle. I drive by Gino's every so often when I'm in town and for a split second I can almost see the crowd waiting in line to go upstairs. Geez, I wanna here more what about chat room?

Hello, I too was a regular at Gino's II. We have been having regular Gino and Circus reunion parties in the L.A area recently. Many former Ginos II patrons frequent our website which is decitated to places like Ginos in the L.A area. the website is backtodisco.com, we have many get togethers quite frequently. on the site you will find some info on Ginos along with daily visitors from the L.A disco scene of the 70's and 80's, we frequently give away cd's to our ginos friends when we have get togethers. Always nice seeing other ginos II peeps around. Ialways dedicate a set to Ginos when I play with some of the late Michael Angelo's favorites classics hope to hear from some of you. On our site you will find old Ginos peeps like Green Eyes Joe, The Teddy Boys, Pegasus, Wormetts, Muppetts, and many many more...

George

WOW! Up until now I have only been a lurker to this sight. Talking about Ginos
is was what it took to get me out of my shell and take the plunge. I too have great memories of Ginos. Every thing mentioned so far is stirring up GOOD MEMORIES. Ihave the pleasure of saying that I met some of my best friends there.One of them i now call my wife! I still remember wondering if she was straight or not, she says she was wondering the same thing about me. We danced that night in 1981 and have been together ever since! WE are both ***hags. I too have been collecting vinyl since then, and my passion in life these days is sharing the music with my friends. We are always hoping to meet new disco friends. It still happens occasionally. It's true that disco people have a common bond that last's forever. Hey TIO the song was "WHY'D YA DO IT" by MARRIANE FAITHFUL. The most obscure music to be heard at that time was at GINOS. The most outrages fashion at the time was at ginos. Bacardi 151 going in, Beef bowl before giong home...sometimes on the bus!!! GOOD TIMES!!! Believe it or not we are having a
GINOS NIGHT at my house tonight.

Remember the crowd from Bell Jeff in the valley drinking wine in the Camaros before heading for Gino's to some of the best music ever...remember "I travel" from Simple Minds and of course Lime's "Your Love"...Patty, remember the pompadors. Cuban Marco

That's where I learned to dance. Talk about a place ahead of it's time. My buddies Chris and Anthony always were in the dance contests. Ginos and Circus were the places to be on the weekend. Oh what great memories!

I remember Gino's. How could forget it this place! It was a big part of my teenage life! I'd like to consider myself a regular member, though I really didn't go to every dance contest.
I remember how I and the group of people I used to hang out with, would start the night by heading to one of the many hall parties that happened back then. Be it, the Ebell Hall on 57th in Highland Park, or the Kennedy Hall in ELA, or Hope Street Hall in downtown, we'd end the night gathering at Gino's. I remember how we would stop at a liquor store, and buy our favorite cocktail, Barcadi & Coke. Then we'd park at the gas station next to Gino's, and start off by drinking. Then we'd go line up, and wait for the dude at the door to search us, and then pay the 5$ at the door, and party the rest of the night. Well, we'd dance for awhile, and then head out to drink some more, and come back in.
What I remember most about Gino's, was the fantastic, and unique music. Played by what I always considered the best DJ at the time, Michaelangelo. He had an uncanny nack to find the best music at the time. He not only played disco music, but he also played Kroq music. It's where I first heard, "Memorabilia",and "Tainted Love", by Soft Cell, "Gold" by Spandau Ballet, "Private Idaho", and "Rock Lobster", by The B-52's, "Cool Jerk", probably the original, not the version by the Go-Go's. "Jet Boy Jet Girl", forgot who the artist was. Of course the who could forget, "Boy Meets Girl" by Haircut 100, and host of Kroq music that I've forgtten now.
Of course there was all that great disco music that I heard first at Gino's also. "Cuba", "I Will Survive", "Love Bu", "Little Lovin'", "Don't Turn Around",
"Menergy", "Wonder Woman", "My Sweet Lucy", "Got Got Money", "69", "Body Shake", "The Visitors", "Dancer", "Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag", "Shack Up", "It Takes Me Higher", "Dancer Dance", "Mondo Man", anything by Divine, and Krafrtwerk, and a host of other music that I, unfortunately forgotten. My biggest regret was that I had some of this music, and I lost it due to my stupidity of lending it to "friends". Still have some though, but I probably will never find most of it.
Nowadays, everytime I pass the old place, I take a look and I'm amazed that in such small place, such big things happened there. Till the end of my days, I will never forget the place, and the people there. There will never be a place like it. Never.

YES....it was all about the music and the height of Latin fashion. Every weekend was almost like getting ready for prom night. AWESOME!
Don't forget about these favs...
"Carcrash"- Uranium....Traffic Breakdown"- Boogie People....and of course the Hollywood 2 disco mix!
I still play these today and in fact all of my music as a DJ today is heavily influenced by Gino's.

I used to always go to Ginos then i started going to Circus when i got my fake ID
what ever happened to michael angelo??last i heard he was in SF
Gino had the best dancers!!!
that was the best teenage disco
i had the best time there
i danced on american bandstand,everyone from there would go to Odessey
ginos rocked!
remember CONSUELO the dominatrix that danced with lizard woman!!! Santos he was a bad lip singer he would allways do grace jones
there was lonnie, great dancer last i saw him he actually was a woman
viva i have seen around
remember Derek everyone would always boo him!!!!

GINOS II . I started going there at 16 years of age. Great to hear others remember this place. Yoshinoya after hours YEAH BABY!! After dancing at the mirrors and learning moves from the awesome dancers grabing some beefbowl was just the icing on the cake!!!!!!!! We recently had a couple of Gino's Dancers at CIRCUS DISCO. We started promoting this place again on Sundays. Classic Disco all night long. We open at 5:00 pm on Sundays and have had recording artists like TAPPS, LIME and JESSICA WILLIAMS. If any one wants to re-live their DISCO days come and visit us or log on to ELEGANTDISCO.com. Disco Rules!!!!

