AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 23,036
The center of the glam rock world in California was Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco on Sunset Blvd. The heyday was from January '73 until Sept '74 before closing in early '75. Probably the center of teenage debauchery in LA over that period of time too. I had just gotten back from a year tour overseas in mid June '74 and had made my way there by the end of the month. I was 18, tanned like the surfer boys, whipsnake thin at 6'3" 180. I'd grow 4 more inches an 40lbs over the next 5 years. I was a tourist in a world I'd never seen. My Dingo strap boots, jeans, t-shirt and shaved head did not match the image of glam but did make me stand out in that world - enough to make some girls curious. While the legal drinking age in Cali was 21 the average age of the female clientele was or seemed to be 16. Almost all were at some point on the road to being wasted on something. More than once I heard "Can I have some change so I can call my Dad?" while eating breakfast the next day. I didn't stick around to meet Dad whenever he showed up.
I'd like to think this next part is true but it maybe just a hopeful memory.
During one of my nights thereI saw a cute girl sitting with a group of other girls who was turning down everyone who asked her to dance. This went on for some time or so it seemed before I decided to give it a shot. I get there and she says "Why do you want to dance with me?" I reply " You're cute and I could see you singing the words to most of the songs." That apparently was good enough. So there we are, this 5'3" girl who couldn't weigh 100 lbs with the 6'3" boy who dances like the guy flopping around in the Devo video. We talk a little and I ask what does she do when she is not here? "I'm starting a band!" was the last thing she said to me.
This how I remember her looking minus the guitar. Like I said, cute girl.
A little over a year later the first Runaways album come out and there is my dance partner on the back cover - Joan Jett
I like to think that this is true, the place, time and girl seem right but even if it is not it is still a fond memory.
Read the wiki on Rodney Bingenheimer's I didn't see a lot of what is talked about but having been there I can believe it
I'd like to think this next part is true but it maybe just a hopeful memory.
During one of my nights thereI saw a cute girl sitting with a group of other girls who was turning down everyone who asked her to dance. This went on for some time or so it seemed before I decided to give it a shot. I get there and she says "Why do you want to dance with me?" I reply " You're cute and I could see you singing the words to most of the songs." That apparently was good enough. So there we are, this 5'3" girl who couldn't weigh 100 lbs with the 6'3" boy who dances like the guy flopping around in the Devo video. We talk a little and I ask what does she do when she is not here? "I'm starting a band!" was the last thing she said to me.
This how I remember her looking minus the guitar. Like I said, cute girl.
A little over a year later the first Runaways album come out and there is my dance partner on the back cover - Joan Jett
I like to think that this is true, the place, time and girl seem right but even if it is not it is still a fond memory.
Read the wiki on Rodney Bingenheimer's I didn't see a lot of what is talked about but having been there I can believe it
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