My Hawthorne Experience

Thursday May 19 th - The Night Before…

My experience began on a memorable note when my wife and I arrived at Dave and Carrie’s hotel to join them. It was Thursday evening and we were scheduled to drive to a pre-Landmark get-together at a local pub called Sticks and Steins near LAX. Upon parking our car at the hotel we walked into the lobby and the very first human being we encountered was Al Jardine. That was a surprise. We’re here…oh hello Al. No waiting for these Beach Boys. Anyway, we kind of shook our heads and headed up to Dave’s room. Carrie let us in and pointed out the window. Dave was dangling beyond the balcony climbing a tree. No kidding. He’d thrown something that got stuck on a branch…not important…hey Dave, be careful. One Beach Boy in a tree…the other standing in the lobby.

Our contingent included the fabulous Phil Cooper and his lovely daughter Charlotte, the always-stylish Billy Hinsche, plus the Marks’ and Stebbins’ couples. Too many bodies for one vehicle… so we split up. I ended up riding over with Phil in Billy’s new white Volvo. Dave and Billy did a good impression of the first couple of verses of Shut Down with their driving. We arrived at Sticks and Steins on time and with a very low E.T.

This place had beers the size of small bathtubs with a handle. Phil bought me one and I climbed in for a soak. The atmosphere was jubilant. The space wasn’t very friendly though, lots angles and edges… pool tables, and other tables, I kept trying to find some space to occupy with my tub o’ beer and my 200 pound body. I greeted the other Beach Boys family members who all seemed in the best of spirits. There was Brian Davies fave poet Stevie Kalinich, there was the charming Marilyn Wilson Rutherford and her hubby Daniel, we greeted Trisha Campo, Alan Boyd, Fred Vail, and event organizer Paula Bondi-Springer. Eventually, late arrival Harry Jarnagan showed up. Harry’s the guy who originally got this Landmark thing happening. I toasted Harry several times whether he was there or not. By the fourth or fifth toast my tub o’ beer was almost gone. Luckily Phil was there with a quick replacement for me. You can’t have too many friends like Phil. He knows what’s important in life.

The Sticks and Steins gathering was filled with Beach Boys fans from far and wide. Some of them, like this nice fellow from Scotland, were a bit hard for a California boy like myself to understand. But for the most part the communication was flowing as nicely as the beer. There was a “panel discussion” with Boyd, Marks, Marilyn etc… It was hard to hear, but some great moments occurred. One astute fan asked everyone on the panel to name their all-time favorite Beach Boys LP. The usual Sunflower, Pet Sounds, Today answers were thrown out…Stevie K. picked Friends for obvious reasons, but Marilyn shuffled expectations when she piped up and admitted that the “Surfin’ U.S.A.” LP was among her favorites. Sudden flashback to the seven year-old Stebbins fondling his copy. Marilyn is right; it’s a great, great LP. I picked “All Summer Long” as my favorite…it was my personal sequel to SUSA. The LP’s in between barely registered with me.

During the panel discussion Phil Cooper was given the spotlight and announced the coming of the next great Beach Boys related book…The Lost Beach Boy. Phil is heading up a vast network of experts who are bringing the world the official biography of David Marks. He explained to the audience that this book will challenge many of the tired Beach Boys myths and provide all the answers to one of rock’s greatest mysteries… “What ever happened to David Marks?” On this night the answer seemed apparent because Dave was sitting right next to Phil. But the book will go much deeper. I can’t wait for my copy. It sounds like a winner! Ummmm… okay… yeah… I’m the guy who’s writing it. And from what I’ve already written I can say it’s a tremendously good read. That’s my completely unbiased assessment.

(You can pre-order a copy at CSMproductions@aol.com)

After leaving the gathering we congregated at the hotel lounge where Phil treated everyone to Cubanos. These are not cigars but food. A man named Cubano who hailed from a place called Cubano served them to us. Joining our merry group was Dave Beard of ESQ fame as several others wandered in and out of our sphere. Al Jardine made a cameo appearance stopping and waving to us like an animatronic Beach Boy. He mentioned he wasn’t feeling well and then skedaddled on his way. Too bad he missed out on the Cubanos… they were delicious.

It was late and we were preparing for a big day tomorrow. Nadia and I thanked our hosts and returned to our temporary digs at her mom’s house in Hollywood. We got home at about 12:30 a.m., which wasn’t too bad.

Friday May 20 th – The Main Event…

Friday was the big day. The Beach Boys would get their California State Historical Landmark; complete with monument built by Scott Wilson Construction…Scotty is Dennis Wilson’s son.

