Small world.!!! I saw the Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band at Thee Experience too!! Do you remember when we were on the Strip together and went into a movie theater called the Cinematheque 16? Well, it turned out in 1969 I was managing it. The theater had reciprocal agreements with several clubs around town that their staffs could get into the theater for free and the theater staff {all 3 of us} could go to their clubs. Thee Experience was one of those clubs. I wanted to see/hear the Dogs because they were the British version of Zappa and the Mothers. I do not remember any warm up band, but then I didn't get there until the theater closed. I am really sorry we didn't reconnect then, it would have been one of the greatest pleasures of my life, to see you again. Plus, I could have offered the theater as a rehearsal space.
That fall of 1966 is indelible in my mind. You, George, John, Bowler and Harrison. You telling me about the Doors and going to see them at the Palladium high on acid.. Watching you race slot cars at some place in Pasadena. You taking Kris and I to Zappas house one afternoon and to the Frank Lloyd house on Los Feliz. Trying to rent a house in the foothills that had like a 30 foot ceiling and blood in the carpet. The several soul food joints you took me to, and of course, meeting your mother. My memory of her is almost as strong as my memory of you.
Quick story. The theater showed the world premier of the Doors film Feast of Friends so Morrison started hanging out at the theater. One day he showed up with an arm load of Elvis albums. At the time, I hated Elvis and everything about him. So I immediately jumped down his throat about listening to a white guy sing black peoples music, and how Elvis was nothing but hype. Morrison actually got a little sheepish and stammered that he was listening for his inflections. Which makes perfect sense coming from one singer about another. Since then I have tempered my hatred for Elvis into appreciating his voice while despising the hype bs. I will go to my grave shouting at the top of my lungs that Elvis never was or will be the king of rock and roll. That distinction belongs to Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. 'nuff said.
Take care, stay safe, hope to see you in a year or two.
Brother Kellman, dude you took me back! Usually at this point it’s only in my own head but you filled in a few details that really brought back some profound memories. I remember a while back we briefly connected on one of the platforms, maybe FB but I remember you always being a rebel and always enjoyed hanging out. My most vivid memory was San Francisco and that house on Page Street. Am I nuts or didn’t we all live there and get busted for weed and ended up in jail for 10 days in San Bruno? This is so fucking bizarre hearing from you of all people because i’m just about to start publishing some chapters from my life back in the day and am dying to fill in some of the gaps. I’m still working doing what I always have been doing although a tiny bit slower but playing, writing, performing and producing are still the biggest part of my life. THANK YOU for getting in touch and let’s maybe find some way to connect. I’m just glad your ass survived💪🏾🤣Hit me back with a few details so we can get in touch. Love hearing from you and thanks for taking the time. Stay safe brother 🙏🏾
That's funny, I don't remember you being at the Page Street flat, especially for the bust. I can still picture those two cops running up the stairs while I shouted "do you have a warrant?" over the balcony. There were 11 or 13 of us busted. I pleaded guilty to felony possession of opium (left on the kitchen table by a friend of mine from Minneapolis who fled out the back door and wasn't caught) and served almost 6 months on a one year term at San Bruno. In exchange, two other people were charged with misdemeanors (one of whom was Pat, a friend of Kris from her home town of Albert Lee, she shoved a door back in the face of one of the cops and he made sure she paid for it. The other was a guy named Wally, from Kansas, who had a 3 legged Chihuahua) they got time served and everyone else was let loose. I thought. You had to do time?
Another funny story. The day I was sentenced to jail in San Fransico was the day I was supposed to show up for my Army induction in Minneapolis. I wrote my draft board a letter from San Bruno telling them that I couldn't be in two places at once and chose to go to court and that subsequently I was being involuntarily detained in California. They wrote back saying in essence "prove it." I had my lawyer send them the court transcript and they sent me back my classification "morally unfit to serve." So from then on out I tell everyone that I have been officially deemed by the government of the United states as morally unfit to kill people.
We did meet a few years back, on FB, but I dropped my account because of their politics. I have been following you through your music posts.
So now for the questions.
You were living in LA in 1969? Where? Did you go to the Whiskey much? The theater was two blocks away. How did you ever find yourself in Australia? When? Congratulations on your finish in the contest btw. Good on you, mate.
I would be happy to fill in whatever gaps from the fall of '66 as I can. I vividly remember the night you all left for Spain, the apartment in Pasadena and how we met.
As for me, I've had dozens of jobs and worked in just about every state in the Union. Sold drugs for a living for about a decade. Now retired and living back in Minneapolis, which I have always looked on as one of the most civilized places in the country. And, as of today, is about to legalize reefer for recreational use.
My email is irving.kellman@gmail, and yes, lets stay in touch. My aspiration is to get to New Zealand for my final days (sooner if Republicans win control) so I'm hoping to see you in person come 3-7 years.
Keep on playing, keep on making the world a better place, and keep on keeping on.
PS I still say cee-ment 66 years after hearing you say it that way.
Hey man, this is just a short one to let you know that I will be picking your brain at some point soon because there was so much detail in what you sent me that I'd forgotten. It really woke me up and started a few more ideas flowing. I'll be in touch sooner than later. Stay well and you'll hear from me soon. Peace....
