Disco » Discotheques and Clubs of the 1970s/80s » Studio One
Studio One
652 N. LaPeer Drive, West Hollywood, California USA
Owners:
Scott Forbes
DJs:
Frank Del Rio
Tim Zerr
West Hollywood's Studio One was a HOT club for many years, had the best Halloween parties, sponsored the first Gay Night parties at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Magic Mountain. Staff ran around in tight satin short shorts. The Backlot was a show room where all the celebrities came for dinner shows. One of the pioneers of disco light shows in the dance room. The Pegasus winged horse and Studio One surrounded by a circle of stars were its symbols.
MDA, poppers, fog and strobe lights to Giorgio Moroder's "From Here to Eternity" or Donna Summer's " I Feel Love" or the Village People singing about Studio One in their San Francisco/Hollywood song(s) or being witness to Sylvester's many live performances....those were the days!! This latest generation doesn't even have a clue about what a special magical era they missed. It will never be duplicated! And at 2am it was off to the incredible 8709....,in my opinion, best bath house ever.
Studio One - 1979 photo (right) courtesy of disco-nrg.com
Photos below submitted by Michael Varvil
Description: 1-Mike Varvil, Greg Martin, Scott Forbes
1990's. 2-The Campers. Michael, Chris, Franco. Backlot dressing room1990's. 3-Raul, Dj Frank Del Rio, Mike Varvil. DJ Booth 1990's
Photos below submitted by Michael Varvil.
Photo 1. Sylvester At Studio One During Gay Pride. Photo 2. Steve Schulte (Mayor of West Hollywood) and Scott Forbes (owner of Studio One).
Photos of Studio One ad from DataBoy Magazine and Studio One matchbook collection submitted by Robert Bazan
Photo os Studio One, front door on N. La Peer StudioOne at dusk submitted by Robert Bazan
Photo of Studio One dance floor submitted by Michael Varvil
Photo of Gary Mortimer tending bar at the Backlot of Stuio One with Liza Minnelli the night she bought out the room for Chita Rivera. (submitted by Gary Mortimer)
Photo of In Touch ad for Studio One fifth aniversary party submitted by Phase Linear Darrel Fisher.
Photo of Scott Harvey (owner of the Odyssey 1) in front of Studio One. Pride 1979 submitted by Richard " Lightman" Lindemann
Photo below submitted by Chris Brooks:
Group shot post-white party 1988. Courtesy of Bob Byrnes. Best I can recall from left to right: Back Row: Rick Sweigart, Mike Zaloudek, ???, ???, Chris Brooks, Rusty (security), Lewis Van der Wyk, Deena Odessa (Lights), Middle Row: Scott Forbes, ??? (manager), Gary (office), Tiger, ???, ???, ???, ???. Front Row: Jude Edwards, ???, ???, ???, Bob Byrnes
Photos below submitted by Phil Riley
Description: This was the original Stdio One crew missing Ruthie, myself and Jim Lindstrom and Brittan - This should bring back a lot of memories, Best Phil Riley.
Photos below submitted by Jack Wheeler (Studio One manager)
Description: 1) Picture of Scott Forbes standing on the dance floor before we opened back in 1975
2) The Dance floor full on sat night 1976
3) Jack Wheeler Manager on the right paul Dougan our DJ in the middle and Martha Reeves heat wave hit on the left. taken in 1975.
4) Studio One's employee's group picture 1975.
5) Jack Wheeler Manager of Studio One With Liza Minnelli at the Backlot showroom during the opening night of Chita Rivera. 1975
More photos from Jack Wheeler, manager of Studio One:
1. Holloween night dance floor 1975
2. left Michele Soloman owner, Dino owner, Jack Mgr. Scott Forbes, Ernie Carathers owner. Presenting me a Gold records for 3 years of outstanding service
3.Jack Mgr and Scott Forbes my fairwell cake.
4. Owners Ernie and Ruthie Holloween 1975
5. Holloween Night 1975 left John Adams bartender, center Jack mgr, right Dennis Hunt bartender.
6. Head Bartender Jim Lingren 1975
Photos below submitted by Tony Randall
Description: 1) 1975 Tony Randall Coat check and Christine Mullholland Studio One Secretary
2) Tony Randall and Christine Mullholland Photo shoot for David Picon Designs
3) Michael Childers Photo Tony Randall 1975
Photos below submitted by Jack Wheeler
Description:
1.Eddy Zelienieski Designer / Head Chef coordinating all decorating for holiday events.
2. Eddy Head Chef for the Backlot
3. Managers of Studio One Jack Wheeler left and Dennis Hunt
4 Dance floor Halloween night 76 special effects fog
5. Bartender left Kenny Riener and John McCoomber
Photo below submitted by Philip Riley
Description: Hi everyone...
#1 I'm the one (Phil Riley) in the middle between Bernedette Peter's managers.
#2 ad from In Touch magazine
#3 Eartha Kitt Phil Riley Martha Raye For the Studio One Page
Photo below submitted by Jack Wheeler (Studio One manager)
Description: Studio One Hollywood Bartender Frank Tallerico back bar. Taken 1983.
Photo below submitted by Phillip Riley
Description: Plexiglass invitation to the Premiere Party at Studio One.
Photos below submitted by Wes Wheadon
Description:
Photo 1: Roger LeClaire and Wes Wheadon 1977.
Photo 2: Roger LeClaire 1976 Studio 1 bartender.
Photo 3: Rose De Castro-the photo lady 1975 Studio One
Photos of Studio One Backlot Events submitted by David T. Hillgenberg
Description: Some of the opening events in 1977 that I worked on in stage lighting at the Backlot.
More photos submitted by David Hillgenberg:
Photo 1 is David in 1977 and a writer name Judy who wrote review on Roslyn Kind a performer at Studio One. #2 Buddy a barback in black Halloween 1977. #3 John & Robin Halloween 1977. John was a bar back. #4 Lennon Lee Halloween 1977. Andy 1977 Bartender in the Backlot.
Celebrity photos below submitted by Gary Mortimer
Description: Some pictures of some of the people who appeared at Studio One while I was tending bar in the BackLot: Wayland Flowers & Madame, Chita Rivera, Gotham, Rip Taylor and Craig Russell. More entertainers who did shows at the Back Lot while I was pouring the hooch. Charles Pearce, Ruth Buzzi, Kaye Ballard, Bernadette Peters & Barbara Cook
Photos below submitted by David T. Hillgenberg:
Description: 1. Charles Pierce 1977 2. Charles Pierce as Carol Channing 1977 3. Charles Pierce as Bettie Davis 1977 4. Gothum 1977 5. Sarah Dash 1977 These are a few more of the performers I worked with on set at The Backlot. Four news clippings are from Halloween 1977. Two news clippings with photos preparing for Halloween 1977.
More photos from David T. Hillgenberg
Description: 1. Julie Budd 1977 2. Mimi Hines 1977 3. Phyllis Newman 1977 4. Morgana King 1977.
These are some of the other artist I worked with on their show. They were all really wonderful to work with.
Photos below submitted by David Minichan
Description: for the Studio One page. I knew Joe Garcia shortly before and during his Studio days as a bartender there. We did a photo shoot in Santa Barbara in Feb. 1981... Here are 4 shots of him from the many I took.
Photos of the Backlot circa 1980s submitted by Jude Edwards
Description:
Photo #1: The Backlot Theatre set up for a Dinner Show, circa 1980.
Photo #2: Julie Budd performed to sell out crowds in the Backlot in 1989.
Photo #3: Charles Pierce appeared on stage numerous times over the years. Here he is from his 1989 engagement.
Photo #4: In 1988, Les Stevens brought his act and cast of zany characters to the Backlot.
More photos from Jude Edwards...
Some of the people who performed at Studio One on a regular basis included:
1. Big Ed
2. Michael Greer
3. Jim Bailey
4. Jimmy James
5. Kenny Sacha
More photos from Jude Edwards...
A lot of top notch Comics helped lighten the mood and bring a little laughter into people's lives. Some of the more popular performers who graced the stage were:
1. Steve Moore
2. Lois Bromfield
3. The Lovely Carol
4. Shana and The Madelas
5. Caldwell and Winfree
More photos from Jude Edwards...
1. In April 1988, Jude Edwards took over production of 'Monday Night Live'.
2. An ad from August 1988 promoting some of the upcoming Acts on Monday Night.
3. A few of the shows booked at the Backlot during the Summer of 1988.
4. A special show featuring the most popular performers appearing in the Backlot.
5. A series of Thursday Night Shows done in August 1989, in an attempt to move the Showcase to a different night.
Photos from the February-March 1975 issue of In Touch article on Studio One submitted by Jeff Auer
Photos of Scott Forbes obituary submitted by Jude Edwards.
Photos below submitted by Phil Riley.
Description: Here's memories of StudioOne on it's 25th Anniversary - That's Max Shultz in the picture next to the "Tommy" invite.
Photos below submitted by Jauers.
1978 Studio One Ad and Picture of Pattio Brooks performing same year.
Scott Forbes interview In Touch September-October 1978
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Posted by:
rbazan
on Jan 29, 06 | 2:17 am
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Reader Comments on Studio One
I totally agree. Studio One was HOT. One of my fondest memories was a Halloween contest that I entered as Tippy Hendren from Hitchcock's "The Birds." Complete with phone booth and Flying Seagulls attacking it. I won first prize in the most humorous category. A friend actually saw somebody in a duplicate costume in the Castro about two years ago. Made a comment about how I had already done it in the 80's at Studio One, and the poor guy said he had already heard that tonite!!
I too miss the good old days : (
I too miss the good old days : (
Posted Jan 31, 06 | 12:01 pm by Larry
The Gay Gold Standard! Spent at least 100 nights a year there between 1978 to 1982. The Holiday Theme Nights especially New Years Eve are still without equal. Don't forget the adjacent Backlot Theatre and The Rose Tattoo next door. Come on someone must have photos!!!
I'm 47 now and miss my friends and lovers who are no longer with me that spent time with at Studio One. Steve
I'm 47 now and miss my friends and lovers who are no longer with me that spent time with at Studio One. Steve
Posted Feb 06, 06 | 3:17 am by unclestevie2
Oh, what fun was Studio One! I, too, spent many hours sweating the night away on the dance floor. The lighting was exceptionally good for that era of dance club.
Steve, I'm sure we ran into each other at some point. Bob
Steve, I'm sure we ran into each other at some point. Bob
Posted Feb 06, 06 | 3:18 am by bobcatz
I remember "Midnight Love Affair" by Carol Douglas, "24 Hours A Day" by Barbara Pennington, and "Magic Bird of Fire" by The Salsoul Orchestra. So many good nights, just being there and dancing to that music on the huge dance floor!
This was, believe it or not, a more innocent time, before AIDS and the extreme hatred of the far right.
Does anyone know why it closed?
This was, believe it or not, a more innocent time, before AIDS and the extreme hatred of the far right.
Does anyone know why it closed?
Posted May 04, 06 | 8:59 am by IEGuy
Studio One. Those were the days. I recall waiting in line excitedly as our IDs were checked so we could enterd a world of exciting dancing and drinking. Many nights we'd dance till closing then try to find our way back to our car or our apartment on North Crescent Height Blvd. Studio One was the place to be...the place to be seen.. the place to meet your friends old and new. Now almost 30 year later I look forward to showing my young friend. Chris, where it all happened. So many wonderful times and memories.
Posted May 27, 06 | 2:13 pm by Gunrob
Hi Everyone - I was one of the original doormen and later worked in the back lot supper club with Steve Applegate. One of my current literary projects is a novel about those years. I'm trying to find my co-doorman-Brittain Cole, who went with John - and also trying to find other guys who worked there. Already have Charles Pierce and other celebs comments - Also looking for photographs - especially those of Bette Davis.
Hope to hear from you - unless I still owe you money - Phil
Hope to hear from you - unless I still owe you money - Phil
Posted Aug 10, 06 | 6:34 pm by Phil Riley
Anyone know if Bob - Studio One's Photographer is still around.
Also looking for paintings and drawings by Vivian Walker - one the Owners of SO
Thanks
Aug 06
Also looking for paintings and drawings by Vivian Walker - one the Owners of SO
Thanks
Aug 06
Posted Aug 10, 06 | 6:48 pm by TheMadPen
I was told by Scott Forbes, Studio One Owner, that most, if not all the photo's that were taken were destroyed in a house fire. I'm sure there are still some floating around somewhere. I do have disco footage from the club, but I took it sometime between 1989 & 1994. Mike.
Posted Aug 20, 06 | 3:04 am by DjMikeV
My uncle went by the name of Dennis Hunt back then. I have his Studio One jacket with the logo on the back and his name on the front. I have photos of him with Elton John and one of the Hemingway girls in Studio One. I have a piece of wood from Studio One with a bronze plaque on it honoring my Uncle's service to Studio One -- I believe he may have been a manager. I know he loved it dearly and had many cherished memories of Studio One.
Posted Sep 03, 06 | 3:54 pm by Robin Deason-Payne
I remember what an adventure Studio One was! In 1983 I was 21 and I remember feeling like I was in some incredible Gay High School and we were having our own dance in the huge school gym with wall to wall hot guys of all ages, some International male catalog models, soap actors, porn stars, and your regular joes who worked in the Bullock's or Robinson's stores or beauty business. I later worked as a doorman at Studio One and got to meet Scott Forbes, I truly enjoyed my time at Studio One and the cast of characters whose hands I stamped, or sitting at the back door of the Backlot watching the Les Stevens show! Why did it close?? I went to West Hollywood and NOTHING compared to what we had at Studio One. Some of my best sexual experiences happened after leaving Studio One. Even the RTD bus drivers were hot in West Hollywood Boys Town! The good old days!
Posted Sep 05, 06 | 2:19 pm by Patrick Michael
hey mike v! drop me a line at vllyby1 at american online! long time no hear... great pix of studio one!
Posted Nov 26, 06 | 7:12 pm by socadude
I first went to Studio One at age 19 in 1974 and was a groupy until the end. I dated Scott Forbes for a couple of months in 1978 and from '78 until it closed had a VIP pass. I have LOTS memorobelia to share.. photos, DJ playlists, party invitations, newsletters, matchbook covers,etc. etc.
I loved dancing and disco music and went out 5 to 7 nights a week from 1974 until about 1989 then, sloweed way down. I really miss the escape.My routine used to be one or two drinks at Motherlode, Studio One until closing, then 8709 or Probe until 6 or 7 then Greg's bluedot for "Church" go grab a shower and a nap then back to greg's for "Tea" then bar hopping , a visit to Studio One, then drive back hom3e to Huntington Beach. I did this for years and still came out HIV-....I don't know how. I really miss all my old friends...Robert Bazan
I loved dancing and disco music and went out 5 to 7 nights a week from 1974 until about 1989 then, sloweed way down. I really miss the escape.My routine used to be one or two drinks at Motherlode, Studio One until closing, then 8709 or Probe until 6 or 7 then Greg's bluedot for "Church" go grab a shower and a nap then back to greg's for "Tea" then bar hopping , a visit to Studio One, then drive back hom3e to Huntington Beach. I did this for years and still came out HIV-....I don't know how. I really miss all my old friends...Robert Bazan
Posted Dec 01, 06 | 4:20 pm by Robert Bazan
It was a wild and fun place.It seems like half of West Hollywood dated Scott Forbes for a while. I went out with him for a short time. We met on the way to the bathroom and he was on the way to his office in the backlot. The Mens Bathroom sink was in the center and had a fishtank in the middle.
I rebember the after Studio One parties and other escapades. I was a regular late 80's, We al had a routine, Motherload for a few drinks, Studion One to closing Probe and Gregs Blue Dot. Just Like Robert said. in the post before this. Robert I bet I recognize you we went to the same places for so many years.
I rebember the after Studio One parties and other escapades. I was a regular late 80's, We al had a routine, Motherload for a few drinks, Studion One to closing Probe and Gregs Blue Dot. Just Like Robert said. in the post before this. Robert I bet I recognize you we went to the same places for so many years.
Posted Dec 31, 06 | 12:19 am by Frank I.
Hi, Frank....you might remember me,..'cause at Probe and Greg's I was often with Cheryll Watson, a beautiful black girl who had a lot of hot men around her all the time or I was with Pam Cooper,or in the dj booth,but most often on the dance floor, all night all day, rarely left it. I used to own a hair salon at the beach, back then. My favourite Studio One Halloween was the time they had dinner and the costume contest at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and ran a shuttle all between the hotel and the club. I went to the hotel just to see what was up and was about to head back to Studio One when Scott Forbes spotted me and asked, "Aren't you staying for dinner?""No, I replied, "I'm heading back to Studio to dance". "You HAVE to have dinner, first," he said and sat me down at this big round table with about a dozen chairs around it. At that moment the only others at the table were comedienne Julie Brown and her husband.We made small talk as the table filled up ...with ALL celebrities,..The Flirts, Charles Nelson Riley, Thelma Houston, Gloria Gaynor, etc. "Wow", said Julie (commenting on the celebs). "SO, Who are YOU?", she asked me. "Just a friend", I replied. Carol Taylor, Scott's friend who organized the big Disneyland, Magic Mtn, Knott's Berry Farm parties and ran the little Disco record store at Studio walked up to me to say, "Hi". "Scott forced me to sit down and have dinner", I said to her. "Scott said he has a lot of respect for you", said Carol. "How come?", I asked her."Because you have your own business and your the only person he ever met at Studio One who didn't want something from him. This was in 1978, the year I met Scott. I'd heard people saying negative things about Scott, but I always thought he was a sweetheart and a gentleman. I wish that West Hollywood would have given him a chance, when the city incorporated, and voted him in as their first mayor. He would have been an excellent mayor and would have made a sincere effort to make West Hollywood a better place for everyone. The last time we talked, I believe, was 1994. A few years ago, I was told he had passed on. I miss him.
Posted Feb 13, 07 | 12:52 am by Robert Bazan
My first time at Studio One was August 1974, the year they opened. I was 19 years old and hadn't even started shaving, yet, so I looked 15. I was using someone's expired driver's license to try and get in. I was 5'6.5" tall and weighed 106 lbs., at the time. The driver's license said I was 6'2" tall, weighed 220 lbs. and my name was Bonifacio Lague Contreras. The doorman looked at the license, then looked at me and told me to write my signature on a piece of paper. It ,obviously, didn't match the license. "Six foot TWO?", he asked me. "I was wearing platforms", was my response. He just laughed and let me in.I took the elevator up and when I walked into the dance room I was awestruck. I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven. S.F. and NYC were HOT gay cities, but, in my opinion, nothing compared to the magic of Hollywood in the 70s and 80s. Of course, there were some pretty incredible out-of-town special events, back then....but, since I was going out 5 to 7 times a week...there was always a special time to be had in HOLLYWOOD.
Posted Feb 13, 07 | 1:18 am by Robert Bazan
I remember Phil Riley, bobcatz, Dennis Hunt,djMikeV,Bob the photogapher and....Patrick Michael, I believe I know you,too.
Posted Feb 13, 07 | 1:46 am by Robert Bazan
Hi Everyone! I'm involved in producing a Documentary on Studio One. I'm interested in hearing from those of you willing to share your memories and stories. If you would like to participate or learn more about the Project, please contact me at studio1project@hotmail.com Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.
Posted Mar 01, 07 | 3:35 pm by Studio One Documentary
My first time to go to Studio One was in June of 1982. I was 24, had just earlier decided to drop out of college in Flagstaff, AZ and moved to Long Beach. I was dating a guy I met in San Diego at WCPC (anyone remember that disco?) and he and his room mate had gone to Wisconsin for 2 weeks. I had just quit my job in Long Beach and was house/dog sitting when I got very bored and decided to check out Studio One. Growing up in a small, very small West Texas town, I wsa completely mesmorized by the place. For the next two weeks, I think I must have gone out almost every night. I mentioned to a friend that I had gone to Studio One and had a few encounters, and he said in amazement, "You, you were able to meet some guys there?" I was somewhat confused by his skepticl behavior and all I could keep thinking was, "Doesn't everybody who goes there meet someone?"
I continuted to go there off and on until just befor it closed. My favorite memories were of the Campers in the BackLot. What prompted me to write this is that KCOP at this moment is showing a Peggy Lee special and one of my favorite skits of the Campers was "Fever" and of course there was "VitaMetaVegamin" as well as many other funny skits. I remember, in 1991, taking a straight friend, who was a collegue of mine from the school where I was teaching, and his wife to the Campers show during the Xmas holidays. They loved it! Those were such wonderful, fun times.
I wonder if anyone knows if they ever videotaped or filmed any of the skits. I would love to get my hands on such a recording if it exits.
I continuted to go there off and on until just befor it closed. My favorite memories were of the Campers in the BackLot. What prompted me to write this is that KCOP at this moment is showing a Peggy Lee special and one of my favorite skits of the Campers was "Fever" and of course there was "VitaMetaVegamin" as well as many other funny skits. I remember, in 1991, taking a straight friend, who was a collegue of mine from the school where I was teaching, and his wife to the Campers show during the Xmas holidays. They loved it! Those were such wonderful, fun times.
I wonder if anyone knows if they ever videotaped or filmed any of the skits. I would love to get my hands on such a recording if it exits.
Posted Mar 31, 07 | 6:14 pm by Rene'
This might sound strange but I thought Studio One had the most memorable bathrooms in any club I had ever seen. My next vote would be the I-Beam in San Francisco, and I like the small decorative bathrooms at the West Hollywood Revolver. Just so interior decorative! Ok, now for the club itself, Excellent memories to be had, and I went one Halloween night when I was decked out so well as darkish "snake venon man" they guy at the window let me in for free. I had given him my 20.00 upon entering, but he took one look at me, and gave it right back. I also went another Halloween as Robin the boy wonder in really neat costume based on movie Batman Forever. Everyone kept calling me "Robin." But my name is Robert, didn't mind, at all. Loved the go-go boys, the bars on both sides, the uplifting sitting areas, and of course, the wide long dance floor with mega light special effects. What can I say? It was pure slice.
Posted Apr 23, 07 | 3:36 pm by dancer56
In a blink of an eye the time I spent at Studio one was a pleasurable one. The mid nineteen eighties
came crashing as I came out to family and friends.
The local scene in my area did'nt cut it, so a boy-pal and I ventured to West Hollywood, "WEHO" and landed firmly at Studio one.
I've never experienced such a large gay club in my lifetime, at the time, filled with boys from all over the place.......!
Friday nights we'd assemble for a wild and adventurous time that never was identical.
I actually met Scott Forbes once and he brought me a cocktail, O-boy.
Stacey Q preformed there and I happen to be first in line at the "meet and greet".
Those years @ Studio one I'll never forget all the fun, frolic, sex drugs and ?, well you get the jest of it.
I miss those decalescent bartenders in the back, tee-hee!
came crashing as I came out to family and friends.
The local scene in my area did'nt cut it, so a boy-pal and I ventured to West Hollywood, "WEHO" and landed firmly at Studio one.
I've never experienced such a large gay club in my lifetime, at the time, filled with boys from all over the place.......!
Friday nights we'd assemble for a wild and adventurous time that never was identical.
I actually met Scott Forbes once and he brought me a cocktail, O-boy.
Stacey Q preformed there and I happen to be first in line at the "meet and greet".
Those years @ Studio one I'll never forget all the fun, frolic, sex drugs and ?, well you get the jest of it.
I miss those decalescent bartenders in the back, tee-hee!
Posted May 18, 07 | 3:35 pm by Jason Haze
I'm a write in Wilmington, DE and I'm over here hacking away at a novel. I have a specific question about the L.A. Disco Scene circa 1976 and I was wondering if any of you fine people would be willing to help out. Will give you props when I win the Pulitzer. If interested, please email me at eyesofsilver@comcast.net THX.
Posted Jun 23, 07 | 9:31 am by eyesofsilver
I first walked into Studio One when I was 18; looked at all the lights and felt the thumping music; I thought "I want to do this!"
Lewis van der Wyk taught me how to beatmix, and two years later I ended up DJ'ing there in 1988-1989 for the 18-up nights - what awesome memories I still have of all the magic that building housed in the past, as well as where it was going.
I miss it very much; the firey Scott Forbes, the talented Lewis van der Wyk, and the insanely funny Bob Burns on lighting.
Great times.
Lewis van der Wyk taught me how to beatmix, and two years later I ended up DJ'ing there in 1988-1989 for the 18-up nights - what awesome memories I still have of all the magic that building housed in the past, as well as where it was going.
I miss it very much; the firey Scott Forbes, the talented Lewis van der Wyk, and the insanely funny Bob Burns on lighting.
Great times.
Posted Jul 26, 07 | 12:44 am by Chris Brooks
Larry--I saw you in that phone booth, I totally remember that costume--wow.
Posted Jul 27, 07 | 8:37 am by dartsquare
I had great times at STUDIO ONE in the early 1980's, the music, the lights, the guys. I still have the button from the 10th anniversary; those were the days of just fun ,25 years later I see my young gay co-workers and feel sorry for them because they have to worry about so many things or like some of them have told me, those people in the 70" and 80"s were crazy ; if they only knew! how much fun we had in those days
Posted Jul 31, 07 | 8:48 pm by ENRIQUE
I also had great times here in the late 1980s. I was first here when i was moving from NYC-LA and this club was the best expirence and will always be linked to my "first" taste of LA because it was the first LA bar I went to. (same night went to Detour in Silverlake as well).
I remember a very cool and sexy bartender in the back bar (not the supper area) named "Tom" who was way cool and made my first impressions of LA very lasting with his free drinks to me!:)
I remember a very cool and sexy bartender in the back bar (not the supper area) named "Tom" who was way cool and made my first impressions of LA very lasting with his free drinks to me!:)
Posted Aug 02, 07 | 4:53 pm by gary
So many memories, so many stories...but the one person at STUDIO who will also be part of those was 'Cowboy'; was his real name Mikey? Beautiful beautiful man, 'kept'as I recall, dressed in cowboy boots, 'Daisy Dukes', a black cowboy hat with rhinestone band, and sweat-that was all. AND. The Finest. Fan. Dancer. In All The Land. Truly a lost art, and Cowboy was a master at it !! It's a sin and a shame there's not a film clip of him in action ! God Bless, where ever you are, boy.
Posted Sep 04, 07 | 10:07 am by Donald
Gawd, where do I begin with this place! I started going to Studio One in 1977, and was just overwhelmed by the place, the music, the dancing..and the men! All the best! It was the first gay disco that I ever went to...and now that I look back, I must admit that it was the best. If I could recoop one dollar for every drink I drank, for every dance I danced, and for every smile that was exchanged...I'd be a rich man, today. I guess the real riches are the memories that I have, now.
My best memories were hanging out with Tim Anderson, the artist who did all the Marilyn Monroe paintings that hung on the walls of the Rose Tatoo, in the early 80's. He was a very good dancer as well as a great artist..and I don't think we ever had to wait for a table, no matter how packed "the Rose" would get. We had a great time decorating the restaurant upstairs for New Year's Eve, one year. We had the whole ceiling covered in white and silver, helium filled balloons. Tim was always doing something in that complex...and I remember waiting for him one night sitting on the fire escape stairs outside of the Backlot Theater, talking to Phyliss Diller! I will never forget my friendship with Tim and the times we had at Studio One, Backlot, and Rose Tatoo..and I still have some of his artwork, too. Those were the best times.
My best memories were hanging out with Tim Anderson, the artist who did all the Marilyn Monroe paintings that hung on the walls of the Rose Tatoo, in the early 80's. He was a very good dancer as well as a great artist..and I don't think we ever had to wait for a table, no matter how packed "the Rose" would get. We had a great time decorating the restaurant upstairs for New Year's Eve, one year. We had the whole ceiling covered in white and silver, helium filled balloons. Tim was always doing something in that complex...and I remember waiting for him one night sitting on the fire escape stairs outside of the Backlot Theater, talking to Phyliss Diller! I will never forget my friendship with Tim and the times we had at Studio One, Backlot, and Rose Tatoo..and I still have some of his artwork, too. Those were the best times.
Posted Sep 23, 07 | 5:35 am by james
I remember Studio One and it was great, there was always a celebrity there it seemed. What happened to the great clubs like Studio One, Ice Palace 57 and others. Those were great times, much of the disco music seems to be making a come back.
Posted Sep 26, 07 | 3:44 pm by Tim White
Hey, What I remember was my bestus friend Ernie Curuthers. He was a partner with Scott Forbes. He introduced me to the Hollywood elite. Many stories. OH my oh my up in that office with charles Nelson Ryley and more boys you could peel of the walls!
Great memories.
Raymond
Great memories.
Raymond
Posted Oct 15, 07 | 11:36 am by Raymond Buckler
WOW! Something made me do a search for Studio One. Glad I found this! I opened Studio One and was the bartender in the Backlot!! Those were the days. What memories! I remember so much...Scott, Ernie, "Marilyn", some of my hot bar-boys! I have 2-3 pictures from the bar and wish I had more. I went to a memorial for Scott Forbes a couple years ago, but often wonder what happned to others. Love to hear from you guys!
Gary
Gary
Posted Oct 29, 07 | 1:19 pm by Gary Mortimer
I hope my last comment made it thru. I might have hit the wrong button! I am Gary Mortimer and I was the first bartender in the Backlot when they opened the club. Scott Forbes saw me working at a club and asked me to wome work for him at this new club he was opening! Oh the memories!! Love to hear from any of you were there and have any pictures to share...I have a few. I went to a memorial for Scott a few years ago and often wonder where the rest are? Ernie? "Marilyn", et al.
Gary
Gary
Posted Oct 29, 07 | 1:23 pm by Gary Mortimer
To:
TheMadPen.
Just read your note and I certainly remember Vivian Walker and his art! After i left bartending Studio One, my partner and I opened a bird business down the street from Studio One (on Robertson) and Vivian came and painted these amazing Egyptian murals on our walls for us. Our business was called Pyramid Birds and we wanted this Egyptian motif and he did an incredible job. I have pictures of his work, but I am sure the new tenets painted over his artwork years ago!
Gary Mortimer
TheMadPen.
Just read your note and I certainly remember Vivian Walker and his art! After i left bartending Studio One, my partner and I opened a bird business down the street from Studio One (on Robertson) and Vivian came and painted these amazing Egyptian murals on our walls for us. Our business was called Pyramid Birds and we wanted this Egyptian motif and he did an incredible job. I have pictures of his work, but I am sure the new tenets painted over his artwork years ago!
Gary Mortimer
Posted Oct 31, 07 | 7:27 am by Gary Mortimer
Gary Mortimer, backlot bartender with bar-back, with one of the owners & barback at halloween.
Posted Nov 13, 07 | 1:07 am by Gary Mortimer
Hi All. I used to hang out at Studio One from 1978 till around 1990ish. Couldn't get enough of the place, so I worked there as well as a doorman for about a year in the early 80s. Probably around the time of Phil as I remember John. I was of the time of Joey and his brother (barmen) who I saw at a Sydney Mardi Gras in the late 90s and Dan/Gary (doormen down front). I last saw Scott Forbes sometime around 1996, right before I moved to Australia. Many stories I still tell friends even now with celebrity encounters etc. It was definitely a 'moment in time'. I remember Ernie and Adam, Len Wrona, Steve Henderson,and others whose names evade me 30 years on!! Can't believe it. Feel free to contact me, please contact me at hawthorne@smartchat.net.au I'd love to hear from you. I just remembered... it was Rose that took the pictures and yes, there was a house fire that destroyed her collection. I also just remembered Hazel, hadn't thought of these guys for ages. Phil, from above, are you the guy that had the altered state tanks?
Posted Jan 04, 08 | 7:13 am by Eliot
I spent a lot of time at Studio One in the mid to late 70s through about 1983, when I moved from Westwood to Laguna Beach. I really wasn't too fond of the music and wasn't into dancing, but I couldn't get enough of some of the great people. I remember Roger the Bartender (gone 20 years now, I understand), and Joe Garcia. Anyone know if Joe is still alive? Also, I met a struggling actor named Ben Wison who lived in a big complex on Stanley owned by Will Geer. Ben was there for years but moved when they tore down the building. Anyone know what happened to Ben? I'd go to WeHo to try to find out about these people, but I doubt anyone there today goes back that far.
Posted Jan 06, 08 | 8:03 pm by themooksman
A memorable visit to Studio One in 1982 was a major factor in my decision to move to Los Angeles from the Midwest.
Wow---the music, the men, and the memories! I went to college in Miami and used to hang out at The Copa & The Limelight, but none of that prepared me for Studio One.
Two years later ('84) I found myself in a neat little bachelor apartment on Nichols Cyn & Hollywood Blvd. Every weekend it was Studio One, Circus, and Revolver. What fun!
Wow---the music, the men, and the memories! I went to college in Miami and used to hang out at The Copa & The Limelight, but none of that prepared me for Studio One.
Two years later ('84) I found myself in a neat little bachelor apartment on Nichols Cyn & Hollywood Blvd. Every weekend it was Studio One, Circus, and Revolver. What fun!
Posted Jan 09, 08 | 11:45 am by Glenn
For me and my couple friends it was all about our fake IDs in 1978, 79, when we were 17 & 18 and getting in through the Backlot. Studio was where there "men" were, we were boys really. I saw Sylvester there live, he came out of a spaceship of sorts and did his thing. We were all very amused with ourselves for getting in so often and loved to dance there....and at the Odyssey where the studio guys would come after hours. Great stuff.
Posted Jan 09, 08 | 4:12 pm by dartsquare
Some one else I met there was an actor named Richard Guthrie. I can say that now because I just learned, sadly, that he passed away in 1995. In his last years, I also just read, he had left acting for the business world.
Richard was a really great guy who was on Days of Our lives, playing the David Banning character. Like a lot of people he was troubled, and I tried the best I could to be a friend to him. But we were from two completely different worlds, and he never let me get close enough to where I could do him any good. David was obviously an actor, whereas I was an engineer, but one who had a very strange background: I was among the last students of the "Chairman" character at the University of Chicago, described in Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. In brief, I had more of a background in philosophy than I did in engineering (engineering-- yucch! :).
It's great that people remember all the positive things here; I don't want to detract from that at all. But there was another side to it all. In soap opera, the characters all have interesting, exciting, but at the same time troubled lives. Could it be that Studio One was a huge, real live soap opera, of which we were all stars? That works for me, at any rate. Hope some of the rest of you like it as well. I think it comes pretty close to hitting the proverbial nail on the head.