On a typically sunny Southern California late morning we arrived at the designated VIP parking lot near the Hawthorne Community Center. We immediately noticed a fleet of woodies, hot rods, and limos waiting to take family, friends, and guests to the nearby Landmark site for the ceremony. After checking in and saying hello to Barbara Wilson, Jerry Schilling and others, Nadia and I climbed into a gleaming black stretch limo. Riding with us were Alan Boyd, Trisha Campo, Adam Marsland, and Susan Lang. It didn’t take long before we pulled up to W.119 th and walked a short ways to the event site. The current residents of the neighborhood seemed curious but resigned to accept the disruption of their normal routine. This day would put their neighborhood officially on the “map” of popular culture. Whether they liked it or not, they find themselves living at the epicenter of Beach Boys history…and now it will be officially recognized by the State.

At the Landmark site there was press everywhere, TV cameras, lots of security and L.A. police. There was a tented backstage area where Dave Marks and Brian Wilson greeted each other warmly. With arms around each other Brian told Dave “I always loved you,” and Dave told Brian he loved him too. It might sound corny but if you were there it was hard not to get a little misty. In the air of the very neighborhood that generated an endless wave of harmony and interesting vibes…Dave and Brian had Carl and Dennis on their minds that day.

Billy Hinsche came by and introduced us to his mom. Al Jardine had his mom with him too. Wandering around the VIP area was a who’s who of Beach Boydom. There were Wilson friends and family like Dianne Rovell and Marilyn Wilson Rutherford, insiders like David Leaf and Alan Boyd, classic Beach Boys sidemen like Bobby Figueroa, Ed Carter, and Mike Meros, there were some of Brian’s band members like Darian Sahanaja and Jeff Foskett, old neighborhood regulars like Ron Swallow, old friends like Fred Vail, and old Wilson collaborators like Stan Shapiro and Steve Kalinich. And there were young Wilson kids everywhere. Dennis Wilson was represented with a full contingent of his offspring. We said hello to Scotty, Carl B., Michael, Gage, Chris, and Jennifer…all of Dennis’ kids. Carl’s boys Justin and Jonah were there too. Later we saw Wendy Wilson toting her two little ones around. A highlight for me was meeting Dennis’ first wife, the still youthful Carole Wilson Bloom. It was like waking up in the middle of a silly Beach Boys dream…and you were there, and you were there, and… The place was literally packed with Wilsons…. you could not turn around without bumping into one.

Once people started taking their seats for the ceremony my wife and I were faced with the thought of “Where do we sit?” There were roped off sections for the Wilson’s, Jardine’s, and Marks’. Hmmmm. We asked Carrie Marks, “Are we sitting with you guys?” She said of course. So I took my seat, front row, right in front of the Landmark monument and stage. Two seats down was David. Four seats down was…Brian freakin’ Wilson! When Brian walked towards his seat there was a wake of electricity following him. His “entourage” and fans clustered around him like a swarm of happy bees. Cameras flashed, people thrust forward, Paula Springer screamed at a bunch of security guards for not doing more to protect Brian. Everyone was jumping up and down, “There’s Brian! Yowww!” He was the reason we were all here when you really think about it. This was his day more than any other. As usual Brian looked completely flustered by all the fuss, but resigned to it as well. There was just a bit of a grin, and he actually stopped and posed for a photo with an older woman from the neighborhood just before he sat down. Once he was in the safety of his chair the gaggle of bees dissipated and he relaxed with his family. The “Surfin U.S.A.” album fantasy popped into my thoughts again, mixed with the reality that Brian was sitting right next to us. I was not only in the same row as Brian but I could hear him talking to his kids he was so close. Surreal.

I looked behind me. There was veteran music man Don Podolor directly in back of me. Phil Cooper was over to the left standing with Jeff Foskett. A row or two back were David Leaf and various members of Brian’s contingent. Alan Boyd and Trisha Campo were a few more rows to the back. Waaaay down to the right side of the stage was Al Jardine. My wife mentions to me that we have better seats than Al. Don’t rub it in honey. I hear Brian laughing about something. I hear him telling one of his kids to “Sit down over here honey.” He seemed so gentle with his children. Snap out of it Stebbins you’re eavesdropping on Brian Wilson. It was a fascinating thing watching Brian be a parent for a second there. I’m a parent too and I liked the way Brian talked to his kids. When you sit next to him you really get a sense that he’s just a regular person. Maybe a slightly bruised, super gifted, incredibly sensitive, and fantastically wealthy regular person…but you know, when it comes down to it Brian’s really just a dude from Hawthorne. I flash to the seven year-old Jon again holding my “Surfin’ U.S.A.” LP in my lap. How did I get “here”?