HELLO EVERYONE,MY NAME IS MARVIN. BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE REMEMBER ME AS "MARVELOUS MARVIN"
I STARTED ATTENDING GINOSII IN 1977 ALONG WITH MY BROTHER JAVIER(RIP)HE WAS KNOWN AS "SOMBIE" I GOT MY NICKNAME THROUGH THE LEGENDARY DJ MICHAEL ANGELO. I WAS A REGULAR THERE. MOST OF THE DANCE CONTEST I WAS IN AND COMPETED AGAINST A LOT OF GREAT DANCERS, I WILL DETAIL MORE INFO WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME, SOMEONE ASKED ABOUT DEREK THE DRAG QUEEN HE WENT BY THENAME TOOTY FRUITY AND HE DID WIN SOME CONTEST,GINO WAS ALSO FAMOUS FOR WEARING HIS GERMAN HELMET AFTER HE WAS HURT

Hello everyone:) I also attended GINOSII for the first time in 1982.It was May I believe and I went with Rockabilly Sal(my brother) who was a regular since the late 70's.We would drive up in my moms black Cadillac.The times I went were numbered but I will never forget the great memories I had there.Some of my friends there were Marie Moorehead as well as Rockabilly Yoli,Slash,Eddie Flores,Stixx and Ernie De La Rosa.I also dated a guy named Rodrigo Silva who also attended Ginos every week.I witnessed a few dance contests and will forever hold those memories inside me.There was no liquor served there so my friends and I would walk down Vine St. passing the Beef Bowl there was a school and we would sit there and drink our Tyrolia then go back and watch all the dancers,Marie was also a dancer so it was pretty neat to see here move.I also witnessed fighting when I was there..one fight involving my brother who was defending me..out in the parking lot.The security guard there(Spyder)did not stop the fight...pretty cool cause it was a good one.Lots of great memories...Marvelous Marvin,Disco Esther and Disco Wilie were regulars there and are now good friends of mine.I remember the great music that was played there..Plastic Doll,Bodyshake,Beyond The Clouds,etc.It was awesome!

Hey party people never did get around to Ginos but I had a lot of older friends that did frequent Santa Monica and Vine. Tony G, Alma R, Phil D, George S. Marvelous Marvin, I went to school with you and Javier back in 70's at Berendo Middle School. I made my debut at Circus Disco in '82. Yes, with a fake ID!

All Gino's regulars please e-mail me at banditto63@yahoo. We are having a Gino's II reunion, all of the Gino's regulars are invited. This will be in the memory of Ernie Calderon (gino's muppet) who recently passed away. We will have live DJ's only playing true Gino's music. Many of our friends from Gino's II have passed, no one has done a reunion as of yet. Before we lose anymore lets get together & remember the good old times there.

Thank You
George

Man oh man, I just remember sneaking out with my clothes in my purse and heading to Gino's. I loved this one song "black cat crawlin the night aching to fight..black cat" when M A would play that we'd go wild. I have searched for it but cant find it on the net. I also remember piging out a Tommy's afterwards...Cerone's "supernature" my sister and i entered the dance contest once we were"Fearsssss"

My sister and I started going to Gino's when we were 15 or 16, in the mid 70's. We attended SouthGate High, and we had somewhat of a following from there who would all tag along. All of us would crawl in some small car that barely made it and head down to Gino's. I remember catching the bus a couple of time as well. We were two fine black girls who used to swing together for 5 or 6 songs in a row at a time, and we had the moves too...cuz we would practice to death at home and say to ourselves..."oooh we got to try this at Gino's when we go!" And I remember everytime we would swing or dance, we would always have a crowd gather around us. We would sometimes dress with 50's clothes on...but with a little chic thrown in. I remember we would come in Gino's with our hair straight and make-up purrrfect!!! only to end up walking out at closing with heat-fried afro's and sweat streaked dried up make-up. But we didn't care! Gosh..those were some good ole dayz!

Connie V....my sis...we had fun didn't we!

Yes, I performed there all the time. Michael Angelo put together a group I was part of with Viva. I usually danced 60's go-go style and did comedy under the stage name Lesbiana or Tutti Fruiti at Ginos until I perfected my comedy at Circus where we took our act and then Peanuts in March of 1982. I still see some of that old crowd (now middle-aged) at Oil Can Harry's Disco night on Saturdays in Studio City.

Derek

Hello. I used to enter the dance contest all the time dancing go-go 60's style in white boots and striped 60's sweaters. Sometimes in drag with comedic results. Yes I was booed quite a bit but MIchael Angelo saw some talent in me and asked me to join a group called the Cosmetics. We performed at Circus Disco in the back room until a falling out with management/ We then took the act to Peanuts where we performed until 1990-91. I used the stage name Lesbiana, Tutti Fruit (Gino's only) also using my real name of Derek for my male renditions (x-rated) of current pop hits. Sadly Michael Angelo died of AIDS in 1995 in San Francisco. Those were fun times and I still see some of that crowd on Saturday nights at Oil Can Harry's in Studio City!

i have been looking for a site about my disco days 81,82, etc. i use to dj. i was from poison,of beverly hills. ha ha! we use to play with ballet of hollywood. i remember tony,larry danny poison,and green eyes joe soto. me and my freinds use to cruse whittier blvd and hollywood blvd.on our motorcycles.we would go to the seven seas too.i loved ginos 2.i miss those days and those people too...come on people let me hear from you..