Small world.!!! I saw the Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band at Thee Experience too!! Do you remember when we were on the Strip together and went into a movie theater called the Cinematheque 16? Well, it turned out in 1969 I was managing it. The theater had reciprocal agreements with several clubs around town that their staffs could get into the theater for free and the theater staff {all 3 of us} could go to their clubs. Thee Experience was one of those clubs. I wanted to see/hear the Dogs because they were the British version of Zappa and the Mothers. I do not remember any warm up band, but then I didn't get there until the theater closed. I am really sorry we didn't reconnect then, it would have been one of the greatest pleasures of my life, to see you again. Plus, I could have offered the theater as a rehearsal space.
That fall of 1966 is indelible in my mind. You, George, John, Bowler and Harrison. You telling me about the Doors and going to see them at the Palladium high on acid.. Watching you race slot cars at some place in Pasadena. You taking Kris and I to Zappas house one afternoon and to the Frank Lloyd house on Los Feliz. Trying to rent a house in the foothills that had like a 30 foot ceiling and blood in the carpet. The several soul food joints you took me to, and of course, meeting your mother. My memory of her is almost as strong as my memory of you.
Quick story. The theater showed the world premier of the Doors film Feast of Friends so Morrison started hanging out at the theater. One day he showed up with an arm load of Elvis albums. At the time, I hated Elvis and everything about him. So I immediately jumped down his throat about listening to a white guy sing black peoples music, and how Elvis was nothing but hype. Morrison actually got a little sheepish and stammered that he was listening for his inflections. Which makes perfect sense coming from one singer about another. Since then I have tempered my hatred for Elvis into appreciating his voice while despising the hype bs. I will go to my grave shouting at the top of my lungs that Elvis never was or will be the king of rock and roll. That distinction belongs to Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. 'nuff said.
Take care, stay safe, hope to see you in a year or two.
Brother Kellman, dude you took me back! Usually at this point it’s only in my own head but you filled in a few details that really brought back some profound memories. I remember a while back we briefly connected on one of the platforms, maybe FB but I remember you always being a rebel and always enjoyed hanging out. My most vivid memory was San Francisco and that house on Page Street. Am I nuts or didn’t we all live there and get busted for weed and ended up in jail for 10 days in San Bruno? This is so fucking bizarre hearing from you of all people because i’m just about to start publishing some chapters from my life back in the day and am dying to fill in some of the gaps. I’m still working doing what I always have been doing although a tiny bit slower but playing, writing, performing and producing are still the biggest part of my life. THANK YOU for getting in touch and let’s maybe find some way to connect. I’m just glad your ass survived💪🏾🤣Hit me back with a few details so we can get in touch. Love hearing from you and thanks for taking the time. Stay safe brother 🙏🏾
Great to reconnect. 66 plus years later. Amazing.
That's funny, I don't remember you being at the Page Street flat, especially for the bust. I can still picture those two cops running up the stairs while I shouted "do you have a warrant?" over the balcony. There were 11 or 13 of us busted. I pleaded guilty to felony possession of opium (left on the kitchen table by a friend of mine from Minneapolis who fled out the back door and wasn't caught) and served almost 6 months on a one year term at San Bruno. In exchange, two other people were charged with misdemeanors (one of whom was Pat, a friend of Kris from her home town of Albert Lee, she shoved a door back in the face of one of the cops and he made sure she paid for it. The other was a guy named Wally, from Kansas, who had a 3 legged Chihuahua) they got time served and everyone else was let loose. I thought. You had to do time?
Another funny story. The day I was sentenced to jail in San Fransico was the day I was supposed to show up for my Army induction in Minneapolis. I wrote my draft board a letter from San Bruno telling them that I couldn't be in two places at once and chose to go to court and that subsequently I was being involuntarily detained in California. They wrote back saying in essence "prove it." I had my lawyer send them the court transcript and they sent me back my classification "morally unfit to serve." So from then on out I tell everyone that I have been officially deemed by the government of the United states as morally unfit to kill people.
We did meet a few years back, on FB, but I dropped my account because of their politics. I have been following you through your music posts.
So now for the questions.
You were living in LA in 1969? Where? Did you go to the Whiskey much? The theater was two blocks away. How did you ever find yourself in Australia? When? Congratulations on your finish in the contest btw. Good on you, mate.
I would be happy to fill in whatever gaps from the fall of '66 as I can. I vividly remember the night you all left for Spain, the apartment in Pasadena and how we met.
As for me, I've had dozens of jobs and worked in just about every state in the Union. Sold drugs for a living for about a decade. Now retired and living back in Minneapolis, which I have always looked on as one of the most civilized places in the country. And, as of today, is about to legalize reefer for recreational use.
My email is irving.kellman@gmail, and yes, lets stay in touch. My aspiration is to get to New Zealand for my final days (sooner if Republicans win control) so I'm hoping to see you in person come 3-7 years.
Keep on playing, keep on making the world a better place, and keep on keeping on.
PS I still say cee-ment 66 years after hearing you say it that way.
Hey man, this is just a short one to let you know that I will be picking your brain at some point soon because there was so much detail in what you sent me that I'd forgotten. It really woke me up and started a few more ideas flowing. I'll be in touch sooner than later. Stay well and you'll hear from me soon. Peace....