Fred Vail kicked off the ceremony. He introduced some Hawthorne High School kids who sang off key. I thought Brian might go up there and yell at them to get on pitch…but he didn’t. He did look a little irked at all the bad notes being hit. That must be torture for an ear like his. Brian then seemed to be soothed by the instrumental pieces performed by some other HHS kids. They played really well, and it was easy to see Brian enjoyed their vibes. Billy Hinsche’s friends Tripsitter did a nice acapella song, and then Fred talked some more. Stevie Kalinich read a nice poem, short but very sweet. Then Fred talked some more. I watched Dave Marks burst into temporary tears at the mention of Dennis and Carl Wilson by Fred. You could literally feel DW and CW standing nearby silently watching. Their combined spirit hovered over the event all day.

The mayor of Hawthorne spoke, and mentioned that the Beach Boys represented “clean” music with no drug influences etc… I guess he never read the Heroes and Villains book or listened to Smiley Smile. Mr. Mayor then came by our seats and presented Dave Marks with the “Key to the city of Hawthorne!” He also presented one to Brian and one to Al. It was a big gold plaque with a large key attached to it. Dave and I joked around about what Dennis Wilson might do if he had one of these.

Now it was time for the unveiling of the Landmark monument. With Dave and Brian on one end and Al on the other, the sheet that was covering the monument was yanked off. In full view of everyone the Beach Boys Landmark looked mighty impressive. It’s very large…a twenty-foot long, ten-foot high, five-foot thick wall of bricks, surrounding a sculptured image of six, hey wait a minute, yeah six Beach Boys holding a surfboard. They added Al into the surfboard image, and made the guys faces look like anonymous Aryan god-men wearing surfer toupees. Actually it’s kind of beautiful. Each Beach Boys’ name is highlighted by six individual bronze 45 record motifs. Sorry Bruce you’re not on this thing…but it’s about the Hawthorne connection and you came later. You’ve got a Grammy anyway.

The monument is also adorned with an official California State Landmark plaque explaining who the Beach Boys were and why they are so damn important to California history. To be honored with one of these is a HUGE compliment. How many recording artists, or entertainers have one? I have no idea, but I bet it’s a number smaller than 20/20.

Brian, Dave, and Al wandered around the big pile o’ bricks and seriously looked like they dug it. Al and Brian even had a warm exchange and a handshake. I had heard prior to the ceremony that Brian’s “people” told Al’s “people” to keep Al away from Brian during the event. Too bad for those “people”…Brian seemed to forget about his instructions once he was standing next to Al. Anyone with eyes could see Brian, Al, and Dave were very warm with each other that day. Pointing, bending, reading the dedications, smiling, waving to the crowd…hey these guys should form a group! Al even whispered to Brian, “We need to stop suing each other.” Too bad Mike Love didn’t show up. His presence here would surely have been welcomed, and in one fell swoop he could have healed many gaping, festering, oozing old wounds. But in pure Mike Love style he blew it off. Brian later said it would have been nice if Mike had come; it was too cool of an event to miss. Brian’s genuine smile and his good-natured banter with Dave and Al showed his heart was full of love that day. Bottom line…Mike’s the kind of Love he can live without.

At this point Fred Vail talked some more. One would have thought that well was drying up, but not Fred, he’s a pro and can talk till the last man falls. Soon David Marks himself took to the stage with guitar in hand. Billy H. and Dennis’ grandson Matt Wilson joined him. They performed one of Dennis’ songs from Pacific Ocean Blue called “You and I”. It’s a classic soft jazz ballad and Dave did a great job with it. Billy’s support on keyboards and background vocal were professional as usual. Matt played rhythm guitar while Dave finger flicked and tip twisted off two amazing guitar solos. People kept saying all day, “I didn’t know Dave could play like that.” All I can say is read the book. The crowd seemed really appreciative of Dave’s effort and gave him a warm ovation.

Justin and Carl B. Wilson’s In Bloom trio were up next. The two Wilson boys each play their father’s primary instrument while their friend Mario Tucker plays the bass. In Bloom is very non-Beach Boys like in their sound and format. But watching Carl and Dennis’ sons perform with obvious synergy and joy is a powerful experience. They could have taken the easy and obvious route by emulating their father’s or the Beach Boys sound. I’ve heard each of them sing their father’s material and Carl B. and Justin’s individual voices are very close to Denny’s and Carl’s. But instead of revisiting the past In Bloom has chosen to take things in an entirely different direction and for that I have great respect for them. It’s your thing…do what you wanna do.