Best Club I Ever Been Too!!!!
I was 17 and a Dacing Queen. I remember The Good Times We Had Every Single Time, D.J Michael Angelo Played. I knew Angel Robles, Darcy, Liz, Both Carolina's, Rosa, David, Queta, Jose, Vicky, Raymond, Robert, Javier (Zombie) Marvin, Juan Carlos, Juan, Julio, The 711 Boys, Sergio, Betty, Juan, Ana, Silvia, Tony Atkins, Chris, Omar, Carlos, Juan, Oh And I Had 2 Kids With Nelson Garcia. With Love, Blanca! From Belmont High School.

We are planning another Gino's II reunion. Anyone interested please e-mail me at banditto63@yahoo.com last reunion was a huge success and we hope the next one will top the last. Visit www.backtodisco.com for classic L.A disco memories

George Flashback

PS Hey Steve Gonzales, its me George, e-mail me

I started going to Gino's at 17 years old. With my cousin Sal D'l, and his friends Nuria, Claudia. My friends Gus, and brother Clifton whom won a few dance contests. Do you all remember the passing around of locker room and getting buzzed inside while dancing in a circle.

Wow Good times

Robert C.

Big "G"/ I want to put in the names of all my buds/ my cousins Louis and George and from Belmont Julio/Zombie and Danilo. I will keep in touch, write me.......

I am looking to hear from my buds also Marvin /sorry to hear about Zombie. He was a good friend...
Write to me...

Does anyone know what happen to Angel or Darcy Robles, Liz, or Jessica.. all from Belmont. Hit me back at littleboots62@aol.com

Also, any girls I made out with in the corners of Big "g" inside, or in the back stairs and across the street by the Carpeteria, go ahead and write me also, thanks Edgar....
sayulon@netscape.net

The date for the Gino's II reunion has been set, It will be held Saturday July 1st. Anyone interested in attending please e-mail me at banditto63@yahoo.com


George

George I would like to know if you can please let me know about the special occasions it's me Hilda I'm Martins & Willie's friend I notice that this guys started helping you promoting this new flash back to Disco partys just like me and other people would like to know your new events. Tony spinner just like me woulk like to be in your partys.

Does anyone have the music from those days at Ginos's.

I always remember that music, I have some but not all.

I remember going every Friday and Saturday night,

The competiton was great, and the music was the best.

I remember the DJ, he would come out of his cubicle and dance that great music.

Oh yeah. Gino's was the place to be at the time. I remember going there about the age of 16 and was absolutely blown away with the music and mixes the DJ (Michael Angelo) use to play. That really inspire me to start spinning Disco and continue to collect the music.Genesis 1- Ortega Productions

Well, I was probably the youngest of all of you at Gino's. I have a lesbian aunt who would take me out with her after telling my Mom that we were going to Disneyland, or some place like that so she could borrow the car to go out. I was 13 in 1981, and I was tall so I blended in with everyone else. I remember Viva and thinking she was a girl. She did a great Madonna. I was soo lucky to catch that era, it was agreat time with great music. Mya aunt and her friend green eyes Joe would dance the night away, and I was always so taken back by their performance. My Friend Angel Flores(RIP), who was older than I would also go. He taught me how to dance. My favorite song was Love attack. Later I saw Viva again when I came out in my 20's. I think she is still around. WOW, great times. I would love to be included in your Reunion mailing list. I'm at andrewschris68@sbcglobal.net

The last reunion was great, Viva and myself (Tutti Fruitti) performed along with Green Eyes Joe.

Derek

Wow I do remember, I was only 16 it was fun, great imported music, you could not hear that on the radio. My brother and I loved going every Saturday and Sunday, I have been looking for the music they played there, specifically in 1978 and 1979. can't find it anywhere but thanks for the memory lane trip.

I was too young for Gino's but started going to Peanuts when I was 17. I have pictures with Happy New Year 1986 written on the mirror. I remember Michael Angelo doing "I Want Money" and Nina Hagen. I had the good luck of being invited back to his apartment one night and he had gold lame curtains, I thought they were the living end. Lesbiana (Derek what is that song - 'I know a place... a whole lot of f++cking and s++cking going on and if you wanna get ate clear down to the bone come and go with me'?) Viva, Adam and the black guy who did Patti LaBelle. Grace Jones and the dancer Paula. I used to use a hi-lighter to do eye makeup because I would ride the bus and no-one could see it but under the black-lite I was fabulous.
Any reunions let me know -
sb-shop@sbcglobal.net
@

Yes, the song was by Blowfly and it was a parody of the Staple Singers version of "I Know a place". Peanuts was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Michael's apartment was beautiful on Kings Road. His talents were many, decorating, makeup, painting, you name it he did it!

I think it's fantastic that there are so many of you still out there with sound minds and a memory left! LOL
My friends and I would frequent Gino's II on occassion. I was introduced to the club by my older lesbian friend Sally 16, and I was 13. We were both obseesed with Suzi Quatro. She had a friend Anne Marie and they both drank cough syrup to get high..LOL. We mosty spent time in the punk venues; Cathay de Grande on Argyle, The Veil @ Lingerie, Madame Wongs, Hong Kong Cafe, The Atomic, The Lhasa, the Olympic, and the Odessey Disco..the Brave Dog in Silverlake...oh, and the flamingo! LOL
Michael Angelo was truly a pioneer in record spinning. I'm proud to say Michael stole a record from me...I had something he didn't have, which was a big surprise to me! LOL
It was Lydia Lunch's Queen of Siam LP from 1980...he came over one night after a gig at Peanuts and heard the record and immediately took to it and asked to borrow the record, for which he never returned. He performed a tune off the record at Peanuts once (Atomic Bongo's) when i was there..then a few years later he just dropped out and moved to SF. I never got the record back but i'm sure he made good use of it and thought of me each time he played the record.
Does anyone remember a boy named Simon?
I knew him at Gino's II (82-83), he often wore mens suits and ladies pumps.

