If
you are looking for the main page to this web site CLICK HERE.
This
is
the "links
and letters" page.
________________________
>>>CLICK
HERE IF YOU WANT SOUND<<<
________________________
Here's the 'Short
List'...
'First Night' member and artist Steven Bogarat: http://www.stevenbogarat.com
12West
/ Saint DJ: Robbie Leslie: http://www.robbieleslie.com
Bernie's
Disco History "supersite" : http://www.discomusic.com
________
Want
to send a letter or an image to have posted here? Send it to
12_West@12westmemories.org
________
________________________
AND NOW THE
MAIL!
PLEASE ALLOW ONE TO THREE
WEEKS FOR YOUR POSTINGS TO SHOW. Also: Some of the letters are still
missing, I'm going through a lot of old CD-ROMs and trying to find
them so they WILL eventually show up!)
________________________
From xstxxnx@xstxvexnxgax.com
To twelvewest@netzero.com
Subject Active Message or letters?
Thu, Jan 14, 2010
-----
Hi....I have a few pictures of members and 12West
club goers from the opening night until the late
70's...My late partner and most of my friends
were members and I woud like to send a few pics
for you to post....I lived at #2 Horatio St and we
walked over Saturday and Sunday nights....I also have
most of the music palyed and still play it
everyday....I just used the club version of Love
Factory as a theme for my last art exhibit.
If you have any interest I will forward some
pics....After my longtime partner died in
1983 I left NYC and moved south to Jacksonvlle
Florida...I visit NYC 2 times every year and always
walk the same path from Horatio St to the 12West location.
Thamks for reading this.
Steven
-----
Thanks for sharing! More of your notes / photos / art
work will be going up on these pages soon!
I attempted to enhance color and sharpness realizing
that these might be 35 year - old Poleroid snapshots
or some such? But as hard as 12 West-related photos
are to get... I'll print all you can send and gladly
showcase some of your art too if you would like!
STEVE'S WEBSITE: www.stevenbogarat.com
more to come from this 'member from day one'!
-----BB
-----
From: "Daryl D_" <d____@_t___.___>
To:<twelvewest@netzero.com>
SAT,
27-JUN-2009
SUBJ: 12 WEST - LEO MOORE
12 West,
I
woke up today and started thinking about Leo. So I did a web search
and
found your reference to Leo. I was delighted.
From 1978 to
1982 I worked on West St. and after work I would go to Badlands
where I first encountered Leo. He and Sal (a bartender at
Badlands) were
friends and eventually I was introduced to Leo
through their friendship.
Soon I ended up spending more time at
Sneakers than at Badlands. The jukebox
had better tunes on it,
probably due to Leo's insistence. He was one of the
nicest people
I've ever met.
I rummaged through some papers I have stuffed away
and came across a flyer
that Leo gave me for "Leo's BIG
60th" Birthday bash, Saturday Jan. 28th
1984. It has a
collage of Leo photo's on it. I don't know if it would scan
too well since it has darkened but if you would be interested I
could send
it to you.
Regards,
Daryl
(MANY
THANKS DARYL! Daryl & I exchanged a few letters and He sent me
the
flyer below. I hope to do some restoratrion work on it someday
to enhance
it. - Bob B. -)
________________________
From:
Texxxfxxx@axx.cxx
To:
public_message@att.net
Subject:
12 West public box message.
Date: Tue,
7 Dec 2004 00:54:34
My Lord! What
a site. Talk about memories. My name is Ted P. and I was a member of
12 West from 1975-1980. I was a fan dancer on the southwest wall
second platform. The best music on the planet was played at The West
and being a Wester was the most incredible experience of a lifetime.
When people talk about the Saint I take them a step back further to
an even BETTER time. The years of 12 West and Flamingo were truly the
vintage years of underground disco. No other club could hold a candle
to this one. I have pictures and match books from the club as well as
the 5th anniversary letter invite from Tony and Alan. My best fiends
on the planet came out of that club and so many are gone. This is a
great site! Thanks for the memories!
Teddy P.
Member E-343
________________________
From:
Napxxxxx@aol.com
To: public_message@att.net
Subject: 12
West public box message.
Date: Thu,
21 Oct 2004
Hello to all:
I was at 12 west from Jan. 77 till closing. Not only do I have
a brick from the building, I have most all of invitations, cards,
matches,etc. Their invites included leather patches, little
mirrors, bandanas, many more. I moved to naples Florida last year,
and put the box with all those things in the car with me. Couldn't
take a chance on losing it. If any one is interested to talk with me,
contact me at Naplesjoe47@aol.com
For many of us, 12 West was where we had incedible experiences, and
started our "families" It was, and always will be,
home............Joe C.