Somewhere along the line Harry Jarnagan spoke about what it took to make all of this happen. Although his speech was less than entertaining Harry deserved some stage time. It was his sweat that made the Landmark a reality. Damn it…let’s toast him again. Hey Phil where’s my vat of beer? Paula Bondi-Springer who grew up on the same street as the Wilsons and Marks families gave a quick speech to the crowd too. The L.A. sun was pounding down on the crowd. The day was growing long.

Then came Al. He said he didn’t have a band so he couldn’t sing a song. I would have backed him if he’d asked, but he didn’t. Then he said he wouldn’t plug his book, the Sloop John B. children’s tale, and he proceeded to plug it to death. I have no problem with a guy who plugs his product; just don’t try to hide it with denial. The book includes a CD of the song and Al sang along as it played. Beach Boys karaoke…a very hip concept.

Finally Brian Wilson and an acoustic version of his group topped off the afternoon. Brian just looked so dang happy that day. I’ve been around him many, many times and I can’t think of a public appearance where he seemed happier. With a very intimate quality they sang “Surfer Girl” and “In My Room”. It was casual and beautiful. Brian then thanked the audience for coming and told everyone to have a great day. For him that was saying a lot. It was easy to tell there was love in his heart and peace in his mind… and every word he said was meant for you, you, you, you, you, you, you…

The crowd mingled around the wonderful gleaming monument, chatting, embracing, taking photos, and examining the individual bricks, which were engraved with dedications, messages, names, and initials. My name is on there with other names like Wilson, Jardine, Marks, Kalinich, Parks, Groseclose, Leaf, Maratta, and initials like CW and DW. As the crowd thinned out those two stayed behind, hovering above. If you get the chance go visit the Landmark…they’ll always be there.

We retreated to the VIP tent area where we encountered Jeff Foskett standing with Brian and Melinda Wilson. Dave Marks and Brian embraced again and Dave thanked him for, well… everything. That’s how I remember him putting it. On to the VIP-reception-after-party-wing-ding…it’s time to eat a lot and drink a lot.

Outside the tent area we waited for our limo to retrieve us…it was a long wait. Dave perched on the back of Carl B. Wilson’s parked SUV and chatted with some Wilson kids and whoever else walked by. When our limo finally showed we shared it with Fred Vail and family, and Susan Lang. Dave and Fred had a lively chat on the way back recalling old days on tour long before either of them had ever sat in a limo. We were deposited back at the Hawthorne Community Center. Inside was an amazing scene. A huge hall with decorated tables a big stage on one end, food on this side, booze on that side, faux flower leis and sunglasses were passed out, and the joint was rockin’. The Beach Toys held the stage with their 1965 Beach Boys time-capsule routine. It must have been surreal for Brian to witness that.

On my way into the building a policeman said to me, “Hey you got the key to the city man!” Well actually it was Dave’s key, he just let me carry it for a while. At Dave’s table was Carl and Dave’s old guitar teacher John Maus. He turned into John Walker of the Walker brothers somewhere along the line, but to Dave he’s still Johnny Maus. Also at our table was record producer Danny Moore who’s written some hit songs like “Shambala” and “My Maria”. Dave used to play guitar on his sessions. Adrian Baker stopped by to say hello to Phil Cooper, and after I consumed several glasses of wine Adrian became my new best friend. We carried around the “Key to the city of Hawthorne” like it was some great shield of honor, code of arms, symbol of greatness…Adrian brought out the silly in me. He told me about how Dennis used to play piano for him and at first he just thought it was drunken nonsense until he realized it was genius, and it was just pouring out of old Dennis like magical light.

Sitting nearby was Taylor Mills and Scott Bennett from Brian’s band. Brian himself was sitting on the other side of us. Also in attendance was Eddy Medora of the Sunrays and his cute wife who was a ‘60’s TV personality on a show called “My Favorite Martian.” Eddie’s a great guy and is pretty much the life of any party he’s at. Domenic Priore came over with Mark London and hung out at our table for a while. Domenic pointed out that “Band Without A Name” an outfit for which Dave Marks was briefly a guitarist and vocalist in 1966 had performed at teen dances in this very room nearly 40 years ago. Leave it to Domenic to tell me something I didn’t know about a guy I’ve been writing about for a year.