Good lordy! Having a record stolen by Michael Angelo was a high honor! I do remember Simon wearing suits with Pumps, Hello Prince? Lots of creativity in those days, these kids today crack me up with their mohawks. Everything from the 80's is being rehashed!

There is now a site dedicated to Gino's II with several pictures & info on the place, check it out

www.backtoginos.com

I began with Ginos 1 late 1976 or before it burned 1977 ( I was 18 at the time) The fashion the peple were all unique. We dressed different then the rest. I remember wearing Lace up Fry boots all the was to the knee and tucked in painted on jeans they were so tight. Shirts Quiana . Ginos ll was also a blast. Then I began going to Peanuts when it opened. And attended every party or at as many Discos as I could.
What times we had. I can write a book with all the drama that went on. Some chapters would be rated Adult.

I remember it well. My first gay disco. I was so happy when I walked in there.Met all my first gay friends there. I remember Michaelangelo and the fan dancing. I miss that.I'll say names later I have to ask them. Yes I still know some of the girls.I want the music.

For some reason I never was a regular. I went one time with a girlfriend but boy, now that I read this I wish I WOULD have been a regular.

Ya know, I COULD NOT for the life of me remember what Gino's looked like. ALL I remember was that it seemed to be tucked back somewhere between some buildings and then I looked at Backtoginos.com and saw the last picture.

It came right back to me. Jeez........I am 49 now and I just got the flashback.

Thanks,

Rafael S.

Hi gang, I was reading some of the stories, and I want to share one. This happened 'round '83 or '84. I was with the Rockabilly Rock Cats. I had a big fight with Tony I forget his last name, his cousin was Patty L. they lived in Echo Park, and he was with the Rockabilly Rebels. We had the brawl next to ginos by some stairs. The ambulance came. Any ways, I wasn't backed up by my club, and we ended the club. Anyways my point is, does anyone remember that incident. Write back to what you remember.

See you all.

Wow, so many memories. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago, but I guess it was. Michael Angelo, yes, I too remember Michael. I remember his Apartment, he had the whole black & white clown theme going on when I was there. He was a character. Gino was so funny. "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" I remember him always saying that after the whole head injury incident. Lonnie Carbajal, such a good dancer/acrobat. I remember The Grand Finals and hating life the next day at school. Those were such good memories. Julian (Viva) was such a beautiful petite person. We all have these wonderful memories of this small place. Nothing extravagent about it. They didn't even serve alcohol, but we had the best times of our lives there. We all have fond memories of Michael Angelo. Wherever he is, may he (and Lonnie) rest in peace. It was a time of innocence. So much has happened in the world since then and I believe this younger generation now will never be able to live the carefree life that we lived. It was the end of an era. We were the lucky ones.

Does anybody remeber Roy Rodaur`te,Ruben and Yolie Ayala,Joanne(aka)Cyclona,Simon,Joseph,Karen(mother)Toni and Marie Moorehead,Oh who could forget Penny!I loved the way she danced.we used to go to the school and drink old elglish and tyrolia and return to Gino's and dance.Gino's favorite's won't you dance with me,lay all your love on me(remixed)it feel's like im in love,turn off the light's mando man,the break,and so much more i forgot to mention! i will take those memorie's to my grave.

I Remeber the first time i went to Gino's.I had takin the bus and when I got there. the gas station on corner looked like a car show and everyone was dressed to impress.i was wearing a sweater and Levi's and not taken in and white van dorans.and felt so out off place.so the following week i was ready and seen friends from school there Irene and cathy and mark(ricky)rodrigez from mark kepple.and had a blast!

I started going to Gino's in the early 80's with 2 friends of mine, one of them is now my wife and we have been married for 25 years already, we used to go to Gino's every Saturday night, I remember going to the Salvation Army to look for something to wear that night, (50's clothes) now it's called Vintage Clothing. It was so much fun waiting in line to get in. My favorite memory was dancing to the Rocky Horror song, everyone would line up on the dance floor. remember? great era !!

hi guy's! I can't believe this site even exist's!
Wow! How it brought back some really fond and hard core memories of my adolesence. I can relate to alot of the comments and people,
vince and stella, lizard woman, Juan a Brew, dottie, Lynn and randy, Tony perez, that woman in her brown pick up, toting all her kids and buying beer for us at the ranch market, olde english,of course.
drinking at some apartment buildings's steps, getting sloshed and try to compose our selve's not to let gino know his kids were indulging, till we got in to the club!
I recall ViVa, when in school( Griffith Jr high) she was still Gabriel Nieves, (sorry b****, payback for the love slap)
I was of the well know "Whittier Crowd". hector salcedo, Lynn estrada, robert parker, greg melendrez, Randy tovar, Mike armenta, Super Taco Becky, roseanna romero, yes "danny romero" the weatherman on channel "7" lil sis, jeannie tarin, two tons of fun in one, bernadette ramirez, the vestil virgin, along story, robert mask, jerry calderon, jerry goldberg, i think he was on the tail end. gus, joshua barbo, natalie sanchez,sharon niedermayer and of course how can i forget the best friend i have ever had in my life jesse diaz de leon, who started us all going to hollywood in his maverick or by bus! Crazy for a 16 year old! I want everyone to share the love and remeberance of a time of fun and awareness! I would love to see Gino! I hope your well, if not up in the stars dancing in that leather vest looking down on us, and proud of all the live's you have touched!
lawrence molina
45 years young this august 18!
I will try and dig up some photo's

I can not believe that I've stumbled on to this site. I am the bernadette ramirez (aka vestil virgin) what ever that means. I had the best times of my life at that little club. I too went to a party at Michael Angelos, ultra delux!! I had a "thang" with Persian Tony, Oh and I remember Orlando and the baddest swing dancer, Pinky. Ms VIVA and Pobresita Lizzard Woman. Bob Parkie, Bobby Ultra. Shoot I could go on and on. any of my old clique, Holla Back. Muah!