Patrick moose@sanclementemoose.com
Richard was a really great guy who was on Days of Our lives, playing the David Banning character. Like a lot of people he was troubled, and I tried the best I could to be a friend to him. But we were from two completely different worlds, and he never let me get close enough to where I could do him any good. David was obviously an actor, whereas I was an engineer, but one who had a very strange background: I was among the last students of the "Chairman" character at the University of Chicago, described in Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. In brief, I had more of a background in philosophy than I did in engineering (engineering-- yucch! :).
It's great that people remember all the positive things here; I don't want to detract from that at all. But there was another side to it all. In soap opera, the characters all have interesting, exciting, but at the same time troubled lives. Could it be that Studio One was a huge, real live soap opera, of which we were all stars? That works for me, at any rate. Hope some of the rest of you like it as well. I think it comes pretty close to hitting the proverbial nail on the head.
Patrick moose@sanclementemoose.com
Posted Jan 09, 08 | 4:40 pm by themooksman
My best memories of the 1970's came from Studio One. As a straight female, the place was a HAVEN for me, dancing without getting 'hit on'. Everyone was so nice, so fun. I'll never forget going into the women's bathroom and finding men in there!! My girlfriends and I could go and drink and dance and have fun without the usual bar-games. I wonder whatever happened to the nice guy in the lobby that had the jewelery concession? Glad there are others that have such fond memories of such a great place. I also attended the first Disneyland Gay night...best memory of that night? Smoking pot in line to Space Mountain and BIG plastic glasses. Woohoo! What great memories.
Posted Jan 11, 08 | 8:12 am by Liz
Wow, it is crazy that I found this site. I was the security manager there for some six or eight years I'm not certain. I was discreet then and remain so now. But I will clue anyone who may remember that I succeeded Kurt Kade in the mid to late 80's as Security Manager and preceded Steve Craig. I remember Ed the Cashier and Sandra who also served as cashier for a good length of time. She also worked with Scott Forbes over at his second business Cruise Holidays, which I believe she eventually purchased from him. I had some great security team members like the very queeny but brave and helpful Patrick and of course Bobby. We had the Campers in the Backlot, D.J. louis and then lightman Mike Varvil. My personal favorite dancer was Yoav a hot young man from Israel of all places and who could ever foret Italian lookin Jimmy.
I remember we had Rupaul perform on stage and we almost got crushed just trying to esort him there.
Bartenders I can remember were Mike Zaludek, Michael, Rand, Mark Gallo who was my friend and manager of the club as well.
Who could forget friday nights Hollywood Boys Club and Que Pasa Papi.
Well, when I think of more memories, I will write again.
Regards,
Studio One's best Head of Security ever.
I remember we had Rupaul perform on stage and we almost got crushed just trying to esort him there.
Bartenders I can remember were Mike Zaludek, Michael, Rand, Mark Gallo who was my friend and manager of the club as well.
Who could forget friday nights Hollywood Boys Club and Que Pasa Papi.
Well, when I think of more memories, I will write again.
Regards,
Studio One's best Head of Security ever.
Posted Jan 14, 08 | 3:20 pm by Security Manager
Does anyone else remember the game room right behind the dance floor? and when they used to have plays in the Backlot? What year did the Backlot actually become another bar and seating area? with the new entrance out to the street behind (don't remember the name of that street). And was it the Rose Tattoo below the Backlot? Never went in there. What was that?
Posted Jan 14, 08 | 6:54 pm by themooksman
I just posted some video on YouTube I took as I walked thru the place when I was a DJ there in 88'. Do a search in YouTube for "Studio One Tour".
Mike Zaloudek and Mark Gallo! What great memories! Rusty on security... Ruthie in the office during the day...
Mike Zaloudek and Mark Gallo! What great memories! Rusty on security... Ruthie in the office during the day...
Posted Jan 15, 08 | 12:27 am by Chris Brooks
I was the bartender in the Backlot from the beginning (for a few years) and remember one night when we (Scott Forbes, the bartenders/ barbacks, some customers) were invited up to a party at Elton John's (or at least at a house where the "party" was in Beverly Hills or somewhere) and it was sponsored by Elton. You had to park on the streets below and a shuttle took you up to the house to "party"! I won't go into it here, what kind of party it was, but anyone who might have attended would sure remember THAT night! Gary.
Posted Jan 18, 08 | 9:32 am by Gary Mortimer
That damn Elton. He didn't invite ME :(
Posted Jan 18, 08 | 11:17 am by themooksman
How did I stumble on this site? Wow. I remember being in college at UCLA and discovering Odyssey 1, possibly the greatest under-age disco ever. The people I met and saw and experienced are unforgettable. Leslie, the make-up artist who was friends with a hot guy who became a billboard model for radio station KUTE 102 (all disco all the time!). Michelangelo, the man of many costumes who I saw in a cameo in American Gigolo a few years later. The McNichol siblings, the twins in matching furs and the men lined up outside in expensive cars at closing. And the music - "Instant Replay," "A Little Lovin'," "Love and Desire," and so many more. And the night '60 Minutes' filmed and Donna Summer's "I Love You" became the featured song. Yikes. We were young, and then we turned 21 and 'graduated' to Odyssey 1, heaven on earth. So, I spent much of the 80's driving up from OC (I'm surprised I never got a speeding ticket). Disco was dead but Hi-Nrg ruled - Vivien Vee, 'The Hills of Katmandu,' Patrick Cowley, and the list goes on and on and on. Goggle-eyed that Richard Deacon was comfortable enough to mingle. A more casual dress code than the dress-to-impress disco days. Revolver revolutionizing bars with their videos and custom montages (a fake Maria being machine gunned in a Sound of Music opening shot parody - AAHHHH!). Driving down Santa Monica to the 101 and passing Magee's Donuts and desperately craving one but too leary of the bizarre early morning clientele. So many recollections and not enough time to recount them all. Thanks to everyone who posted here, and to all those who are no longer around but who created the magic that defined an era which now lives only in our hearts and memories; a time that is lost but not forgotten. That forbidden, enticing and powerfully exciting world is part of us and our heritage - keep passing it on.
Posted Jan 22, 08 | 5:57 pm by Tom Celli
Just a note to say I just did an interview with Mark for his documentary on Studio One and it was a great experience! (I was the original bartender in the Backlot of Studio One, and this was a wonderful way to re-live the fond memories of those long gone days of yore!) Mark and his crew are very easy to work with, so if he ever contacts you about sharing some of your memories, do it! Let's all hope Mark is able to finish what he started a couple of years ago, so that it can be shared with everyone. It was a magical time in the history of West Hollywood and the disco era, and I know this will be a wonderful collection of interviews, stories, pictures and memories, as well as an "eye opener" to those who were not around during those exciting times.
Gary Mortimer
Gary Mortimer
Posted Feb 09, 08 | 2:22 pm by Gary Mortimer
Hello everyone,
I saw a video clip on youtube about "Whipped cream wrestling" that it was taken place in September 1988. I find it so hot and sexy, especially for who like gay wrestling. Do you have the whole video? Any pics? Please help me!
I hope to hearing from someone soon.
Bye for now,
Danilo
I saw a video clip on youtube about "Whipped cream wrestling" that it was taken place in September 1988. I find it so hot and sexy, especially for who like gay wrestling. Do you have the whole video? Any pics? Please help me!
I hope to hearing from someone soon.
Bye for now,
Danilo
Posted Feb 14, 08 | 10:14 pm by Danilo
Whoa! I saw Frank Del Rio yesterday. Cant wait to show him that picture. We've been fortunate to have him be one of the DJs at our disco parties. He's got incredible talent.
Posted Feb 25, 08 | 5:17 pm by Johnny V
wow!!!! i can't believe finding this page!!! yes - studio one - have been the best years of my live. I worked there for almost 7 years tending the bar at the dancefloor.
i am back in germany these days - but i will never forget!!
jordan
i am back in germany these days - but i will never forget!!
jordan
Posted Feb 26, 08 | 6:57 am by Jordan
WHAT A FLASH IN THE PAST :)
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYBODY THAT STILL REMEMBERS ME. SO COME ON GUYS - LETS GET BACK IN TOUCH *SMILE*
JORDAN (blond german bartender)
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYBODY THAT STILL REMEMBERS ME. SO COME ON GUYS - LETS GET BACK IN TOUCH *SMILE*
JORDAN (blond german bartender)
Posted Feb 26, 08 | 7:29 am by Jordan
Jordan, please help me! I'm really want to know what happened to two bartenders that worked at the dance floor bar. One, who I think was an early (1986) victim of the epidemic, whose name I think was Roger, was very quiet, mild mannered and had a beautiful face-- despite a really funny shaped nose. Another bartender (who told me in 1987 of Roger's passing) was a guy I knew as Joe Garcia (a bit younger than Roger). He looked like the person identified as Mike Varvil in one of the pictures above. But I really think Joe Garcia was his name (told me he was Portugese). He was good at drawing and painted, if that helps.
Please email me, even if you don't have a clue who either of these two people were.
pfcrosby@yahoo.com
Basically I'd like to contact Joe to say hi if he's still alive. (He was just a friend. I opted not to rent a room in his house in Laurel Canyon in 1987 because I was attracted to him, and it wasn't mutual. Plus two huge dogs that barked like hell :). As to you, I do remember you, but I never talked to you much, if at all, I guess because I thought you were *so far* out of my reach it wasn't funny. So don't feel slighted! And if Joe was just playing mind games with me (the way people in "our world" do sometimes) about Roger I will be overjoyed.
Please email me, even if you don't have a clue who either of these two people were.
pfcrosby@yahoo.com
Basically I'd like to contact Joe to say hi if he's still alive. (He was just a friend. I opted not to rent a room in his house in Laurel Canyon in 1987 because I was attracted to him, and it wasn't mutual. Plus two huge dogs that barked like hell :). As to you, I do remember you, but I never talked to you much, if at all, I guess because I thought you were *so far* out of my reach it wasn't funny. So don't feel slighted! And if Joe was just playing mind games with me (the way people in "our world" do sometimes) about Roger I will be overjoyed.
Posted Feb 26, 08 | 7:59 am by themooksman
I fondly remember driving from the South Bay nearly every weekend to Studio One for a full two years (1981-82) and on many nights of the years bookending those. What a divine place. I'm sure I still have a t-shirt somewhere impregnated with the odor of Locker Room! Next week I'm attending a reunion of former roommates with whom I spent so much time there, and so was just delighted to find this site and be reminded of many long and wonderful evenings. In fact, I stumbled onto the site while I was starting to put together a dance mix for the reunion. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can provide in helping me to recall some of those songs that meant so much at the time -Laura Branigan's "Gloria," Melissa Manchester's "You Should Hear How She Talks About You," The Suburbs' "Music for Boys," Donna Summer's "State of Independence," ABBA's "The Visitors" are just a few that come to mind. Thanks to all of you for bringing back memories of terrific times at Studio One.
Posted Mar 07, 08 | 7:55 am by ScottW
i WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOUR MEMORIES. ! I was the Light man at Studio one and Odyssey1 from 1976 to 1992. The many many night of see all the men screaming and dancing to our music was awesome. Our DJ's Steven Smith died In 1992. He went on from Odysey1 to probe, to Studio and then Trocadero and did all the remixxs as owner of Art Of Mix records. Chuckie Starr is alive and doing well In Palm springs. And there are a few of the bartenders alive and kicking as well. Nick Boyas the manager at the Odyssey owns a Video company in the Vally, and Billie, Scott Forbes other half last I heard was doing well.
I never throught I be alive today at 47 years old. Studio One closed due to Scott selling it, and enjoying time with Billie. and to pursue other ventures. The club was cherry when It was sold. Scott and I spent a Lot of tme and money up grading the lights and sound, I have the Video from Rupauls 1st California how, Feb of 1992. and the signed show poster to Rick Scott and Lewis. Lewis Venderwyk was playing last year at the Boom Boom room.
My e mail is relindemann@aol.com
I never throught I be alive today at 47 years old. Studio One closed due to Scott selling it, and enjoying time with Billie. and to pursue other ventures. The club was cherry when It was sold. Scott and I spent a Lot of tme and money up grading the lights and sound, I have the Video from Rupauls 1st California how, Feb of 1992. and the signed show poster to Rick Scott and Lewis. Lewis Venderwyk was playing last year at the Boom Boom room.
My e mail is relindemann@aol.com
Posted Mar 08, 08 | 3:17 pm by Richard Lindemann /ART OF MIX
Richard, you say were the light man at Studio & Odyssey in 1976--and you're 47 now? That would mean you started working in the clubs at 15!?! Hmmmm
Posted Mar 10, 08 | 5:47 am by Glenn
How I miss Studio One, The Campers, "Chicken Night" all of it. I was a regular from 88-95.
To have those years again... So nice to see all these pics and remember.
To have those years again... So nice to see all these pics and remember.
Posted Apr 04, 08 | 4:43 pm by Charles
Hi Gary Mortimer - I remember you well- I helped out Steve Applegate and also worked the front door. So glad you are alive and happy. There aren't many of us left. I've been trying to reach Britain - curly haired guy who worked the front door, with no luck.
Posted Apr 20, 08 | 1:30 pm by Philip Riley
studio one was such a huge chapter in my life. Went there many nights in late 70's early 80's when i was studying film at USC. I remember Rose taking pictures and then finding them projected on a screen in the front bar. i remember a beautiful, intelligent and friendly built blond bartender who always worked the front room and was intent on opening a gym. I guess i became kind of a regulat coz after awhile i never had to pay to get in. Dancing with Cloris Leachman was fun. I busted in on the filming of Alan Carr's Can't Stop The Music directed by Nancy Walker. Bernadette Peters was so good in her gig at the BackLot. Mother Lode was a great way to start and Revolver had a great aura, too. Had a crush on a guy named Steven Paul, Jr who was an architecture student at UCLA. He worked at the West Beach Cafe in Venice and then I played piano at the same place for awhile. I wrote a great piano piece for him that we never heard- the best thing i ever composed. don't even know if he is still alive. Lots of pot, ludes, drinks and locker room. But most of all lots of DANCING with great music, lighting and hot, hot sweaty men. i was tall and blond and drove a bronco with wyoming license plates. grateful to be happy and alive after all my frolicing. somehow, someone has mistaken me for Cole Carpenter- an adult film actor. Search for him in Wikpedia and suddenly i have a past I never knew of or have blacked out! hmmmm :)
Posted Apr 25, 08 | 8:59 am by jim erickson
Hey Jim!
Thanks for all of those memories! Glad that at least someone survived the "locker room," ludes (aka Vitamin Q :), and all of that stuff. I survived it because that just wasn't where my head was at-- to use a decades old expression.
I knew one guy who was studying film at UCSD around that time, but do not recall his name. He was a big tall guy a bit on the darker complected side as I recall. He had a really cute blond friend named Wesley who I really liked, but hated me. I didn't know why, and even the film guy didn't know why. Any idea who either of these two might be? Also, did you know Ben Wilson, Will Geer's x?
If so, was he the same Ben Wilson that was one of the original 4 Geico Cavemen in recent years?
Last but not least, do you remember the last name of Roger the dance floor bartender-- soft spoken tall guy with dark brown hair? I was told (by Joe Garcia) in '87 that he'd passed on. If he's buried somewhere locally, it might be nice to get a few people together and place some flowers there, and remember Roger and the good old days. The good Lord just didn't make em any sweeter than Roger.
http://sanclementemoose.com
And yes, I really do surf. All my surf bros to the best of my knowledge are str8 though. The kids pictured on my website (the SC High School Surf team of 10 years ago) are now 10 years older, and a few are very well known now in the surfing world. Especially the young kid in white-- surfs 70 foot waves. Yikes!
Thanks for all of those memories! Glad that at least someone survived the "locker room," ludes (aka Vitamin Q :), and all of that stuff. I survived it because that just wasn't where my head was at-- to use a decades old expression.
I knew one guy who was studying film at UCSD around that time, but do not recall his name. He was a big tall guy a bit on the darker complected side as I recall. He had a really cute blond friend named Wesley who I really liked, but hated me. I didn't know why, and even the film guy didn't know why. Any idea who either of these two might be? Also, did you know Ben Wilson, Will Geer's x?
If so, was he the same Ben Wilson that was one of the original 4 Geico Cavemen in recent years?
Last but not least, do you remember the last name of Roger the dance floor bartender-- soft spoken tall guy with dark brown hair? I was told (by Joe Garcia) in '87 that he'd passed on. If he's buried somewhere locally, it might be nice to get a few people together and place some flowers there, and remember Roger and the good old days. The good Lord just didn't make em any sweeter than Roger.
http://sanclementemoose.com
And yes, I really do surf. All my surf bros to the best of my knowledge are str8 though. The kids pictured on my website (the SC High School Surf team of 10 years ago) are now 10 years older, and a few are very well known now in the surfing world. Especially the young kid in white-- surfs 70 foot waves. Yikes!
Posted Apr 25, 08 | 12:20 pm by themooksman
Ah yes, I recall going down the small hall-way (that went from the game room/TV room that was across from my bar in the Backlot and into the main dance floor) and just walking thru, you got high from the poppers. I still take hits of the bottles (no more snappers) but not like I used to.
Do any of you remember the tall blond bartender we called "Marilyn"? I cannot remember his real name but he was really out there. Once, after we closed, he asked me to try a "line" of something. I had an idea what it was...(I have never done ludes or anything stronger that grass or poppers), and I thought "why not"? I took a deep inhale of the stuff but nothing happened! I guess I didn't do it right, but am actually GLAD I didn't get high and want more. That was my one and ONLY time to try that stuff and I never had any desire to try it again. It did burn my nostrils!
Being the bartender there, I tried all the alcohol but managed to stay pretty sober. I sure miss those days and the friends we all had then. I live and work in Pasadena now, and would love to hear from some of you. I am sure you see the 4-5 pics of me that I uploaded some time back.
And when is the documentary gonna be done? I told some tales in an interview for it, but didn't name names (except Scott and anyone that I did not dish). LOL
Do any of you remember the tall blond bartender we called "Marilyn"? I cannot remember his real name but he was really out there. Once, after we closed, he asked me to try a "line" of something. I had an idea what it was...(I have never done ludes or anything stronger that grass or poppers), and I thought "why not"? I took a deep inhale of the stuff but nothing happened! I guess I didn't do it right, but am actually GLAD I didn't get high and want more. That was my one and ONLY time to try that stuff and I never had any desire to try it again. It did burn my nostrils!
Being the bartender there, I tried all the alcohol but managed to stay pretty sober. I sure miss those days and the friends we all had then. I live and work in Pasadena now, and would love to hear from some of you. I am sure you see the 4-5 pics of me that I uploaded some time back.
And when is the documentary gonna be done? I told some tales in an interview for it, but didn't name names (except Scott and anyone that I did not dish). LOL
Posted Apr 25, 08 | 1:03 pm by Gary Mortimer
Jordan & Security Manager, Wow I remember you both. Hope you both are good & doing well. Who knew all these years later we would be writing about Studio One. It truely was an amazing place! Feel free to drop me a line. Take care.
Posted Apr 26, 08 | 1:42 pm by DjMikeV
Hi Mike!
It is pretty neat that after all these years, so many of us are connecting again and reliving those wonderful days of Disco! I wonder if you remember me? I was the bartender in the BackLot from the very beginning, but then left after a few years as my partner and I opened our business and I just couldn't work late at night and work all day too.
Anyway, good to see you and all the others who are hooking up to this site.
Be well and keep in touch!
Gary Mortimer
It is pretty neat that after all these years, so many of us are connecting again and reliving those wonderful days of Disco! I wonder if you remember me? I was the bartender in the BackLot from the very beginning, but then left after a few years as my partner and I opened our business and I just couldn't work late at night and work all day too.
Anyway, good to see you and all the others who are hooking up to this site.
Be well and keep in touch!
Gary Mortimer
Posted Apr 26, 08 | 5:19 pm by Gary Mortimer
I came out in West Hollywood in 1987, and Studio One was the first gay dance club I ever visited, and I have such fond memories of it.
For me though, my favourite memory was of the Les Stevens show in the Backlot. Me and my friends became "groupies", attending every single Friday show for over a year...
Les' over-the-top send-ups of Sinatra classics were unforgettable, and the show actually varied from week to week with little mini "soap-opera" twists. The Lovely Carol was his first beautiful side-kick... (Remember her psuedo-commercial's tagline: "Soak away your troubles, with Carol's lovely bubbles?"), followed by Shiela Sands (recently arrived from her successful stint at "Legs Akimbo" at the Peppermill in Las Vegas?) The awful magic of The Amazing Chasinski, and his lovely sidekick, The Dazzling Chi-Chi). (We were the obnoxious young boys in the back who'd repeatedly shout "Chi Chi Chi Chi Chi" throughout the act...) Great memories all!
(Incidentally, there's very little on the web of Les Stevens, but I know someone videotaped several of his shows... any chance of finding some of this?)
For me though, my favourite memory was of the Les Stevens show in the Backlot. Me and my friends became "groupies", attending every single Friday show for over a year...
Les' over-the-top send-ups of Sinatra classics were unforgettable, and the show actually varied from week to week with little mini "soap-opera" twists. The Lovely Carol was his first beautiful side-kick... (Remember her psuedo-commercial's tagline: "Soak away your troubles, with Carol's lovely bubbles?"), followed by Shiela Sands (recently arrived from her successful stint at "Legs Akimbo" at the Peppermill in Las Vegas?) The awful magic of The Amazing Chasinski, and his lovely sidekick, The Dazzling Chi-Chi). (We were the obnoxious young boys in the back who'd repeatedly shout "Chi Chi Chi Chi Chi" throughout the act...) Great memories all!
(Incidentally, there's very little on the web of Les Stevens, but I know someone videotaped several of his shows... any chance of finding some of this?)
Posted Apr 26, 08 | 8:30 pm by Jeff Clark
Great memories of Studio One. What a flashback you guys are creating by bringin up all these names. Who could forget Marilyn? Anyone who worked there in the early to mid 80's surley must remember Christine and gorgeous Royce (and his dog "Blue"). I was a DJ there on Sunday nights for about a year &1/2 - 2 years around `82 & `83.
When I think back to the hours I was pulling in those days....I must have been out of my mind. It usually consisted of working Friday nights at Greg's Blue Dot....then off to 8709 to "relax" (yeah, right) until I had to be back at Greg's at 6am Sat. morning (once they started opening on Sat. morns as well)and worked usually until late afternoon....then somewhere along the way...it was back to 8709 (that place sure was fun)until it was time to go back to work at Greg's at 6am for "church" on into late afternoon...and since I lived in Venice at the time..it was pointless to go back home before working Sunday night at Studio One. By the time Sunday night rolled around...I was pretty much beaten to a pulp.....and then there was the daunting task of getting those crates of records up that ladder into the DJ booth. Thank God that Bob Burns or John Ford was usually willing to lend a hand.
Someone mentioned Cowboy (Michael Voucolich? (sp?))...there was also Partick, Gary Wallen, Bobby Moreno and the rest of the boys from "the fan mansion"
All in all....I wouldn't trade those days (& nights) for the world.
When I think back to the hours I was pulling in those days....I must have been out of my mind. It usually consisted of working Friday nights at Greg's Blue Dot....then off to 8709 to "relax" (yeah, right) until I had to be back at Greg's at 6am Sat. morning (once they started opening on Sat. morns as well)and worked usually until late afternoon....then somewhere along the way...it was back to 8709 (that place sure was fun)until it was time to go back to work at Greg's at 6am for "church" on into late afternoon...and since I lived in Venice at the time..it was pointless to go back home before working Sunday night at Studio One. By the time Sunday night rolled around...I was pretty much beaten to a pulp.....and then there was the daunting task of getting those crates of records up that ladder into the DJ booth. Thank God that Bob Burns or John Ford was usually willing to lend a hand.
Someone mentioned Cowboy (Michael Voucolich? (sp?))...there was also Partick, Gary Wallen, Bobby Moreno and the rest of the boys from "the fan mansion"
All in all....I wouldn't trade those days (& nights) for the world.
Posted Apr 27, 08 | 11:00 pm by Johnny Eckhardt
Gawd - I forgot about that ladder up to the DJ booth! I lost my footing once while carrying a crate of vinyl down, and slid from the top to the floor; knocked the breath out of me for a few minutes - I'd never seen Bob Burns worried about anything till that day!
Speaking of, anyone have any contact info for Mr Burns?
Speaking of, anyone have any contact info for Mr Burns?
Posted Apr 28, 08 | 1:24 am by Chris Brooks
Yeah....that ladder was like my week's end final test of endurance.
Posted May 01, 08 | 7:00 pm by Johnny Eckhardt
I could weep, this is so amazing. I came OUT at Studio One. Mike Zaludek was like a big brother to me, watching over me, slipping me a cosmopolitan as a treat from him; I love him still as that big brother -- everyone else had a huge crush on him, but it wasn't like that with me, i felt protected!
LARRY - TO THIS DAY i talk about your Tippie Hedren costume, the large appliance box made into a PERFECT replica of a phone booth, the walkman playing seagulls "cawing." SO MUCH DAZZLING MALE BEAUTY, WeHo is now boyish ugly, skinny tweaker queens. Does anyone recall the DAZZLING male model -- i'm dying here -- of Gary Wells?
LARRY - TO THIS DAY i talk about your Tippie Hedren costume, the large appliance box made into a PERFECT replica of a phone booth, the walkman playing seagulls "cawing." SO MUCH DAZZLING MALE BEAUTY, WeHo is now boyish ugly, skinny tweaker queens. Does anyone recall the DAZZLING male model -- i'm dying here -- of Gary Wells?
Posted May 13, 08 | 4:19 pm by mulhollanddr
I lived up the street in the old Duquette Studio, i lived it all, scared stiff, coming out, geeky, but i LIVED Studio, Rose Tattoo, "Church" at Greg's. There was a wonderful woman who sang at Rose Tattoo, she had been a contestant on a talent T.V. show, can't recall. I truly liked her. Tommy Lasorda, Jr was there always, outlandish, always.
Posted May 13, 08 | 4:46 pm by mulhollanddr
Does anyone recall another part time d.j. who lived on Hilldale, left to attend college, friend of Steve Smiths, also named Steve? Good guy, I took him to "Women Behind Bars" at The Roxy, last time I ever saw him. Divine would play there and we became good friends, my closest friend was his costumer, Divvie would put on a GREAT show. The point is guys: WeHo men were TRULY HOT then, at all the places, remember? HOT!! Now driving through WeHo the current gay comm resembles tweakers from a trailer park in Vernon!
i WILL contact about that documentary if on too late, i'm MOST excited about this website. Robert here, and hellos ALWAYS to Mike Zaludek!!! xo
i WILL contact about that documentary if on too late, i'm MOST excited about this website. Robert here, and hellos ALWAYS to Mike Zaludek!!! xo
Posted May 13, 08 | 4:50 pm by mulhollanddr
Sorry, but the memory taps are open and the flood won't stop. There was a very handsome bartender who was, by day, with Coldwell Banker in Beverly Hills, by nights at Studio, but also a model with International Male, weren't they all? He was a nice guy, I CAN'T recall his name though. Dark hair, very Pierce Brosnan looking, chiseled.
The HOT RTD bus driver mentioned by Patrick Michael was a TRULY BUFF blond man named Bob, who had the first nipple rings I ever saw, and he shot pool at Mother Lode, and pulled that bus over one night, shut the lights off and....mmmm, THANK you Bob. STILL the best Halloween & New Year's parties EVER given!
The HOT RTD bus driver mentioned by Patrick Michael was a TRULY BUFF blond man named Bob, who had the first nipple rings I ever saw, and he shot pool at Mother Lode, and pulled that bus over one night, shut the lights off and....mmmm, THANK you Bob. STILL the best Halloween & New Year's parties EVER given!
Posted May 13, 08 | 6:11 pm by mulhollanddr
Hey Mulhollander,
I rather suspect the guy you are talking about is the "Roger" I've been trying to find out about. Best information I have is that the Roger I'm talking about passed away in 1986 (Joe Garcia, who was his co-waorker, told me this in 1987). I have no idea what Roger did during the day. Saw Roger shirtless once or twice (making me just about drool :), and he was very chiseled and smooth.
I rather suspect the guy you are talking about is the "Roger" I've been trying to find out about. Best information I have is that the Roger I'm talking about passed away in 1986 (Joe Garcia, who was his co-waorker, told me this in 1987). I have no idea what Roger did during the day. Saw Roger shirtless once or twice (making me just about drool :), and he was very chiseled and smooth.
Posted May 14, 08 | 10:40 am by themooksman
Hi Mooksman -- "Roger" doesn't ring a bell as a name, and frankly, ALL Studio bartenders had bodies to die for, right? Though Mike Zaloudek had pecs that would win an award. This bartender I was referring to, was more the corporate looking type, sort of "Will" from Will&Grace, and I recall he originated from Ft. Lauderdale. There were other bartenders -- hell, you knew they were the bad boys -- I hadn't "graduated" to bad boys yet. I still thought we all were planning to pair off into couples one day -- lol, hmmmm, i'm still out there "sampling" at fifty! But this bartender, with Mike Z, and others, knew I was frightened, green, etc. and they watched over me. It was so sweet, not sexual, just sweet. Coming out in the late 70's wasn't always EZ!! Hell, they have it served up on a platter now, but then -- we needed the big brothers sometimes; how nice they were HOT! : )
Robert
Robert
Posted May 14, 08 | 1:25 pm by mulhollanddr
about five years ago i ran into an old Studio bartender working out at Gold's in Venice. We spoke and reminisced --- and funny, back then i was terrified of him, he was the dangerous looking one, with an albino streak in his mustache -- still HOT!
Posted May 14, 08 | 2:16 pm by mulhollanddr
Hey Mulhollanddr,
It has been so many years, my memory could be playing tricks on me regarding the name. But the guy I am talking about worked the dance floor bar (nearest to the back lot, I think they moved it's exact location once or twice) most nights. What you say about all of the bartenders is true, but most did not have faces anything like (the younger) Pierce Brosnan. This guy basically did. He didn't look exactly like Brosnan, but let's say like Brosnan's better looking brother. Most amazingly, he had a strange, ripply nose, but it didn't hurt his looks one bit. I always found that so ironic-- it so defied commonplace notion of ones nose being such an important factor in determining ones looks.
(Does anyone one remember the little flexible vinyl recorded included with one issue of Mad Magazine-- "She Got a Nose Job?" Lines like "She got her snazoo fix." That thing was sooo funny. I must have listened to it 500 times as a kid. :).
At any rate, could this be the guy you were talking about? "Roger" was there certainly from 1980-1984, and probably earlier and later than that. Joe Garcia maybe from about '83-'86. Joe did drawings and paintings, and told me he was of Portugese descent (thus the black hair).
Is anyone in touch with Scott Forbes? It would sure be nice if he did a post or two here. Maybe he could figure out who I'm talking about. But actually, I'm more interested in finding out whether Joe is still around or not (since I'm fairly sure "Roger" is not). Joe, incidentally, looked a lot like the Mike Varvil. Same person? I knew Joe for years (saw him mainly at West Street Beach), and never identified himself as Mike-- always Joe. I'm sure my memory is correct on this one.
Patrick
PS: I do not remember Gary Wells, but I do remember Mary Wells :)
http://www.history-of-rock.com/mary_wells.htm
It has been so many years, my memory could be playing tricks on me regarding the name. But the guy I am talking about worked the dance floor bar (nearest to the back lot, I think they moved it's exact location once or twice) most nights. What you say about all of the bartenders is true, but most did not have faces anything like (the younger) Pierce Brosnan. This guy basically did. He didn't look exactly like Brosnan, but let's say like Brosnan's better looking brother. Most amazingly, he had a strange, ripply nose, but it didn't hurt his looks one bit. I always found that so ironic-- it so defied commonplace notion of ones nose being such an important factor in determining ones looks.
(Does anyone one remember the little flexible vinyl recorded included with one issue of Mad Magazine-- "She Got a Nose Job?" Lines like "She got her snazoo fix." That thing was sooo funny. I must have listened to it 500 times as a kid. :).
At any rate, could this be the guy you were talking about? "Roger" was there certainly from 1980-1984, and probably earlier and later than that. Joe Garcia maybe from about '83-'86. Joe did drawings and paintings, and told me he was of Portugese descent (thus the black hair).
Is anyone in touch with Scott Forbes? It would sure be nice if he did a post or two here. Maybe he could figure out who I'm talking about. But actually, I'm more interested in finding out whether Joe is still around or not (since I'm fairly sure "Roger" is not). Joe, incidentally, looked a lot like the Mike Varvil. Same person? I knew Joe for years (saw him mainly at West Street Beach), and never identified himself as Mike-- always Joe. I'm sure my memory is correct on this one.
Patrick
PS: I do not remember Gary Wells, but I do remember Mary Wells :)
http://www.history-of-rock.com/mary_wells.htm
Posted May 15, 08 | 11:02 am by themooksman
Unfortunatly, I heard Scott Forbes has passed away. The anouncment said he was having elective surgery (read plastic) and there was a problem. Very sad so many are gone.
Our memories live on.
Best,
Raymond Buckler
Our memories live on.
Best,
Raymond Buckler
Posted May 16, 08 | 7:51 am by Raymond
This is indeed sad news. Thank you for informing us, Raymond.
Posted May 16, 08 | 8:10 am by themooksman
Hi Mooksman, Robert here, aka mulhollanddr. I owned a store on Mulhollanddr for nearly a decade, and lived right around the corner, near Beverly Glen. Gary Wells was simply DDG, tall, blond, muscled the way models used to be -- does anyone recall how excited we were by the thought of the Olympics coming to town -- and how many athletes were gay? Gary had that "look." Blond hair, blue eyes, skin like NO one has, creamy tan. LOl, welllll, since then I've discovered the brothas baby, proving to me that indeed it's true, once you try black.....etc.etc.
I have to say, I was VERY loyal to Mike Zaloudek's bar, and rarely went to other bartenders, so I can be blurry on who was who, as i was blurry after my fourth gimlet or fourth line of blow --- it WAS the eighties! lol. Sober 19 years now, my memory for faces, well..."ain't" great. Mike Z i know is somewhere in Hollywood/WeHo and in real estate, married, in love, to a nice guy in the Film Business, I ran into them 18 months ago at a restaurant in Silverlake. I still love him like a big brother. He remains a good, happy, nice guy.
