Friday, August 27, 2010

SweetLeaf and LEAVBERT: ADAM LAMBERT show at the St. Georges Theater!


It was a beautiful old theater, and we had a wonderful time! One of the girls in the row behind us was nice enough to take our picture. Anna wanted me to wear a tophat, similar to Adam's, and a leather vest with 2 foot long fringes! I suspect that she collaborated with her "fasionista" daughter to have these items "available" for me to wear...

SweetLeaf Agrees: Sir Monte Rocks!


We had such a great time at the Adam Lambert concert on Staten Island! I took this pic of Anna (SweetLeaf) with Monte Pittman, Adam's Musical Director, and Lead Guitarist! Yo, this guy ROCKS! I got to shake his hand, and tell him that, after taking the pic! COOL!

LEAVBERT! Partying in Staten Island!


Partying at the Adam Lambert concert!

Sunday, August 08, 2010

RIP ANDY KESSLER: MAKING UP ON CHRISTMAS DAY!




As a kid, I had all kinds of "falling outs" with my two best friends, as they did between the two of them, with me siding with one or the other. This photo is of one excellent Christmas day, where a year-long grudge was buried. I had been the one on the outside, with Andy and Starsky both shunning me, for the most part. Our mothers helped set this up, and it was all good!


Starsky recently sent me this photo, and it's almost a year since Andy died of a wasp sting, so I am posting this as a tribute to my friend. I miss you, Andy, and will always remember you!

From Coney Island to Central Park! Starsky & Hutch, Havin' Fun!



Starsky and Hutch, at Coney Island and Central Park! The whole city was our beat, and we had fun all over it!


WERE WE COMIC BOOK FANS, OR LITTLE MONSTERS?



Riding the D train back from Coney Island, and after visiting the comic book store on 57th, near Columbus Circle! This was "fun in NYC" in the '70's! I drew both of our shirts, and I had authentic Korean War era patches on my jacket, from my Uncle Bill Dignes!




Tuesday, July 20, 2010

RULE AND REVOLUTION: Where Are We Now?

I caught the last hour of Rush today, and listened to him talk about this article from The American Spectator. It's worth sharing, though I haven't finished reading it yet.

America's Ruling Class -- And the Perils of Revolution, by Angelo M. Codevilla

Monday, July 12, 2010

ADAM LAMBERT ROCKED NASHVILLE!

So, Adam Lambert got GREAT reviews after playing Nashville! Randy Travis must be eating his words! Here's a selection of the reviews:

USA TODAY

Tune In Music City

CMT.com

Indyposted

Softpedia

Adam played in the Ryman Auditorium, where Johnny Cash has played, and which also currently hosts the Grand Ole Opry, while it's original home undergoes restoration. As the reviews show, he blew the roof off of the place! I'll post the videos soon, but you can find them at Adamofficial, if you look hard enough!

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

The Night I Kept Billy Preston From My Friend's Girl: A "Main St. Cafe Story"


It was a big night, at The Main St. Cafe. Billy Preston was playing, and we were hoping for a "sold out" show. Unfortunately, we didn't have the money to advertise the show in Newsday, when they solicited us. So, instead of a glowing write-up about the upcoming show, they published a story titled "Billy Preston's Back-Let Him Be" on page 92. It was five paragraphs, or so, about his career, highlighting his pending "child-molestation" charges in California. The last paragraph said "he's playing at The Main St. Cafe this week." Thanks, Newsday.


I was already working as a bartender at Clarke's in Freeport by this time, and going to "my club" after my day shift, a few days a week. I have to mention this, because Bernie, a 92 year-old regular customer of mine there, is the one who showed me the article, a few days before the show. He was impressed that I had such a big star playing at my club. I told him that I was a big fan of Preston's work, almost all of my life, and was looking forward to seeing him in person. I have to note Bernie's class, knowledge, and wisdom. Knowing people like him was one of the biggest rewards of working at Clarke's.


The "big night" turned out to be "not so big," for the business, but about fifty to seventy-five people got to see an amazing show. He played a "Beatles tribute" set, and had the whole crowd singing along. He played my favorite two instrumental songs, "Space Race" and "Outta Space," as well as his better-known hits "Will It Go Round?" and "Nothin' From Nothin'" Because it was such a small turnout, I got to watch most of the show. It was awesome!


He was more reclusive than most of the talent we booked, and went right back to his bus, after the show. Neither John (my partner in the club) nor I got to take a photo with him, as we did with Dave Mason and Rick Derringer. We sent him a plate of hot wings, and he signed a B&W publicity photo for us (which I hope John still has, because I don't). Something funny happened around that time.


While we were trying to get into Preston's bus for a pic, he saw my friend's girlfriend, who I'll call "D," with us. D was decked out in a sexy bright red dress, and was totally HOT! Her boyfriend couldn't be there, and he asked me to "keep an eye on her," which I was glad to do (lol). Mr. Preston let D onto the bus, but she said "only if Chris can come with me!" So they let me on the bus, and I got to meet him. He said "good wings," and I said "blah blah blah, I'm a fan since I was blah blah..." Then his manager came along and said I have to leave the bus, and I graciously complied.


D started to follow me off the bus, but someone asked her to stay. She said "Chris, what should I do?" At this point, we went back and forth, with me outside the bus, not even able to see her. She decided to come with me back into the club. Less than five minutes later, Preston's manager showed up at our table, inviting D back to the "hotel" with Mr. Preston. She was clearly tempted, and I knew it. After letting her string this guy along for a few minutes, I said "D, let's get out of here. Let me take you somewhere." She didn't even blink an eye; she just got up, and left with me.


I took her to a nearby little local bar, owned by a former bartender from Clarke's, coincidentally. We told everyone how great the show was, and where Billy Preston was staying, if they wanted to meet him (My club booked his hotel). I don't know if any of those fans actually went there, but we had a laugh about the whole situation! I dutifully filled my friend in, that his GF was "a good girl" against amazing odds, at least that night.


This all happened in '92, and I've long been out of touch with both of them, but I know they didn't stay together. Billy Preston has passed away, as has my old customer Bernie, since then. That's why I'm collecting the Main Street Stories, as best as I can. This is a funny look at the ups and downs of life in those years, from my perspective. There's a lot to tell, and I hope to get input from friends I am still in touch with to help balance it (John, among others). I already have a photo gallery from The Main St. Cafe on Gather, linked here. Yeah, that's "D," in the "flagged" photo. As I said, there are many stories to tell, from those days. There's sad posts, too.


Stay tuned for more "MAIN STREET STORIES," in addition to my TALES FROM THE VENDOME, LEAV IN THE USMC, FREEPORT, and 1980:PERMANENT WAVES chapters. Most of these only have one post thus far, so I'll try to churn out at least one "old story" a week, this year. This one was fun and easy, but alot of them are a little scarier. I'm hoping the stories are an enjoyable read, even if they make you cringe! LOL! Here's to the new year!