Julian(aka)VIVA does any body remeber seen him on American Bandstand around 79 or 80 i still remeber what he was wearing she had a lighting bolt earing a headband. leapord spandic tights and long tail unit they fondout she was a he. Boy or Girl she's still F***** hot a legend that will go down in history Luv Ya, Bobby

Viva was on American Bnadstand in late 1980 early 1981. Yes she fooled everyone for a while. Do you also remember her leopard pumps? Her car even had leopard material sewn into the door panels. It was a 1979 AMC Concord. Funny i can remember this but not what I had for lunch yesterday!

I remember vince and stella! where is doddie...george (birdhead) Lonnie, the fly? manuel calsada? the puente twins, manuel and michael? super taco becky! Iwas one of the Gino's regulars,we were there for all the grand grand grand finals!LOL they were never ending!
lizard woman where are you? I hear of all these party's in montebello, one of these days we will make it out!
Is thadeus jauregi out there anywhere?

Lonnie died in 1992. Michael Angelo in 1996. Lizard Woman I'm sure is gone as she looked like she passed even when she was alive. I don't know if we are lucky to be here or there are lucky considering how the world is today!

Hi, Derek it's me Bobby how are you yes i do remeber her pumps her car. i remember the very first time i saw her in person.when you guys were in the west hollywood parade in 82 and she was on the hood of your blue-green convertible.and she was in full leoperd head to toe.and in a G-string in broad daylite.and Michael Angelo walking on the side

i even remember the message that Micheal Angelo had by the DJ both it said please dont request radio music if you want to hear radio music stay home

Ah yes my 1960 Ford Galaxie Conv, that was number 50 something, I am up to number 75 with the old cars. I won't drive anything new. Viva still performs, stay tuned for 2020, she will be the first female impersonator to use a walker on stage! Hard to believe that was so long ago but it does seem like yesterday!

hi
I would like to give you derek, my personal e-mail address.lorenzobm@gay.com
I guess you all ready figured out I am gay, so don't be afraid to respond.
lawrence molina

Hey, that address i snot working.
Derek DA90027 at yahoo

lorenzobm@gay.com

anyone email me raluc@hotmail.com i used to go to ginos and american bandstand and oddesey then circus
interesting how ginos had a straigth crowd and a gay crowd
theres 2 stories to ginos
im gay!

Do you love Ginos music and parties... make sure you visit http://www.backtoginos.com/

Also visit my web site at:

http://www.timesounds.com/

LONG LIVE DISCO

My name is Jennifer from Montebello. I went to Gino's only once in Winter/Spring 1982. I went with my friends from Montebello High. I was a sophmore, 2nd semester at that time. I went with Martin A. (junior), Lulu (maybe a senior), Stephanie P. (sophmore and neighbor) her boyfriend Jimmy (junior) everyone thought he was gay...and Martin too for that matter. There was a gang of us that went, but I can't remember all their names now.

First, we all went to Salesian's or Cathedral's carnival. I can't remember which it was. Damn, I am getting old! Somebody thought it would be cool to fill an empty pump bottle from Vidal Sasoon hairspray with Seagram's 7. It was HORRIBLE! Every spray into our mouths tasted like booze and hairspray.

We didn't hang out long at the carnival. We made our way to Gino's with extremely limited money. We parked and a few of us paid, got our hands stamped, and went in for a bit. Then we came out, had our waiting friend's lick the back of their hands and we pressed the back of our stamped hand to the back of theirs to transfer the re-admitance hand stamp. It worked!

Eventually we were all in and aside from being very excited, tipsy, and waaay too many cigarettes (I was 5ft 7in, 120lbs at that time)I don't have too many recollections. I do remember the black and white checkerboard dance floor, all the gay and lesbians, and some of the music by Human League and Missing Persons. There was also crazy this chick that got all up in my date Martin's face (it happened to be his ex.) Oh, and the steep stairwell to get up to the club.

As the year's went by I began to wonder what Angelino teenager or young adult during the early to mid 1980's didn't got to Gino's. Hell, my husband, co-madre and a few other close friends were at Gino's around the same time frame that I went. We didn't know eachother then. I would not meet up with my husband until late November 1982 and then the rest of them until June 1983.

The rest is history.