The wine was flowing, the food was real good, and the music was loud. When Dave stepped out to the parking lot to catch some air, a voice rang out from an open door on the side of the building, “Hey Marks!” It was a giggling Brian. He just yelled at Dave and dashed back inside. Dave laughed. I guess that’s just Brian’s sense of humor. It was like doorbell ditch without a house or a doorbell.

Midway through the party Alan Boyd and Adam Marsland’s group took the stage featuring Evie Sands on guitar and vocals. They played all kinds of great music from later period Beach Boys LP’s. When they played “Forever” Carole Bloom and Jennifer Wilson were seen bursting into tears. It looked like a happy cry in a way. The band did a beautiful job with that and a long list of other ‘70’s Wilson brothers’ classics. “Got To Know The Woman” and “Baby Blue” were two of my favorites of the day. Great job Alan, Adam and company!

Probyn Gregory from Brian’s group sat in for a couple of tunes with Alan and Adam’s band. Then he came by our table to say hello. I’ve known Probyn for over 25 years and he’s still exactly the same guy. He’s a great musician and a mellow cat. Our bands played crappy clubs together in the early 80’s around L.A. Who would’ve have known we’d end up in this freaky Beach Boys dream. We talked a little about that.

As the party went on I talked some to Carl B. and Scotty Wilson who both said really nice things to me about my DW book and about being part of their family. I’m a lucky person I’m thinking. I also talked to Michael Wilson, Chris Wilson, Gage Wilson, and Jennifer Wilson along the way, and in the end it struck me that Dennis had some really great kids. It was a trip to see them all together while their dad’s great songs blasted away in the room. I believe in rock and roll.

After many fun filled hours at the fantastic Hawthorne reception party we ended up at the hotel lounge again. Our group munched on another round of Cubanos while watching highlights of the Landmark ceremony on the local TV newscasts. There’s Dave, Brian, and Al on TV! Coverage was everywhere. I’m glad L.A. noticed. And there’s Dave eating salad in front of me, and Al walks by and waves again. I’m thinking of the “Surfin’ U.S.A.” LP in my house in the sixties again…how’d I get “here”?

We retreated to Hollywood and hit the hay about 1 p.m. We needed to rise and shine for a Malibu beach party in the a.m. I’m getting a little worn out. I’m not used to this consecutive day partying schedule. I kissed my sleeping kids. Their grandmother had been caring for them while we cavorted in our Beach Boys nirvana. I was starting to miss them.

Saturday May 21 st – Beach Party and Dave Marks In Concert

Morning came fast and we peeled our weary bodies out of bed, threw on some shorts and headed to Malibu. It was a long but gorgeous drive up the Pacific Coast. We got to the Paradise Cove beach party just in time to pose for a “group photo” which was taken by Brian Battles. He was a very assertive director of poses. We said hello to Paula, Marilyn, Dave and Carrie, Greg Larson, Larry Zinter, Margaret Dowdle-Head, and Susan Lang. Then we got back in our car and headed directly back to Hollywood. We needed a nap.

As afternoon turned to evening we headed out for the David Marks All-Star Beach Band concert in Anaheim near Disneyland. It was held in a nice modern venue that looked very comfortable and seemed like it would be acoustically perfect for the show. We ran into Junior Figueroa outside, and inside we saw Karla Wilkie and her hubby as well as Betty Collignon who I was really happy to see. There were many others wandering around like Stevie K., Marilyn, Daniel, Carole Bloom, Matt Wilson, Peter Reum, Alan Boyd, Phil and Charlotte Cooper…I can’t name them all but the place was packed with Beach Boys extended family types. Outside we saw Buzz Clifford who is Dave’s lifelong friend and collaborator. Buzz was chatting with Bill Trenkle the original bassist from Dave and The Marksmen. I struck up a conversation with John Maus about Dave and Carl’s guitar lessons in 1959. John’s a cool guy. He told me he prefers to be called John Walker now. He is a Walker brother after all.

We enjoyed a quick bite of pasta with Phil and Charlotte at a café’ next door and then went inside the concert hall again. Back stage Bobby Figueroa and Billy Hinsche were getting ready for the show. Ed Carter was practicing unplugged bass runs as Matt Jardine was bouncing around being affable. Dave was on the phone trying to track down Phil Bardowell who hadn’t shown up yet. John Maus was tuning up his white Stratocaster. There were several opening acts, including Tripsitter whom everybody seemed to enjoy. Finally Phil B. came in the door with moments to spare. It was time for Dave and the boys to hit the stage.