I have to say, I was VERY loyal to Mike Zaloudek's bar, and rarely went to other bartenders, so I can be blurry on who was who, as i was blurry after my fourth gimlet or fourth line of blow --- it WAS the eighties! lol. Sober 19 years now, my memory for faces, well..."ain't" great. Mike Z i know is somewhere in Hollywood/WeHo and in real estate, married, in love, to a nice guy in the Film Business, I ran into them 18 months ago at a restaurant in Silverlake. I still love him like a big brother. He remains a good, happy, nice guy.
Posted May 16, 08 | 10:39 am by mulhollanddr
Thanks Mulhollanddr. The guy whose face I remember very well ("Roger") definitely did not have blond hair. It was dark brown. I think it's possible that he was part native American. After all the years and perhaps hundreds of thousands of drinks he served, you'd think someone else beside me would remember this guy. Well, with Scott gone now, I may never find out.
It is strange that I cannot find anything online about Scott Forbes' passing. Was it just within the last day or two, perhaps? Anyone know how old he was? I would guess 65, at least.
Isn't ironic that we get this sad news on a day when we have so much to celebrate, with yesterday's California Supreme Court ruling?
It is strange that I cannot find anything online about Scott Forbes' passing. Was it just within the last day or two, perhaps? Anyone know how old he was? I would guess 65, at least.
Isn't ironic that we get this sad news on a day when we have so much to celebrate, with yesterday's California Supreme Court ruling?
Posted May 16, 08 | 11:13 am by themooksman
Scott Forbes passed away a couple of years ago.I went to a memorial for him in WeHo and they even had shuttles for us that had to park aways away. I did not know a soul there, so felt kind of lost.
I know (I THINK) Scott was younger than me and I am now 67, so he may have been in his late 50's when he died.
I have been emailing and spoke on the phone with Steve Applegate, the Maitre 'd at the Backlot (when I was the bartender back there) and we will be meeting soon for lunch to go over memories. We were best friends back in those days, and since I did an interview for the documentary that is being done on Studio One, I was able to connect up with Steve again, after all these years!! After I left Studio One, my late lover and I had a business that took up all our time and I sort of lost contact with many friends. So glad many of us are discovering each other again thru this site!!
I know (I THINK) Scott was younger than me and I am now 67, so he may have been in his late 50's when he died.
I have been emailing and spoke on the phone with Steve Applegate, the Maitre 'd at the Backlot (when I was the bartender back there) and we will be meeting soon for lunch to go over memories. We were best friends back in those days, and since I did an interview for the documentary that is being done on Studio One, I was able to connect up with Steve again, after all these years!! After I left Studio One, my late lover and I had a business that took up all our time and I sort of lost contact with many friends. So glad many of us are discovering each other again thru this site!!
Posted May 16, 08 | 1:40 pm by Gary Mortimer
WELL YOUR RIGHT, I wasn't 15. I was 16.5 years old when I started working in the LA clubs, Odyssey first and met scott when I was 17, I had carte blance at the door at studio in those days, and the lightman, Billy langinheim had me do a Guest spot when I was almost 18. and the DJ booth was up on the wall....Before the remodel.
Posted May 21, 08 | 12:01 pm by Richard Lindemann
I first went to Studio One in 1974 after moving to Hollywood with my lover Richi Barker (mgr. Aunt Tillie's Health Foods...a big gay haunt in the 70's). We were regulars at the club dancing till all hours and watching the celebs come in and dance with the mere mortals . It was like Oz for a kid of 21 from a tiny town in Georgia. I can remember dancing next to Miss Ross, Cher,Gladys Knight, dancing with Donna Summer; everyone acting as if these people were just part of the crowd. We never bothered or gushed over them as was the natural inclination. The one indelible memory that brought all the glamor of old Hollywood to me was,I was sitting in my VW bug in the parking lot at the side of the building where the staircase from the restaurant came down. I looked up at a spectre of Jean Harlow decending the stairs in a white satin gown and silver slippers and recognized it to be Sally Struthers. It is hard to believe now that she could have ever been a dead ringer for Harlow: but it is hard to realize I could have ever been a dead ringer for James Taylor.
There was one character that was always there dancing that still captures my imagination. He was a 6ft black transvestite with huge Miss Ross hair that always wore short cut off jeans, a rabbit fur bra and rabbit fur pelts wrapped around his ankles with hide straps. You always saw him there or hitching on Melrose.
Those were magic days and so fun to think back on, now that I am back in the tiny town in Georgia that I came from. I survived LA and 25 years of San Francisco,Richi's suicide,the Aids epidemic a career in advertizing to return to the beauty and serinity of semi-rural Ga.
There was one character that was always there dancing that still captures my imagination. He was a 6ft black transvestite with huge Miss Ross hair that always wore short cut off jeans, a rabbit fur bra and rabbit fur pelts wrapped around his ankles with hide straps. You always saw him there or hitching on Melrose.
Those were magic days and so fun to think back on, now that I am back in the tiny town in Georgia that I came from. I survived LA and 25 years of San Francisco,Richi's suicide,the Aids epidemic a career in advertizing to return to the beauty and serinity of semi-rural Ga.
Posted May 23, 08 | 9:19 am by Bill Gooding
I make it a point to come back to this page at least once a month to hear new stories or re-live the years I worked at Studio One. I wouldn't trade those years for anything. Thank you all for sharing your memories! Has anyone heard anything regarding the Studio One Documentary?
Posted Jun 10, 08 | 9:43 pm by DJ Mike V / Mike Varvil
Hi Mike,
I always love reading your posts, as I do all of the others as well. I don't know any more than you about the documentary, but what about setting up a website that tried to do a bit more than can be done here? Don't get me wrong, I have no complaints about this site, but it's not really practical to do longer articles here, or easy to post pictures. Also, a new site might expand to cover WeHo generally during those years, and the lives of those who lived there and those, like me, who were frequent visitors.
If not that, or maybe in addition to that, what about a group that came together one a month, or once every three months, to talk about those old days? Summers, this could be something as simple and low cost as a ribboned-off section of West Street Beach (actually, Camel Point Drive Beach to us purists in such matters:) in Laguna Beach. Someone would just have to bring some ribbon and a sign or two reading "Studio One Memory Cell" or something like that.
Patrick
I always love reading your posts, as I do all of the others as well. I don't know any more than you about the documentary, but what about setting up a website that tried to do a bit more than can be done here? Don't get me wrong, I have no complaints about this site, but it's not really practical to do longer articles here, or easy to post pictures. Also, a new site might expand to cover WeHo generally during those years, and the lives of those who lived there and those, like me, who were frequent visitors.
If not that, or maybe in addition to that, what about a group that came together one a month, or once every three months, to talk about those old days? Summers, this could be something as simple and low cost as a ribboned-off section of West Street Beach (actually, Camel Point Drive Beach to us purists in such matters:) in Laguna Beach. Someone would just have to bring some ribbon and a sign or two reading "Studio One Memory Cell" or something like that.
Patrick
Posted Jun 11, 08 | 7:15 am by themooksman
After reading all these posts I thought I'd add my own.I was the DJ at Studio One from 1982 - 1985. In between Dave Phillips and Lewis Van Der Wyk. Actually Lewis was my VJ and relief DJ, as the videos and screens were brand new at that time. Bob Burns was the light man. I remember Mike Z. well and Jimmy James, Marc the manager, Jack Sutton, John the blond barback and Bev. It was a terrific time. Many different people poked their heads up in the DJ booth. One night a good part of the cast of Dynasty was up there. Remember Dynasty nights on Wednesdays? We had all the top name talent in the disco as well as the Backlot. Linda Clifford, Weather Girls, Lisa, Sylvester and so many more. (I think I still have some videos of Pudgy at the Backlot. I was saddened to hear she passed away last Christmas). I remember New Years Eve of 1985 (I think). Around 1 AM Scott came up to the booth and said I shouldn't play "Jump" by the Pointer Sisters, a huge Studio hit and probably the record of the year. There were so many people there that he was nervous about the floor when everyone would jump. So we skipped it. I left in late 1985 and returned to Mass. I continued to DJ there for a few years and one night I looked up and there was Scott Forbes waving at me. He was on vacation and just happened to stop in so we talked about an hour. He told me most of the folks I knew there were gone and it was the last time I saw Scott. My tenure at Studio One was the peak of my DJ career. I also did many guest spots at Probe and for a few years always had a shift at the disco tent at Gay Pride. I hung up the headphones in 1991.Now that I found this website I'll be checking back
Posted Jun 25, 08 | 3:07 am by DJwillc
Does anyone remember that hilarious comedian "Big Ed" down in the Rose Tatoo? He would do a funny act with his piano. Kind of like a "gay Don Rickles". When a young boy would walk in the room he would play skippy dippy fairy music and just murder the young boy. Guess what? That boy was always me because I was with Errnie Carthers sitting up front. When a lesbian got up the go the bathroom all hell broke loose. Such fun! Bid Ed died in the late 80s of a heart attack. Didnt we all HAVE FUN!!!
Raymond Buckler
Raymond Buckler
Posted Jun 25, 08 | 4:31 am by Raymond
My name is Gary Myerscough and I worked as a waiter in the Backlot and in Studio One from 1986 to 1990 about. I also worked during the day with Ruthie in the Office doing payroll and Accts Payable. Also worked the front door during the time the Hollywood Boys Club came about and went with Scott and Jeffrey Sanker to Palm Springs when they did the HBC White Party at the Marquis Hotel. Worked with Mark gallo, Chris Brooks, Rustsy on Security , Jude Edwards and many others. Also a Boy named Tommy who worked in the little snack bar in the Game Bar. Fun to read the memories. I now live in Charlotte NC.
Gary Myerscough
Gary Myerscough
Posted Jul 16, 08 | 6:31 am by Gary M
I rarely go down Memory Lane. It's a road full of detours and riddled with sadness. But, I was thinking about one Nick Charles, who recited the Wizard of Oz to me while driving to Santa Barbara during the 70s, and I thought about Studio One.
First, I designed the logo for the club. I gave Scott a sketch sometime in the early 70s and he gave it to an agency on Melrose Place. I got in free as payment. I recall Scott was notorious for being cheap. I once went with Scott and his family to a taping of the Dating Game at CBS and Scott was a bachelor (go figure).
There were a number of great events that I attended:
The Backlot with Wayland Flowers and Madame. After the show we walked to his house in Weho.
Chuck Berry. I wonder if we will ever dance like that again. Chuck Berry on a Sunday afternoon. It was high volume, high energy.
Scott had a boyfriend, Australian boy with long hair (Adrian?). I had sex with him while they were building the Pacific Design Center. We snuck into the building and had sex somewhere on a stair case. I don't think Scott ever knew.
I live don Vista Street and there was an apartment below where some of the bartenders lived. They had a window that could be seen from our backdoor, and we all spent many hours watching those boys take a piss. Especially a blond with an amazing face and body. I moved to the NYC for the 80s. So i never thought much about S1. I ran into Scott in all the familiar places (the bathhouse) and then heard that he died while receiving plastic surgery. There is an urban myth about Scott though: As he was known as a very cheap man, he didn't like banks...he kept his money hidden in his backyard....
First, I designed the logo for the club. I gave Scott a sketch sometime in the early 70s and he gave it to an agency on Melrose Place. I got in free as payment. I recall Scott was notorious for being cheap. I once went with Scott and his family to a taping of the Dating Game at CBS and Scott was a bachelor (go figure).
There were a number of great events that I attended:
The Backlot with Wayland Flowers and Madame. After the show we walked to his house in Weho.
Chuck Berry. I wonder if we will ever dance like that again. Chuck Berry on a Sunday afternoon. It was high volume, high energy.
Scott had a boyfriend, Australian boy with long hair (Adrian?). I had sex with him while they were building the Pacific Design Center. We snuck into the building and had sex somewhere on a stair case. I don't think Scott ever knew.
I live don Vista Street and there was an apartment below where some of the bartenders lived. They had a window that could be seen from our backdoor, and we all spent many hours watching those boys take a piss. Especially a blond with an amazing face and body. I moved to the NYC for the 80s. So i never thought much about S1. I ran into Scott in all the familiar places (the bathhouse) and then heard that he died while receiving plastic surgery. There is an urban myth about Scott though: As he was known as a very cheap man, he didn't like banks...he kept his money hidden in his backyard....
Posted Jul 28, 08 | 11:43 am by randy dunbar
Wow. Cool stuff you wrote, Randy. I was the Backlot bartender from the very beginning. I was tending bar at "Oliver" which later became "After Dark" (there was another After Dark on Melrose, but we were not connected.) The one I worked had a piano bar and was on La Cienga Blvd. Scott approached me there and also after I left there and worked for a short time at a club down the street where Ann Dee and some others appeared. It just had a service bar. Anyway, Scott wanted me to work for him. I went to Studio One as they were getting it ready to open and told him I would work for him if I could have the Backlot...he said "you got it!"
Those were the days.
Loved your logo...I wondered who did it. Scott was on the "cheap" side, and although I liked him, he had an ego as big as the building. He used to bring his under-age tricks in and tell me to serve them...I told him he would have to come behind the bar and serve them himself as I would not do it. And there were a few "big wigs" who came to the shows and some acted like we owed them. I had a guy (will not give his name here) snap his finger at me as he sat at the bar...I stopped what I was doing (I was VERY busy making drinks for the waiters etc.) and I leaned across the bar and told him "My name is Gary! I am NOT a dog. If you want something, you call me Gary!" He said "Scott is a friend of mine...do you want me to go get him?" I said..."You go get Scott and tell HIM to come and serve you because I do NOT answer to fingers snapping from anyone!" He shut his mouth and waited for a seat in the restaurant. Scott never gave me attitude...he always knew I was right and that I would not take any s*** from anyone, including him. I was a good bartender and was there to do my job.
Do you remember Vivian Walker? He was from Australia, and I don't know what happened to him. He was an artist and I bought some of his work that I had displayed in my business after I left Studio One. He also painted the interior of my business in an Egyptian theme as we were called "Pyramid Birds"...it was a parrot store.
Glad to see people showing up here and sharing their stories.
Gary
Those were the days.
Loved your logo...I wondered who did it. Scott was on the "cheap" side, and although I liked him, he had an ego as big as the building. He used to bring his under-age tricks in and tell me to serve them...I told him he would have to come behind the bar and serve them himself as I would not do it. And there were a few "big wigs" who came to the shows and some acted like we owed them. I had a guy (will not give his name here) snap his finger at me as he sat at the bar...I stopped what I was doing (I was VERY busy making drinks for the waiters etc.) and I leaned across the bar and told him "My name is Gary! I am NOT a dog. If you want something, you call me Gary!" He said "Scott is a friend of mine...do you want me to go get him?" I said..."You go get Scott and tell HIM to come and serve you because I do NOT answer to fingers snapping from anyone!" He shut his mouth and waited for a seat in the restaurant. Scott never gave me attitude...he always knew I was right and that I would not take any s*** from anyone, including him. I was a good bartender and was there to do my job.
Do you remember Vivian Walker? He was from Australia, and I don't know what happened to him. He was an artist and I bought some of his work that I had displayed in my business after I left Studio One. He also painted the interior of my business in an Egyptian theme as we were called "Pyramid Birds"...it was a parrot store.
Glad to see people showing up here and sharing their stories.
Gary
Posted Jul 28, 08 | 12:00 pm by Gary Mortimer
Love your story about that "finger snapper," Gary. I personally would have handled him differently, though. I would have barked and growled at him. (Thinking now of Bruce Dunn aka "Shaun Christiansen" of Laguna Beach who used to sit atop the mailbox on PCH by the Coast Inn and literally bark at all the cars passing by with hot guys. But old "Laguna Beach Pumpkin Patrol" Bruce is a whole other story :)
Posted Aug 05, 08 | 3:08 pm by themooksman
Gary
Vivian, yes, not Adrian. Such a lovely boy. No sign of him...there is A Vivian Walker, the son of a famous Australian Aboriginie, who died in 1993 and did paint and sketch..remarkable coincidence, one imagines.
I remember After Dark, and the place on Beverly Blvd., where is wasn't uncommon to see Elton John and Dusty Springfield falling down drunk outside in the parking lot.
I think it should also be noted that Studio usually ended the evening with Donna Summer's Last Dance (which always seem appropriate).
Vivian, yes, not Adrian. Such a lovely boy. No sign of him...there is A Vivian Walker, the son of a famous Australian Aboriginie, who died in 1993 and did paint and sketch..remarkable coincidence, one imagines.
I remember After Dark, and the place on Beverly Blvd., where is wasn't uncommon to see Elton John and Dusty Springfield falling down drunk outside in the parking lot.
I think it should also be noted that Studio usually ended the evening with Donna Summer's Last Dance (which always seem appropriate).
Posted Aug 05, 08 | 3:57 pm by Randy Dunbar
Hi Randy. Yes, it was Vivian Walker who was the artist I was referring to. So, Vivian died in 1993?
Sorry to hear that. He was a sweet kid.
And oh I well remember Donna's "Last Dance" that closed each night of dancing and partying.
Sorry to hear that. He was a sweet kid.
And oh I well remember Donna's "Last Dance" that closed each night of dancing and partying.
Posted Aug 05, 08 | 5:39 pm by Gary Mortimer
That song closed the Boom Boom Room too, nearly a year ago now. As I've said before, my musical tastes were and remain far from disco to begin with, but reading all of this about Donna Summer made me go back and do a little research about the controversey surrounding her, supposedly condeming gays. Did she really? After lots of internet research, it's still not clear to me, even though she did in fact have a conversion to born again Christianity shortly before the time of the alleged remarks. One page, I think, gets as close as we're ever going to get:
http://www.donna-tribute.com/articles/99/wrongly.html
If it's true that she said that AIDS was caused by "reckless lifestyle," I think we can all agree that this is partially true. It may not have "caused" the disease, but it sure contributed to the rapid spread. And while we all now know precisely how not to be so "reckless," a number of people still are.
As for me, even though her music per se never meant a whole lot to me to begin with, I forgive her, for whatever she may have said. At the very least, my research showed that she was never the "Second Coming of Anita Bryant" as I had initially feared about an hour before making this post.
You may now continue dancing, folks :)
http://www.donna-tribute.com/articles/99/wrongly.html
If it's true that she said that AIDS was caused by "reckless lifestyle," I think we can all agree that this is partially true. It may not have "caused" the disease, but it sure contributed to the rapid spread. And while we all now know precisely how not to be so "reckless," a number of people still are.
As for me, even though her music per se never meant a whole lot to me to begin with, I forgive her, for whatever she may have said. At the very least, my research showed that she was never the "Second Coming of Anita Bryant" as I had initially feared about an hour before making this post.
You may now continue dancing, folks :)
Posted Aug 06, 08 | 12:31 pm by themooksman
Robert Bazan - How are you- This is Phil Riley, the guy who carded you and was going to keep your id and give it back to you after breakfast the next morning! Do you remember Brittan who worked with me at the front door before they switced me to the backlot door? I've got a large group shot taken on Christmas with Charles Pearce as Santa. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BRITTAN COLE the curlly haired front door man - had a lover named John. Another person Id' like to find is Myles Ladd - if anyone knows him. Vivian and I were roomates and I loved him very much. I'm trying to buy some of his paintings -His mom came over to visit when I lived on the beach in Malibu - I'm also looking for her poetry with Vivians art work in them. I'd like to hear from anyone who was part of our group. I went to Scott for eyeglasses and ended up remodeling the building on Roberson before it opened and stayed on for many years.
Posted Aug 24, 08 | 5:37 pm by TheMadPen
Thanks, Chris Brooks, for that 1988 group photo! I'm wondering whether one of the identified people is (John?) Kline, originally from Pittsburgh. I think John(?-- last name Kline for sure) originally went to work for Scott in around 1981. He may no longer have been at Studio by 1988,
When I get on my own computer, I'll copy and magnify the photo. That unidentified manager standing next to Scott could have been him, but it's a little hard to tell right now.
Recent pic of my on my personal website at sanclementemoose.com
When I get on my own computer, I'll copy and magnify the photo. That unidentified manager standing next to Scott could have been him, but it's a little hard to tell right now.
Recent pic of my on my personal website at sanclementemoose.com
Posted Aug 26, 08 | 3:07 pm by Patrick Crosby (aka themooksman)
Not sure what made me look for a site about Studio One, but so very glad I did! I was head bar-back and part-time bartender for 3+ years in the mid-70s. My station was the elevated oval bar at the back of the dance floor. Great memories of our red and blue satin shorts, "Marilyn" (and his "Open Trench" sign!), Steve, Dennis - and his handsome BF who waitered in the Backlot - who nick-named me "Clyde" (short for Clydesdale cuz of my thighs!), security-man Blue, "Bubble Butt", Ruthie, Steve Applegate, and you, Gary! On some occasions, I got to work the Backlot bar. Memories of Chita, Bernadette, Wayland & "Madame" ("Lie, sucker, lie!"), Rip Taylor, Morgana King, Kaye Ballard, Barbara Cook, and, well, the list just goes on! One night Bette Midler came to see a show, and was mobbed by guys as she made her way to the Backlot. I grabbed her and took her into the kitchen until it was "all-clear". She kissed my cheek! I was also on the Planning Committee for the Disneyland Party in '78. If memory serves, Scott "lied" to the Disney people about who the 15,000+ attendees were gonna' be! We all wore our Studio One t-shirts, and danced the "Hussle"! Gary - you and your partner owned a Parrot Shop down the street, right?
To you folks who weren't around then, Studio One was one of the 1st places where same-sex couples could dance "close". Times have changed - Thank gawd!! Peace to all of you!
To you folks who weren't around then, Studio One was one of the 1st places where same-sex couples could dance "close". Times have changed - Thank gawd!! Peace to all of you!
Posted Aug 29, 08 | 5:34 pm by George
P.S.
Almost forgot....on July 7, 1976 - Studio One hosted the Official Opening-Night Party for the L.A. production of "A Chorus Line"!! Since it was 'open bar', no guest had to have cash, so Liza "tipped" my co-bartender with a rose. Whoever you were, I hope you still have it! Amongst many others, I met Donna McKechnie (original "Cassie"), and then, in '95, I co-starred with her in the New York Theatre Guild's "Sail with the Stars"!! It's a small world, after all!
Almost forgot....on July 7, 1976 - Studio One hosted the Official Opening-Night Party for the L.A. production of "A Chorus Line"!! Since it was 'open bar', no guest had to have cash, so Liza "tipped" my co-bartender with a rose. Whoever you were, I hope you still have it! Amongst many others, I met Donna McKechnie (original "Cassie"), and then, in '95, I co-starred with her in the New York Theatre Guild's "Sail with the Stars"!! It's a small world, after all!
Posted Aug 29, 08 | 5:48 pm by George
Wow. Hello George! Forgive me, but I can't remember you last name. Thanks for remembering me~ I loved working the Backlot and "Marilyn" was a hoot. Yes, my lover John and I did have the parrot shop down the street from Studio One...Robertson and Melrose. We had the business for 16 years. Ending up in Burbank where we bought our house. I left S.O. because I couldn't work the bar til late in the morning and still run the business. John passed away in 1991 of Pancreatic Cancer. I still miss him very much. I managed to connect with Steve Applegate thru this site and we have yet to get together. We were the best of friends during those times. I am anxious to see how the documentary turns out...I did an interview for it of my memories of those days. And they were the days, huh? Tell me more about you so I can keep in touch if you want. I don't remember the opening night for "A Chorus Line"...maybe I had already left bartending. But, I did do Zach in A Chorus Line in the 80's. If you are on Facebook, I have some pictures of me there when I was in the show. Check out the site and become my "friend" there. It is a neat way to hook up with old friends. Please keep in touch and let me know how to reach you.
Gary Mortimer
Gary Mortimer
Posted Aug 29, 08 | 6:12 pm by Gary Mortimer
In fact, here is the link to my Facebook, in any of you are interested:
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1313374122
Gary Mortimer
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1313374122
Gary Mortimer
Posted Aug 30, 08 | 4:23 am by Gary Mortimer
I went to Studio One in the late 70s to mid 80, when I moved to the East Coast. I actually started going there because Mike Lewis was a DJ there after he left Circus. I enjoyed the club, and the people were always a lot of fun. I became friendly with John Ford, who did lights at the time, and John B who was DJ after Mike Lewis. I know John B passed, not sure about John Ford. I would love to contact John again. Anyway, sorry to hear the club closed but it will remain in my memories.
Posted Sep 03, 08 | 11:14 am by Steve
Steve: Studio One is gone but the building and club still exist and is now called The Factory. Currently open only on Fridays.
http://www.factorynightclub.com/
http://www.factorynightclub.com/
Posted Sep 11, 08 | 9:47 am by ESB
1975 was an amazing year for me. I was a freshman in college and Studio One was the only club in town. I was givin the job as coat check person which I did for 2 years. Jack , Ruthie, Scott, Vivien, Phil, Eddie, Ruthie, Christine, Michele, Steve R. Steve A. Jimmy L. Tony and Larry, Rose, Daphne, Janice were the best people in the world. I dearly miss them all and think about the days of total freedom and innocense.
Posted Sep 12, 08 | 2:09 pm by Tony Randall
It was 1975 and I was 21 and just got hired at Studio One as the coat check person. I then embarked for the next 2 years on the most excitingt time in my life. I thinlk of thiose magic days of working at Au Petite Joint restaurant with Frank Carter, Royce Varga, Steve Shukis, Beau and Andy Olsen as well. I miss all my friends and think of everyone often. Royce, Andy Scott Jack Eddie Phil Jimmy Jack Tony and Larry Phil Christine Ruthie and Michele. I remember everyone like it was yesterday.... Tony
Posted Sep 12, 08 | 2:17 pm by Tony Randall
I was the Manager of Studio One back in it's infancy. Was manager from 1975-1979. It was an absolute amazing period in my life. How does one explain this magical palace.Disco was just coming in, and everbody wanted to dance and dance we did. The Backlot was incredible, My Maitre'd at that time was Steve Applegate,Total professional. Our Entertainment was first class thanks to Mr. Leonard Grant who was in charge of bookings. The only place where you could dine with stars and then bump shoulders with later on the dance floor.ABC Hosted the premier of Tommy a movie with Elton John and Ann Margeret. The Broadway hit a Chorus Line had there opening party there. The Backlot staged some amazing preformances, Chita Rivera, Wayland Flowers with his puppet Madam where the most sold out shows. Liza Minelli bought out the entire showroom for Chita Rivera. Operating a club this size came with many trials. We were constantly upgrading the club every couple of years. One night I remember so well we had refused 3 straight couples entry for whatever reason. They left quietly and drove there Rolls Royce through the front doors of the club. Take about being pissed off. My doors guys said the license plate red 7up. We choose not to persue the matter. I owe the success to my employees. I had a great crew working for me. They all loved their job and our customers loved us. My Chef was Eddy Zelienieski what a prize he was. Not only did he pump out over 120 dinners a night for the Backlot,He was our decorator for all holiday events. It was normal for us to spend 30,000 on Christmas and New years decorations. From fog machines to snow falling in the disco, we did it big. Of course my most challenging was Halloween. One year we went all out and erected a Barnum and Bailly tent off the back parking lot so we could accommodate the thousands that wanted to attend. Thanks to all of you and those that have passed on, we could never had done this without you.
A gratitude of thanks to all of you.
Jack Wheeler Manager
A gratitude of thanks to all of you.
Jack Wheeler Manager
Posted Sep 13, 08 | 7:18 pm by Jack Wheeler
Hi Gary Mortimer,It's Jack The former Manager. Mark who's doing the documentary told me about this site and I was surprised to see some names as far back as us. I added some of my own pictures that I had. Enjoyed seeing what you contributed to the site. Talk about walking down memory lane. Any Idea what happened to Donnie Lacoco? I stay in touch with Eddy the Chef.He lives in New York.I believe John Colletti is still around. That's what Mark tells me. I was also interviewed for the film he is working on. Mark is a nice guy, a true professional.I wish him the best with his endeaver.Finally someone is stepping up and willing to tell the story of Studio One. Truly a huge job to take on. Have spoken with Steve and Manny a few days ago they sounded great.
Jack
Jack
Posted Sep 13, 08 | 7:45 pm by Jack Wheeler
WOW! Hi Jack...I remember you! And, now that you have posted those great new photos, I can remind you, Gary, et al, that I was, in fact, a part of the great era that was Studio One!!! Go to the new photos you posted - the 1st one being of Scott - scroll right - and, in the group photo - that's me, front and center, between Marilyn and Coletti!! Geez, I forgot about those socks!! Great sharing memories with you all. And nice to see you at our show, Gary!!! Thanks for coming by!
Posted Sep 13, 08 | 10:08 pm by George
Oh my Gawd!! JACK! So glad to see a post from you and the pictures you uploaded, and your memories! How are you? Are you in the desert? (your email address suggests you are). I would love to hear more from you.
Yes, those were the days huh? Not only Studio One, but ALL of WeHo and the bars and clubs we used to go to. I think all of us from SO were kind of "famous"! I remember going to the Gallery Room for drinks and when they saw us walk in the door, our drinks were already set at our places before we even sat down! (Not that we went there too much and drank the same things! Haha).
It was great working the bar in the Backlot and chatting the the celebs after their shows and when the bar closed. Getting to know them.
I'll never forget Wayland and Madame and their opening line! I thought the straights would faint dead away.
With Madame sitting on Wayland's lap, "she" would say:
"This is Wayland Flowers and I am Madame! He is no ventriliquist, and I am no f****** dummy!"
When Wayland and Madame hung out at my bar for a drink after, I would "talk" with Madame as if she were real...hardly looking at Wayland! LOL
So good to see the faces again in those pictures:
Vivian, you Jack, Ernie, etc. I can't quite see Marilyn in that picture...I need to study it more.
I think we should plan some sort of reunion sometime and really have fun going over those days. I would love to see some of you all on Facebook too...I left a link to that earlier...I have some pics of me "ASO"...After Studio One!
George...I am trying to see what you mean about "those socks" you say you are wearing. Gosh, I remember wearing t-shirts and shorts while working the Backlot...back when I used to have the legs to show off. Where did they go??? (my legs I mean!)
Can't wait for the documentary, and am so glad Mark is working so hard on it. Doing that interview was really something for me...bringing up all those memories, and sort of re-living those days of yore.
Let's keep the pictures and memories coming. And I hope everyone who is still around stays healthy and happy. We have made it this far.
Cheers guys!
Gary Mortimer
Yes, those were the days huh? Not only Studio One, but ALL of WeHo and the bars and clubs we used to go to. I think all of us from SO were kind of "famous"! I remember going to the Gallery Room for drinks and when they saw us walk in the door, our drinks were already set at our places before we even sat down! (Not that we went there too much and drank the same things! Haha).
It was great working the bar in the Backlot and chatting the the celebs after their shows and when the bar closed. Getting to know them.
I'll never forget Wayland and Madame and their opening line! I thought the straights would faint dead away.
With Madame sitting on Wayland's lap, "she" would say:
"This is Wayland Flowers and I am Madame! He is no ventriliquist, and I am no f****** dummy!"
When Wayland and Madame hung out at my bar for a drink after, I would "talk" with Madame as if she were real...hardly looking at Wayland! LOL
So good to see the faces again in those pictures:
Vivian, you Jack, Ernie, etc. I can't quite see Marilyn in that picture...I need to study it more.
I think we should plan some sort of reunion sometime and really have fun going over those days. I would love to see some of you all on Facebook too...I left a link to that earlier...I have some pics of me "ASO"...After Studio One!
George...I am trying to see what you mean about "those socks" you say you are wearing. Gosh, I remember wearing t-shirts and shorts while working the Backlot...back when I used to have the legs to show off. Where did they go??? (my legs I mean!)
Can't wait for the documentary, and am so glad Mark is working so hard on it. Doing that interview was really something for me...bringing up all those memories, and sort of re-living those days of yore.
Let's keep the pictures and memories coming. And I hope everyone who is still around stays healthy and happy. We have made it this far.
Cheers guys!
Gary Mortimer
Posted Sep 14, 08 | 4:35 am by Gary Mortimer
Hi George, I thought that I had to know you because I have been reading your messages and kept thinking I must know this guy. ow that you have led me through the process of course, How are you? I am wow'd by this site. You were a great employee. I had the best of the best working for me. Yes you were a part of this great icon. I haven't been in touch with Gary yet. When he checks in we will connect.I have submitted more pictures but they have not posted them yet. Maybe they have a limit on that. Well George not many of us still around as you no doubt know. I moved to Palm Springs in 89.I have been in business for myself for 27 years, Vintagefaux.org. Nice connecting with you after several decades.
Jack
Jack
Posted Sep 14, 08 | 4:40 am by Jack Wheeler
Gary, I see you have responded to my message. Mr. Harris told me that he found you, I was thrilled to hear such good news.Yes I live in P.S. moved here back in 89.Just turned 60, not crazy about that. But we had the best of the best. The 70"s wow. Much different today. I clicked on the factory site have you seen that. It's what Studio one is today.factorynightclub.com, Scott would roll over.I haven't been there since 86, Scott asked me to come back because the manage at the time was sick. So I managed again in 86. It was wierd going back there after 17 years.I did check out your profile site you look great still. I downloaded more pictures a couple days ago and haven't seen them on the site yet. Maybe they limit those. I have my own business www.vintagefaux.org check out my site. I have been a faux finisher for 25 years or so. I have been working all over ca. Nice shatting with you Gary. Hope to connect with you and Steve,Manny and who ever else we can drum up. Much Love to all of you guys.
Posted Sep 14, 08 | 5:06 am by Jack Wheeler
Jack Wheeler!!!! How are you Jack. I am so thrilled to see your posts and pictures and well. ..just knowing you are here. I've been living in PS area since 1993 and I bet we've seen each other but you didn't recognize. I kept in touch with Scott because he was interested in buying property in Atlantic City NJ before gambling arrived. I last saw you when I was 26 and was 42 when I came back to CA. I saw Earnie and Mike Solomon in PS at Choices and Ruthie was the last one of us that I spoke to - he told me about Vivian and all the others who were gone - it broke my heart and I was afraid to look for anyone. I've been busy, still going strong - wrote 14 books for Universal and 4 for MGM, working on more - and still after 18 year olds! Living the life of a writer NOW I'm looking for a SUGAR CHICKEN. but having just turned sixty myself I had to slow down- they were killing me! So happy to hear from you.
Posted Sep 14, 08 | 8:49 am by TheMadPen
TONY RANDAL! - Remember the nights in Topanga Canyon!I've really missed you and I'm so happy you're OK - I remember how beautiful you are.