________________________
From Sharon
White <axxxxx@yaxxx.xxx>
To:
rxxxxx@xxx.xxx
Subject:
Re: The 12 West days...
Date:
Tue, 12
Oct 2004
Dearest
Robert...Let me begin by saying that your letter is in no way
inappropriate. I feel so blessed to have been able to come out
of retirement this summer. I had 2 really exciting dates at The
Fire Island Pines Pavilion and 1 at The Boatel. There
were many new faces and many dear and loving friends. But I
must say that when I turned around at one point in the booth and saw
Tony Martino, my heart just skipped a beat. I'll have a
residency @ The Pavilion once again next year. After a 10 year
absence, who could ask for anything more? Oddly enough, I
visited the site just last night. Feel free to put this letter
on the site , if you wish. I'm always interested in
communicating with our community. I'll be playing some dates in
NYC in the coming year. As things solidify, I'll let you know.
SEE YOU ON
THE DANCE FLOOR!!!
Love...
Sharon White
DJSxxxx@xxxx.xxx
aurxxx2@xxx.xxx
rxxxxx@xxx.xxx
wrote:
Dear
Sharon! I was going through some emails from Dennis and saw that your
name was in the message. You must surely be THE Sharon White that I
know from the 12 West days? I became a member during Jimmy Stuard's
time at these dances. When we lost him and Alan and Tony brought in
new talent it was you that stood out for me on Saturdays. You
frequently recaptured the magic that I'd come to expect there from
Jimmy. I have been so grateful for all these wonderful memories of
the 1976 - 1978 era at 12 West that back in January of 2000 I started
a "hobbyist" style web site that I call "12 West
Memories". The site can be seen at this link address;
http://home.att.net/~playguitar1/12west.html Now approaching five
years on the 'net, the pages have been developed as best I can as a
tribute and historical review of these dances. There is no business
intrest involved, it remains just a place to remember what we
had. There are many letters from visitors, memorabilia, etc. Please
do visit, and please let me hear from you. I do hope you are well and
that my letter is not somehow innapropriate. And I do want to thank
you once more for those Saturday nights / Sunday mornings. Very
truly yours, (Bob Baker)
___________________
From:
Dennis <dsxxxxx@xxxxo.com>
To:
public_message@att.net
Subject:
12 West
Date: Wed,
15 Sep 2004 21:19:55
Thank
you a million, dear webmaster, for the website! I looked
for one devoted to 12West some time ago, but haven't again- perhaps
not wanting to be disappointed.
I'm ecstatic
to find my fellow Westies at last! For years, I've been boring
friends, who weren't there, with 12W stories. Now your
testimony will confirm that it wasn't all just a drug fantasy.
Thanks also
for the wonderful letters on the site, so aptly describing the place
and the experience. I have stories I'd love to tell, but can't
begin at this moment. However, I do want to say that, in view
of all of our losses over the years, I have found it very comforting
to seek out those who share my history. Nothing could be better
than this.
Wouldn't a
reunion be great? There;s a party coming up iin late October
that could be a little start. If interested, let me know.
Also, I
believe Alan Dodd has Jim Stuard tapes. I will try to contact
him.
Love to all
of you.
Dennis S
dxxxxxx@yxxxx.com
PS
I have a number of 12W membership cards.
___________________
From: Bearcub
<bxxx@xxox.com>
To:
public_message@att.net
Subject: Fwd:
bearcub playing
Date: Sat,
28 Aug 2004 23:58:37
To all 12
west lover's: Peace and Love,Rickey Joseph Ybarra"Bearcub"
___________________
From:
Raymond
A.<vxxxx@xxxxn.net>
To:<public_message@att.net>
Subject: 12
West
Date: Sun, 8
Aug 2004 17:54:13 +0000
It's ironic
that I'm even writing this, since I'm not even sure how I found your
web site, and, living in Philadelphia, I never even went to 12 West
(although I certainly heard about it all the time and wanted to go).