Fred Vail climbed on stage and announced the band. That guy is everywhere. At the bar greeting fans, at the ceremony talking all day, in my limo telling stories, and now in Anaheim announcing Dave’s group. I bet Fred was at least as worn out as we were. But you’d never know it because he still had a lot to say when he got up there to announce the band. “And now from Inglewood California….” He did the whole Beach Boys Concert intro routine. Atta boy Fred!

Dave’s band kicked into a series of surf, hot-rod, and oldies rock hits. They sounded great despite the venue’s never ending technical difficulties. The monitors were screwing up, some of the microphones were bad, and the sound crew looked overmatched, but still the band kicked the problems aside and burned rubber through the night. Dave played lead guitar and sang. Billy Hinsche was on keyboards and vocals. Matt Jardine handled vocals and percussion. Bobby Figueroa was on drums and vocals. Ed Carter played bass and sang a little. Phil Bardowell played guitar and sang a lot. Mike Meros fingered the Hammond B3 and other assorted keyboards. This is a great band and they convey a genuine sense of fun as they play. The joint was really hopping throughout their long set.

Dave invited some cool guest performers to join the proceedings. One was Eddie Bertrand from Eddie and the Showmen who did his surf-rock meets LSD meltdown act. We didn’t know whether to applaud or call the paramedics. He’s a very trippy guy and he wandered around the stage with his guitar feeding back and echoing up a storm, and looked to be in some kind of hallucinogenic trance as he played. The audience went bananas for him, giving him the longest standing ovation of the night. Not to be outdone was John Maus who grabbed his Fender strat and with the help of his wife on keyboards slayed the audience with two great Ray Charles tunes. Other guests included Buzz Clifford and Eddie Medora of the Sunrays. Sweet young Charlotte Cooper graced the stage at one point singing “Don’t Worry Baby” in her pure style. At one point a load of cheerleaders poured onto stage and kicked and grinned and shook their pom poms as the band tore through “Be True To Your School.” I thought that was as cheesy as a sandwich but the crowd loved it.

All in all despite serious technical problems Dave Marks and his band were excellent, never taking the whole thing too seriously, but still blasting out some fine rock and roll. After the concert we all adjourned to a VIP party at a local restaurant. There they had more food and kegs of beer. A good sampling of all of the names I’ve mentioned in this article were there for one final Landmark weekend hurrah. I greatly enjoyed hanging out with Dave Marks for three days and in the end I mentioned to him I was carrying my subliminal copy of “Surfin’ U.S.A.” He couldn’t actually see it but he understood what I meant. Now Eddie Bertrand on the other hand might have been able to actually see it in the right light. The VIP after party dragged well into the night and was one more joyous gathering in a string of them.

At about 1a.m. Phil Cooper suggested we go out for more food. But first we needed to deposit Eddie Carter and his huge bass amp back at the hotel. We piled into Dave’s van with Stevie Kalinich, Carrie, Phil, Ed and myself looking for space to sit. Draggin Dave was at the wheel. My wife followed behind with Charlotte in our car. Since Ed’s equipment was in the back Phil had to sit on Ed’s lap on the way to the hotel. He kept saying how he’d be able to auction his “bum” on Ebay one day due to the Carter connection. At the hotel we sat in the lobby before striking out to find food. Before we left Eddie Medora wandered in carrying a six-pack of Bud Light and a large bag of Cheetos. That guy knows how to party.

Once we drove away from the hotel it was pushing 2 a.m. it’s hard to find food in Anaheim that late. Stevie K. and I both insisted we would not stop searching until we were eating, there’s no giving up, and we continued cruising the boulevards looking for an “open” sign. Somehow while combing the streets of Anaheim it came to our attention that the latest edition of the L.A. Times newspaper featured a great article about the Landmark ceremony and it featured a photo that nearly all of us were in. Phil decided to buy up every copy we could get our hands on. We ended up in a parking lot with two huge blazing electric signs towering over us. There we sat reading our pile of papers. Then Dave Marks pointed out something interesting. The sign on our right read “Denny’s”. The sign on our left read “Carl’s”.

We ended up eating at Denny’s. Pancakes, bacon, sandwiches, waffles, we ate it all. It was a surreal ending to a surreal weekend and I kept wondering how I’d traveled from holding that LP when I was a kid to “here”. It doesn’t really matter I guess. But it sure was fun. Jon Stebbins © 2005