Phil Riley
Phil Riley
Posted Sep 14, 08 | 9:06 am by TheMadPen
I was reading some of these messages, Knowing I am able to answer some questions some of you have regarding some bartenders. One was hired under my managemet that being Roger Laclair. He worked the stage bar and was hired in 1976. He would have been voted the most beautiful bartender studio One had. His face was stunning chiseled GQ type, Also quiet and somewhat shy. Was there for 9 years. The other most talked about bartender on this site I have noticed is Mike Zaludak. Also worked under myself when I was manager there. Very popular guy. Leather type. Stunning face.Everybody was crazy about Mike.
Jack former MGR
Jack former MGR
Posted Sep 14, 08 | 3:39 pm by Jack Wheeler
Does anyone remember and know the whereabouts of Wirza Stokeley? He worked as security at the side/back staircase to the main club, in 1985. (I remember the staircase was an exit only, not an entrance).
I arrived in Los Angeles around June of '85, and discovered Studio One right away. What an experience! Because of the fresh and festive atmosphere of the club itself, and also because I was in my mid-twenties and being out and gay was new itself. Anyway, Wirza was the first person I spoke with at the club, and we connected right away, he was so fun and full of life.
We soon became good friends, hanging out just about everywhere, and I'd see him also when he worked there (full time, I believe, and usually at the side staircase). Anyone that ever met him would remember him, because he just had that personality that people would gravitate to and want to be around (physically, he was African-American, around 30 years old at the time, very muscular, glasses and a light beard). Everybody at the club (staff and customers, too) loved him, he was a great guy. Also, haven't ever met anyone before or since then named Wirza, so he's a pretty unique (and wonderful) character.
As friendships sometimes go, we saw each other less and less over time and by the summer of '86 I wasn't clubbing much and then I'd moved away, and I think he'd quit working there around that time. Thought about him occasionally over the years, and Googled his name, but nothing came up. If anyone remembers Wirza or knows what happened to him, please post a reply or let me know. Thanks!
I arrived in Los Angeles around June of '85, and discovered Studio One right away. What an experience! Because of the fresh and festive atmosphere of the club itself, and also because I was in my mid-twenties and being out and gay was new itself. Anyway, Wirza was the first person I spoke with at the club, and we connected right away, he was so fun and full of life.
We soon became good friends, hanging out just about everywhere, and I'd see him also when he worked there (full time, I believe, and usually at the side staircase). Anyone that ever met him would remember him, because he just had that personality that people would gravitate to and want to be around (physically, he was African-American, around 30 years old at the time, very muscular, glasses and a light beard). Everybody at the club (staff and customers, too) loved him, he was a great guy. Also, haven't ever met anyone before or since then named Wirza, so he's a pretty unique (and wonderful) character.
As friendships sometimes go, we saw each other less and less over time and by the summer of '86 I wasn't clubbing much and then I'd moved away, and I think he'd quit working there around that time. Thought about him occasionally over the years, and Googled his name, but nothing came up. If anyone remembers Wirza or knows what happened to him, please post a reply or let me know. Thanks!
Posted Oct 01, 08 | 10:57 am by Jim
I was 18 when I first went to Studio 1 back in 78, I remember I couldnt get in so my friend came back out and licked his stamp against my hand. I remember walking up the stairs and as you past the bar area too the right of the dance floor seeing all those leather men playing with their tambourines, I remember hearing from east to west by Voage being mixed with Give me some lovin by kongas. What memories.
Posted Oct 15, 08 | 2:33 pm by Rudy
Thanks for the great trip down memory lane! My 1st time at the club was in 1982..I had a fake ID (sorry) I was 18 years old...great times!!
I am trying to find links/pictures/people from the CAMPERS...any help?? I was friends with Chris for years (we even worked at the same hospital for awhile)...
I am trying to find links/pictures/people from the CAMPERS...any help?? I was friends with Chris for years (we even worked at the same hospital for awhile)...
Posted Nov 09, 08 | 3:12 pm by qjp
I was with The Campers starting back in the early 70's and performed at Studio One around 1980 for about six months (or so). I have some old Camper pictures/articles from those days (sorry: can't send electronically). The Campers broke up in 1982. I also performed with "The Troupers" for many years in "The Backlot" at Studio One, as well.
If I can answer any questions (about things I remember), please feel free to contact me.
Bryan
If I can answer any questions (about things I remember), please feel free to contact me.
Bryan
Posted Dec 05, 08 | 6:07 am by Bryan (ex-Camper)
My Birthday is coming up and I started reflecting on the past. Studio One is apart of my pass. My first time was February 1981 and the rest is history. I want to know if anyone remembers "MIKE" the bartender at the front bar. I remember those endless nights, the music, the energy and most of all the HOT GUYS. I am so happy that I lived in those good ol days. It was a blast
Posted Dec 05, 08 | 6:37 am by Raymond
Hi Gang,
Just wanted to say hey and to clear up a few details.
Roger Leclaire was the dark haired handsome bartender some of you mentioned. Marilyn at the front bar was Jim Lindgren. Both have passed on as victims of HIV/Aids. I miss them, and the fun we all used to have. I knew Scott before he started Studio One- we are both optmetrists by profession, and I knew him until he passed in the 90's after haveing surgery. I posted a couple of photos of Roger-hope they come through. Cheers, and see you around WeHO.
Just wanted to say hey and to clear up a few details.
Roger Leclaire was the dark haired handsome bartender some of you mentioned. Marilyn at the front bar was Jim Lindgren. Both have passed on as victims of HIV/Aids. I miss them, and the fun we all used to have. I knew Scott before he started Studio One- we are both optmetrists by profession, and I knew him until he passed in the 90's after haveing surgery. I posted a couple of photos of Roger-hope they come through. Cheers, and see you around WeHO.
Posted Dec 10, 08 | 4:05 pm by weswheadon
Bryan-- now for the question of the day.. err, of the hour anyway:
(10 second Drum Roll)
Are you a happy ex Camper?
(10 second Drum Roll)
Are you a happy ex Camper?
Posted Dec 11, 08 | 7:24 am by Patrick
weswheadon,be patient with all the downloads, they are running way behind with posting stuff. Scott died in 2001. Looking forward to seeing what you have to post. I must know you but I can't put a face with your name. I do however know the name. Maybe you remember me. I was Mgr from 75-79. I have posted many pics. As I'm sure you have seen them.
Jack
Jack
Posted Dec 11, 08 | 1:32 pm by Jack Wheeler
Great Photo's Weswheadon. Wow, Such a great shot of Roger and yourself. And how can we forget Angel dust Rose.I hope more pic are found and posted. Yours are incredible. I do remember you now. I have spoken to Eddy Zielenieski about you. Because I felt a connection there and I was right. You did his lens.
Jack Wheeler
Jack Wheeler
Posted Dec 20, 08 | 8:14 am by Jack Wheeler
Hey everyone. Remember me? I worked the side door for many, many years. Plus worked the weekends during the day in the front office answering phones along side Ruthie. Jude Edwards [Bartender] sent me the link to this site. It's pretty cool. I would really like to know who posted the blog as "Studio One's best head of security ever". Is it Rusty? And also does anyone know how to get ahold of Bob Byrnes? [He provided one of the photos at the very top]. I would really like to connect with Rusty or Bob Byrnes. If anyone has any info. about either of these individuals, please post. Thanks.
Posted Jan 02, 09 | 10:48 pm by Kenny
I'm so glad to see this site of all the people who made Studio 1 Backlot what it was. It was a total blast to me at the time and I miss it so much. At the time I was working at the Backlot in stage lighting in 1977 with Charlott Houle. I'm David Hillgenberg. Some of the artist I worked with were Eartha Kitt, my favorite, Freda Payne, Julie Budd, Roslyn Kind, Gotham, Liz Torres, Torill, Morgana King, Tanya Welk and so many others. I remember Steven Applegate who I really thought alot of his personality. There was also another person named Willa who was a door person somteims too at the backlot door. I have many pictures to share just have not scann yet. Hope to hear from you if someone should remember me from then.
Posted Jan 04, 09 | 2:24 pm by Hillgenbergonlocation
If anyone would like to get in touch you can reach me at Hillgenbergonlocation@yahoo.com I have many photos I'd like to post and share.
David
David
Posted Jan 05, 09 | 5:17 pm by Hillgenbergonlocation
does anybody have pic's of Kenny Saha?
Posted Jan 12, 09 | 5:19 pm by michael
So why did it close?
Posted Jan 14, 09 | 1:19 pm by Lisa
ANY KENNY SASHA PICKS?
One of my best friends grew up with him and knew him till the day he pasted away and it is his birthday and wanted to send him a few old pic's of him that he might not have seen before..
michael
One of my best friends grew up with him and knew him till the day he pasted away and it is his birthday and wanted to send him a few old pic's of him that he might not have seen before..
michael
Posted Jan 14, 09 | 2:10 pm by SHAVEDGERMANHEAD
Well I worked door and cashier for about 2 years 1987-1988. Rusty was my manager and Scott Forbes the big man and I remember Kenny, Kenny you loved to get me in trouble. I remember Mark Gallo (truly a great guy) Rusty was fun too and after seeing him in that sailor movie uh wow he was well equipped. Tommy was funny as hell I have a few stories he told I will never forget and Scott (Cashier) worked a lot with me if Rick the main cashier was off. I almost got fired when I turned away Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez when the girl from head of the class tried to get in underage and I didn't recognize her they got in their limo and took off. Scott Forbes was on the phone right away and he chewed my a** off.
I also loved working the Back Lot door Tux shirt and Bow Tie and all the great acts that came through. I think I still have a tape DJ Lewis made me and one of my favorite songs is Eria Fachin's Saving myself for you. Great dance song.
I remember white cowboy and black cowboy would dance from 10 to closing straight. Wow a lot of great memories from studio.
Ron
Oh ya Scott's real first name was Ron also.
I also loved working the Back Lot door Tux shirt and Bow Tie and all the great acts that came through. I think I still have a tape DJ Lewis made me and one of my favorite songs is Eria Fachin's Saving myself for you. Great dance song.
I remember white cowboy and black cowboy would dance from 10 to closing straight. Wow a lot of great memories from studio.
Ron
Oh ya Scott's real first name was Ron also.
Posted Jan 17, 09 | 9:34 am by Ron E.
Security Manager....
I know who you are...!!! Your name starts with an "A". It's David Trumbo...!
I worked at Studio One with you, Steve Craig, Sandra, Edvin, and Mark Gallo! Mike was my favorite bartender, and Jimmy was my favorite dancer. I checked ID's at the front door in the late 90's, and ended up leaving as it was becomming Axis. How are you? Things are great here. What ever happened to Steve Craig? I still keep in touch with Edvin. I haven't talked to Sandra in years...but after reading these posts, I looked her up and we chatted for a while. It was good getting back in touch with her.
I miss the Studio One days...they were fun...!
I know who you are...!!! Your name starts with an "A". It's David Trumbo...!
I worked at Studio One with you, Steve Craig, Sandra, Edvin, and Mark Gallo! Mike was my favorite bartender, and Jimmy was my favorite dancer. I checked ID's at the front door in the late 90's, and ended up leaving as it was becomming Axis. How are you? Things are great here. What ever happened to Steve Craig? I still keep in touch with Edvin. I haven't talked to Sandra in years...but after reading these posts, I looked her up and we chatted for a while. It was good getting back in touch with her.
I miss the Studio One days...they were fun...!
Posted Jan 18, 09 | 5:52 am by scvguy
Studio One (now The Factory) main space is only used only occasionally for special events. Recently a new monthly Saturday night has started called Atlas. The rear of the club, Ultra Suede hosts the very popular Saturday night Cherry Pop and bi-monthly afterhours club REFLEX.
The decor of Ultra Suede was updated at the end of 2008. The Factory mainspace remains a rather dreary minimalist barn.
The decor of Ultra Suede was updated at the end of 2008. The Factory mainspace remains a rather dreary minimalist barn.
Posted Jan 25, 09 | 6:46 pm by ESB
I moved to L.A. in 10/78, and the first night I was here was spent at Studio One! Met a very hot boy (tall and thin) named Alexis, who worked for Vidal Sassoon back then.
Does anyone know the waiter named Jason from around the mid-80s? He was always the sweetest guy with the best smile! I always wondered if he survived those times...
Also, the very cute curly-haired guy who checked IDs. Turned out he and I were both originally from New Jersey, and he would let me in free. Another truly nice guy!
One of the "Fan Dancers" was Michael Mitchell, who lived with a houseful of fannies (!). He was a friend before I moved here, and stayed a friend until his passing (AIDS).
So many great memories of the craziest, wildest, most FUN club!
-- Ron
Does anyone know the waiter named Jason from around the mid-80s? He was always the sweetest guy with the best smile! I always wondered if he survived those times...
Also, the very cute curly-haired guy who checked IDs. Turned out he and I were both originally from New Jersey, and he would let me in free. Another truly nice guy!
One of the "Fan Dancers" was Michael Mitchell, who lived with a houseful of fannies (!). He was a friend before I moved here, and stayed a friend until his passing (AIDS).
So many great memories of the craziest, wildest, most FUN club!
-- Ron
Posted Feb 01, 09 | 5:16 pm by Ron
Thanks for those wonderful pics of Roger! The second one, especially. Guys just don't get any more beautiful than that, in my opinion. Can you all see now why I was baffled, for so long, that nobody else seemed to remember him?
Posted Feb 06, 09 | 12:18 pm by Patrick Crosby (aka themooksman)
Studio One was like a fantasy type place. I used to love the mens room where you looked out the window onto Hollywood Hills, with the fish bowl urinal. The music was always the best, and man watching was fantastic. The bartenders were hotties. The only problem was everyone came with their friends, so it was not a very friendly crowd as far as Gay bars go. Probably one of the only regular clubs I used to go to, where I never went home with anyone, and I was very hot then!
Posted Feb 13, 09 | 11:03 am by Bill Melichar
Mark:
Please send me your phone number.
I was the light man at Stubio One and I would like to participate in your documentary.
Thank you,
Bob
Please send me your phone number.
I was the light man at Stubio One and I would like to participate in your documentary.
Thank you,
Bob
Posted Feb 21, 09 | 7:50 am by Bob Byrnes
Bob....My name is Steve. I went to Studio One when you started there. I was friends with John Burge and John Ford. I moved to the East Coast in 1984. I don't know if you remember me. I also was friends with Mike Lewis. Do you happen to know what John Ford is up to? I would like to contact him, if you have a contact for him..Thanks....Steve
Posted Mar 04, 09 | 5:34 am by Steve
Hi Steve,
I was never tight with John Ford, but I have friends who still are; e-mail your contact info to me at armis@pcdochouston.com, and I'll make sure it reaches its destination!
I was never tight with John Ford, but I have friends who still are; e-mail your contact info to me at armis@pcdochouston.com, and I'll make sure it reaches its destination!
Posted Mar 06, 09 | 12:53 am by Chris Brooks
I was a bartender at Studio One from 1988 to 1990 at the front bar, right as you come up the stairs. I had almost white hair, was fairly buff, and regularly wore tight shorts and no shirt - when I wasn't working the Backlot. I remember Scott, Ernie, Lewis, Ron, Bobby, Patrick and Mike Z. (who I very briefly dated). Those were definitely some of the best years of my life.
Patrick Fox was one of my best friends during that time (along with a Canadian guy in security at the bar named Michael, whose last name escapes me). One memory that sticks in my head is when skinny little Patrick tried to break up a fight on the dance floor, and one of the guys pulled a big plug of his hair out - Patrick did laugh about it once his hair started growing back. I also remember having great times with dancer Jimmy Johnson, vocal impersonator Jimmy James, Mike and Franco from the Campers and the wonderful guys in security, like Steve (can't remember his last name, but he drove a jeep).
I'd love to catch up with some of the old crew and customers, if any of you who might remember me would like to.
Patrick Fox was one of my best friends during that time (along with a Canadian guy in security at the bar named Michael, whose last name escapes me). One memory that sticks in my head is when skinny little Patrick tried to break up a fight on the dance floor, and one of the guys pulled a big plug of his hair out - Patrick did laugh about it once his hair started growing back. I also remember having great times with dancer Jimmy Johnson, vocal impersonator Jimmy James, Mike and Franco from the Campers and the wonderful guys in security, like Steve (can't remember his last name, but he drove a jeep).
I'd love to catch up with some of the old crew and customers, if any of you who might remember me would like to.
Posted Mar 14, 09 | 9:48 am by MikelBartender
The pics I tried adding to my post didn't come through, but you can check them out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/36380215@N06/
Posted Mar 14, 09 | 10:00 am by MikelBartender
Well I remeber I use to go to studio one on Friday nights just to be able to go to the Girl bar in the back with Sandy and Robin. I am stright but I also Had alot of fun out there. I think I got interduced to more woman from the gay friends then ever. It was great music and late 80s and early 90s when I wasnt gone with military I would go down there visit old friends. I also Knew Steve Criag "he loved his boys young :)))" JK steve Al MARK GALO lol he didnt say much but when he did it was funny as hell. Scot Forbs RIP always try to look tough when he saw me I dont know why he was doing it but he was a good peeps too. Met Billy his other half a few times it looked like Scott use to hid him like a treasure :). Sandra thank you for letting my girlfriends to come in for free :))) and all the bartenders giving me free drinks except in Girl Bar they always double charged I wonder why hum?? :) I even got attcked by a woman back there and she bite me lol like a dog that was a funny night. lets not forget David Trumbo :) we are still friends many many moons have gone by but we still talk. lets see who else John at front door. Nick at the back door on friday nights for girl bar. looked like a 80s porn star with his mustach and lets not forget Scotts self claimed daughter Gorgina "Gorgina we had fun" what happen to Girl bar did it close? I remeber scotts speach when he sold the Studio One he even cried. That club survived all those years with him Running it and couldnt keep its door open for six to a year after that. Mark Gallo opened up his own club down Santa Monica blvd. a very small place but classy it was kind of everyone is invited strieght and gay I guess but it use to pack it in I think he went under I dont know how long after it was there for two years I think. dont know what happen to Mark does anyone? most of the stories on here are older like the time that I was just born or even few years after. not many late ones like between 89 to closing lets get some stories for later times so I can relate too. COme on Dave I know you have lots of stories to say. I evan remember a guy use to come in and every 30 min he be on corner of first room by coat check area doing push ups to stay pumped up that was funny. well if I remeber any more i type it up but i know there was more then this happening in studio one
Posted Mar 14, 09 | 10:22 am by Edvin
1984 StarSearch winner 'Sam Harris"video taped his single "Sugar Dont Bite" At Studio one. Check it out on YouTube.It shows a nice view of the clubs Dance Floor.
Posted Mar 29, 09 | 1:08 am by Bob Byrnes
hey Mike you dont remember me I was the securtiy in uniform. you worked the front bar right your the dark hair guy in the picture you post right? I remember I would come to your for a glass of pepsi ro sprite and you looked like you be irtated because you were hammered with customers :)) too and steves last name was craig lol the little problem starter he was. he would always hide behind Albert and me and scream I WANT HIM OUT OF HERE :))))) never the front lines always from the back :) man I missed those days it was fun.
Posted Mar 29, 09 | 3:49 am by Edvin
Hi Edvin. I'm the blond (Mikel). The dark-haired guy is Mike Zaloudek. (A lot of Mikes worked at Studio One when I was there.) I worked the front bar at the first station, and Mike Z was at the third station.
Posted Apr 06, 09 | 7:35 am by MikelBartender
I've asked before if anyone knew anything about my old friend Ben Wilson. I recently learned, sadly, that he passed away on 1993. Here is a pic of him from 1979. Anyone remember him?
http://antirand.org/ben.jpg
http://antirand.org/ben.jpg
Posted Apr 08, 09 | 2:49 pm by themooksman
RON - Hi -it's Phil Riley the curly haired guy from New Jersey who worked the front door. You can contact me at themadpen@hotmail.com - So happy you remembered - I'm a writer now and working on my 22 book. Aging and being a writer - I've got the Faust syndrome now. But it wouldn't be fun being young without all the guys who worked at Studio One in '74. There's a picture of me on this site - it's blue and white - write to me - send a picture of you - and thanks for remembering me, Phil
Posted Apr 12, 09 | 10:03 am by TheMadPen
I love the fact I ran across this.
I was a busboy at the Backlot for about a year in 78 (I think), Steve Applegate hired me, he was a friend of Larry Baldwins the manager at Tiffany's in Beverly Hills, and I worked there part time, he introduced me to Steve and his partner Manny, and Steve offered me a job.
Some of the people I remember were Jim Falkenhagen and Marilyn (we were all from Minnesota). Jimmy a waiter in the Backlot was an aspiring actor and his partner Dale was a bartender (we used to fool around alot)Jimmy was also on a Wheaties box, I remember seeing it in there kitchen, if I remember right, Dale was from Texas. Mark was another aspiring actor who was a waiter.
I still have a autographed pic of Wayland and Madame that says, To Don, my favorite busboy, I never travel on a bus without one.
Some of the performers I remember playing while I worked there, Wayland, Monique Van Buren, Karen Morrow, Nancy Dusault, Barbra Streisands sister, can't remember her name.
Does anyone remember any of these people I worked with?
I was a busboy at the Backlot for about a year in 78 (I think), Steve Applegate hired me, he was a friend of Larry Baldwins the manager at Tiffany's in Beverly Hills, and I worked there part time, he introduced me to Steve and his partner Manny, and Steve offered me a job.
Some of the people I remember were Jim Falkenhagen and Marilyn (we were all from Minnesota). Jimmy a waiter in the Backlot was an aspiring actor and his partner Dale was a bartender (we used to fool around alot)Jimmy was also on a Wheaties box, I remember seeing it in there kitchen, if I remember right, Dale was from Texas. Mark was another aspiring actor who was a waiter.
I still have a autographed pic of Wayland and Madame that says, To Don, my favorite busboy, I never travel on a bus without one.
Some of the performers I remember playing while I worked there, Wayland, Monique Van Buren, Karen Morrow, Nancy Dusault, Barbra Streisands sister, can't remember her name.
Does anyone remember any of these people I worked with?
Posted Apr 13, 09 | 2:57 pm by don nechkash
I'M NOT SURE I REMEMBER WHAT EVERYONE LOOKED LIKE, BUT IF YOU HAD DRUGS, AND WERE HANDSOME, I TOOK THE DRUGS AND WE HAD SEX SOMEWHERE. THE YOUNG ONES NOW (18-30) HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD, MORE FUN THAN ANYONE CAN HAVE NOW. IT WAS THE BEST TIME IN HUMAN EXISTANCE.
Posted May 03, 09 | 8:32 pm by vince
Wasn't I the first dj at Studio One? Anybody have a quaalude?
Posted May 25, 09 | 10:06 pm by Arnie Smith
Arnie, What a surprise, Yes, Those big white 714"s How nice to see you have found this site. I was the Mgr. I sure remember you well. You were always so Meeeelllow..Hope to hear from you and all is well. I had to laugh at what you wrote in..
Jack former Mgr
Jack former Mgr
Posted Jun 05, 09 | 11:34 am by Jack Wheeler
Jack,
I have no idea what possessed me to find this site but I am glad I did. It really took me back seeing pictures of you and I am glad to see you are well and thriving. Did I read that you are now in the desert? I am still in West Hollywood very busy selling real estate for Sotheby's. As a matter of fact I have a brand new project (10 units) coming on the market in the next few weeks on the corner of Sweetzer and Norton. I don't know if you remember Marc Simon who I was with at Casablanca Records but he used to own the house that was on that corner that I sold to my developer. Funny how everything eventually comes full circle. Talk to me.
I have no idea what possessed me to find this site but I am glad I did. It really took me back seeing pictures of you and I am glad to see you are well and thriving. Did I read that you are now in the desert? I am still in West Hollywood very busy selling real estate for Sotheby's. As a matter of fact I have a brand new project (10 units) coming on the market in the next few weeks on the corner of Sweetzer and Norton. I don't know if you remember Marc Simon who I was with at Casablanca Records but he used to own the house that was on that corner that I sold to my developer. Funny how everything eventually comes full circle. Talk to me.
Posted Jun 05, 09 | 3:27 pm by Arnie Smith
Arnie, Hi I am in the desert along with several others that worked there when I did. email me would you at ambientprojectdeveloper@yahoo.com This way we can reconnect again. Thanks for responding so quickly..
Jack Wheeler
Jack Wheeler
Posted Jun 05, 09 | 6:51 pm by Jack Wheeler
Really glad I found this site. I dated Roger (LeClaire) after he comped me a drink at Studio One one night in '77. What a great guy. On our first date he came down to Newport Beach, where I lived. I made him dinner, then took him upstairs for "dessert". It was everything I'd dreamed it would be...and more. I was very saddened to learn of his passing. I saw his panel in the AIDS quilt (online). It was like a knife to the heart seeing that.
Some might remember me as the security guy atop the tall ladder next to the entrance of Oscar's Wilde when it opened in 1987 around the corner from Studio One on Santa Monica Boulevard. (I've come a long way since then, thankfully. I work in the legal field now. I was a late bloomer career-wise.)
The celebs I remember seeing at Studio One are Paul Linde, at the Backlot, and model Matt Collins, who inexplicably was sitting alone at the bar one night between the Backlot and the dance floor. I remember Gotham well, and loved that act.
These are all shots in the dark, I know, but does anyone remember these Studio One patrons -- David Estrada (dark hair), John Hughes (dark hair, the model who lived at Promontory Point in Newport Beach but moved to SF), Steve Masterson (light brown hair, not the porn actor), Billy Miller (blond), Scott Murray (blond), Bob Gilmore (blond, from San Diego) Matt Lansford (brown hair, lived in Venice), or Lynn Coffey (dark hair, lived in Huntington Beach)? Does anyone remember Bob M., the attorney from Laguna, who had hordes of guys around his pool many weekends every summer? Or Bert "Something", also of Laguna, who had the bunkbeds downstairs for his many young houseguests? Like I said, long shots in the dark....
Studio One occupies a very special place in my memories. The men, music and energy were incredible. It was intoxicating. Lots of good times with good friends and lovers there. When they invent a time machine, I'm going back. Six months before walking into Studio One for the first time, I had been a student at Falwell's Liberty University (then it was called Liberty Baptist College). I think Jerry might have disapproved, but I had no regrets. Trust me, some of the least Christian people in the world sit in pews every Sunday and Wednesday night, and some of the most Christian people in the world are gay and don't go to church at all.
It's very hard to be living without the friends and lovers who passed away due to AIDS. Having been exclusively a "top", I'm still here (HIV-), but feeling guilty about it, and always will. But I believe that if God is a loving God we will see everyone again some day in that big, heavenly, Studio One in the Sky.
Thank you for this website. Viewing the posts and pix is very therapeutic for seriously nostalgic folks like myself -- triggering memories of the wonderful times and faces at Studio One.
Some might remember me as the security guy atop the tall ladder next to the entrance of Oscar's Wilde when it opened in 1987 around the corner from Studio One on Santa Monica Boulevard. (I've come a long way since then, thankfully. I work in the legal field now. I was a late bloomer career-wise.)
The celebs I remember seeing at Studio One are Paul Linde, at the Backlot, and model Matt Collins, who inexplicably was sitting alone at the bar one night between the Backlot and the dance floor. I remember Gotham well, and loved that act.
These are all shots in the dark, I know, but does anyone remember these Studio One patrons -- David Estrada (dark hair), John Hughes (dark hair, the model who lived at Promontory Point in Newport Beach but moved to SF), Steve Masterson (light brown hair, not the porn actor), Billy Miller (blond), Scott Murray (blond), Bob Gilmore (blond, from San Diego) Matt Lansford (brown hair, lived in Venice), or Lynn Coffey (dark hair, lived in Huntington Beach)? Does anyone remember Bob M., the attorney from Laguna, who had hordes of guys around his pool many weekends every summer? Or Bert "Something", also of Laguna, who had the bunkbeds downstairs for his many young houseguests? Like I said, long shots in the dark....
Studio One occupies a very special place in my memories. The men, music and energy were incredible. It was intoxicating. Lots of good times with good friends and lovers there. When they invent a time machine, I'm going back. Six months before walking into Studio One for the first time, I had been a student at Falwell's Liberty University (then it was called Liberty Baptist College). I think Jerry might have disapproved, but I had no regrets. Trust me, some of the least Christian people in the world sit in pews every Sunday and Wednesday night, and some of the most Christian people in the world are gay and don't go to church at all.
It's very hard to be living without the friends and lovers who passed away due to AIDS. Having been exclusively a "top", I'm still here (HIV-), but feeling guilty about it, and always will. But I believe that if God is a loving God we will see everyone again some day in that big, heavenly, Studio One in the Sky.
Thank you for this website. Viewing the posts and pix is very therapeutic for seriously nostalgic folks like myself -- triggering memories of the wonderful times and faces at Studio One.
Posted Jun 07, 09 | 11:05 am by beachcomber
Beachcomber, After reading your letter I wanted to respond to your wondering about many of the guys. In referance to Billy Miller he passed away in 87. He worked at the club when I did.
Former Mgr.Jack
Former Mgr.Jack
Posted Jun 07, 09 | 2:51 pm by Jack Wheeler
Thanks Jack for sharing about Billy.
I'd like to apologize for my recollection of Roger. It was TMI. Reading it now after posting it, I'm feeling like an idiot.
I'd like to apologize for my recollection of Roger. It was TMI. Reading it now after posting it, I'm feeling like an idiot.
Posted Jun 07, 09 | 6:09 pm by beachcomber
To clarify, my recollection of Roger was truthful, but indiscreet. I'm sorry, it won't happen again.
Posted Jun 07, 09 | 6:28 pm by beachcomber
Beachcomber - For what it's worth, I met "a" Steve Masterson one night at (I think) Mother Lode sometime in the late 80s or very early 90s. He was living in a house in Laurel Canyon, and worked for Toyota.
Don't know if he's the one you have in mind, but he was the nicest, sweetest guy...
-- Ron
Don't know if he's the one you have in mind, but he was the nicest, sweetest guy...
-- Ron
Posted Jun 07, 09 | 6:56 pm by Ron
Thanks Ron, that sure sounds like the Steve Masterson I knew in the late 80's. He was about 5'9", give or take an inch, very young looking and very cute, had light brown hair. Very sweet guy.
Doe anyone remember Roger Edwards? I dated him beginning in late 1977. He used to drive up to Studio One from south OC or north San Diego County. Very handsome guy with a thick head of hair (medium length, light brown). I loved sinking my fingers into that sexy hair of his. Roger LeClaire had awesome hair as well. His was a head of hair I loved playing with as well.
I also remember dating a Studio One employee named Scott (can't remember the last name), blond, handsome, who lived in Newport Beach. That was 1977-78. He told me a great story about being pulled over by a state trooper on the northbound 405 one night on his way to work at Studio One. The attraction between them was immediate, and their first date was that very night. The trooper unexpectedly stuck his head through the driver's side window and kissed Scott on the mouth, and (eventually) asked Scott to drive to the highway patrol station he worked out of and wait for him there until he got off duty, which Scott did. I'd better not say any more. I've seen some state troopers I've wanted to get to know better. Scott actually experienced it. I still get worked up thinking about his nighttime encounter with that boy babe in a state police uniform and police vehicle. Does anyone remember Scott's last name, if you think you know which Scott this was? I don't think I saw him in any of the photos that have been posted.
Doe anyone remember Roger Edwards? I dated him beginning in late 1977. He used to drive up to Studio One from south OC or north San Diego County. Very handsome guy with a thick head of hair (medium length, light brown). I loved sinking my fingers into that sexy hair of his. Roger LeClaire had awesome hair as well. His was a head of hair I loved playing with as well.
I also remember dating a Studio One employee named Scott (can't remember the last name), blond, handsome, who lived in Newport Beach. That was 1977-78. He told me a great story about being pulled over by a state trooper on the northbound 405 one night on his way to work at Studio One. The attraction between them was immediate, and their first date was that very night. The trooper unexpectedly stuck his head through the driver's side window and kissed Scott on the mouth, and (eventually) asked Scott to drive to the highway patrol station he worked out of and wait for him there until he got off duty, which Scott did. I'd better not say any more. I've seen some state troopers I've wanted to get to know better. Scott actually experienced it. I still get worked up thinking about his nighttime encounter with that boy babe in a state police uniform and police vehicle. Does anyone remember Scott's last name, if you think you know which Scott this was? I don't think I saw him in any of the photos that have been posted.
Posted Jun 08, 09 | 7:31 am by beachcomber
Hello Beachcomber - Scott's last name was Granden. He was a handsome and really sweet guy - we ended up dating for about 6 months - I remember the story about the Highway patrolman! I believe he lived in Huntingtom Beach. I have a really nice picture of him somewhere - when I fiind it I will post it.
Phil Riley
Phil Riley
Posted Jun 08, 09 | 10:12 am by TheMadPen
Yeah, Granden, thanks Phil. When I knew Scott he was living in Newport Beach, right where Balboa Peninsula veers away from southbound PCH, to the right, within the first block on the left. I met him at a party, where he had come with a date. I heard him say that he lived down the hill from the party, so after he left, I discreetly jumped in my Jeep and followed him down the hill to his home. In the days that followed I drove by his place until the first time I saw him outside. I slowed, shouted a greeting, and our first date was that night. A very sweet, nice guy. I look forward to seeing the photo of Scott. Thank you, Phil.
Imagine all of the intrigues that were taking place in and around Studio One, with its personnel and its patrons often coming together...
Imagine all of the intrigues that were taking place in and around Studio One, with its personnel and its patrons often coming together...
Posted Jun 08, 09 | 1:20 pm by beachcomber
Does anyone recall a handsome lad named Fred Harris? We made heavy eye contact with each other on the dance floor at Studio One one summer evening in '78 and ended up going out for a late breakfast nearby on Santa Monica Boulevard before going back to his place. A real nice guy. He was a law student and might also have been a bartender at Studio One. Does anyone remember Fred or know what happened to him?
Posted Jun 09, 09 | 3:26 pm by beachcomber
Hi, this is Richard Lindemann, one of the light men at studio, i have a new face book that I have contected with a lot of old friends. It is
Richard Lindemann Long beach.
Richard Lindemann Long beach.
Posted Jun 12, 09 | 8:05 pm by ArtofMixRecords
What great times I had there in the late 1970's - early 1980's. Does anyone remember Joe Garcia who was a bartender?