HI, WHAT CAN I SAY ALL OF YOU BEAUTIFUL DISCO GENERATION FAMILY, ALL THAT I'VE READ SO FAR HAS ME ON A FLASH TO THE PAST BUZZ, HERE I GO. I WAS INTRODUCED TO GINOS BY A HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND, WHO AT THE TIME DID'NT KNOW I WAS GAY, 11TH GRADE SUMMER OF 76 AND HE TAKES ME THERE ON A DATE, BIG MISTAKE, TALK ABOUT COMMING OUT, GINOS DID IT 4 ME, BUT TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I STAYED THERE AND HE LEFT, I WAS IN SUCH A DAZE THAT I FORGOT HE WAS MY RIDE BACK HOME TO CARSON, OH WELL WHO CARES I WAS IN ANOTHER WORLD AND AFTER DANCING A COUPLE OF HOURS AND RUNNING UP & DOWN THE STAIRS W/ALL THESE NEW PEOPLE I HAD JUST MET, I EVENTUAL CAME TO MY SENSES AND HOOKED MYSELF A RIDE W/A CUTE 17 YEAR OLD LATINA WHO GAME ME THE BEST KISS, AT THE BEST PARTY PLACE A TEENAGER COULD BE SO LUCKY TO FIND, IN SUCH A ENERGIZE,CAREFREE, AND NEVER TO BE EXPERIENCED INNOCENT GENERATION THAT WAS FILLED WITH ALL THIS AWSOME MUSIC IN THE 70S MOSTLY LATE 70S EARLY 80S,THAT AS WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW SOME 30 YEARS LATER WITH ALL THIS WEBSITES BRINGING BACK THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES A COMMON BOND WE ALL ARE LUCKY TO SHARE AND HAVE LIVED AND DANCED OUR A$$'S OF, AND WERE STILL DOING IT, DISCO PEOPLE RULE ITS WHAT KEEPS US YOUNGER LOOKING THAN OTHER GENERATIONS, SO LETS KEEP THIS DISCO THING GOING STRONG LIKE OUR SWEET MEMORIES WE ALL SHARE ONLINE. AND I LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO "BACKTODISCO.COM" FAMILIA, YOU ROCK L.A. AH AH EH EH LETS ALL CHANT................ RC78

How exciting to find this place. In the summer of 1970 I met my first boyfriend there, then the 2nd.

I first started going to the "old Ginos" when it was on Santa Monica in the summer of 1970. It was an awakening. We used to stay until they closed at 5am and turned on the lights and then migrate over to Arthur J's. Anyone remember that place? At the time I was kinda hanging around the Gold Cup and part time hustling on Selma.

Ginos was where my brother and I had our mutual "coming out" experience. I had been dating a guy and we had gotten into a b**** fight in Ginos. Then a couple of weeks later I was at the "Gay In" at Griffith Park with some friends including the guy I'd had the public b**** fit with. I heard a voice and it was my brother. "What are you doing here?" "Waiting for my girlfriend at the Merry Go Round. My friends said "Oh sure." So we all went around Griffith Park. I was fairly embarrased because most of my friends were Queens. It was getting dark so we invited my bro to go to Gino's. How can you end and evening in Hollywood without going to Gins's "Don't worry, it's only a gay club, they are very nice and you won't have a problem." Bro agreed. We went in and half the people came up to me and said they were so happy that my boyfriend and I had gotten back together. Very embarassing. I looked at my bro and said "well, now you know." He put his hand on my leg and said "well now you know about me too." We've been practically best friends every since.

We even dragged my sister down there eventually.

What wonderful memories.

~Keith

Long, long ago and far, far away ...
I am remembering the "old" Gino's of, let's say, 1970. Actually, for me and my young friends, Gino's was the 'alternative' club. We were regulars at a club called "Inner Circle" on Garden Grove Blvd., in the SoCal city of the same name (Garden Grove, not Circle, you silly). Since I was the guy with the car and a license to drive, I was occasionally called upon to make the trek north to the scene in Hollywood. But usually we were having really good times at the 'Circle', Mike G. acting disinterested to all comers in his fringed leather jacket, and Bobby W. practicing for a slot on "Queen for a Day". The local Gestapo would drop by infrequently, taking pictures of the car license plates in the parking lot, then throwing on all the lights, and checking ID's and intoxication levels. As they left, as a group, we would throw them a group kiss and hiss in chorus "Good bye girlzzz." If anyone knows the whereabouts of a slim blond dude named Mike from the Circle who went AWOL from the army in 1971, drop me a line.

saturday, may 31st
GOLDEN
Disco Dance Party
with special guest
ROTARY SOLDIER
hosts
DJ Stryke & Stephen Romero
free entrance 9pm-2:30am
Disco, Funk & Boogie All Night!
21 & over*full bar*drink specials*heated patio with a gorgeous skyline view
410 Boyd St. Los Angeles, 90013
(between 3rd & 4th, off san pedro)

Be sure to check out the following links for a couple of mixes from our special guest and a *gift.
http://jointtherapy.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jointtherapyproductions

Hello all...if anyone wants to see me now you can go to my myspace page, my email is DA90027@yahoo.com

I was known as Tutti Fruitti Lesbiana, among other names while I performed at Ginos and Circus with Michael Angelo and Viva. It is great to see all the Gino's people finding this page.
Derek

The first dance club I ever went to was The Other Side on Highland. It was an underage club and since I was only 16, gay, and still in high school, it was an amazing experience to finally find my tribe. They would always play a few slow songs during the night.( I Belong To You by Love Unlimited)
Across the street was the Paradise Ballroom which became much more popular when The Other Side burnt down.That's where I learned how to dress. Highwaisted slacks that covered my Fred Slatten platforms and usually a1940's womens thrift shop blazer or tiny girls top from Contempo or Ohrbachs and lot of lip gloss. The music was perfection. (Peacpipe by BT Express)
I met my first boyfriend at the Paradise Ballroom and he took me to Gino's to watch him dance in the dance contest on a Sunday night.He always danced to You + Me by Undisputed Truth. I remeber some of the usual contestants, Michael, Andrew, Princess, Anthony, Jo Joe, China Doll, and of couse Lonnie.
Thanks for posting all your memories, I wish I could remember as clearly as some of you what happened back then but a lot of drinking was going on in those days.
I have a huge diso collection and if I put on The Star Wars Theme disco version by MECO, I can still remember waiting in line at Ginos wondering if my outfit was okay, if I was too drunk to get in, who I might meet when I got in, how many fights would take place that night, and what fantastic songs MichaelAngelo would introduce us to .
Ah memories.