But then, irony has been my life - I got yelled at in the 70's by my
father for having hair that was too short, not long - and ironic too
is disco, especially that the era is seemingly represented by the
movie "Saturday Night Fever," when for a large
segment of the population that was in love with disco at the time,
that movie didn't represent it at all. In fact, the SNF version
of disco is anemic and watered down compared to what I remember. And
I remember it well: I knew at the time it was something incredibly
special and in my own mind I chronicled it for later in my life, that
fantasy world of music and fun and style, and most of all,
elation, together with the strong feeling
that I was glad - in fact, thrilled - to be gay ( no small feat
for someone in their early 20's who was so used to being so alone, so
isolated, so "different" (sound familiar?)). My
12 West was Philly's DCA Club, so I guess my comments here are more
general than is usual, more about the era than the places. My
favorite memory is summer/early fall 1976: the song "Sun
Sun Sun" by Ja Kki (who remembers!!) - there are lots of songs I
loved, many I can't remember the names, or even ever knew the names
of - but for me that song is sacred, a gorgeous song that
captured perfectly a moment in time, not just of my life, but of that
point in the evolution of disco. Disco only got better, of
course, but I'll never forget the joy of dancing to and watching
other people dance to "Sun Sun Sun," music that was
new and magical and energizing in that year of 1976 (For a point of
reference, contrast it with the view of 1976 shown in the early '90's
movie "Dazed and Confused"). Two years later I was
dancing to Donna Summer's "McArthur Park" (or is it
"MacArthur"), one night at the DCA Club where I remember
getting another strong feeling that somehow, our lives had gone
off on another wonderful tangent that had little in common with the
straight world outside, and with a little extra effort on our
part, we could make it last forever. By the way, it has come to
my attention that a lot of younger guys actually think that we wore
that horrible polyester junk worn in SNF! Who could forget our
great style, our jeans, army fatigues, Frye boots (remember tucking
the jeans in?), T-shirts, tank tops, LaCoste polo shirts (skin tight
and sexy in 1977), short hair, sneakers, etc. Straight guys to
this day often confuse casual with sloppy, but we knew how to do it,
how to dress for comfort more than for style, and wound up looking
great. For my final comments: I know a lot of guys
that went to 12 West, along with the places I went to, died of AIDS,
a horrible thing that could never not be horrible, but only now,
after so many years have I allowed myself the privilege of indulging
in remembering all that was so seductive about mid-to-late seventies
disco, the friends, fun, and exhilaration of those times. Sincerely,
Ray A.
___________________
I'd like to
thank the fellow 12-Wester who wrote via
the "private
box" to ask about LEO MOORE
on Wed, 2 Jun
2004 13:22:46
Best of luck
to you out there overseas!
___________________
A Letter to
the "private box" dated Fri, 28 May 2004
announces
that an interview with Barry Lederer
has been
published on the web at www.hotdiscomix.de
the exact
interview address is at
www.hotdiscomix.de/stars_clubs/djs/lederer_en_interview
___________________
From:
"J--- W---" <j---@e---.net>
To:
public_message@att.net
Subject:
JIMMY
Date: Tue,
25 May 2004 03:02:05
Thank you for
posting the site. I, too, have very good memories of smiling
regularly
during Jimmy's sets. Memory spans any amount of time when
associated
with such a powerful feeling of happines.
Please
include Grace's tribute album, "What I did for love , , , kiss
today goodbye
and point me toward tomorrow," on Jimmy's page. W/
love and
remembrance,
Jack.
___________________
From Los
Angeles we hear once again from
Ricky Ybarra
dated Fri, 28
May 2004
He's well,
still speaks of music,
and says
"keep on Lovin'and dancin-
Peace and
Love,Rickey Joseph Ybarra
"Bearcub"
___________________
A person once
quite personally involved
with River
Club partner Steve Cohn has
written me
via the "private" mailbox.
I received it
on Sun 09 May 2004.
This person
is looking to gather
remembrances
of Steve. If you have
a picture or
a story to tell about your
times with
Steve, I can forward your
response to
the person who is
asking. That
person may want
to contact
you.
___________________
The following
post taken from a "private
box"
letter dated Sun, 2 May 2004. As
requested it
was made anonymous.
The post
*********
I met
Jonathan at the Star Wars party on Fire Island Pines, summer of 1977.
Jonathan
Fearing is not his family name - he changed it. He studied
Piano
at Juliard
idolized Glen Gould, and later studied for a PHD in Organic
Chemistry
from Columbia (before we met, before 12 west). He was partially
blind in one
eye from an explosion at a pharmaceutical company where he
worked, quit
that business and fell in love with DJing in about 1974.
We lived
together from 1977 until about 1980 on west 21st st in
Manhattan.
He was 10 years older than I (I was born in 1955) I forgot his
exact
birthday.
I built his
studio and ran lights with him at a number of clubs. The
CockRing,
Zenon, The Fun House, Pepermint Lounge etc.
He mixed the
Saturday night sets for WBLS commercial free mix for a number
of years
until he died.
He died of
aids and was one of the first cases. No one knew what it was
initially.
He was one of the first patients of Dr Montana in NYC. In
his
words he was
"a pincushion for tests" and suffered greatly.
Odd to think
of all this now.
___________________
From:
Raxxrxxxx@xxx.cxx
To:
public_message@att.net
Subject:
Fwd: 12 West memories
Date:
Fri, 19
Dec 2003 22:37:54 EST
Meant to send
the following comments to the public page.