Posted Jun 15, 09 | 6:36 pm by David Minichan
Just listening to Soft Cell which got me in the mood to check in on the site... hadn't been here for a while. I posted here a year or so ago. I once escorted Sylvester to the stage with my Chippendale roommate, whose friends put on a show. Scott had me wear a silver plastic garbage bag so it looked like I was in a spacesuit. All this was so normal then.
I remember Joe and his brother. I worked there at security 1981-84. I randomly saw Joe in Sydney at Mardi Gras 1998. I used to live in Santa Monica and moved to Brisbane, Australia in 1997.
One Halloween, I painted on some of Joe's Indian warpaint make-up for his costume. His brother's name evades me at the moment.
One of these links will lead you guys to my facebook profile to see if any of you remember or know me. I used to hang out there as a fixture. I remember Mike Zaloudek, Jimmy, Jerry (Tall thin blonde bartender), John, Dan and Phil in security. Gary, Ed and Chuck at the front door.
Oh well... here's my facebook link.
http://profile.to/eliotrifkin
I remember Joe and his brother. I worked there at security 1981-84. I randomly saw Joe in Sydney at Mardi Gras 1998. I used to live in Santa Monica and moved to Brisbane, Australia in 1997.
One Halloween, I painted on some of Joe's Indian warpaint make-up for his costume. His brother's name evades me at the moment.
One of these links will lead you guys to my facebook profile to see if any of you remember or know me. I used to hang out there as a fixture. I remember Mike Zaloudek, Jimmy, Jerry (Tall thin blonde bartender), John, Dan and Phil in security. Gary, Ed and Chuck at the front door.
Oh well... here's my facebook link.
http://profile.to/eliotrifkin
Posted Jun 24, 09 | 12:45 am by Eliot
Here are two sample photos I took of Joe Garcia. I have many from the shoot we did in Santa Barbara.
http://antirand.org/joe.jpg
http://antirand.org/joe2.jpg
http://antirand.org/joe.jpg
http://antirand.org/joe2.jpg
Posted Jun 30, 09 | 12:59 pm by Parrish
Lets see if that tag stuff works:
Images of a very young Joe Garcia who was later a bar boy for Roger and then a bartender at Studio One
Images of a very young Joe Garcia who was later a bar boy for Roger and then a bartender at Studio One
Posted Jun 30, 09 | 2:50 pm by themooksman
Correction. These photos of Joe Garcia were taken WHILE he was a bartender at Studio One. I'm the photographer who took them in 1981.
Posted Jun 30, 09 | 4:54 pm by Parrish
I thought it was a bit later, 83 at the earliest, that he started working there. In any case, does anyone here remember him? Parrish and I are both wondering whatever happened to him. I last saw him at hi house in Topanga Canyon (or one of those canyons, at any rate) in 1987. He was no longer working at Studio by that time, as I recall. He was doing a lot of painting and had two huge dogs that barked a LOT.
This ring any bells for anyone?
This ring any bells for anyone?
Posted Jun 30, 09 | 5:45 pm by themooksman
Wow! What an amazing site! Found while looking for logos from Studio One online. I'm bartender/manager/sycophant for the current occupant of Studio One, Factory Event Space, but was also a regular reveler at the incomparable Studio One. In fact, I remember mid 70's tagging with my then roommate David Garrison to his optometrist’s office.... Dr. Scott Forbes!, who took us into his private office to ... (you all know why) and ALSO to show us design plans for the club he was opening a few months later.... Studio One. Opening night was magic Yes, I'm probably the oldest bartender in WEHO... not easy keeping up with... (wheeze)... how I hate it, youth and beauty.... too old to depend on surgical steel and silk suture. I remember flaunting the same nose, cheeks and chin as Bo Derrek and Linda Evans.... Have you seen them LATELY? they are OLD WOMEN!! Nowadays I just squeak by... Thanks to my wit (well half of it) and time-honed skills in treachery (that, and pity tips)... (sigh).. Oh, well, the point is... I was looking for logos, because the Factory is planning a tribute night to Studio One later this summer.. along the lines of the Studio54 tribute (one fun event!) Club Axis threw in the 90's. I have an original S O t- shirt I'm having copied for all the bartenders to wear... Robbie Leslie (of Studio54, Saint and Fire Island fame)is booked for DJ... but I'm sure if there are any original Studio One DJ's out there... I would be happy to hook you up. The infamous bartender, Mike Zaloudek (did we ALL f*** with him?) and manager, Mark Gallo (he was in Atlas @ Factory last night & looking great), are hoped to attend... in fact.. I invite any past employee(s) to contact me, RobsDesk@sbcglobal.net , if they are interested in being placed on the guest list as honored "celebutantes de nuit". If anyone knows how to contact Michael Solomen, I believe he’s the last surviving owner of Studio One (last address I have is Laguna Bch), I want to make sure he receives an invitation. I will post more info as I get it. (Damn, I'm drooling on my shirt again... "NURSE!") Again, WHAT AN AMAZING SITE!
Posted Jul 05, 09 | 11:52 pm by RobBarnes
Hi Rob - Saw your post my name is Phil Riley - Started working at
Studio One when it was being modified by Scott in 1973 and stayed on as
doorman/security - then became Steve Applegate's assistant in the backlot from
1974 to 1980. Then went to Universal and worked as a writer for the past 30
years. There are several of us living in the Palm Springs area - maybe we can
car pool and all arrive together - it might be a sad moment but a nice tribute -
to have pictures of all our guys who passed away from HIV. Hoping all good
things for your event even if I sadly can't make it. You can see all my post on
the Disco site either by name or The Mad Pen
All the best
Phil Riley - tried your email but it was returned
Studio One when it was being modified by Scott in 1973 and stayed on as
doorman/security - then became Steve Applegate's assistant in the backlot from
1974 to 1980. Then went to Universal and worked as a writer for the past 30
years. There are several of us living in the Palm Springs area - maybe we can
car pool and all arrive together - it might be a sad moment but a nice tribute -
to have pictures of all our guys who passed away from HIV. Hoping all good
things for your event even if I sadly can't make it. You can see all my post on
the Disco site either by name or The Mad Pen
All the best
Phil Riley - tried your email but it was returned
Posted Jul 06, 09 | 9:56 am by TheMadPen
Here is a pic of my old friend Ben Wilson. He was born in Selma Alabama in 1942 and died in 1993. Met him the night of my first trip (from Chicago) to LA (and of course Studio One)in 1976.
I have written an elegy for him called Elegy for an Actor. Not sure what would happen if I did the "mp3" tag here. Would everyone hear the piece that opened the page? Don't want that! So please just go to http://antirand.org/elegy.mp3 and download it directly if you want to hear it.
I have written an elegy for him called Elegy for an Actor. Not sure what would happen if I did the "mp3" tag here. Would everyone hear the piece that opened the page? Don't want that! So please just go to http://antirand.org/elegy.mp3 and download it directly if you want to hear it.
Posted Jul 07, 09 | 9:34 am by Patrick (aka themooksman)
Wow. I am glad you guys are still posting notes and memories here on this site. Don't know why, but I have not been getting notices when anyone posts here like I used to get, but glad it is still up and running and gives us all a place to "connect".
I was thinking about the documentary this morning and wonder how it is coming along. Anyone know?
Jack Wheeler...I will call you. I am coming to Palm Springs next Thursday...let's do lunch or something.
Gary Mortimer
I was thinking about the documentary this morning and wonder how it is coming along. Anyone know?
Jack Wheeler...I will call you. I am coming to Palm Springs next Thursday...let's do lunch or something.
Gary Mortimer
Posted Jul 11, 09 | 9:55 am by Gary Mortimer
I discovered this site a few months ago, and since then have come back a number of times to read the comments. This however, is the first time that I'm posting one. I worked at Studio One in several different capacities, from 1987 through 1990. I was hired initially as a bartender, and continued working as one the entire time that I was employed there, but I also helped coordinate Cabaret Entertainment in the Backlot, and worked closely with the performers that were booked there. Two artists in particular that brought in huge crowds when I was there were Charles Pierce and Julie Budd. A few other acts that I remember appearing during that time period included Les Stevens, Kenny Sacha, the Amazing Lochlin, Big Ed, and Lois Bromfield, just to name a few.
In April, 1988, I took over the production of Monday Night Live, the weekly Talent Showcase that was featured at the club. The group that had been producing the show up until that point was about to call it quits and relocate to a different venue. Since the series had been an ongoing, steady form of entertainment at the club for quite awhile and had an established audience, I talked Scott into letting me continue producing it. He agreed, and for the next year I ran the show and was responsible for what was presented on stage every Monday Night. That opened the way for me to branch out and produce acts on other nights as well.
The entire time I worked at Studio One was a very exciting period, and a pivotal time in the history of the place. The club was going through a transition and a lot was going on. It was just after Jeffrey Sanker first came to town, when he and Scott teamed up to present Hollywood Boys Club on Friday Nights. It was also when the first White Party in Palm Springs was being planned. (Although a lot of people may have forgotten, Scott played a major part in making it happen!) And besides this, the bar was also going through a major remodeling. Yes, there was a lot going on simultaneously, and I know this because in addition to the other jobs I had there, for a brief period, I was also Scott Forbe's Assistant.
I have many fond memories from those special years in my life, and will post a few when I get a chance.
In April, 1988, I took over the production of Monday Night Live, the weekly Talent Showcase that was featured at the club. The group that had been producing the show up until that point was about to call it quits and relocate to a different venue. Since the series had been an ongoing, steady form of entertainment at the club for quite awhile and had an established audience, I talked Scott into letting me continue producing it. He agreed, and for the next year I ran the show and was responsible for what was presented on stage every Monday Night. That opened the way for me to branch out and produce acts on other nights as well.
The entire time I worked at Studio One was a very exciting period, and a pivotal time in the history of the place. The club was going through a transition and a lot was going on. It was just after Jeffrey Sanker first came to town, when he and Scott teamed up to present Hollywood Boys Club on Friday Nights. It was also when the first White Party in Palm Springs was being planned. (Although a lot of people may have forgotten, Scott played a major part in making it happen!) And besides this, the bar was also going through a major remodeling. Yes, there was a lot going on simultaneously, and I know this because in addition to the other jobs I had there, for a brief period, I was also Scott Forbe's Assistant.
I have many fond memories from those special years in my life, and will post a few when I get a chance.
Posted Jul 14, 09 | 12:12 am by Jude Edwards
Wow. A "tribute night" to the original Studio One?
What fun! That and the documentary that is still in the works. Be nice if the two can "come out" at the same time. (How is the documentary coming, Mark?) Rob, you said you are having copies made of the original t-shirts for us "old" bartenders to wear? I'd love to have one and attend the "party". I opened SO as the bartender in the Backlot. I think I was working at Oliver (which later became After Dark...not the one on 3rd street). Scott had been watching me and...well he asked if I would come work for him at a new club he was opening. I went to the old Factory and when I saw what would become the Backlot I said..."Yes, I'll come work for you, but I want to work this bar!" He said you got it and I loved the few years I did tend that bar.
Ah the memories there. Steve Applegate and I became good friends...had lots of fun away from the club, too. The celebs, the shows, the dinners, the time we got busted because someone let a minor in...how in the world did THAT happen? DUH! I remember standing outside on the street waiting to see what would happen and Scott just said "Don't worry...if they take you all to jail, I'll get you out." Luckily we didn't go to jail! I used to tell Scott when he brought in one of his young things and wanted me to give him a drink..."No way...if you want him to have a drink, you come back behind the bar and serve him yourself." I'm glad Scott listened to me and didn't can me on the spot. Haha.
I hope whoever is still around hears about the party and the documentary. I hope to see Jack Wheeler when I go over to Palm Springs this week. I have a link to Studio One (with the old logo) on my Facebook page so people who remember the club can come here and see all the pictures and stories. I have lots of pictures I posted here too.
My best to all of you guys!
Gary Mortimer
What fun! That and the documentary that is still in the works. Be nice if the two can "come out" at the same time. (How is the documentary coming, Mark?) Rob, you said you are having copies made of the original t-shirts for us "old" bartenders to wear? I'd love to have one and attend the "party". I opened SO as the bartender in the Backlot. I think I was working at Oliver (which later became After Dark...not the one on 3rd street). Scott had been watching me and...well he asked if I would come work for him at a new club he was opening. I went to the old Factory and when I saw what would become the Backlot I said..."Yes, I'll come work for you, but I want to work this bar!" He said you got it and I loved the few years I did tend that bar.
Ah the memories there. Steve Applegate and I became good friends...had lots of fun away from the club, too. The celebs, the shows, the dinners, the time we got busted because someone let a minor in...how in the world did THAT happen? DUH! I remember standing outside on the street waiting to see what would happen and Scott just said "Don't worry...if they take you all to jail, I'll get you out." Luckily we didn't go to jail! I used to tell Scott when he brought in one of his young things and wanted me to give him a drink..."No way...if you want him to have a drink, you come back behind the bar and serve him yourself." I'm glad Scott listened to me and didn't can me on the spot. Haha.
I hope whoever is still around hears about the party and the documentary. I hope to see Jack Wheeler when I go over to Palm Springs this week. I have a link to Studio One (with the old logo) on my Facebook page so people who remember the club can come here and see all the pictures and stories. I have lots of pictures I posted here too.
My best to all of you guys!
Gary Mortimer
Posted Jul 14, 09 | 10:09 am by Gary Mortimer
I think it's quite obvious that whatever memories and recollections you have of Studio One, as well as whatever opinions you have of the place, most likely were influenced by the people you encountered when you were there. That's what really made the place so exciting. Of course there was always a few familiar faces you could count on to be there, but there also was that ever-changing dynamic of not knowing exactly who you might run into or possibly meet. There certainly was an array of characters who frequented the place on a regular basis, each with their own unique story to tell. The same can be said in regards to the staff. Each patron and employee had their own degree of drama going on, and brought a little bit of it with them when they entered the club...some more so than others.
In 1987 when I first started, there was a very eclectic (yet fun) group of people working there. Mark Gallo was manager and also Head Bartender. Ruthie ran the front office and did Payroll. Gary Myerscough answered phones and was bookkeeper during the day. Lewis Vanderwyk was DJ, and Bob Byrnes did the lights. Bartenders included Mike Zaloudek, Tom Ogden, Jeff Davis, Larry Finch, Jed Reichlan and myself. Ricky Sweigart was barback. Rusty was in charge of Security. Some of the guys who worked along with him were Scott Mazzeo, Scott Trumbo, Tony Ghrist, and Curtis Hayes. Harry Cormier watched the Front Door, while Kenny Hiefejh worked the Side. There was a kid named 'Tommy' who sold snacks out of a booth near the Saloon, and the busboy was Ernesto. Victor Ibarra was in charge of cleaning and maintenance, and Bernardo Ponce helped set-up the bars every day before the club opened. In the Backlot, John Winkler ran the Sound and Bobby McClure (Bev) did the Lights.
Others certainly were present there as well; Those I've mentioned are the ones that stick out most in my mind. (I hope at least some of the names ring a bell and trigger a fond memory.) I felt that by listing the a lot of those people who were present during THIS particular period, it would be a great way to pinpoint the exact era I'm talking about, and help clearly define a specific point in the chronology of the Club.
In 1987 when I first started, there was a very eclectic (yet fun) group of people working there. Mark Gallo was manager and also Head Bartender. Ruthie ran the front office and did Payroll. Gary Myerscough answered phones and was bookkeeper during the day. Lewis Vanderwyk was DJ, and Bob Byrnes did the lights. Bartenders included Mike Zaloudek, Tom Ogden, Jeff Davis, Larry Finch, Jed Reichlan and myself. Ricky Sweigart was barback. Rusty was in charge of Security. Some of the guys who worked along with him were Scott Mazzeo, Scott Trumbo, Tony Ghrist, and Curtis Hayes. Harry Cormier watched the Front Door, while Kenny Hiefejh worked the Side. There was a kid named 'Tommy' who sold snacks out of a booth near the Saloon, and the busboy was Ernesto. Victor Ibarra was in charge of cleaning and maintenance, and Bernardo Ponce helped set-up the bars every day before the club opened. In the Backlot, John Winkler ran the Sound and Bobby McClure (Bev) did the Lights.
Others certainly were present there as well; Those I've mentioned are the ones that stick out most in my mind. (I hope at least some of the names ring a bell and trigger a fond memory.) I felt that by listing the a lot of those people who were present during THIS particular period, it would be a great way to pinpoint the exact era I'm talking about, and help clearly define a specific point in the chronology of the Club.
Posted Jul 16, 09 | 3:58 pm by Jude Edwards
In follow-up to my last post:
I truly feel that the prevailing atmosphere at any given time was largely due to the mix of people who happened to be on staff. Their commitment to the club and their relationship with eachother would set the tone for what anyone in attendance would ultimately experience. I am so proud to say that I was an employee of Studio One during a very important time in its history. I was lucky enough to be right there in the center of it all when a lot of very exciting things were taking place.
It seems like most of the people who posted comments here are from the very early days of the place. Although I can relate to a lot of the experiences I've read about, I wanted to highlight an era that occurred a little bit later. There are distinct differences in the way the place was run, that occurred in response to the changing times. Scott strived to keep things current and fresh, and to do that went to great lengths to give the crowd what they wanted. Whether it was adding an '18 & Over' Night, hiring Go-Go Boys to dance on platforms, or incorporating Video Screens to enhance the Entertainment, the club was always evolving.
Despite the commonality that existed throughout Studio One's entire existence, there were lots of things that were unique to whatever time period you might happen to think of. Some of them were necessary, while others were unavoidable. The place was always changing (both in appearance and feeling) in accordance with the times.
I truly feel that the prevailing atmosphere at any given time was largely due to the mix of people who happened to be on staff. Their commitment to the club and their relationship with eachother would set the tone for what anyone in attendance would ultimately experience. I am so proud to say that I was an employee of Studio One during a very important time in its history. I was lucky enough to be right there in the center of it all when a lot of very exciting things were taking place.
It seems like most of the people who posted comments here are from the very early days of the place. Although I can relate to a lot of the experiences I've read about, I wanted to highlight an era that occurred a little bit later. There are distinct differences in the way the place was run, that occurred in response to the changing times. Scott strived to keep things current and fresh, and to do that went to great lengths to give the crowd what they wanted. Whether it was adding an '18 & Over' Night, hiring Go-Go Boys to dance on platforms, or incorporating Video Screens to enhance the Entertainment, the club was always evolving.
Despite the commonality that existed throughout Studio One's entire existence, there were lots of things that were unique to whatever time period you might happen to think of. Some of them were necessary, while others were unavoidable. The place was always changing (both in appearance and feeling) in accordance with the times.
Posted Jul 16, 09 | 4:02 pm by Jude Edwards
Having a Studio One Tribute Night at The Factory sounds like a great idea. It should be lots of fun. Is there a date scheduled for it yet?
Also, there's been mention of a Studio One Documentary that's supposedly in the works. Did it ever materialize? If not, is it still being done? If there's still time to participate in the project, I'd be interested in getting involved.
Also, there's been mention of a Studio One Documentary that's supposedly in the works. Did it ever materialize? If not, is it still being done? If there's still time to participate in the project, I'd be interested in getting involved.
Posted Jul 29, 09 | 9:01 am by Jude Edwards
Jude, You can send an email too this address if you are interested in being interviewed for the Documentary. Here it is..
studio1project@hotmail.com
Jack
studio1project@hotmail.com
Jack
Posted Jul 29, 09 | 10:47 am by Jack Wheeler
Well, I went to Palm Springs a couple weeks ago and met with Jack Wheeler, who was the original (and BEST) manager of S.O. back in the early days. We had a great lunch and talked for a couple of hours about the good ole days. He was even wearing a Studio One t-shirt so I would recognize him...didn't have any trouble knowing him...he has hardly changed. I will be going back there once it cools down a bit and once again see Jack and hopefully Phil Riley too! It is wonderful connecting again after all these years, and I hope many of us can also get together at the Club for some kind of reunion and see who remembers who...and what! LOL
Gary Mortimer
Gary Mortimer
Posted Jul 29, 09 | 12:20 pm by Gary Mortimer
Thanks Gary it too was a pleasure seeing you after so many years. You haven't changed a bit. Still the same wonderful guy I had working for me. What a bartender you where. So professional. It was as if 30 some years never passed us by. Thanks for coming and looking me up,and for those kind words spoken. You are a treasure.
Jack wheeler
Jack wheeler
Posted Jul 29, 09 | 11:32 pm by Jack Wheeler
I was never in the building when it was called Studio One. I was in Hollywood in 67 till 71. Studio One was called the Factory. I believe it was owned by a couple of the Rat Pack. I was working at the Whiskey on Sunset. The Factory had just started to allow the gay community to come in and boogie and we had a ball there. They would let gays in and called it Artist and Model night. Then gay clubs opened constantly in 67. The Stampede, The Farm, Starwood, The Gas Station, Ginos on Melrose. Great time to come out.
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 4:20 pm by Tomboyes
The Gas Station would have definitely been my kind of place. Did the bartenders wear gas station uniforms? I can just see the old historic gas pumps with the lit glass shells on top (for one brand, literally in the shape of a shell). My father, who began working in gas stations in about 1926, once told me how these used to be hand pumped, and there was a 5 gallon glass jar used for measurement. Ah, those were the days. ;)
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 6:02 pm by Patrick Crosby (themooksman)
Hey Tomboyes.
I sure remember The Stampede, and Ginos on Melrose, but not the other ones. Of course the Whiskey was right up the street from where I first worked when I came to the strip. I was a bartender at the Windjammer, which later became the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Did you ever go there? Chuck Landis had the strip club next door...can't recall the name of that place...(Key Largo, or the Largo Club?) and a stipper, "Stormy Weather" used to come over for a drink during the day and we would have some laughs. I believe the strip club became the Roxy and I saw the original "Rocky Horror Show" there. It was awesome! Those really were the days!
After the Windjammer, I worked at Oliver's (which became After Dark), a showroom club father south on La Cienga, and then I opened Studio One in the Backlot. Love to hear more of your memories too.
I think you are right about some of the Rat Pack owning the Factory.
And give me some bartenders in uniforms!!
Gary
I sure remember The Stampede, and Ginos on Melrose, but not the other ones. Of course the Whiskey was right up the street from where I first worked when I came to the strip. I was a bartender at the Windjammer, which later became the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Did you ever go there? Chuck Landis had the strip club next door...can't recall the name of that place...(Key Largo, or the Largo Club?) and a stipper, "Stormy Weather" used to come over for a drink during the day and we would have some laughs. I believe the strip club became the Roxy and I saw the original "Rocky Horror Show" there. It was awesome! Those really were the days!
After the Windjammer, I worked at Oliver's (which became After Dark), a showroom club father south on La Cienga, and then I opened Studio One in the Backlot. Love to hear more of your memories too.
I think you are right about some of the Rat Pack owning the Factory.
And give me some bartenders in uniforms!!
Gary
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 6:21 pm by Gary Mortimer
Does anyone remember The Zoo & also Forced Heat. Those were some fantastic places in the day.
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 6:47 pm by David T. Hillgenberg
If I remember correctly, The Gas Station didn't last too long and Johnny Bernstein was the dj there. I moved to LA in '67 and my best friend (to this day) was the dj at The Factory when it opened. Other than Sammy Davis Jr. none of the other Rat Packers had any interest in it. Anthony Newley and some other stars of the day were co-owners and many of the other money people were in the business but not celebrities. I was there almost every night of the week and they had the best hamburger with peanuts in them. I'm losing my memory!!! Wasn't After Dark on Beverly Blvd just east of LaCienega and owned by Ron who had previously owned the Bitter End West on Santa Monica Blvd. I fthat's correct I was the dj who opened that club. Just want to make sure I'm not confusing it with what used to be the Millionaires Club on LaCienega and San Vicente which was where Thank God It's Friday was filmed. The Farm and The Stampede, staples on Santa Monica Blvd for what seemed like a hundred years. Memories, memories, beautiful golden threads to hold on to!!
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 6:50 pm by Arnie Smith
does anyone have a quaalude?
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 7:03 pm by Jack Wheeler
Haha. Jack, you are funny! A "quaalude"? Remember, I told you that in all those years, I never once had a aquaalude at Studio One. Now, drinks and maybe some poppers..., but that's another story.
Yes, Arnie...there was an After Dark on Beverly Blvd...the one I worked at used to be Oliver (right on La Cienega), and for some reason, it was ALSO called After Dark, but they were not connected. Bizarre huh? And what was that gay bar up the street we used to hang out at too???
Yes, Arnie...there was an After Dark on Beverly Blvd...the one I worked at used to be Oliver (right on La Cienega), and for some reason, it was ALSO called After Dark, but they were not connected. Bizarre huh? And what was that gay bar up the street we used to hang out at too???
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 7:27 pm by Gary Mortimer
Was it Cabaret? The place was owned by Ron Larson. It was the disco with the claw arch entry. No longer there it's been torn down. Hi Gary I'll have a vodka tonic please..
Jack
Jack
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 7:38 pm by Jack Wheeler
Vodka & tonic coming up just for you Jack!
I actually do miss those days of tossing those bottles around and making all those weird drinks. I can't remember half of what I used to make. Haha.
Cabaret sounds familiar, but that is not the one I am thinking of...I will have to look thru my notes and maybe do a list of the old hang-outs that we used to go to back then. Remember Ciro's, the Mocambo, the Trocadero, the Garden of Allah,
Schwab's Drug Store?
So, maybe I'll head back to Palm Springs in 2-3 weeks. I hope you will be around so we can meet again. And see if Phil Riley will be able to meet too.
Between this site and Facebook, I have really been hooking up with lots of old friends, and that is really neat.
I actually do miss those days of tossing those bottles around and making all those weird drinks. I can't remember half of what I used to make. Haha.
Cabaret sounds familiar, but that is not the one I am thinking of...I will have to look thru my notes and maybe do a list of the old hang-outs that we used to go to back then. Remember Ciro's, the Mocambo, the Trocadero, the Garden of Allah,
Schwab's Drug Store?
So, maybe I'll head back to Palm Springs in 2-3 weeks. I hope you will be around so we can meet again. And see if Phil Riley will be able to meet too.
Between this site and Facebook, I have really been hooking up with lots of old friends, and that is really neat.
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 8:00 pm by Gary Mortimer
And of course, some of us used to always close the Gallery Room on Santa Monica Blvd. Being a bartender at Studio One, we were "known" and sometimes as soon as we hit the door to the bar, our drinks would be placed at our usual seats by the time we got to the stools! LOL
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 8:04 pm by Gary Mortimer
Someone asked about Fred Harris. If it's the guy I am thinking of, he lived in the (very nice then and now) Mediteranian Village on not-particularly nice Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Golden Blond, as "straight acting" as they come. He had a taste for younger "not-so-straight acting" men. I can remember one of his BFs once driving me nuts because he wouldn't stop talking about Cher and her $20000 turquoise steering wheel. I couldn't stand Cher! LOL! Used to see him at the Boom a lot. Haven't seen him in 20 or more years. No clue what happened to him.
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 8:14 pm by Patrick Crosby (themooksman)
OMG, Gary - Ciro's? Where the Comedy Store is now. 1969. I was only in there once. Too many rooms and when you are on seconals or tuinals (quaaludes didn't come until around '74) it was more than a little difficult to maneuver!!!! I was just talking with someone last weekend about the Gallery Room. It was Cabaret on LaCienega at some point and the After Dark that was on Beverly Blvd. mysteriously burned down one night. HA!! The one that was on LaCienega always brings a laugh to me because I was in there one night and had to pee and all the urinals were busy so I stepped into a stall and on the wall in front of me was the dispenser for toilet seat covers and on the metal someone had written "free ponchos" and it cracked me up!
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 1:17 am by Arnie Smith
Hollywood was such a great place in the 60s.I first moved to 866 Westmount near Santa Monica and LaCienega, then to Apain Way off Lookout Mountain in Laurel Canyon. Disco clubs were opening rapidly. They werent called discos but were the beginning. Remember when the Millionairs club turned gay, all the old Hollywood straight crowd,didnt like the fact that it was gay. Then half of them ended up in clubs like studio one,Ginos on Melrose. Does anyone remember The Four Star? It was on Santa Monica near the Troubador. A club owned by a gay man named Doug Weston. I know Stonewall was a historic moment, but there was a lot happening before then. Remember the sign Faggots Stay Out, At Barny's Beanery. I remember a friend of mine Becky Lewis was working there and asked me not to bring my gay friends in. So we would get tanked on booze and reds and tui's and go into Barnys just to get her goat.
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 2:58 am by Tomboyes
Hey Arnie...After Dark (Oliver's) on La Cienega...with the piano bar? I loved working there. Once Martha Raye called me down to the waiter's little window (we were "friends" and I had been in her house many times) and when I leaned down to hear her, she said "come closer...I need to tell you something" When I did, she stuck a bottle of poppers in my nose! LOL And the heavy set lady who played the piano would get drunk and always managed to drive home to Simi Valley (where she grew pot)!
Tomboyes: I remember the Four Star and the sign on Barney's Beanery too!
I am still trying to remember the name of the bar up the street from Oliver's where we used to drink and have dinner....it had a patio out front too.
Anyone recall the name of that place?
Tomboyes: I remember the Four Star and the sign on Barney's Beanery too!
I am still trying to remember the name of the bar up the street from Oliver's where we used to drink and have dinner....it had a patio out front too.
Anyone recall the name of that place?
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 10:20 am by Gary Mortimer
Gary,
Are you thinking of The Garden District????
Are you thinking of The Garden District????
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 10:56 am by Arnie Smith
BINGO!! That's it Arnie...the Garden District!
Thanks for jogging my memory. LOL
Thanks for jogging my memory. LOL
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 11:02 am by Gary Mortimer
Still a predominantly gay hangout but the name is now Bentley's!!!!
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 11:08 am by Arnie Smith
Hey Gary do you remember the New Generation on Santa Monica. Kinda raunchybut fun. The Jaguar was the first leather place I ever went to.It was 1967. It was dark and full of leather guys. I was fresh out of Akron Ohio. I felt very intemadated. Then I asked the bartender to give the guy at the end of the bar a drink. He smiled and tipped his motorcycle hat and started to walk tword me in a very butch manor and I thought what a great catch. Then he opened his mouth to say thanks and sounded a lot like Carol Channing a very nellie. I guess they wear leather because chiffon wrinkles. So I went back to the discos and had a ball.
I remember seeing Sylvester at the Farm. He wasn't performing. He hadnt recorded anything at that time. He was with a group called The Cockettes.
I remember seeing Sylvester at the Farm. He wasn't performing. He hadnt recorded anything at that time. He was with a group called The Cockettes.
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 11:52 am by Tomboyes
Hahaha. "Chiffon wrinkles". I love it! All those costumes guys wore...then and now...and you get them out of them and what do you have? Insecure little boys wanting to be men. We've all been there I guess. God bless us, everyone!
You know what they say about men with big cars and big hats, and everything else that is big, except the thing that matters. One of my best friends...to this day, always lowers his voice an octave when he meets a new man, but he can dress and act more Carol Channing than the best of them. Plus, his legs go up more than the shuttle does!
You know what they say about men with big cars and big hats, and everything else that is big, except the thing that matters. One of my best friends...to this day, always lowers his voice an octave when he meets a new man, but he can dress and act more Carol Channing than the best of them. Plus, his legs go up more than the shuttle does!
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 12:34 pm by Gary Mortimer
And none of you guys remember my old friend Ben Wilson, or his friend Will Geer?
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 1:06 pm by Patrick Crosby (themooksman)
Wow a Studio One reunion of sorts.
I started in Boston in 1974 and worked at a club there called Cabaret After Dark at first as a door man then as spotlight operator for the showroom. I was suggested for the spotlight position by Archie Webb. Archie moved back to LA so I took over the lights in the showroom. That's where I first met Wayland and Madame and Michael Greer. The club was owned by Ron Larson who also owned After Dark in LA. Well making a long story short without going into all kinds of well....stories. I ended up moving to LA in 1975. I looked up Archie Webb and he was working the stage lights at Cabaret in LA. (that big spider building). I went to visit him and again I got a job doing the spotlight. Archie left Cabaret and again I ended up doing the lights. Well about a year later I saw Archie at Studio One and he was doing the lighting in the Backlot. Guess what? There I was sitting next to Archie in the light booth doing the spot. Then guess what? Yes Archie moved to San Fran and I was doing lighting at the Backlot. I worked at Studio One from about 78 to 85. I became friends with Wayland and Charles Pierce. Did lighting for Wayland, Charles, Joan Rivers, Morgana King, Phyllis Diller, Bernadette Peters, oh I can go on and on.
I look back at Studio One as a college. I learned so much there. I did see Joe Garcia about 2 years ago. Same old Joe Garcia, he looked great. I have so many stories. I met one of my best friends at Studio One, Bob Ruane. He started as a busboy in the Backlot. He went on to open a few clubs in San Diego and I talk to him every few months.
I always appreciated Scott Forbes and how proud he was of Studio One. He, for the most part, let me do what I wanted in the Backlot with the lights and stage. What a workspace to learn. Working with Broadway lighting designers who occasionally came in to do Bernadette’s, Earth Kitts etc lighting. I think it was in 1984 where I came up with an idea to do a game show in the Backlot Wednesday nights at 9 right after Dynasty. The show was called Best Friends and I still have some of the tapes. I also have a tape from one of the big Halloween shows in the big tent in the parking lot.
I also have one of the first HBO specials "An Evening at Studio One's Backlot. They mean so much.
I loved working with everyone there. It was such a great experience. On one of the occasions that Wayland and Madame were there in 1985 I was asked to go on the road with Wayland. I did, and was his lighting and sound person (as well as sometimes dresser and road manager) for 3 years. I became friends with Charles Pierce and continued doing his lighting in LA up until 1991. I treasure the memories and to this day when I go to the Factory I find myself standing in the same places that I did back then waiting for Scott to come up to me and say Hi Ronnie (one of the few people I let call me Ronnie).
I remember about a year before Scott passed I saw him at 24 Hour Fitness working out I approached him and he said Hi Ronnie and I asked him if he'd ever think about doing a Studio One reunion night. He asked me if I thought there would be enough people to attend. I said hell yes. He asked me if I'd help. I said yes. That was it until I read the news one morning in the LA Times at a Starbucks.