Gino's was the first gay place I ever went to back in 1976. I never saw two guys or two women kiss before until I went there. I remember you had to wait in a long line and get frisked for weapons. Then there was this very thin, exotic, extremely femmy guy named Lee ( looking lot like Riff Raff from Rocky Horror, only prettier) that would stamp your wrist. Here I was this barely 16 year old Irish Catholic boy from the Valley, stepping into this "other world". I remember that Dancing Queen by ABBA, Spring Affair and I Feel Love by Donna Summer was playing on the dancefloor. I was there with 3 other friends (two girlfriends and my str8 best friend). We are all still friends to this day...(32 years later)!!! My best friend is still str8, married to a wonderful woman with whom they a son who just left for college, I too came out shortly after my trip to Gino's. Then started going to The Odyssey on Beverly Blvd until 1978. I will never forget Gino's!!!! I can still remember exactly what it looked like on the inside.
Love and Peace everybody!

Gino's II reunion is now offical. Everyone who attended Gino's II is welcome. Live performances by former Gino's icons, Gino's classic new wave & disco all night long. Details available via email.
E-mail me at banditto63@yahoo.com if you would like to attend.

i love to go paul.

Derek,
thanks for the info on lonnie. sorry to hear about that. and michael angelo. what what a history we had in hollywood huh? i really would like to make the re-union, it would be fun. i can still get a hold a few of the old crowd from whittier. we are still in touch to a certain degree. hope you are well.

I WAS ALSO 16YRS OLD WENT TO GINOS GOT TIRE OF DACING TO BANDS,I ALWAYS LOVE DANCING AS A CHILD.I NEED MORE AND GINOS WAS THE PLACE,I FOUND THE DISCO MUSIC THERE,AND ALL THE GREAT DANCERS ,I LOVE FASHION AND THAT WAS THE PLACE I NEEDED TO BE,I MET MOST OF MY FRIENDS THERE RUDY T-40S MANUEL-LEWIS L-VICTOR-JOHNNY R-PUNK JERRY,ROBERT GUZMAN-JERRY M-EDDIE R-LIL JOSH AND HIS BROTHER MARK,BOY-AND SO MANY MORE,I HAVE SO MANY STORIES ABOUT GINOS AND HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD AS TEENAGER.I FORGOT ABOUT TALL PETE,THOSE WERE THE DAYS WERE DISCO BEGAN FOR ME,THE SWING WAS BEFORE THE HUSTEL THE BOP TOO,THE DIP WAS FUN AS LONG AS YOU WERE NOT DROP,I LOVE SUNDAY NIGHT DANCE CONTEST,I WENT 3 TIME A WEEK STARTING EARLY 1976 TO 1980 NOT TO MUCH IN 1980.PAUL

Looking for something different? on Saturday Oct 11th, the Gino's II reunion is a MUST!
Posted by BackToGino's on September 24, 2008, 8:47 am

This is nothing like any other party! If you're looking for something completley different & loved Gino's style new wave & disco, you DO NOT want to miss this!

On Saturday October 11th, we're bringing back Gino's for one night only! This is the only Gino's reunion that will take place this year and do we have some surprises for you! You've heard the rumors & read the stories and yes they are true. On Oct 11th you'll have a rare chance to take a glimpse into the past and relive the unforgetable, unusual & bizzare experiences that could only be found at Gino's!

Gino's was afterhours underground club for the jet set of the 70's & 80's. If you wanted to learn the latest dance moves, you went to Ginos. If you wanted to see the latest fashions, you went to Ginos. If you wanted to hear the latest dance music, you went to Gino's! Gino's was a cross between punk rock & disco. What you saw at Ginos you saw no where else. It wasnt uncommon to have a line a block long at 2:30 in the morning.

For the reunion we have brought back some legendary Gino's performers to assist us in our journey back in time. Miss Viva & Tooti Fruitti will take us back with rare performances last done at Gino's! Performance time will be around midnight. You music for the evening will be pure Gino's new wave & disco classics

The Show has several lounging areas, 2 pool tables, dance floors, a huge bar with very reasonable drinks, a beer booth & a full kitchen. The Show will open it's doors at 6:00pm and also serve dinner prior to the event.

The reunion starts at 8:00pm & there will be a $5.00 cover.

This event is hosted by John Torres & George Flashback. Visit www.backtoginos.com for updated info or email us at george@backtoginos.com or [email]john@backtoginos.com[/email

Better start drinking my Ensure now so I don't break a hip go-go dancing. Peter Fields are you going?

I was going to Gino's in 1978 when I was 14 years old. A carload of us from La Puente would pile in every Friday and Saturday night, sometimes Sunday. We would all pitch in and ask some old man to buy us the cheapest liguor. We would drink it on the way to Gino's or some house party. There was Becky, Francine, Ricky, Chrisanta, Patrick, Linda, Charles and a few others that would get all decked out. Patrick and Charles were hilarious! We would laugh from the moment we got in the car til the moment we got home.Those times were completely insane and we were extremely fortunate that we never got in an accident considering we were probably in some kind of drunken black-out. Unfortunately, we did lose Ricky back in 82, in a car accident. I remember the Whittier crowd Randy, Mike, Lynn (a really nice girl I don't know what she was doing with us?) Bernadette and Larry, we partied with them quite a bit. I remember partying with Viva when he was still Julian and I think dating my friend Becky, One night we went to pick him up and he was dresssed as Viva, the car was completely silent? I also remember a huge drag queen named Monique.We really had some great times and some bad, getting stuck at Gino's @ 5 am without a ride. I have so many stories that people who had a normal teen life cannot understand. I have only told a couple of people of my crazy times, they wouldn't believe me considering I am now living a married, suburban life with 2 awesome kids in Chino Hills.

hi lee!
i am wondering if you are lee yakimovicth? if you are "oh my god!
please e-mail me back! it would be so nice to hear from you!
larry.