If there is a reunion it should be a few days. Turn Ultra Swede back into the Backlot for one night and I'll be up in that booth announcing. Ladies and gentlemen the Studio One Backlot Theatre is proud to present Miss Julie Budd!
And finally from my old announce script I still have. "We'd like to thank you for joining us here in the studio one Backlot theatre and we'd like to remind you of some of our coming attractions, (up coming shows and dates) Thank and drive safely Goodnight everyone.
It was an Honor to say that.
Sorry I went on for so long. Let's talk!
Ron Hamill
I started in Boston in 1974 and worked at a club there called Cabaret After Dark at first as a door man then as spotlight operator for the showroom. I was suggested for the spotlight position by Archie Webb. Archie moved back to LA so I took over the lights in the showroom. That's where I first met Wayland and Madame and Michael Greer. The club was owned by Ron Larson who also owned After Dark in LA. Well making a long story short without going into all kinds of well....stories. I ended up moving to LA in 1975. I looked up Archie Webb and he was working the stage lights at Cabaret in LA. (that big spider building). I went to visit him and again I got a job doing the spotlight. Archie left Cabaret and again I ended up doing the lights. Well about a year later I saw Archie at Studio One and he was doing the lighting in the Backlot. Guess what? There I was sitting next to Archie in the light booth doing the spot. Then guess what? Yes Archie moved to San Fran and I was doing lighting at the Backlot. I worked at Studio One from about 78 to 85. I became friends with Wayland and Charles Pierce. Did lighting for Wayland, Charles, Joan Rivers, Morgana King, Phyllis Diller, Bernadette Peters, oh I can go on and on.
I look back at Studio One as a college. I learned so much there. I did see Joe Garcia about 2 years ago. Same old Joe Garcia, he looked great. I have so many stories. I met one of my best friends at Studio One, Bob Ruane. He started as a busboy in the Backlot. He went on to open a few clubs in San Diego and I talk to him every few months.
I always appreciated Scott Forbes and how proud he was of Studio One. He, for the most part, let me do what I wanted in the Backlot with the lights and stage. What a workspace to learn. Working with Broadway lighting designers who occasionally came in to do Bernadette’s, Earth Kitts etc lighting. I think it was in 1984 where I came up with an idea to do a game show in the Backlot Wednesday nights at 9 right after Dynasty. The show was called Best Friends and I still have some of the tapes. I also have a tape from one of the big Halloween shows in the big tent in the parking lot.
I also have one of the first HBO specials "An Evening at Studio One's Backlot. They mean so much.
I loved working with everyone there. It was such a great experience. On one of the occasions that Wayland and Madame were there in 1985 I was asked to go on the road with Wayland. I did, and was his lighting and sound person (as well as sometimes dresser and road manager) for 3 years. I became friends with Charles Pierce and continued doing his lighting in LA up until 1991. I treasure the memories and to this day when I go to the Factory I find myself standing in the same places that I did back then waiting for Scott to come up to me and say Hi Ronnie (one of the few people I let call me Ronnie).
I remember about a year before Scott passed I saw him at 24 Hour Fitness working out I approached him and he said Hi Ronnie and I asked him if he'd ever think about doing a Studio One reunion night. He asked me if I thought there would be enough people to attend. I said hell yes. He asked me if I'd help. I said yes. That was it until I read the news one morning in the LA Times at a Starbucks.
If there is a reunion it should be a few days. Turn Ultra Swede back into the Backlot for one night and I'll be up in that booth announcing. Ladies and gentlemen the Studio One Backlot Theatre is proud to present Miss Julie Budd!
And finally from my old announce script I still have. "We'd like to thank you for joining us here in the studio one Backlot theatre and we'd like to remind you of some of our coming attractions, (up coming shows and dates) Thank and drive safely Goodnight everyone.
It was an Honor to say that.
Sorry I went on for so long. Let's talk!
Ron Hamill
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 7:41 pm by Ron Hamill
Hello Ron. Those are some wonderful memories you have of Studio One. Have you scrolled back and seen all the posts and pictures here?
Tell me...what is this "HBO specials "An Evening at Studio One's Backlot."????? When did that air and when was it filmed? Love to see that someday.
Tell me...what is this "HBO specials "An Evening at Studio One's Backlot."????? When did that air and when was it filmed? Love to see that someday.
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 8:10 pm by Gary Mortimer
I am elated to hear that as of 2 years ago Joe Garcia was alive and well. A couple of us have been working years to track him down. Is he still in Australia?
BTW, if the reunion is an employees only type of affair, would anyone be interested in taking this hot young 61 year old as a guest? ;)
[img]http://antirand.org/me.jpg[img]
BTW, if the reunion is an employees only type of affair, would anyone be interested in taking this hot young 61 year old as a guest? ;)
[img]http://antirand.org/me.jpg[img]
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 8:17 pm by Patrick Crosby (themooksman)
[gim]http://antirand.org/me.jpg[/img]
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 8:18 pm by Patrick Crosby (themooksman)
I can't type here! No, I'm not drunk! LOL!
last try
last try
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 8:20 pm by Patrick Crosby (themooksman)
Hey Patrick. You can go as my young "date". Actually you ARE younger than me! LOL
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 9:03 pm by Gary Mortimer
Ron,
So where did you see Joe Garcia? I wonder if he wants some old pics I have.
-David
So where did you see Joe Garcia? I wonder if he wants some old pics I have.
-David
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 9:40 pm by Parrish
I was coming out of Numbers (now straight) on night and I think it was a Halloween a few years ago. I started to walk down Santa Monica Blvd towards Palm in front of the car wash and I heard "hey Ron" and I looked over and there was Joe not dressed in a Halloween costume. I said Hi Joe nice costume. We talked for a minute and I think he gave me his number. I think I have it somewhere. I'll check.
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 10:13 pm by Ron Hamill
I too fondly remember studio one. I used to tend bar at the Four Star Saloon. Remember Erica's Drag Search? Sorry, I don't have any photos, but what a great time. I fondly remember in 1984 when West Hollywood incorporated as America's First Gay City. Is anyone that I knew still around? It would be great to hear from you!
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 10:30 pm by joey the bartender @ four star saloon
Ron,
Thanks. I have a whole photo shoot of pics we did together so I wonder if he wants them.
Thanks. I have a whole photo shoot of pics we did together so I wonder if he wants them.
Posted Aug 01, 09 | 10:31 pm by Parrish
Ron Hi I'm Jack Wheeler former Mgr. I like what you wrote in. Interested in the HBO special A night at Studio One's Backlot. How can I see that. I live in Palm Springs Ca. I would guess it's VHS tape. I was manager there in 75,76,77, 78 and 86. You can email me at desertwheels@yahoo.com Did you know that a Documentary is being done on Studio One. If you are interested in being interviewed let me know. That's if you are in So.Cal area. Hope too hear from you.
Jack Wheeler
Jack Wheeler
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 12:13 am by Jack Wheeler
Gary,
In the immortal words of the Big Bopper,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TcC_ni0ojo
"Pick me up at 8, and don't be late." ;)
In the immortal words of the Big Bopper,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TcC_ni0ojo
"Pick me up at 8, and don't be late." ;)
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 11:02 am by Patrick Crosby
I don't think the Studio One Video was available outside of the club and I think it was broadcast only a few times. It was hosted by Tom Dreesen and had performances by Rick and Ruby, Maureen Mcgovern.
There may be someone else on it also but I haven't looked at it for years. I should transfer it to DVD.
I also have those Best Friends videos hosted by Scott.
There may be someone else on it also but I haven't looked at it for years. I should transfer it to DVD.
I also have those Best Friends videos hosted by Scott.
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 3:07 pm by Ron Hamill
Ron, pleeeeze! Where did you see Joe Garcia? Any idea where he was living, at least, at that time? Tracking him down with a common name like that is extremely difficult.
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 3:25 pm by Patrick Crosby
Cannot find the number, sorry. i'll still look for it. I described where and about when I saw him above.
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 4:12 pm by Ron Hamill
Thanks. You did describe the "when" but not the "where." A number would be fantastic pfcrosby@yahoo.com
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 5:06 pm by Patrick Crosby
Hey Ron! Not sure if we ever met. I use to run the spot and some sound in 1977. I have many cassett recording of when I was there and anouncing. It was such a great time that I will never forget. I hope that many of us will be able to gather for a reunion of memories.
Posted Aug 02, 09 | 10:14 pm by Hillgenbergonlocation
yeah i remember big ed. I was his bodyguard for awhile. he was real funny.I was an exotic dancer at studio one..I also did some modeling for fox.Im looking for the bartender who was also a photographer that had a studio in marina del rey.I would really love to get my hands on some of those pics.i think his name was bob or bill.. yeah studio one was the bomb i was there 84-87
Posted Aug 11, 09 | 9:52 pm by suave
Ron Hamill...I remember you. We worked together on a number of occasions in the Backlot. I think we first met sometime in 1988 during the remodeling of the club. Didn't you also do some work with a group known as the OBoys? I sort of recall you being involved with at least one of their documentaries.
During most of the time I was involved with the Backlot, the person in charge of Sound was John Winkler, and the person who ran Lighting was Bobby (Bev) McClure. I remember you being there, but I believe it was primarily to do Video. You had a business called Ditto Video, where people would hire you to come in and videotape their performances. In fact, I hired you a few times myself to tape shows that I was presenting. One was a Broadway Night I did in May 1988; another was a show I did in April 1989, called 'Best of the Backlot". In fact, to this day, it is that show that I'm most proud of. It featured a lot of performers who were very popular at the time.
Each had appeared in a number of shows at the Backlot during the previous year, and came together to share the stage again that one particular night. Some of the people who were involved were (Vocalists) Christine McEvilly, Patrick Basile, Angela Carol Brown, and Ellen Smith; and (Comics) Steve More, Martha Jane, Glynis McCants and Caldwell & Winfree. A few others also took part.
I still have copies of both shows I mentioned, as well as a few others made around the same period. However, they're all on VHS, so before I would be able to share any of them, I would need to have them digitalized. And since I'm not that technically inclined, that may take a while.
I just posted a whole bunch of photos from the years I was working there, but so far, only a few of them have been added. Those that were appear at the bottom of all the others, right before the comments start. I also noticed that the webmasters for this site have redesigned the way some a lot of the previous photos are laid out. You don't have to use the horizontal scroll bar anymore to see them. Now they're all vertically lined up with eachother, and it makes viewing so much easier. Special thanks to whoever did that!
During most of the time I was involved with the Backlot, the person in charge of Sound was John Winkler, and the person who ran Lighting was Bobby (Bev) McClure. I remember you being there, but I believe it was primarily to do Video. You had a business called Ditto Video, where people would hire you to come in and videotape their performances. In fact, I hired you a few times myself to tape shows that I was presenting. One was a Broadway Night I did in May 1988; another was a show I did in April 1989, called 'Best of the Backlot". In fact, to this day, it is that show that I'm most proud of. It featured a lot of performers who were very popular at the time.
Each had appeared in a number of shows at the Backlot during the previous year, and came together to share the stage again that one particular night. Some of the people who were involved were (Vocalists) Christine McEvilly, Patrick Basile, Angela Carol Brown, and Ellen Smith; and (Comics) Steve More, Martha Jane, Glynis McCants and Caldwell & Winfree. A few others also took part.
I still have copies of both shows I mentioned, as well as a few others made around the same period. However, they're all on VHS, so before I would be able to share any of them, I would need to have them digitalized. And since I'm not that technically inclined, that may take a while.
I just posted a whole bunch of photos from the years I was working there, but so far, only a few of them have been added. Those that were appear at the bottom of all the others, right before the comments start. I also noticed that the webmasters for this site have redesigned the way some a lot of the previous photos are laid out. You don't have to use the horizontal scroll bar anymore to see them. Now they're all vertically lined up with eachother, and it makes viewing so much easier. Special thanks to whoever did that!
Posted Aug 12, 09 | 10:37 pm by Jude Edwards
Thank You Jude for reminding me about the O-boys. May I remind you....never mind. LOL. Yes by the time you were at the Backlot I already was shooting video most of the time. I do remember doing the lights for The Troupers, Jim Baily and Charles Pierce on that horrible little stage in the corner (it's back in the center again).
But most of the middle eighties I was on the road with Wayland and Madame. Ya, I bought a camera in 88 and the shooting the nightclub shows lasted just a few years later when everyone got their own camcorder. I have some posters from the Backlot and those Best Friends VHS tapes. And yes, someday I'll transfer them to DVD. By the way I've been telling the 20 somethings who are into 70's retro clothes that gay guys DID NOT dress like that in the clubs. I tell them that they dress for the most part the way they do now, jeans and t-shirts, and jeans and no shirts (which is not allowed at the Factory). Oh well.
But most of the middle eighties I was on the road with Wayland and Madame. Ya, I bought a camera in 88 and the shooting the nightclub shows lasted just a few years later when everyone got their own camcorder. I have some posters from the Backlot and those Best Friends VHS tapes. And yes, someday I'll transfer them to DVD. By the way I've been telling the 20 somethings who are into 70's retro clothes that gay guys DID NOT dress like that in the clubs. I tell them that they dress for the most part the way they do now, jeans and t-shirts, and jeans and no shirts (which is not allowed at the Factory). Oh well.
Posted Aug 14, 09 | 10:28 pm by Ron Hamill
I wore OP and Hang Ten surf clothes to the clubs in the 70s. All those OP and Hang 10 shirts and shorts must have had an influence on me. In 1987 I finally learned to surf. I think the surfing may also had something to do with the Whittier Narrows Earthquake that hit Oct. 1, 1987. I was staying in a Motel 6 in Arcadia and was just walking out of the shower (ready to go to work in Pasadena) at 7:42 am when the quake it. I stood up through it! "Hey, maybe this means I could surf?" I thought. The rest is history. I am now a local San Clemente Surf legend known (in my own brand of surfspeak called "Moobonics") as "Da MooMan." In English, that's "The Moose Man."
PS: Although I did in fact stand up during the Whittier Narrows quake, I did hit my head on the side as I walked out of the shower. Think that might have had something to do with me taking up surfing as well?
PS: Although I did in fact stand up during the Whittier Narrows quake, I did hit my head on the side as I walked out of the shower. Think that might have had something to do with me taking up surfing as well?
Posted Aug 15, 09 | 5:18 pm by Patrick Crosby
Did anyone go to Studio One in the 60s, when it was called The Factory?
Posted Aug 16, 09 | 4:27 am by tomboyes
I started going to Studio One in 1975 when I first arrived in LA from Boston. I remember my first time there. I entered the front door on Lapeer and took the elevator up to the second floor. I remember the music getting louder as the elevator rose. The doors opened and I felt like I was in a different world. I walked thru the club to the Backlot area and came up to the old Backlot bar. I ordered a rum and coke from the bartender who was hot. The bartender turned out to be Roger. Oh, and he comped my first drink there. Very nice.
After I was working there for a while and after the Backlot was remodeled in about 78 I was out in the parking lot talking to Scott about the Halloween party and where the tent was going to be and the stage etc. He looked up at the building and said something like “I should think about painting the building" and I said "you mean to get rid of the Spaghetti Village painted sign that you can see through the paint over the Backlot"? He said that it used to be an Italian restaurant and that is why the original Backlot had all those little house facades lining the walls, thus Spaghetti Village. Who knew!
After I was working there for a while and after the Backlot was remodeled in about 78 I was out in the parking lot talking to Scott about the Halloween party and where the tent was going to be and the stage etc. He looked up at the building and said something like “I should think about painting the building" and I said "you mean to get rid of the Spaghetti Village painted sign that you can see through the paint over the Backlot"? He said that it used to be an Italian restaurant and that is why the original Backlot had all those little house facades lining the walls, thus Spaghetti Village. Who knew!
Posted Aug 16, 09 | 3:06 pm by Ron Hamill
Ron, I found your last post very interesting. I never knew there was a restaurant there before, though it does make sense considering how large the kitchen is on the premises. You are just a wealth of knowledge! And since you seem to be so well endowed (I mean versed) on Studio One trivia, I have a few questions for you:
When the Backlot first opened, where was the bar located, and just how large was it? On the photo that I posted, there doesn't seem to be any in the room. It may just be that it's out of frame, but even so, it's pretty clear that the bar I'm familiar with (which ran along the left wall next to Scott's office) didn't exist at the time. Do you know when it was put there? Also, what was the seating capacity in the original showroom?
By the time I started in 1987, there no longer was any food service going on. When and why was it discontinued? When it was a Supper Club, what kind of things were on the menu?
I was also wondering if you knew who happened to be the first Act to ever appear on stage there? And, if Studio One and the Backlot both opened their doors at the same time? (I once heard from someone that the Backlot came first, and Scott used profits he derived from it to help finance the construction of the disco. Is any of that true?)
Finally, here's one last question I'll throw out there to see if anyone has an answer: How did the club get the name "Studio One"? (I'm sure there's gotta be some kind of a story behind that!)
When the Backlot first opened, where was the bar located, and just how large was it? On the photo that I posted, there doesn't seem to be any in the room. It may just be that it's out of frame, but even so, it's pretty clear that the bar I'm familiar with (which ran along the left wall next to Scott's office) didn't exist at the time. Do you know when it was put there? Also, what was the seating capacity in the original showroom?
By the time I started in 1987, there no longer was any food service going on. When and why was it discontinued? When it was a Supper Club, what kind of things were on the menu?
I was also wondering if you knew who happened to be the first Act to ever appear on stage there? And, if Studio One and the Backlot both opened their doors at the same time? (I once heard from someone that the Backlot came first, and Scott used profits he derived from it to help finance the construction of the disco. Is any of that true?)
Finally, here's one last question I'll throw out there to see if anyone has an answer: How did the club get the name "Studio One"? (I'm sure there's gotta be some kind of a story behind that!)
Posted Aug 18, 09 | 5:09 pm by Jude Edwards
Here's some news I just found out that I thought I'd share with everyone:
The date for the Studio One Tribute Night that the Factory Nightclub is holding has finally been set. I just received an email from DJ Robbie Leslie that included a flyer for the event. It's scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2009.
I'm attempting to upload a copy of it here, but there's also a website that's been set up to provide all the information you need. Here's the direct link to it:
http://www.keepthemusicplayin.com/
The date for the Studio One Tribute Night that the Factory Nightclub is holding has finally been set. I just received an email from DJ Robbie Leslie that included a flyer for the event. It's scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2009.
I'm attempting to upload a copy of it here, but there's also a website that's been set up to provide all the information you need. Here's the direct link to it:
http://www.keepthemusicplayin.com/
Posted Aug 18, 09 | 5:16 pm by Jude Edwards
How cool!! Can't wait for the big night!
I will be wearing one of the new t-shirts!
A trip down memory lane.
Gary Mortimer
I will be wearing one of the new t-shirts!
A trip down memory lane.
Gary Mortimer
Posted Aug 18, 09 | 7:47 pm by Gary Mortimer
Hi Jude, Just read your piece and noticed you had some questions. Studio One's name was Scott's idea. Back in 74 Scott would rent one night a week from the owner to launch his vision of one day leasing the place out and calling it Studio One. That dream came too life in July of 1974. He designed the club to look like a old Studio backlot from the movies. The Backlot was launched at the same time since it was all the same club. They would serve dinner there. Shortly after it opened he brought in entertainment I'm not able to tell you who the first act that Scott booked there because I wasn't hired until 6 months after it opened. I was just recently in the club back in May of this year and the bar in the backlot was still there in the same place. Gary Mortimer writes in here quite often and he would know who the firt act Scott opened the Backlot with since he was hired the night the club opened and was the Backlot bartender.
Studio One's Party keep the music playing sounds like the good ole days coming back too life.
Maybe we run into each other there.
Jack former Manager
Studio One's Party keep the music playing sounds like the good ole days coming back too life.
Maybe we run into each other there.
Jack former Manager
Posted Aug 18, 09 | 8:36 pm by Jack Wheeler
...and I would so like to contribute to everyone's memory but nothing was more important to me at the time then how many quaaludes I could take!!!!! Amazing that I could spin records at the time and have sex but not much else!!!!!
Posted Aug 18, 09 | 9:47 pm by Arnie Smith
I wasn't working at the Backlot till about 1978-79. When I first went there as I recall the backlot bar was in the room with the back part serving the lobby. The lighting booth was over that bar which was much smaller than the one finaly put in. When I started working there the bar had been relocated to the back corner of the room and the lighting/sound booth was above that and very small. The bar under the booth was a service bar only with a window into the saloon. Oops have to go. I'll continue later.
Posted Aug 18, 09 | 10:13 pm by Ron Hamill
Hey Mullholand:
The "Bronsonesque" bartender could have been Peter Petrucci. He was dark and handsome. I remember him because he always bought me cocktails. He moved back to Ft. Lauderdale and worked at Cathode Ray and in Real Estate. There was another bartender, Ross Williamson (AKA Kevin Adams) who had the "Pierce Bronson" good looks. He was a model and worked there until it became the Factory.
I started going to Studio when I came out to attend USC in 1980. I'd always end up at Studio after the frat parties. After graduation, I headed back to Coral Gables but found myself back here for the '84 Olympics and haven't left since. Celebrating Studio One on October 24 will be a blast. I have a box at the Hollywood Bowl that night for Barry Manilow but what a way to finish off the evening.
The "Bronsonesque" bartender could have been Peter Petrucci. He was dark and handsome. I remember him because he always bought me cocktails. He moved back to Ft. Lauderdale and worked at Cathode Ray and in Real Estate. There was another bartender, Ross Williamson (AKA Kevin Adams) who had the "Pierce Bronson" good looks. He was a model and worked there until it became the Factory.
I started going to Studio when I came out to attend USC in 1980. I'd always end up at Studio after the frat parties. After graduation, I headed back to Coral Gables but found myself back here for the '84 Olympics and haven't left since. Celebrating Studio One on October 24 will be a blast. I have a box at the Hollywood Bowl that night for Barry Manilow but what a way to finish off the evening.
Posted Aug 20, 09 | 2:15 pm by davidarias
http://www.keepthemusicplayin.com/memories.shtml
Well someone is finely doing it. A tribute to Studio One. I've attached the web site just above so you can get tickets. It's October 24, 09. Looks like it's going to be fun. Thelma Houston is the guest singer. Wow! they are doing right. Keep up the good work guys. Brings back a lot of memories since I was once the Mgr. Pulling off an event like this is not easy. Wishing you all the best for this party.
I'll be there
Jack
Well someone is finely doing it. A tribute to Studio One. I've attached the web site just above so you can get tickets. It's October 24, 09. Looks like it's going to be fun. Thelma Houston is the guest singer. Wow! they are doing right. Keep up the good work guys. Brings back a lot of memories since I was once the Mgr. Pulling off an event like this is not easy. Wishing you all the best for this party.
I'll be there
Jack
Posted Aug 20, 09 | 8:57 pm by Jack Wheeler
This is a cool thing. I plan to be there too! I worked with Jack Wheeler when he was manager there. I was the 1st bartender in the Backlot. Can't wait to go back in time and see what the place looks like now and what they will do for this exciting party/tribute to Studio One!
Gary
Gary
Posted Aug 20, 09 | 9:01 pm by Gary Mortimer
Here's 2 promotional flyers for the upcoming Studio One Tribute Night:
Posted Aug 20, 09 | 9:39 pm by Jude Edwards
Way too go Jude. Hope to meet you one day.
Jack
Jack
Posted Aug 20, 09 | 11:28 pm by Jack Wheeler
I was Entertainment Editor of The Advocate during Studio One's heyday. I remember vividly and fondly so many of the people, shows and events represented on this site. Studio One reflected the best of times in a pre-AIDS West Hollywood.
Posted Aug 29, 09 | 12:29 pm by Christopher Stone
I haven't seen DJ Sharon White's name mentioned. Didn't she spin at Studio One?? Hi Arnie!! Quaaludes are closer to you than you think. APPARENTLY, you can still get the Rorer 714's in Mexico...NOT the Lemmon's, the Rorer's!!
BTW, having dinner with Robbie Leslie next Tuesday! YAY!
BTW, having dinner with Robbie Leslie next Tuesday! YAY!
Posted Sep 02, 09 | 12:50 pm by Wendy Hunt
Memories. Good old "Vitamin Q." That was the old euphemism. As for me, never took it once. Now, it's vitamins M and R-- Mochas and Red Eyes from Starbucks, the Library in Long Beach, or wherever good coffee is served. "Times they are a chang'n" as this guy with a horrible raspy obnoxious voice used to sing. ;)
Posted Sep 02, 09 | 3:59 pm by Patrick Crosby
Loved it, Miss it, Hope to see all Oct. 24th!
Posted Sep 02, 09 | 6:06 pm by Kevin Leigh
Who is to say? Maybe the Vitamin Q crowd had it right. BTW. There aren't senior discounts available for Oct. 24, are there? ;)
Either way, Who would I give the $30 to?
Either way, Who would I give the $30 to?
Posted Sep 02, 09 | 6:49 pm by Patrick Crosby
http://www.keepthemusicplayin.com/memories.shtml
Here is the web site for Tickets..
Here is the web site for Tickets..
Posted Sep 06, 09 | 11:26 am by Jack Wheeler
Do I get in for free if I show my Studio1 employee ID?
Posted Sep 06, 09 | 11:31 am by Kevin Leigh
http://www.wantickets.com/EventDetail.aspx?e_id=67154
Here is the site for Tickets to the Party. For some reason the web site for let the music play does not always come up.
Here is the site for Tickets to the Party. For some reason the web site for let the music play does not always come up.
Posted Sep 06, 09 | 11:48 am by Jack Wheeler
From the Keep the Music playin website:
"Due to a scheduling conflict Thelma Houston will no longer be performing, ticket prices have therefore been reduced to $20, We apologize for any inconvenience."
I still plan on attending - Whos all going???
"Due to a scheduling conflict Thelma Houston will no longer be performing, ticket prices have therefore been reduced to $20, We apologize for any inconvenience."
I still plan on attending - Whos all going???
Posted Sep 15, 09 | 7:54 pm by Chris Brooks
Let's just make this the most fun evening!!! I have seen Thelma Houston at least 3 times in the past couple of years and you won't be missing much particularly because she will be wearing the same dress again and won't be singing "Don't Leave Me This Way" in any form you will recognize. Let the recorded music speak for itself and transport us all to a time that will live forever in our hearts and memories.
Posted Sep 16, 09 | 8:24 am by Arnie Smith
Has this same dress she's been wearing for a few years recently been sent to the cleaners-- hopefully?
Posted Sep 16, 09 | 9:32 am by Patrick Crosby
Just read the prior post Evidently the dress was sent to the cleaners a few too many times, it fell apart, so now she cannot perform. Tell me now guys, are we just going to leave her this way? after all these years of her begging us not to?
Posted Sep 16, 09 | 9:36 am by Patrick Crosby
I remember Studio One fondly. I had just turned 21 and was an student from Sweden, living in Long Beach. A couple of times, I managed to sneak away from my "family" in L.B. to do the Studio. I was totally in awe of the place, it was just so great.
I remember, one guy I hooked up with, Don Brown. He lived up in the Hills, in a house in which the Andrew Sisters once had lived (or so he told me). Wonder, if he still is around - this was -79. I moved back to Europe, but Studio One will always be in my memory. Sad thing, AIDS would come along and ruin the fun.
I remember, one guy I hooked up with, Don Brown. He lived up in the Hills, in a house in which the Andrew Sisters once had lived (or so he told me). Wonder, if he still is around - this was -79. I moved back to Europe, but Studio One will always be in my memory. Sad thing, AIDS would come along and ruin the fun.
Posted Sep 25, 09 | 9:51 pm by Bengt Erik Eriksson
My name is Charles (Charlie) Drayman. I was twenty-one when Studio one opened. I was graduating from UCLA with a major in Fine Art and a minor in Dance. I had just come out and come out the year before in 1973. At that time there was a club called "The Bitter End West" on the corner of Santa Monica & West Hollywood. It closed and the "After Dark" opened which then became the "Odessey". I remember dancing to "Love Theme" by Love unlimited. There was also the "Starwood".
In 1974There was a new club opening by the name "Studio One". After finishing my school projects I walked up to Sunset and Hilgard Avenue in Westwood and hitched into West Hollywood and made my way there. I danced my brains out and I returned many times to do some more. It was a safe place with a great energy to let it go and boogie. Plat-formed shoes, tight knit tops and bells, Roger Daltry hair, the bump, the hustle, and "ooo love to love you baby", fling the shirts off, tribal dance in a circle and each boy would take the center for a minute and get down.
I made lots of friends there celebrity and otherwise and fell in and out of love many times. I would never turn down dancing with anyone as long as they had the spirit of dance and treated me with respect. One night a tall skinny guy or was it a girl,with curly mid length hair, I couldn't tell the gender, asked me to dance to "Turn the Beat Around" by Viki Sue Robinson. I smiled and said yes. It turned out it was a girl and she later became famous as Sandra Bernhardt.
I met a rock manager who introduced me to Elton John, Sylvester, Lou Reed, Steven Arnold, and Andy Warhol. One night Dennis Lopez (sylvester's manager), Elton and I got to the front door and the doorman asked Elton for his I.D. So He turned around and flashed him his a** and said "Here's my I.D."
I met an artist from Hawaii, who was visiting Hollywood, at Studio one who beaconed me to be lovers in Hawaii of which I accepted in the Spring of 1975. I went and though the relationship did not last Hawaii has become a permanent part of my life since and I still own a home there...all from a night of dance at Studio One.
I came back to L.A. and at Studio One I me an Ice Skater from "Ice Capades". He offered me a summer job that was offered him working with wardrobe as a dresser on the Whiz and I became a costumer and designer for television of which I was awarded an Emmy and a career of twenty eight years all because I was out dancing at Studio One.
I even brought the first national touring company of the Whiz to come dance after one of the shows to Studio One. I have to say that they tryed to make them show 3 i.d.'s and tryed to keep Stephanie Mills out because she had open toed shoes. Heck I was wearing corkys and they were going to let me in.
I met a dior model from Russia who had been sent to screen test with Bob Evans. She be came one of my best friends and her children became my god children. She and her husband are since past but her kids are in their early thirties now and doing well. All because I was dancing at Studio One.
I met my Partner of thirteen years at Studio One in 1981 on the dance floor. Our friends started dying, many who's smiles and rhythms we had shared on the dance floor. Aids had hit. In 1984 I got tested and so did he...We tested positive. When they had the first Dance-a-Thon Studio one was the first host and we were there. I could feel the spirit of those gone smiling and dancing and those of us who had survived it were still dancing. Although, not as decadent Studio One was L.A.'s Studio 54 and long before.
I often wondered what happened to many of the original players on that dance floor and behind the bars and the lights except the usual thoughts of "died of aids or drugs". I reside most of the time in Palm Springs with my partner now Karl Waldbauer who is my contemporary but had not come out in those days. I tell him of those times and of Studio One days. Living together in Palm Springs I have re met old acquaintances from Studio One and because of that bond have become good friends. I now know where many of us are and many of us still love to dance. We smile and shake it and it is as if all the others from those days join in.
I grew up with a Wendy Hunt in La Crescenta. Are you the same one? I also have drawings I did of Joey Garcia in the 1970's and ran into him at the white party in 2001 or 02. I hope he is o.k. He is a sweet man. I have gotten to know Tony Randall in Hawaii. He is a talented artist.
I went to the first Disney Party. I think we freaked out the employees. Remember the "Mothership Party" at the Observatory? Remember when "Probe" was "The Paradise Ball Room"? Remember Dennis Casper & John Cambell, John Deison, Bill Triplett,Michael Grossman,Shawn Tramel, David Swanson, Rueben Limon, poof gone. I know you would have recognized them tearing off their shirts, beautiful men inside and out, smiling in a circle "Love to Love you baby"
I hope to see you all at the reunion.Let's celebrate them all!
Charlie Drayman
In 1974There was a new club opening by the name "Studio One". After finishing my school projects I walked up to Sunset and Hilgard Avenue in Westwood and hitched into West Hollywood and made my way there. I danced my brains out and I returned many times to do some more. It was a safe place with a great energy to let it go and boogie. Plat-formed shoes, tight knit tops and bells, Roger Daltry hair, the bump, the hustle, and "ooo love to love you baby", fling the shirts off, tribal dance in a circle and each boy would take the center for a minute and get down.
I made lots of friends there celebrity and otherwise and fell in and out of love many times. I would never turn down dancing with anyone as long as they had the spirit of dance and treated me with respect. One night a tall skinny guy or was it a girl,with curly mid length hair, I couldn't tell the gender, asked me to dance to "Turn the Beat Around" by Viki Sue Robinson. I smiled and said yes. It turned out it was a girl and she later became famous as Sandra Bernhardt.
I met a rock manager who introduced me to Elton John, Sylvester, Lou Reed, Steven Arnold, and Andy Warhol. One night Dennis Lopez (sylvester's manager), Elton and I got to the front door and the doorman asked Elton for his I.D. So He turned around and flashed him his a** and said "Here's my I.D."
I met an artist from Hawaii, who was visiting Hollywood, at Studio one who beaconed me to be lovers in Hawaii of which I accepted in the Spring of 1975. I went and though the relationship did not last Hawaii has become a permanent part of my life since and I still own a home there...all from a night of dance at Studio One.
I came back to L.A. and at Studio One I me an Ice Skater from "Ice Capades". He offered me a summer job that was offered him working with wardrobe as a dresser on the Whiz and I became a costumer and designer for television of which I was awarded an Emmy and a career of twenty eight years all because I was out dancing at Studio One.
I even brought the first national touring company of the Whiz to come dance after one of the shows to Studio One. I have to say that they tryed to make them show 3 i.d.'s and tryed to keep Stephanie Mills out because she had open toed shoes. Heck I was wearing corkys and they were going to let me in.
I met a dior model from Russia who had been sent to screen test with Bob Evans. She be came one of my best friends and her children became my god children. She and her husband are since past but her kids are in their early thirties now and doing well. All because I was dancing at Studio One.
I met my Partner of thirteen years at Studio One in 1981 on the dance floor. Our friends started dying, many who's smiles and rhythms we had shared on the dance floor. Aids had hit. In 1984 I got tested and so did he...We tested positive. When they had the first Dance-a-Thon Studio one was the first host and we were there. I could feel the spirit of those gone smiling and dancing and those of us who had survived it were still dancing. Although, not as decadent Studio One was L.A.'s Studio 54 and long before.
I often wondered what happened to many of the original players on that dance floor and behind the bars and the lights except the usual thoughts of "died of aids or drugs". I reside most of the time in Palm Springs with my partner now Karl Waldbauer who is my contemporary but had not come out in those days. I tell him of those times and of Studio One days. Living together in Palm Springs I have re met old acquaintances from Studio One and because of that bond have become good friends. I now know where many of us are and many of us still love to dance. We smile and shake it and it is as if all the others from those days join in.
I grew up with a Wendy Hunt in La Crescenta. Are you the same one? I also have drawings I did of Joey Garcia in the 1970's and ran into him at the white party in 2001 or 02. I hope he is o.k. He is a sweet man. I have gotten to know Tony Randall in Hawaii. He is a talented artist.
I went to the first Disney Party. I think we freaked out the employees. Remember the "Mothership Party" at the Observatory? Remember when "Probe" was "The Paradise Ball Room"? Remember Dennis Casper & John Cambell, John Deison, Bill Triplett,Michael Grossman,Shawn Tramel, David Swanson, Rueben Limon, poof gone. I know you would have recognized them tearing off their shirts, beautiful men inside and out, smiling in a circle "Love to Love you baby"
I hope to see you all at the reunion.Let's celebrate them all!
Charlie Drayman
Posted Sep 28, 09 | 2:27 am by charlie drayman
Charlie,
That was absolutely onew of the most beautiful postings I have read and brought back even more memories.
I can still see my friend Christine Mulholland dancing to the swirling strings of Love's Theme at After Dark as I was the d.j there when it opened.
I am so excited about Studio One in October. I guess I'll just have to sleep from Oct 1st until the big day so I can dance my a** off with everyone else.
That was absolutely onew of the most beautiful postings I have read and brought back even more memories.
I can still see my friend Christine Mulholland dancing to the swirling strings of Love's Theme at After Dark as I was the d.j there when it opened.
I am so excited about Studio One in October. I guess I'll just have to sleep from Oct 1st until the big day so I can dance my a** off with everyone else.
Posted Sep 28, 09 | 8:55 am by Arnie Smith
JORDAN, ( Blond german bartender/actor)
Hey Jordan,...Its Michael(Ice Skater) ...met you
circa 1994(backlot). I remember when you went to work at Incognito Pasadena. than the earthquake hit
and you dissapeared, but turned up breifly in 96..where I saw you at Rage. Had a small crush on you in those days. It was cool to see you on Sundays and Thursdays. I still live in the same house in West Hills and in Military Advertising and teach Ice Skating. DROP ME A LINE MISS YOU !!
Hey Jordan,...Its Michael(Ice Skater) ...met you
circa 1994(backlot). I remember when you went to work at Incognito Pasadena. than the earthquake hit
and you dissapeared, but turned up breifly in 96..where I saw you at Rage. Had a small crush on you in those days. It was cool to see you on Sundays and Thursdays. I still live in the same house in West Hills and in Military Advertising and teach Ice Skating. DROP ME A LINE MISS YOU !!
Posted Oct 06, 09 | 9:17 pm by Michaelglenn
So it sounds like there are many of us from such different times going to the S1 event on the 24th. Even though I dont know many of you personally, I would still like to meet y'all!
Since I have no idea what you would look like now (and many times my mind does not translate 2-D to 3-D very well!) should we plan to congregate in a certain area at a certain time?
I have a facebook page for Studio One at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=68745887988&ref=ts that might help with current pictures, etc...
Since I have no idea what you would look like now (and many times my mind does not translate 2-D to 3-D very well!) should we plan to congregate in a certain area at a certain time?
I have a facebook page for Studio One at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=68745887988&ref=ts that might help with current pictures, etc...
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 5:21 am by Chris Brooks
Great post Charlie! So many memories. Funny you should memtion "After Dark" which became the Odessy. I worked up the street at what was "Oliver"...a restaurant with piano bar...I was one of the bartenders there. Its name was changed to After Dark, so there were two bars with the same name...no connection....very confusing I am sure! The owners of Oliver were friends of Johnny Mathis and he used to come in and drink as did many others. Martha Raye was a hoot...used to go to her house and drink. I think that is where Scott Forbes found me...maybe another club, but he asked me to come work for him at a "new dance club". I went, I saw, I said, "Ok, but I want to work the Backlot"! So, I opened Studio One. Oh those were the days. I too, met my lover of 19 years, at Studio One. We opened our own business so after a few years, I had to quit the bar as I couldn't party all night and work the business in the morning! I look forward to the party Oct 24th. I wonder how many of us "seniors" will know each other? But I know it will be a trip down memory lane. Does anyone know how the documentary is coming along? I have not heard from Mark since I was interviewed for it a year or two ago. I look forward to seeing Jack Wheeler (who was the the manager when I worked SO)...we met for lunch in Palm Springs a month or so ago and he looks GREAT! We had a wonderful time talking about the "old days".
Maybe we should all hold pictures of ourselves showing as we were back then...like "A Chorus Line" or something? Haha. Cheers people.
Maybe we should all hold pictures of ourselves showing as we were back then...like "A Chorus Line" or something? Haha. Cheers people.
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 9:38 am by Gary Mortimer
My guess is that the documentary still has a long road to travel before it reaches a TV or multiplex near you.
I spoke with Mark last month. At the time, he said he was putting together a reel for investors. My prayers and highest thoughts are with him. I'd love to see this documentary made.
I spoke with Mark last month. At the time, he said he was putting together a reel for investors. My prayers and highest thoughts are with him. I'd love to see this documentary made.
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 11:22 am by ChristopherStone
One of many favorite Studio One/Backlot memories: After Geraldine Fitzgerald's opening night performance, Ray Stricklyn introduced me to Bette Davis and she autographed my Bette Davis LP, on which she sings such ditties as, "They're Either Too Young or Too Old," and "I've Written a Letter to Daddy."
Need I add, I still have that now technologically obsolete LP?
Need I add, I still have that now technologically obsolete LP?
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 11:30 am by ChristopherStone
Has anyone heard from or seen Mark Gallo?
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 2:53 pm by Kevin Leigh
No, but you just triggered a hilarious youthful memory of mine, of a variation of the "Jello" TV jingle (which went "and don't don't don't let the week go by without J-E-L-L-O, Jello!) some old straight drinking friends (who mostly drank wine) used to sing when they got drunk. ;)
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 3:04 pm by Patrick Crosby
Charlie Drayman You and I must have known one another or maybe even brushed shoulders back in the infamous 70's. Tony Randall has been a friend of mine for over 30 years. I recently emailed him and mentioned that you had written in and mentioned his name. We know many of the same guys, John Deeson, Micheal Grossman and several others you wrote in your message.In fact John Deeson installed all of our fish aquariums in 1976 during our remodeling. I will be there for this big reunion waring a Studio One T-shirt a bit older this time around than when I was manager of the club.I asked Tony if he would be coming to this party he said no. I believe there are many of us still around scattered all over the country. I have contacted several guys from my days and told them about this event too include the only owner still alive, he may be going, I'm still working on him. Well guys rest up this is sure too be a long night and I hope to meet as many as possible.
Jack Wheeler former MGR
Jack Wheeler former MGR
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 7:44 pm by Jack Wheeler
Jack,
I'm sure your head will be spinning on October 24th. I am in San Jose for business and while driving up here yesterday I put in the cd's from the soundtrack to the movie 54 and did my own flashback to yesteryear. I'm sure there were drivers around me wondering whether or not they should call the Highway Patrol for the mad queen dancing in the car next to them!!!! I cannot wait to play Cerrone's "Love is the Answer" on the way back to LA and go even crazier.
I'm sure your head will be spinning on October 24th. I am in San Jose for business and while driving up here yesterday I put in the cd's from the soundtrack to the movie 54 and did my own flashback to yesteryear. I'm sure there were drivers around me wondering whether or not they should call the Highway Patrol for the mad queen dancing in the car next to them!!!! I cannot wait to play Cerrone's "Love is the Answer" on the way back to LA and go even crazier.
Posted Oct 07, 09 | 9:49 pm by Arnie Smith
The party on October 24th sounds like it'll be a fun night with a chance to hear a lot of the songs I loved to dance to. For that reason alone I plan on attending. But no where does it say anything about this being a Studio One Employee Reunion. It's only on this site that people seem to assume that. In fact, I have seen very little promotion for this party. Does anybody know if there are any organized efforts toward this, or are we all just hoping to bump into one another once we're there?
Posted Oct 08, 09 | 4:33 pm by Josh Edken
Well Josh, it may be true that its not an official reunion, but I see this as an opportunity to go back to the club - I'll likely never set foot in there again (just like I'd probably never do any of the WeHo clubs of my youth). But S1 was special, and if we can make it more special, and help the anti-prop-8 movement by forming our own reunion, then so be it.
BTW, if you are a supporter of anti-prop-8, you should check out the 2010 California Protection of Marriage act. Its a real ballot initiative to outlaw divorce. Following the lines of "if they want a real biblical mariage, then they should have real biblical marriage"... Its kinda funny!
C-ya all there on the 24th!
BTW, if you are a supporter of anti-prop-8, you should check out the 2010 California Protection of Marriage act. Its a real ballot initiative to outlaw divorce. Following the lines of "if they want a real biblical mariage, then they should have real biblical marriage"... Its kinda funny!
C-ya all there on the 24th!
Posted Oct 08, 09 | 4:42 pm by Chris Brooks
Good point Josh. I am just going back to see the old place and hopefully the Backlot where I worked in the beginning, and to hear (dance to?) the songs we knew back then. I sure hope some of us recognize each other, cuz the new "kids on the block" may wonder what all us old foggies are doing there! LOL
And if it is chilly, I sure hope there are some man's arms to wrap around me and keep me warm, if I am just wearing a SO t-shirt!
See ya all then@!
Gary
And if it is chilly, I sure hope there are some man's arms to wrap around me and keep me warm, if I am just wearing a SO t-shirt!
See ya all then@!
Gary
Posted Oct 08, 09 | 10:57 pm by Gary Mortimer
just got home from hunters in palm spings. Looked around "studio one, studio one studio one! Spread the word about the reunion on the 24th. Got my ktickets today. O.K thanks for the e-mails. Isn't it wierd in the 70's we did not communicate on computers. See you in the 24th. If you want to get in touch my # is 310 595 4999. Friend reminded me ab out the lines outside and whether it was worth going in if the outside walls were pulsating and you could here people hoot'n and holler"n and their feet pounding on the floor!
Charlie Drayman
Charlie Drayman
Posted Oct 11, 09 | 3:08 am by charlie drayman
So, I wonder how many of us "old" employees will be at the party tomorrow night? I guess getting there right at 9pm might be a good idea, if the place is going to be packed? I hope many of us recognize each other after all these years. Should be interesting.
I will take my digital and hope to get some good pics of the place and guys. I am sure Jack Wheeler will be here from Palm Springs. See you guys then!
Gary
I will take my digital and hope to get some good pics of the place and guys. I am sure Jack Wheeler will be here from Palm Springs. See you guys then!
Gary
Posted Oct 23, 09 | 11:31 am by Gary Mortimer
I was there in the beginning in1974. Bill Hileman was my roommate when he got a job as one of the the elevator boys. He was a tall 5'11" naturally blonde blue eyed Southern California boy that had his a** grabbed so much in that small elevator that he asked Scott Forbes to reassign him. He became a bar back where he met his first partner David Jeffries. David was about 5'6", so everyone referred to them as Mutt & Jeff.
I have great memories of dancing at Studio. I will write more later about Chita opening her act with Shame On You... when it was the #1 song being played in the Disco, The Halloween debut of the Cycle Sluts, the brilliance of Graig Russell's impressions.
I found Bill in 1997 and we became lovers until his death in 2003. Oct. 24 was our wedding date. I will be thinking of all of you and all those wonderful years of discovery At 'STUDIO' on the 24th. I wish I could be there.
I have great memories of dancing at Studio. I will write more later about Chita opening her act with Shame On You... when it was the #1 song being played in the Disco, The Halloween debut of the Cycle Sluts, the brilliance of Graig Russell's impressions.
I found Bill in 1997 and we became lovers until his death in 2003. Oct. 24 was our wedding date. I will be thinking of all of you and all those wonderful years of discovery At 'STUDIO' on the 24th. I wish I could be there.
Posted Oct 24, 09 | 12:21 am by Rick Burd
Hi Rick! Wow, I sure remember Chita opening her act with "Shame On You". She put the place on the map I think. Remember the t-shirts we had that said "TRASH" on them? That was from one of her songs too wasn't it? I don't recall now. But she loved the t-shirts and my lover, John, peeled his t-shirt off (that was all sweaty from him dancing all night) and gave it to Chita! We went to see her in Vegas and after her show there we went to her dressing room for a drink and she remembered him giving her that t-shirt.
I hope tonight is a great time for everyone who shows up...I'll be there. How would I know you Rick?
I hope tonight is a great time for everyone who shows up...I'll be there. How would I know you Rick?
Posted Oct 24, 09 | 9:59 am by Gary Mortimer
Oh. I just re-read your post, Rick! Sorry about you losing Bill and that the 24th was your anniversary!
Sorry you won't be at the reunion. Where do you live now?
I met my lover John when I was the Backlot bartender and we were together 19 years. I lost him 16 years ago to pancreatic cancer. I have been single ever since.
If I had known we would be having a reunion all these years later, I would have saved those t-shirts, match books & other things to share now. Oh well. Who knew, huh?
But, I hope Mark is able to finish the documentary soon...can't wait to see everyone on film that used to work SO all those years ago and relive all the memories of that magical time in our lives.
Drop me a line sometime Rick.
I am sure there will be many posts here after tonight's shindig!
Let's hope it will be a great time for all.
Gary
Sorry you won't be at the reunion. Where do you live now?
I met my lover John when I was the Backlot bartender and we were together 19 years. I lost him 16 years ago to pancreatic cancer. I have been single ever since.
If I had known we would be having a reunion all these years later, I would have saved those t-shirts, match books & other things to share now. Oh well. Who knew, huh?
But, I hope Mark is able to finish the documentary soon...can't wait to see everyone on film that used to work SO all those years ago and relive all the memories of that magical time in our lives.
Drop me a line sometime Rick.
I am sure there will be many posts here after tonight's shindig!
Let's hope it will be a great time for all.
Gary
Posted Oct 24, 09 | 10:18 am by Gary Mortimer
This website was fun to read. I used to go to Studio One from about 1982 to the early 1990's. My friends and I had the same routine a lot of you did. First to Motherlode to get a few drinks, then off to Studio One, then to the Probe after 2:00am. I miss those days. I still have my Studio One ID!
Here are some of my recollections of Studio One...
1.) That hallway in the middle of the bar to the bathrooms. There were photos hanging on the wall of celebrities who had visited the bar. The ones I remember are of Kate Jackson, and another of Nancy Reagan and the Bloomingdales sitting in the Backlot.
2.) The aquarium in the Men's restroom. How many times did we witness "out-of-towners" mistakenly think the round sink under the aquarium was a urinal? hahaha
3.) Dancing and dancing on that huge dance floor with my friends. I met 3 of my West Hollywood boyfriends at Studio One!
I can't wait to hear how the party went. I live in Vegas now and didn't hear about it until it was too late.
Here are some of my recollections of Studio One...
1.) That hallway in the middle of the bar to the bathrooms. There were photos hanging on the wall of celebrities who had visited the bar. The ones I remember are of Kate Jackson, and another of Nancy Reagan and the Bloomingdales sitting in the Backlot.
2.) The aquarium in the Men's restroom. How many times did we witness "out-of-towners" mistakenly think the round sink under the aquarium was a urinal? hahaha
3.) Dancing and dancing on that huge dance floor with my friends. I met 3 of my West Hollywood boyfriends at Studio One!
I can't wait to hear how the party went. I live in Vegas now and didn't hear about it until it was too late.
Posted Oct 25, 09 | 9:10 pm by Ken Morrell
I was there on Saturday night. The only one I recognized was Jack Wheeler. We spoke for a while about all kinds of things. I never worked for Jack because I started there in late 78 I think. I did recognize him though because he looked the same. The moustache was trimmed a bit but wow! The night was fun, but I think it was just not promoted correctly. There seemed to be several guys there from the later days of Studio One just before the name was changed to Axis. I would have gotten a performer for the the Disco and had the Backlot going with one of the performers that had once performed there like Julie Budd. The Campers could have done something too. I saw no promotion from this event other than this site. I have a constant list of promoters contacting me on my Facebook account regarding their events. I know this could have been a bigger night.
But I did have fun and that’s what counts. I had forgotten that I threw my Studio One shirt out because it was ripped and splattered with paint because I used it for work in the Backlot a long time ago. I did find my Odyssey shirt clean as can be but it had a hole in the back. Hey, I tried it on and it still fit great so I shouldn’t complain. LOL
But I did have fun and that’s what counts. I had forgotten that I threw my Studio One shirt out because it was ripped and splattered with paint because I used it for work in the Backlot a long time ago. I did find my Odyssey shirt clean as can be but it had a hole in the back. Hey, I tried it on and it still fit great so I shouldn’t complain. LOL
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 10:44 am by Ron Hamill
Sorry I missed the fun, I was gonna drive up but it just didn't happen. Please tell how the party was. I wanted to see all the bodies 20+ years since I have been there last.
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 10:50 am by Ron E.
Hi Ron. I was there also. I totally agree with you.
It should have been promoted better. (I met Jack Wheeler and his friend Andy there) and spent much of the night with them and Phil Riley and another guy who remembered everything about me when I was the bartender in the Backlot. I was VERY disappointed that the Backlot was closed to us, but I did ask the security guard to let me look into it...changed alot, another bar in that room but "my" bar looked pretty much the same.
For me, it was just another night at a dance club. It was great to hear the disco music we loved and there were some hot men there (one bartender was freakin HOT...but when I told him I was the original bartender in the Backlot, he said he said he wasn't even BORN YET! LOL).
I was hoping they would at least make some announcements about the night, maybe have the older bartenders gather in one spot so others could see us, show the club through the years, something like that. And have some entertainer of yore perform something! I finally left at 12:30 as I had to be up early Sunday morning. I wore one of the new SO t-shirts I bought for the event, had a couple beers and tried to find guys I knew. I met maybe 6 guys who remembered me! It was an ok night, but I was disappointed with alot of it. Mark, who is doing the documentary came up and said hello to Jack Wheeler and I, and he was there filming. He said the documentary might be finished in the spring...I sure hope so. Can't wait to see it. He interviewed me over a year ago for it. I missed the bigger dance floor, didn't like the frilly curtains in the front bar, but hey.."you can't go back" I guess. What should I expect after 30 years. Haha. If any of you remember me, come visit me on Facebook and drop a note.
Gary Mortimer (original Backlot bartender who opened the club...worked there about 3 years I think).
Peace everyone.
It should have been promoted better. (I met Jack Wheeler and his friend Andy there) and spent much of the night with them and Phil Riley and another guy who remembered everything about me when I was the bartender in the Backlot. I was VERY disappointed that the Backlot was closed to us, but I did ask the security guard to let me look into it...changed alot, another bar in that room but "my" bar looked pretty much the same.
For me, it was just another night at a dance club. It was great to hear the disco music we loved and there were some hot men there (one bartender was freakin HOT...but when I told him I was the original bartender in the Backlot, he said he said he wasn't even BORN YET! LOL).
I was hoping they would at least make some announcements about the night, maybe have the older bartenders gather in one spot so others could see us, show the club through the years, something like that. And have some entertainer of yore perform something! I finally left at 12:30 as I had to be up early Sunday morning. I wore one of the new SO t-shirts I bought for the event, had a couple beers and tried to find guys I knew. I met maybe 6 guys who remembered me! It was an ok night, but I was disappointed with alot of it. Mark, who is doing the documentary came up and said hello to Jack Wheeler and I, and he was there filming. He said the documentary might be finished in the spring...I sure hope so. Can't wait to see it. He interviewed me over a year ago for it. I missed the bigger dance floor, didn't like the frilly curtains in the front bar, but hey.."you can't go back" I guess. What should I expect after 30 years. Haha. If any of you remember me, come visit me on Facebook and drop a note.
Gary Mortimer (original Backlot bartender who opened the club...worked there about 3 years I think).
Peace everyone.
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 11:05 am by Gary Mortimer
Studio One Night was wonderful. 9PM was kinda slow like it always was but a few hours later the dance floor was packed and part of the old spirit returned.You could tell by the looks of all the guys at the dance floor that they wished someone would revive the old club perminently. 35 years dropped away from me that night and the only thing that reminded me of my age were the stairs! I used to run up them without thinking but that night between dancing a few times and going out to have a cigarette I felt my age creeping up. A young 61 but still. . . then to top it off I was introduced to the photographer as the "Oldest studio One employee there" What the person introducing us meant was that I was the front doorman from opening night til 1979. I recognized guys who used to try to get in but they were underage and other regulars. The front bar was showing videos of the ealier days and I got to spend time with Gary Mortimer, the only other opening night original - And Jack Wheeler! Our manager! I wish he had been consulted for the event - he knows more about the spirit of the club than anyone.
I couldn't have made it til the younger guys started coming in after hours. But it would have been wonderful to see their faces as they felt the magic. Once a silent film star remarked that she was getting all this attention on the revival of her movie only because she was the last person alive from a Classic silent film. That's how I would have felt after hours. I kept imagining seeing much loved friends from the original crew who are no longer with us but was gifted by those who are still with us like Richard, Mike Solomon (one of the original owners and others.)The excitment could still be there for a new generation if somebody out there has the vision to do it. Great seeing everyone - especially Ron Harris too! Hope to be around for Studio One Night number 3!
I couldn't have made it til the younger guys started coming in after hours. But it would have been wonderful to see their faces as they felt the magic. Once a silent film star remarked that she was getting all this attention on the revival of her movie only because she was the last person alive from a Classic silent film. That's how I would have felt after hours. I kept imagining seeing much loved friends from the original crew who are no longer with us but was gifted by those who are still with us like Richard, Mike Solomon (one of the original owners and others.)The excitment could still be there for a new generation if somebody out there has the vision to do it. Great seeing everyone - especially Ron Harris too! Hope to be around for Studio One Night number 3!
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 11:52 am by Phil Riley
I forgot to mention that I hope the host of the party posts of the event on this site!
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 11:57 am by Phil Riley
Hey Gary,
You mentioned you wore one the new Studio One t-shirts you bought for the event. Are there Studio One t-shirts for sale? Where can I get one?
You mentioned you wore one the new Studio One t-shirts you bought for the event. Are there Studio One t-shirts for sale? Where can I get one?
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 1:03 pm by Ken Morrell
Hi Ken. I bought two of those t-shirts from the Studio One site where they were selling tickets for the "event". And they were for sale at the club Saturday night.
Try the link to the Studio One, One More Time link and if you have trouble, let me know and I will send it to you. They sell white shirts with a blue log "Studio One, One More Time", and blue shirts with the same thing in white. I got one of each! LOL
Gary
Try the link to the Studio One, One More Time link and if you have trouble, let me know and I will send it to you. They sell white shirts with a blue log "Studio One, One More Time", and blue shirts with the same thing in white. I got one of each! LOL
Gary
Posted Oct 26, 09 | 3:38 pm by Gary Mortimer
Charlie,
Yes, I'm the same Wendy Hunt that you grew up with in La Crescenta (believe it or not, still in touch with Lorena King and Pete Swope). However, in the early-mid '60's, my mother remarried and I was moved to Massachusetts where I remained. In 1974, I started DJ'ing at the 1270 and then, the club of clubs (in Boston), the Metro. That's the "nutshell" version of the story anyway. These days, I'm in Ft. Lauderdale looking for a way out but I don't know where I'd go. At this point, a log cabin in the woods would be nice. People down here are just CRAZY!!
So, how did everyone else like the party??
Yes, I'm the same Wendy Hunt that you grew up with in La Crescenta (believe it or not, still in touch with Lorena King and Pete Swope). However, in the early-mid '60's, my mother remarried and I was moved to Massachusetts where I remained. In 1974, I started DJ'ing at the 1270 and then, the club of clubs (in Boston), the Metro. That's the "nutshell" version of the story anyway. These days, I'm in Ft. Lauderdale looking for a way out but I don't know where I'd go. At this point, a log cabin in the woods would be nice. People down here are just CRAZY!!
So, how did everyone else like the party??
Posted Oct 28, 09 | 12:32 pm by Wendy Hunt
Did anyone spot former bartender Joe Garcia, or former bar boy (maybe something else later) John Kline?
Posted Oct 28, 09 | 4:11 pm by Patrick Crosby
Started going to Studio One in 79. Steve Forbes was awesome!!! He knew I was underage and never kicked me out! Got in free all the time from TJ and David Ramono (I think that's his name)! Met so many fun people and saw so many great shows in the Backlot...even a Divine performance, which I think was in the main dance floor area. I'm surprised I can remember any of this considering all the drugs and booze I was FORCED to indulge in! LOL!
Posted Oct 30, 09 | 1:02 pm by Cracka
These are very serious criminal charges you're making, I will have you know, cracka! Has the statute of limitations against Scott (personally) and the establishment (in terms of its liquor license) run out? Hmmm... without even checking, I would imagine so. In a way that makes me happy, :) in another it makes me sad :(
Posted Oct 30, 09 | 1:14 pm by Patrick Crosby
Ron Hamil
It was so nice to have met you at the Studio One party last weekend. You sure are interesting to talk too. We go back a long way baby and you look great. The party was well worth the wait, hope they have more. Take care.
Jack
It was so nice to have met you at the Studio One party last weekend. You sure are interesting to talk too. We go back a long way baby and you look great. The party was well worth the wait, hope they have more. Take care.
Jack
Posted Oct 30, 09 | 5:57 pm by Jack Wheeler
Ron
Just read what you had too say about the party. I couldn't agree with you more. A party that size must be advertised. I think they did this on a shoe string budget. I would have done it totally different but that's because of my experience as mgr. Thanks for talking with me and for all your kind words, you are a treasure. I have emailed Marvin who was behind the party and haven't heard back from him. I certainly would be available for consulting them for there next event. I could fill that club with so many guys they would be sitting in the rafters. I saw a number of things that I would change back immediately.
When I come back to L.A. would like to have lunch with you and talk more. Here is my email. desertwheels@yahoo.com
Just read what you had too say about the party. I couldn't agree with you more. A party that size must be advertised. I think they did this on a shoe string budget. I would have done it totally different but that's because of my experience as mgr. Thanks for talking with me and for all your kind words, you are a treasure. I have emailed Marvin who was behind the party and haven't heard back from him. I certainly would be available for consulting them for there next event. I could fill that club with so many guys they would be sitting in the rafters. I saw a number of things that I would change back immediately.
When I come back to L.A. would like to have lunch with you and talk more. Here is my email. desertwheels@yahoo.com
Posted Oct 30, 09 | 6:35 pm by Jack Wheeler
Hi Wendy, the first gay club I ever went to was the 1270, in 1971. I was 18 and fresh from the woods and potato fields of northern Maine. They were playing Diana Ross' "Surrender Your Love" when I walked in. I'll never forget the feeling of complete and utter joy that washed over me when I went there that first time. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
Did you know a fellow named Grant Windsor? He was a handsome guy I met who invited me back to his place that first night at the 1270, a night I shall never forget. I moved to upper state New York after that (Word of Life Bible Institute...I know, I know, I was living a very conflicted life at that time...) and never got back to the 1270. I sure loved the experience of being there, though, my very first gay club experience. There were so many boy babes there, I couldn't believe it. That's also how I felt about Studio One when I first went there in 1977, six years later. The feeling was, "I'm home, I'm home."
Wendy, I listed the 1270 as one of the discos on this (disco club listing) site, but I didn't leave much info because I never really learned much about the club from my brief experience there. Do you think you might access the 1270 listing on this site and share a bit about the club? I for one would really enjoy seeing that. You sound like the perfect source of info for the "1270."
Jack, I've never met you, and I didn't get to attend this recent "Studio One, One More Time" event (although I did purchase a ticket ahead of time), but I would love to attend the next one and the idea of you filling the place so that the boys are hanging from the rafters sounds great. I hope they seek your advice for the next event. I believe your input would make all the difference in the world. They'd be crazy next time around to leave you out of the loop.
Did you know a fellow named Grant Windsor? He was a handsome guy I met who invited me back to his place that first night at the 1270, a night I shall never forget. I moved to upper state New York after that (Word of Life Bible Institute...I know, I know, I was living a very conflicted life at that time...) and never got back to the 1270. I sure loved the experience of being there, though, my very first gay club experience. There were so many boy babes there, I couldn't believe it. That's also how I felt about Studio One when I first went there in 1977, six years later. The feeling was, "I'm home, I'm home."
Wendy, I listed the 1270 as one of the discos on this (disco club listing) site, but I didn't leave much info because I never really learned much about the club from my brief experience there. Do you think you might access the 1270 listing on this site and share a bit about the club? I for one would really enjoy seeing that. You sound like the perfect source of info for the "1270."
Jack, I've never met you, and I didn't get to attend this recent "Studio One, One More Time" event (although I did purchase a ticket ahead of time), but I would love to attend the next one and the idea of you filling the place so that the boys are hanging from the rafters sounds great. I hope they seek your advice for the next event. I believe your input would make all the difference in the world. They'd be crazy next time around to leave you out of the loop.
Posted Oct 31, 09 | 11:17 am by beachcomber
Just saw Frontiers Magazine, vol 28, #13, and on page 56, there is my picture with Liza Minnelli, when I was the bartender in the Backlot at Studio One! Ah, those were the days! I wonder if I should grow the beard back? LOL
Posted Nov 04, 09 | 6:16 pm by Gary Mortimer
The Studio one party was wonderful. Yes they could have done a lot of splashy stuff, go-go boys etc. but why would that be any different than any club now a days. You did not nor was there ever really all that fringe stuff just the music, the boys, and the dance in the big highschool gym...Studio one.
My partner and I and my friend Jeriann, who had gone with me to Studio one in the late 70's had a blast. Lots of smiling faces with all the decades represented and young ones jumping up and down dancing and singing along to the classics inquireing what is was like back in the day.
Those who are gone would have smiled and probably were wedged right in between us all. Great meeting you Jack Wheeler. Not sure if I saw you Gary. Palm Springs contingencey was there. My partner and I wore lace see through vintage 70's shirts, fry boots and retro flaired "Angel Flight" style pants. City counsel members were there celebrating. I recognized some of the bartenders including Rob Barnes who still works there who I used to dance with. Met Mark who is doing the documentary. I have an expression for the all natural sleeping pill...dancing your brains out to exhaustion and then getting a good nights sleep. and I did.
Wendy Hunt, My god, You were Miss throw the parties as a young teen. I still remember teaching Scott Cook how to dance and bringing him to one of your parties. He invented "Quick Book". I am so sorry about our friend Chris Cox who we lost in the early years of the epidemic. I know you were especially close. My twin Richard passed away in the late '80s as some others that you would have known. I see so many of our classmates...They actually are pretty cool considering how conservative our town was. I take my partner to reunions and everybody insist on us dancing along with the rest. Send me an e-mail.
Charlie Drayman
charlesdrayman@sbcglobal.net
My partner and I and my friend Jeriann, who had gone with me to Studio one in the late 70's had a blast. Lots of smiling faces with all the decades represented and young ones jumping up and down dancing and singing along to the classics inquireing what is was like back in the day.
Those who are gone would have smiled and probably were wedged right in between us all. Great meeting you Jack Wheeler. Not sure if I saw you Gary. Palm Springs contingencey was there. My partner and I wore lace see through vintage 70's shirts, fry boots and retro flaired "Angel Flight" style pants. City counsel members were there celebrating. I recognized some of the bartenders including Rob Barnes who still works there who I used to dance with. Met Mark who is doing the documentary. I have an expression for the all natural sleeping pill...dancing your brains out to exhaustion and then getting a good nights sleep. and I did.
Wendy Hunt, My god, You were Miss throw the parties as a young teen. I still remember teaching Scott Cook how to dance and bringing him to one of your parties. He invented "Quick Book". I am so sorry about our friend Chris Cox who we lost in the early years of the epidemic. I know you were especially close. My twin Richard passed away in the late '80s as some others that you would have known. I see so many of our classmates...They actually are pretty cool considering how conservative our town was. I take my partner to reunions and everybody insist on us dancing along with the rest. Send me an e-mail.
Charlie Drayman
charlesdrayman@sbcglobal.net
Posted Nov 05, 09 | 10:24 pm by charlie drayman
Hey Charlie! Sorry we didn't get to chat at the party. I met Jack Wheeler there and much of the evening chatting with him and his friend Andy, and Phil Riley (another original). I wonder if we would have recognized one another?
Did you see the pics from the party yet? There are over 120 pictures. What a trip. There is a shot on the first page of Jack Wheeler and myself and Jack's friend Andy. Jack and I are both wearing the new Studio One t-shirts. I might have to grow my beard back for the next party...and of course I'd have to DYE it too! ARGH!!!! Such is life.
I hope to see more posts here from people who went to the party in October.
Peace!
Gary
Did you see the pics from the party yet? There are over 120 pictures. What a trip. There is a shot on the first page of Jack Wheeler and myself and Jack's friend Andy. Jack and I are both wearing the new Studio One t-shirts. I might have to grow my beard back for the next party...and of course I'd have to DYE it too! ARGH!!!! Such is life.
I hope to see more posts here from people who went to the party in October.
Peace!
Gary
Posted Nov 08, 09 | 3:56 pm by Gary Mortimer
Gary,
The bar/restaurant on La Cienega with the front patio was the Garden District.
Martha Raye could always be found at the bar. One of their bar tenders was Frieda. Frieda was older and bald and used to be a well known drag queen. A friend, Tim Love, use to tell the story of the time a bunch of them went to Acapulco and were all sunning themselves at the gay beach. Frieda had " older hanging breasts". He had wrapped a towel, turban like, around his bald head to prevent a sunburn. A policeman walked over to the group and said "...Madam, you have to cover your breasts. This is not a nude beach." Frieda almost swallowed his dentures and the rest of the group could not stop laughing.
The bar/restaurant on La Cienega with the front patio was the Garden District.
Martha Raye could always be found at the bar. One of their bar tenders was Frieda. Frieda was older and bald and used to be a well known drag queen. A friend, Tim Love, use to tell the story of the time a bunch of them went to Acapulco and were all sunning themselves at the gay beach. Frieda had " older hanging breasts". He had wrapped a towel, turban like, around his bald head to prevent a sunburn. A policeman walked over to the group and said "...Madam, you have to cover your breasts. This is not a nude beach." Frieda almost swallowed his dentures and the rest of the group could not stop laughing.