Yup, thats me. I remember you from Whittier, I think you drove some really big car? What have you been up to? Are you still in touch with everyone? If so how are they..still partying? I lost contact with my dearest friend (I sound old) Patrick a few years ago. I am still close with Chrisanta and Linda and Francine.... well she is still embarrased to talk to me since she got rip- roaring drunk and made a fool of herself at my wedding 20 years ago. Whatever, her loss!

Hi All

I went to Ginos at the age of 16, It was so much fun, I use to share music with Michael Angelo, I did hang out with Dereck, Charles, Danny. Yeah all the drinking outside, English 800, nighttrain, I remember Sugar, wow she was amazing!, Lizard woman too. Those great days, too bad I missed the reunion, hopefully next time.

My first time at Gino's was 1980. I to lived in La Puente and use to go to Pico to pick up friends and we were on our way. Becky and Francine I went to shcool with you two. I remember Ricky very well I still have the Valentines heart he made me and we laugh and laugh because when I would tell people Ricky gave it to me they would laugh like right. I have a few pictures of him and becky at a ditching party. Do you remember Tony? or Tono??? handsome guy back then. But God Bless his soul he passed away many years back. I remember Louie and his sister Ana. I remember daning and when I looked at my watch it was 4:00 a.m. Gino's was my first experience of a night club at 16 years old I will never forget those memories. For me it all started at the Center in La Puente and on ward to Gino's! Disco will always be a part of my soul!

geno's II was one of my regular stops. Then it was onto the Paradise Ballroom on Highland, which was usually followed by the Odyssey on Beverly, then ending up at Arthur J's coffee shop at the corner of Highland and Santa Monica Blvd. (no longer there), for after club snacks and/or just coffee and cigarettes siting at the counter!!! The good old 1970's.....I was then dating this crazy hairdresser named Justin Carpenter, (ken Busch). Anyone remember him or Kathy Elkins, Jim Ardizzone, Chuck Crump, or his brother Johnny Crump??

gino's 11 this club i will never forget it was the first club
I promoted i was late to this seen stating in 83 till it closed but at 14 this was the place to be.
I later went on to doning other clubs but was allways
saded when gino told me he was closeing.
(mario v) teddy boys,sierra prom.,towns men,buddah crew, Earth Quest Ent.

My friends & I danced at Ginos for years. Michaelangelo was an excellent DJ, everyone danced together and had a great time. Does anyone remember, or know what became of China Doll?

First there was the original Ginos as I recall on or near Melrose only went ther once or twice ... but Gino'II I was a regualr even worked there a time or two in the coat check ... I also won a dance contest ... it was always a treat when Michael would dance especially when Tinker Bell or China Doll were in the house the posing which later became popualr as Vogue ... there were several bouncers over the few years I frequented there but mostly Tiny stands out there the longest as such ... I remember spending so many nights never leaving the dance floor from open to close ... I miss those times dearly ... todays clubs can never compare to those of that era .. as I recall Michael also DJ'd at ( I cant Recall the name ) a club on Highland south of Santa Monica as I recall the old Beacons Building ? it was when the Hustle was in and it was a huge place 500 people all moving in unison lol thought the floor would cave ... then there was The Other Side and the Zoo and Circus Maximus around the corner from Aurther J's ... My first Club experience was Bitter End West and I made the usual Circuit Gazzaris Rodney Bingenheimers and all the others over the years but Gino's II was always my home ... it would be interesting to have a reunion of sorts and see how people have changed over the years ... and to be able to dance to those songs again the way we danced .. my fav was beyond the clouds by Quartz ... but the one that always got Michaels Tinker Bell and China Doll to dance was the Shaft Theme

Bright Blessings all of you

Richard

i have pictures of michael angelo, kenny (china doll) lee, pat etc from late 70's - along with the rest of "my gang" bryan draper, sean, gail, jay etc. don't know what happened to alot of them.

Does ANYONE know what became of dancer/friend of Michaelangelo Kenny Prosser AKA China Doll?

I too once hit the Gino's circuit but will only admit anonymously. We all have our private Babylon's

Any good club's anyone out there can recommend? Used to visit Studio 1 back in the day

far out, it took me a while to read all this messages but i tell you what the teddie boys , Eddie retro are bringging back those good old days
We just went to one @ the granada Inn in Alhambra
& Tonight we are going to Circus night club reunion. try to stop by you will see some old timers.I am 49 years old. we used to go to ginos then clubing other places like don quijotes in down town La. Copacabana in el serenothen come back to ginos for after hours. I also have tons of records from 78 till now. What ever happened to my buddies
Orlando Quintanilla ,Rafael & his brother Juanillo, & Luis I can remember his last name. Sorry to hear about sombie & Michael Angelo oh by the way DJ Frank del Rio from circus will be @ circus tonight
he is on a wheel chair & he doesn`t look good he almost pass away 4 months ago for those of you that knew frank del Rio. My twin brother`s name is Leo Paredes. I remember some times we had to take the bus from Burbank to meet Orlando ,Luis ,rafael & his brother Juanillo the one used to sell CD in the Alley By Santee. then we will stay till 4.45 becasue the bus will stop by beef bowl @ 5.10am
we were flying still we were under the influence of a tablet of acid *mickey mouse* so we can dance like crazy all night long against the big mirrors.
good old days. Got to go now I will write again.

I too remember going to Gino's I have most of all the records played at Ginos and other places like the Ukranium Hall etc. I remember most of the main people at Ginos I think my favorite character there was Tutti Frutti. I remember one dance contest were he came out dancing to Me and Mr. Sanchez and all Tutti Frutti did was throw tortillas at people in the crowd. Wow those were the days!!!!!