Posted Nov 14, 09 | 10:42 pm by Ed
Haha. Ah yes, Frieda! I remember "her" very well!
And the Garden District of course.
Thanks for the reminder Ed.
And the Garden District of course.
Thanks for the reminder Ed.
Posted Nov 14, 09 | 11:08 pm by Gary Mortimer
Fascinating story there Ed. I rather have a suspicion that the cop you refer to was stationed at 34th and Vine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rXhXLsNJL8&feature=fvw at 1:00-1:10 or so you can hear about this particular cop's role in gay and in law enforcement history.
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 9:43 am by Patrick Crosby
Bernie,
34th & Vine???? I'll watch. I remember Frieda was a member of a group, I believe it was the GGRC (Golden Girls Riding Club) or something like that. They used to have these great costume parties (perhaps it was Halloween) at the Palladium on Sunset. I recall one of the last ones my better half and I went to. We had parked just south of Vine & Selma. We were in a "very good mood" and were having a great time with friends. One of them, Daryl, lived on Sycamore and Beverly and he suggested we all run over to his place to "freshen up". I volunteered to drive but when we got to our car I realized I had left the keys in my coat which I had checked in. So being in a "good mood" we decided to walk. In the wink of an eye we found ourselves back on the dance floor. It felt like we were only gone two minutes. Somehow we walked to Daryl's, refreshed ourselves, walked back to the Palladium and started dancing without even knowing it. When we realized what we had done we just could not stop laughing. What days those were. Nowadays just running downstairs to pick up the newspaper I feel I need a nap. Oh days of liberated youth. Fortunate to have had them and still have Royd by my side.
34th & Vine???? I'll watch. I remember Frieda was a member of a group, I believe it was the GGRC (Golden Girls Riding Club) or something like that. They used to have these great costume parties (perhaps it was Halloween) at the Palladium on Sunset. I recall one of the last ones my better half and I went to. We had parked just south of Vine & Selma. We were in a "very good mood" and were having a great time with friends. One of them, Daryl, lived on Sycamore and Beverly and he suggested we all run over to his place to "freshen up". I volunteered to drive but when we got to our car I realized I had left the keys in my coat which I had checked in. So being in a "good mood" we decided to walk. In the wink of an eye we found ourselves back on the dance floor. It felt like we were only gone two minutes. Somehow we walked to Daryl's, refreshed ourselves, walked back to the Palladium and started dancing without even knowing it. When we realized what we had done we just could not stop laughing. What days those were. Nowadays just running downstairs to pick up the newspaper I feel I need a nap. Oh days of liberated youth. Fortunate to have had them and still have Royd by my side.
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 11:06 am by Ed
I meant Patrick. See what I mean by youth. I have no idea why I addressed it to Bernie.
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 11:07 am by Ed
Hey! Thanks for the response. But what you need to understand when reading many of my posts is that I'm a sort of comedian who never made it in Hollywood (the fact that I never tied might have something to do with that).So when I spoke of "history" before, I meant in the sense of the "true history" of 2nd century satirist Lucian of Samosata.
I did a little checking, and have concluded there really isn't a 34th and Vine in Hollywood. It seems there is one in Ohio somewhere, and that may be the one in the song Love Potion Number Nine. Just so you have it for reference:
LOVE POTION #9
(Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller)
Recorded by : Jewel Akens; Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass;
Beau Nasty; Blue Stew; Elkie Brooks; The Clovers; The Coasters;
The Countdown Singers; Neil Diamond; The Downliners Sect;
Ian Gillan; Herman's Hermits; Kerry Hodgkin; Inga; The Javelins;
Hansel Martinez; MDC; Mike Pender's Searchers; The Searchers;
The Surfaris; Tygers Of Pan Tang; The Ventures.
I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine
I told her that I was a flop with chicks (*)
I've been this way since 1956
She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"
She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She said "I'm gonna make it up right here in the sink"
It smelled like turpentine, it looked like India ink (*)
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
I did a little checking, and have concluded there really isn't a 34th and Vine in Hollywood. It seems there is one in Ohio somewhere, and that may be the one in the song Love Potion Number Nine. Just so you have it for reference:
LOVE POTION #9
(Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller)
Recorded by : Jewel Akens; Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass;
Beau Nasty; Blue Stew; Elkie Brooks; The Clovers; The Coasters;
The Countdown Singers; Neil Diamond; The Downliners Sect;
Ian Gillan; Herman's Hermits; Kerry Hodgkin; Inga; The Javelins;
Hansel Martinez; MDC; Mike Pender's Searchers; The Searchers;
The Surfaris; Tygers Of Pan Tang; The Ventures.
I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine
I told her that I was a flop with chicks (*)
I've been this way since 1956
She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"
She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She said "I'm gonna make it up right here in the sink"
It smelled like turpentine, it looked like India ink (*)
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 12:53 pm by Patrick Crosby
Patrick,
OK. I did go the website and started listening to The Searchers and went. Whoa!!! Thanks for the explanation. Now I get it.
Lucian...that's going a long long way back. Good satirist also.
By the way...34th & Vine is found in Coos Bay, Oregon.
I'm in LA...Where are you?
OK. I did go the website and started listening to The Searchers and went. Whoa!!! Thanks for the explanation. Now I get it.
Lucian...that's going a long long way back. Good satirist also.
By the way...34th & Vine is found in Coos Bay, Oregon.
I'm in LA...Where are you?
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 2:52 pm by Ed
Hi Ed!
At the moment I am at the Carona Del Mar Starbucks in Zooport Beach. Since I have this habit of Staying for hours and hours-- also because I have a monthly bus pas and I LOVE sleeping in the rear corner of OCTA buses-- I rotate what coffee place I go to on a daily basis (San Clemente is where my computer and I sleep at night:). Sipology on Broadway in Long Beach is one of my favorites. Library in Long Beach OK too. But the "gay" coffee place in Long Beach (called Hot Java; but trust me, nobody in there is truly "hot," but don't tell them that ;) I have a problem with. Coffee is just so so and the music is horrible (but from having gone in there a number of times, and seeing and hearing the "adult contemporary" videos (enabling me at long last to connect names with music I've been hating for years), I now have a great comic line: "Was that a Harley that just went by? Or did someone have Tracy Chapman turned way up on their car stereo?"). Also, if you spend too much time at Hot Java, the ugliest guys in there will think you're stalking them. I'm NOT making this up! And no, I never "stalked' anyone there! LOL!
I love going to WeHo, but it's a nearly 5 hour trip for me each way. Have to leave by 5 PM at the latest, else my computer, my bicycle, and I risk getting stranded in Long Beach all night.
Lucien I learned about from an old prefessor of my known to many as "The Chairman of the Committee for the Analysis of Ideas and the Study of Methods (so identified, correctly, in Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance).
Love to meet for coffee sometime! Maybe some Saturday morning I can leave early and make it to Weho by late morning. ;)
At the moment I am at the Carona Del Mar Starbucks in Zooport Beach. Since I have this habit of Staying for hours and hours-- also because I have a monthly bus pas and I LOVE sleeping in the rear corner of OCTA buses-- I rotate what coffee place I go to on a daily basis (San Clemente is where my computer and I sleep at night:). Sipology on Broadway in Long Beach is one of my favorites. Library in Long Beach OK too. But the "gay" coffee place in Long Beach (called Hot Java; but trust me, nobody in there is truly "hot," but don't tell them that ;) I have a problem with. Coffee is just so so and the music is horrible (but from having gone in there a number of times, and seeing and hearing the "adult contemporary" videos (enabling me at long last to connect names with music I've been hating for years), I now have a great comic line: "Was that a Harley that just went by? Or did someone have Tracy Chapman turned way up on their car stereo?"). Also, if you spend too much time at Hot Java, the ugliest guys in there will think you're stalking them. I'm NOT making this up! And no, I never "stalked' anyone there! LOL!
I love going to WeHo, but it's a nearly 5 hour trip for me each way. Have to leave by 5 PM at the latest, else my computer, my bicycle, and I risk getting stranded in Long Beach all night.
Lucien I learned about from an old prefessor of my known to many as "The Chairman of the Committee for the Analysis of Ideas and the Study of Methods (so identified, correctly, in Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance).
Love to meet for coffee sometime! Maybe some Saturday morning I can leave early and make it to Weho by late morning. ;)
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 3:22 pm by Patrick Crosby
The GGRC!!! Oh....my....GAWD!! Do I remember that! I even used that acronym for parties I used to have at my house in Burbank years ago, when all my "sisters" and I would get together. But, I called it the GGBSC...the "Gay Girls BBQ and Swim Club"!
Talk about costumes! When one of the people went into the house for something, we never knew who or WHAT they would come back out dressed as! LOL
Gary
Talk about costumes! When one of the people went into the house for something, we never knew who or WHAT they would come back out dressed as! LOL
Gary
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 3:28 pm by Gary Mortimer
The good old days.
I must say it is nice communicating with people who know what the hell I'm speaking about.
For years I've spoken about The Stampede and no one seemed to know WTF I was talking about. If I'm right, it was almost on the corner of SM and Fairfax. There was a market or something on the north side of the street with a large parking lot. There is something else there now but the same parking lot. That was my first gay bar. I was underage (I did experience that stage in life) and going to UCLA. I would park my midnight blue GTO with power windows in that parking lot and watch these men whom to me seemed to be Gods of Valhalla go in. I itched to get in line with them. This was always after hours. After several months of nervous and very horny anticipation I decided to try and get in. The doorman looked at me and asked me if I was with the sailor. I had no idea of what he was talking about nor do I have any idea now. I was so nervous that I’m sure that’s what he said. More than likely he just said “Go in”. It was hot and sticky and crowded with real men who were grown up, unlike my floor mates in Sproul Hall, and "Can't Help Myself" by the 4 Tops was blasting and I almost had a walking wet dream. I was home.
Things are so different nowadays that kids have no idea of how daring and risky and rule breaking and thrilling that first step many of us took into our real life actually was. Anyone remember the "Lavender Nights" at some theater on Western & Melrose (I think) where they showed the worst soft gay porn? I seem to remember it was always like midnight and always a long line behind some building. Or David & Goliath's on Melrose. It was a restaurant on one side and a cruise bar on the other. I believe it was owned by Marcel who later had a bar where the Fubar is now and then owned "The Detour" in Silverlake. He used to called it "Le Detour". Or dancing at “The Farm” until closing and going to Theodore’s across the street for scrambleburgers or to the coffeeshop at the corner of SM & Highland. It had busy loo.
Well enough of this. By the way Patrick, I remember "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". It was like the book that "everyone" read or had read or had bought to read or held in one's hand as if they were reading it. That was in the last century. How weird is that?
Enough. Yes, it would be fun to meet some of you for coffee one of these days.
Posted Nov 15, 09 | 4:35 pm by Ed
I must confess, Ed, that I don't know any of the places of which you speak either, because during those years, I was studying philosophy with the "Chairman" at the U of Chicago. I didn't get to LA until April 1977 or then abouts, on an Amtrac $150 2-week "USA RAIL PASS." Got off the train in downtown LA and had no idea where I was going. All I knew I wanted to see the "Sunset Strip" that Edward "Kookie" (a good name for him in recent years! :) Byrnes had immortalized on the TV Show 77 Sunset strip.
Took a Sunset bus and found the spot. The most exciting place I'd ever been in my live-- the whole damned city, actually. On the way this old dude warned me about "homosexuals" on Santa Monica Blvd. a few blocks away. "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself, but thanks dude!" was my reply. Haha! :)
Within the hour I'm standing in line on LaPeer and an hour or two after that I meet a wonderful guy who made one appearance on the Waltons, named Ben Wilson. The rest is history.
If you're interested in that Chairman character, do a google search on these words: "Mckeon semantics." I still have tape recording of McKeon's lecture on open reel tape. I'm looking for an old 10 1/2 inch machine so I can play them one more time and make a digital copy. Many lectures I already have typed out. In brief, McKeon had figured out the various ways in which different people put knowledge together and had mapped it all out. He never published this stuff. It's unlikely Pirsig ever quite figured out what McKeon was really up to. But I can tell you this: when he was asked by McKeon what his "substantive filed of study" was, "Zen and Motorcycle Maintenance" (rather than English Composition or philosophy) is the answer that would have gotten him into the Ph.D. program at the University of Chicago.
Pirsig's was definitely a book of the later 20th century. McKeon's thought, if I can get it published, is the path (if there is one) to the 22nd century.
Took a Sunset bus and found the spot. The most exciting place I'd ever been in my live-- the whole damned city, actually. On the way this old dude warned me about "homosexuals" on Santa Monica Blvd. a few blocks away. "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself, but thanks dude!" was my reply. Haha! :)
Within the hour I'm standing in line on LaPeer and an hour or two after that I meet a wonderful guy who made one appearance on the Waltons, named Ben Wilson. The rest is history.
If you're interested in that Chairman character, do a google search on these words: "Mckeon semantics." I still have tape recording of McKeon's lecture on open reel tape. I'm looking for an old 10 1/2 inch machine so I can play them one more time and make a digital copy. Many lectures I already have typed out. In brief, McKeon had figured out the various ways in which different people put knowledge together and had mapped it all out. He never published this stuff. It's unlikely Pirsig ever quite figured out what McKeon was really up to. But I can tell you this: when he was asked by McKeon what his "substantive filed of study" was, "Zen and Motorcycle Maintenance" (rather than English Composition or philosophy) is the answer that would have gotten him into the Ph.D. program at the University of Chicago.
Pirsig's was definitely a book of the later 20th century. McKeon's thought, if I can get it published, is the path (if there is one) to the 22nd century.
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 11:11 am by Patrick Crosby
OMG, Ed. What memories. Glad you brought them UP!
I sure as hell recall the Stampede, the Detour and of course David & Goliath's!! I remember being in D&G, sitting at the bar, and the nude dancers actually had hard-ons!! Delicious!!
And there was some club around the corner from that place that I think was a lesbian bar, but we went in a few times to dance or something. I heard that Debbie Reynolds used to send some gal in to pick up tricks for her there! Who knew? (Can I be sued here for slander???)
Did you ever go to the Gallery Room on Santa Monica and Crescent Heights I think was the cross street?
We always closed the Gallery Room after walking the boulevard and hitting all the gay bars. And let me tell you...things went on right inside the door to many of those places that would make a sailor blush...well, maybe not a sailor (I was one!), but I mean it was blatant sex right in front of everyone to see and enjoy!
And of course Cuff's and Basic Plumbing.
And some big club in the valley where they played porno on the big screen and there was an upstairs? And a bath house near there too...not that I would ever go to a bath house! Hahahahah.
And speaking of Western...there was also a gay bar there where you had to go in the back door through the alley and show ID and pay to get in...and talk about free sex IN the bar, ON the bar, UNDER the bar. WHEW. Pig heaven!
I also ate many times at Theodore's. Once, Bobby Gentry was there at the table next to us and asked me to pass her the bottle of katsup! (Many years later, she was a customer of mine).
Too bad we can't all go back to those early days and relive them all again.
Gary
I sure as hell recall the Stampede, the Detour and of course David & Goliath's!! I remember being in D&G, sitting at the bar, and the nude dancers actually had hard-ons!! Delicious!!
And there was some club around the corner from that place that I think was a lesbian bar, but we went in a few times to dance or something. I heard that Debbie Reynolds used to send some gal in to pick up tricks for her there! Who knew? (Can I be sued here for slander???)
Did you ever go to the Gallery Room on Santa Monica and Crescent Heights I think was the cross street?
We always closed the Gallery Room after walking the boulevard and hitting all the gay bars. And let me tell you...things went on right inside the door to many of those places that would make a sailor blush...well, maybe not a sailor (I was one!), but I mean it was blatant sex right in front of everyone to see and enjoy!
And of course Cuff's and Basic Plumbing.
And some big club in the valley where they played porno on the big screen and there was an upstairs? And a bath house near there too...not that I would ever go to a bath house! Hahahahah.
And speaking of Western...there was also a gay bar there where you had to go in the back door through the alley and show ID and pay to get in...and talk about free sex IN the bar, ON the bar, UNDER the bar. WHEW. Pig heaven!
I also ate many times at Theodore's. Once, Bobby Gentry was there at the table next to us and asked me to pass her the bottle of katsup! (Many years later, she was a customer of mine).
Too bad we can't all go back to those early days and relive them all again.
Gary
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 2:19 pm by Gary Mortimer
Thanks for the walk down (Alzheimers) memory lane.
A couple of things:
1. Oddly, this just popped into my head this morning as I drove past. The market that was on the NE corner of Fairfax and Santa Monica was Alpha Beta. Today it is a Whole Foods.
2. The coffee shop referred to on Highland and Santa Monica was Athur J's
3. Yes, the Gallery Room was on the corner of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica. That whole strip mall will shortly be torn down to become a huge Walgreen's and some housing.
I'm glad I still have my memory because I should have taken pictures and become a Gay Historian.
A couple of things:
1. Oddly, this just popped into my head this morning as I drove past. The market that was on the NE corner of Fairfax and Santa Monica was Alpha Beta. Today it is a Whole Foods.
2. The coffee shop referred to on Highland and Santa Monica was Athur J's
3. Yes, the Gallery Room was on the corner of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica. That whole strip mall will shortly be torn down to become a huge Walgreen's and some housing.
I'm glad I still have my memory because I should have taken pictures and become a Gay Historian.
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 2:30 pm by smitharnie
Good old Arthur J's. Dare I say what that place used to be noted for? I went in once or twice (back in the early 80s when I lived in Westwood, and wanted a change from the Winchell's on Crescent Heights-- weekend bloody punk rockers in the area were beginning to get to me) just to see for myself, and it seemed just like any Denny's or any other diner of the sort at the time. Maybe that was all more fiction and fact, and what really did happen along those lines happened in the street on SM Blvd. I've heard stories of who used to drive up and down the street at that time, looking for ..... but will never tell. Let the dead rest in peace, as the saying goes.
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 3:06 pm by Patrick Crosby
Thank you Gary, Arnie, Patrick,
The Gallery Room. Oh yes. It was owned by Walter and Alex. They also owned the Gallery Inn in the Valley. They used to have a white Cadillac convertible with the plate reading WALEX. I met some wonderful people there. Lots of interior designers and artsy people. Billy Schmidt, Michael Nicola, Roger Franks, Steven Chase, Ed Blood, Jimmy Piccote, Gary Faber who owned "La Plume D'Or". I was in my early 20's and drank sweet drinks. I still do, can't stand the taste of whiskey or whatever. I remember I would walk in and the bartender...one of them was Leo, the other a very tall very sexy Latino who had bartended at the Bitter End West... would fix my Screwdriver and have it ready for me at the bar. I would go to the jukebox and play Dinah Washington's Unforgettable. Harbor Lights, which I did not like, was the "B" side. There was also a waiter, a cute English man who not too long after starting there became a porno star.
And the Sunday brunches at Harry Weiss’ (I think that was his name…a short little man…attorney who always wore a hat) Tower Road estate. Always what seemed like a couple of hundred of the boys all eating on real china. Harry liked to be surrounded by pretties. Somehow someone always asked me to come along.
Arthur J's. I always had the Denver omelet. There was this old very thin white haired waitress with glasses who walked on her tip toes. She had either been a ballerina or had some serious foot problems.
The place with the back entrance was "Larry's" on Melrose. There was a gas station on one of the two corners. I spent many a night there in the private upstairs area learning lots of new “things” that I had not even read about. The Line Up which was on Santa Monica almost on the corner of Western. It had a side entrance. It was very leather poster looking. A Tom of Finland kind of bar. And the Tool Box on SM and the One Way on Hoover with the Eurotech music which I found so energizing. The place in the Valley with the porno was the Hayloft. And the Corral Club on Cahuenga, my first bath house. And then, of course, LA's own versions of the Mineshaft...Basic Plumbing on Fairfax, The Meat Rack on SM & Vermont and the MB Club on Melrose near Normandie.
How we ever managed to survive and live to e-mail about these institutions of lust, debauchery, thrills and oh so much fun is a miracle.
There was also a very nasty bar on La Cienega under the 10 Freeway that was a sex maniac's paradise. Somehow, back then I think most of us were sex maniacs we just did not realize it. The Jaguar on Sundays was wonderful if you could make your way all the way to the back into the meat locker. Nowadays just thinking about it is enough sex for a month.
C'est la vie.
Oh one last place. There was a drag bar on either Hollywood or SM near Western called The Honey Bucket. I remember going there with my crazy friend Jim. We had smoked come cannabis before hand. The show was such a hoot, or so we thought, that we could not stop laughing and were thrown out. Some of those boys took their lip syncing too seriously. We were young and foolish.
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 3:48 pm by Ed
Walter & Alex, of course, and the Gallery Room East!
Larry's -YES! on Melrose.
The Line Up and the Tool Box on SM and the One Way!
Oh the Hayloft! And the Corral Club! I "spent" many a day and night at the Corral Club!
I had a business down a few doors from the old Basic Plumbing on Fairfax, and we used to find condoms and empty popper bottles all over our parking area. I had a lover then, so I could not stalk the parking area for tricks! Bummer!
The Meat Rack and MB Club.
I am glad you brought up all those old places!
Maybe some of us should get together and write our own book about those days?
That very nasty bar under the 10 Freeway was where they filmed lots of porn films!@ I never did any of those then (but maybe should have?). I did however...well, I appeared in one a few years back for a company in Palm Springs, but that is another story...that I might share with you privately! LOL
Larry's -YES! on Melrose.
The Line Up and the Tool Box on SM and the One Way!
Oh the Hayloft! And the Corral Club! I "spent" many a day and night at the Corral Club!
I had a business down a few doors from the old Basic Plumbing on Fairfax, and we used to find condoms and empty popper bottles all over our parking area. I had a lover then, so I could not stalk the parking area for tricks! Bummer!
The Meat Rack and MB Club.
I am glad you brought up all those old places!
Maybe some of us should get together and write our own book about those days?
That very nasty bar under the 10 Freeway was where they filmed lots of porn films!@ I never did any of those then (but maybe should have?). I did however...well, I appeared in one a few years back for a company in Palm Springs, but that is another story...that I might share with you privately! LOL
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 4:12 pm by Gary Mortimer
Something I'll always remember and get a kick out of is telling my nieces and nephews of the hours that I spent at Studio One doing The Hustle. It is such a riot looking back and remembering how everyone would just jump in line and hustle for what seemed like hours.
There is a video on You Tube of a Filipino jail that has the prisioners film videos of group dancing to MJ's Thriller and Queen's greatest hits. It just makes me chuckle remembering that phase of my life at Studio.
There is a video on You Tube of a Filipino jail that has the prisioners film videos of group dancing to MJ's Thriller and Queen's greatest hits. It just makes me chuckle remembering that phase of my life at Studio.
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 5:19 pm by Ed
Memories of good Van McCoy at the Bistro in Chicago. I had had my own reworking of that one line from the song, "Be a Hustler!" As I recall, nobody at the time thougth that was funny but me. I still think it is. It was so true-- which is probably the exact reason, now that I think of it, why none of my friends at the Bistro in Chicago (which included a sweet little Native American boy who was called Jimmy, later to be a John Wayne Gacy victim) thought it was funny.
Posted Nov 16, 09 | 7:27 pm by Patrick Crosby
I worked at Studio in the early '80's as head waiter & maître d' in the Backlot - will have to find my employee ID for date I started ...plus I will have to find the photos and scan from Rose De Castro ...Joe Garcia
Posted Nov 29, 09 | 11:47 pm by SterlingPowell
Hey Joe,
Did you see the photos of you I posted? I was the guy in Santa Barbara at Brooks Institute (we met at Studio One). I did the photoshoot.
-David Minichan
Did you see the photos of you I posted? I was the guy in Santa Barbara at Brooks Institute (we met at Studio One). I did the photoshoot.
-David Minichan
Posted Nov 30, 09 | 2:38 am by Parrish
Anyone remember a blond Steven who lived up a steep street in West Hollywood, I think it was Larrabee St., around 1978? He put together a coffee table book that featured upscale gift ideas. Can't remember the title. One night he invited me and his friend Rusty over to party. Rusty, who was blond and from Arkansas, is one of the all-time handsomest guys I've ever met. Anyone remember Rusty?
Patrick, did you know a guy named Randy Goss? I met that exceptional looking young man in '77 at a Chicago club. He'd been skating for the Ice Capades but they had just let him go. He was taking it pretty hard.
Also Patrick, did you know two guys in Indianapolis who owned this great 8-story home (I think it was 8) and had a blow-out affair every year with guests from all over the country? One floor of the house was a big ballroom that had a balcony that extended around the entire room. Very nice, soft-spoken guys.
This site does my heart so much good -- conjuring up wonderful memories of friends and good times, and giving everyone a glimpse into every poster's life, history, past affairs and experiences. It puts a smile on my face. I love hearing everyone's memories and stories.
Patrick, did you know a guy named Randy Goss? I met that exceptional looking young man in '77 at a Chicago club. He'd been skating for the Ice Capades but they had just let him go. He was taking it pretty hard.
Also Patrick, did you know two guys in Indianapolis who owned this great 8-story home (I think it was 8) and had a blow-out affair every year with guests from all over the country? One floor of the house was a big ballroom that had a balcony that extended around the entire room. Very nice, soft-spoken guys.
This site does my heart so much good -- conjuring up wonderful memories of friends and good times, and giving everyone a glimpse into every poster's life, history, past affairs and experiences. It puts a smile on my face. I love hearing everyone's memories and stories.
Posted Dec 02, 09 | 1:23 am by beachcomber
Randy Goss-- it's very faint but I do remember him because of the last name. There was an upscale restaurant on Chicago's South Side called the Franklin House, owned by a corner neightbor of our (nicest house on the block) Frank Goss. No relation as I recall. About the extent of my memory right now, except I do have something every so faint about the Ice Capades... did I just have a flashback memory of a "Joey Goss?" Very very faint if I did.
Posted Dec 02, 09 | 10:39 am by Patrick Crosby
I came down from San Francisco once and went to Studio One, but they would not accept my British Passport as an ID, so I never got in. Never had that problem at the Troc, Cabaret After Dark or the I-Beam in The City. That was kind of sad as the place was legendary even up north.
Posted Dec 03, 09 | 4:30 pm by Dave Cooper
Dave I checked ID's and I would have let you in, I was there from 88-89 must have been earlier then that. Sorry you missed it, something everyone should have experienced.
Posted Dec 03, 09 | 4:46 pm by Ron E.
Dave,
Unfortunately you were not unique. A friend of ours from Amsterdam tried to go by himself and was also denied entrance. He went with us the following night and had no problems thereafter. Murphy's Law applies everywhere. Fortunately, it was not the norm.
Sorry you missed out on Studio. However, your own Troc and the I-Beam were great spots for many years. They were must stops for Royd and I everytime we went up North which was usually 10 times a year. We had season tickets to the SFO Opera in the Fall and also went in the Summer.
Oh, Le Fun Le Fun. Toujours Le Fun.
Unfortunately you were not unique. A friend of ours from Amsterdam tried to go by himself and was also denied entrance. He went with us the following night and had no problems thereafter. Murphy's Law applies everywhere. Fortunately, it was not the norm.
Sorry you missed out on Studio. However, your own Troc and the I-Beam were great spots for many years. They were must stops for Royd and I everytime we went up North which was usually 10 times a year. We had season tickets to the SFO Opera in the Fall and also went in the Summer.
Oh, Le Fun Le Fun. Toujours Le Fun.
Posted Dec 03, 09 | 4:57 pm by Ed
Ya Arnie it was Alpha Beta on the corner when I had to buy stuff for the bars at Studio I would have to run up the block and across the street and I remember the nice looking guy behind the deli counter then next thing I knew he was on General Hospital, he disappeared from Alpha Beta shortly after that. Too bad huh?
Posted Dec 03, 09 | 5:03 pm by Ron E.
Ron E. You walked to Safeway (where Pavilions is now) to get limes and such.
Alpha Beta was at Fairfax and SM Blvd all the way in East West Hollywood. A few times I was waiting for a show to start and every one was busy so I went over and got lemons and limes.
Alpha Beta was at Fairfax and SM Blvd all the way in East West Hollywood. A few times I was waiting for a show to start and every one was busy so I went over and got lemons and limes.
Posted Dec 03, 09 | 7:16 pm by ron hamill
Ron,
You've got the place I wrote about. Alpha Beta on SM and Fairfax. The Stampede was across the street.
I believe there is a mortuary or something like it at the old locale.
You've got the place I wrote about. Alpha Beta on SM and Fairfax. The Stampede was across the street.
I believe there is a mortuary or something like it at the old locale.
Posted Dec 03, 09 | 9:39 pm by Ed
To the old Studio One fans as well as the Probe card carrying members of the late 80s and 90s, Happy New Year and may nothing but good memories be the only baggage you carry into the 2010s.
Posted Jan 02, 10 | 9:15 pm by Ed
Posted Jan 02, 10 | 11:49 pm by Ron E.
Posted Jan 03, 10 | 12:07 am by Ron E.
wow. that's about all i can say. i lived in West Hollywood from June '79 through the end of 1980 and worked at the old Ah Men store on San Vicente and Santa Monica. i went to SO a few times, but tended to hang out at the Blue Parrot and Probe the most, as well as 'church' at Greg's Blue Dot. god those were the days, right? i can see all of those bright smiling faces, and bodies, just enjoying the hell out of life. anyone remember a guy named Stanley? he was a roller-skating black guy, a fixture along the blvd and all the clubs. for some reason, he's about the only name i can remember. i was at the Mother Lode on their opening night. i went with my best friend. we had spent the day moving him into his new lovers house, and Andy had given up a great apartment to do so. just as we were entering, Earl, his new lover, came stumbling out smooching some stranger, lol. Andy and I just looked at each other like, 'here we go again.' i LOVED that time of my life-seeing Martha Raye every time i ambled over to the Garden District, wandering into Circus Books, my first porn store ever, Cher's roller skating disco just down the street from my apartment on Holloway Drive. MDA... Ah Men was quite a hoot to work in-i moved to LA right after i graduated from Vassar, so i had led a bit of a sheltered life, although i had partied in Manhattan quite a bit. But we had 'stars' come in the store almost every day, Charo, Sylvester Stallone, Barbara Baine, Barry Manilow. i was so naive, we sold "Bite the Pillow" novelty gifts, and i had no idea, NO IDEA what that meant!
thanks for the memories everyone. i'm going to check this site out again. i'm a reclusive artist in connecticut now, i rarely see anyone except for the grocery store delivery people, and this site has reminded me of a very, very different time in my life. you can check out my art here. so much of my the way i see the world, can be traced back to those 2 years that really opened my eyes. i visited LA in 1985, five years after i moved back East, and a mural i had done in my apt was still on the wall! i could see it clearly through the open window of whomever was renting it at the time. i couldn't believe a rental apt had left it all those years and all those renters that had lived there. i bet the building isn't even there anymore.
peace people!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbycasey/
thanks for the memories everyone. i'm going to check this site out again. i'm a reclusive artist in connecticut now, i rarely see anyone except for the grocery store delivery people, and this site has reminded me of a very, very different time in my life. you can check out my art here. so much of my the way i see the world, can be traced back to those 2 years that really opened my eyes. i visited LA in 1985, five years after i moved back East, and a mural i had done in my apt was still on the wall! i could see it clearly through the open window of whomever was renting it at the time. i couldn't believe a rental apt had left it all those years and all those renters that had lived there. i bet the building isn't even there anymore.
peace people!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbycasey/
Posted Jan 09, 10 | 11:00 pm by casey
Studio One was so FUN!
Some highlights include seeing DIVINE perform Live there. Seeing the play "Rocky Horror Show" at the Backlot" and being in a disco scene from "Can't Stop the Music" that was filmed there. Remember Allen Carr? Roger LeClaire was a friend of mine and taught me a lot about photography and he also took some great pics of me as well. Had my 21st B-day at Odyssey, were I handed out quaaludes. Many fun times at that Bowling Ally turned Roller Disco (turned Sav-On) also.
Here's a pic of me and some pals from back in the day that you might remember.
I'm on the left, John, Larry (who worked at a float tank place in West Hwd) Jerry Leeds (USC) and Bruce Anderson
Some highlights include seeing DIVINE perform Live there. Seeing the play "Rocky Horror Show" at the Backlot" and being in a disco scene from "Can't Stop the Music" that was filmed there. Remember Allen Carr? Roger LeClaire was a friend of mine and taught me a lot about photography and he also took some great pics of me as well. Had my 21st B-day at Odyssey, were I handed out quaaludes. Many fun times at that Bowling Ally turned Roller Disco (turned Sav-On) also.
Here's a pic of me and some pals from back in the day that you might remember.
I'm on the left, John, Larry (who worked at a float tank place in West Hwd) Jerry Leeds (USC) and Bruce Anderson
Posted Jan 16, 10 | 9:45 pm by Brian Beltran
Where is Jerry Leeds?
Posted Jan 17, 10 | 7:55 am by smitharnie
I don't know where Jerry Leeds is. He was going to USC from New Jersey
Posted Jan 17, 10 | 12:35 pm by Brian Beltran
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Posted Jan 17, 10 | 1:26 pm by Brian Beltran
1988 Studio One Tour on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7WvfyqCJFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7WvfyqCJFI
Posted Jan 17, 10 | 1:29 pm by Brian Beltran
Brian,
I used to go to the Hard Rock Cafe on San Vicente and Beverly when Jerry was in school and bartending there and get soused for free. Jerry was such a sweetheart.
I used to go to the Hard Rock Cafe on San Vicente and Beverly when Jerry was in school and bartending there and get soused for free. Jerry was such a sweetheart.
Posted Jan 17, 10 | 4:23 pm by smitharnie
Odyssey 1 Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124284430439
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124284430439
Posted Jan 17, 10 | 6:03 pm by Brian Beltran
Studio One Disco Nightclub - West Hollywood on FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=nf&gid=68745887988
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=nf&gid=68745887988
Posted Jan 17, 10 | 9:40 pm by Brian Beltran
The very first gay night in Disneyland was sponsored by Studio One and took legal steps to secure the space for us. I'd love as much info about that as possible. I vaguely remember 1975 or 76. It was spectacular, a book's worth or stories. Please contact me with anything you remember.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Posted Jan 26, 10 | 12:22 am by Jim Schultz
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