Attached
Message
I just
stumbled onto your site, and the memories came flooding back. 12
West was where I came of age. I too have spoken of this club to
many and unless you were fortunate to have experienced it, there is
no way to convey the incredible experience it was to dance and party
there. The sound and light shows were the best I have ever
seen. And I've been to plenty of clubs. And I can vouch
for seeing Elton John there dancing the night away. Even after
dancing all night long, I was always surprised to see the sun up when
I left. 12 West will always remind me of my youth and the
wonderful friends I had in NYC at the time. And of our
communities growing sense of purpose. Those truly were magical
times where our future seemed limitless. Thanks for the
memories. Fondly, Tony
____________________
14 Dec 2003;
from: Bob Baker
Happy
holidays! I
want to thank all of the wonderful people
I
met at the Dec 13th. Center Dance
where
Robbie treated us all to another fantastic
affirmation
of our dance culture and history. It is pure
pleasure
to see him up so close in that intimate
space... constantly
involved with the
beat,
mouthing the lyrics, listening to the dancers
vocalize
their excitement and hear him saying
"I
LIVE for that!" while pushing the Center's state of
the
art digital sampling DJ workstation to it's limits...
To
watch the volunteer staff get as excited as the
dancers
and make me feel like we were honored
guests partying
at their house... to enjoy thie lights
and
the work of their operators...
to
hear again from at least a dozen former
12
West members... one even had an original 12
West
card in his wallet... he pulled it out and told
me
that he never goes anywhere without it... To get
to
meet Bob Viteritti of Trocodero Transfer fame who
was a
mentor of Robbie's and who is considering
a
return to the booth... I agree with Robbie...
"I
LIVE FOR THAT!"
Happy
holidays and be well,
Bob
Baker
____________________
>>>>>11
12 03<<<<<
Barry Lederer
has asked me to post his new e-mail address, It's barry254@msn.com
Bob Baker
____________________
From:
joxx@hxxx-gxxx.org
To:
playguxxxxx@axx.net
Subject: Your
link http://home.att.net/~playguitar1/12west.html were Added.
Date: Fri,
4 Jul 2003 20:35 -04
Hey, your
link -
http://home.att.net/~playguitar1/12west.html
were added to
our website at -
http://www.music-styles-list.com/Top_Arts_Music_Styles_Dance_Disco_Clubs.html
We would be
happy if you'd be able to link us
back to -
http://www.music-styles-list.com/
Please let us
know if you placed a link back to
us ;) Thanks.
____________________
From:
"Danny Peele" <dx.xxxl@xxxxxxetxxxt.net>
To:
<plaxxxxxx3@xxx.net>
Subject:
Billboard's International Disco Forum
Date: Tue,
24 Jun 2003 00:07:16 -0400
I was very
fortunate in being able to attend both "Disco I" and "Disco
II"
in January
and September of 1976. During one of those sessions, a group of
us ventured
out to 12 West from about midnight until the morning's glow was
visible in
the skylights. The other letters say it all: the great
atmosphere,
the music, the dj's--I know I heard Jimmy and Bobby that night,
and probably
Tom, too--and the great sound system. (I still remember the
occasional
resonance which became a part of the switchover from one table to
another.) As
a sound system designer from a very small town in NC getting
ready to open
the first gay disco in Raleigh, I was overjoyed. I'm also
overjoyed to
discover your site. Thanks for the memories.
Danny Peele
_____________________
Hi ya all!
I'm curious too see who the faithfull are! Time and the
record
business has played and is playing it's " test of time"
with us.
We the people
of party love are set in our ways! I still love the magic
of motown,
t.s.o.p., Barry white , love unlimited, orchestra,the ritchie
family, first
choice, and the list and the hits just keep on coming! I'm
in post
production of picking up where phil spector,12 west and the best
of the disco
parties that I got to have back in the 70's! alot of it
seems like a
beautiful dream that can happen again! So please if any of
you are still
in the real long line waiting to get in that big 12 west
in the sky
send me a note and let me know what you're up too, cause I'd
love too hear
from you! Oh by the way this is a new e-mail address.
Take
care,Peace and Love,
Rickey Joseph
Ybarra,
Still a
sweetheart 12 West Member!
>>>>>permissions
granted>>>>>bearcub14@webtv.net<<<<<permissions
granted<<<<<
( Rickey
took a three month tour of duty behind the turntables at 12 West in
the summer of 1978.-BB)
____________________
HI
THIS IS BARRY
LEDERER , 1/2 OF THE GRAEBAR SOUND TEAM THAT SUPPLIED SOME OF
THE BEST
CLUBS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH GREAT SOUND SYSTEMS.
IT WAS ONLY
RECENTLY THAT I STUMBLED ACROSS THE 12 WEST MEMOIRES PAGE, SO I
WROTE BOB A
NOTE AND THOUGHT I WOULD ADD SOME INFO FOR MY FRIENDS FROM 12
WEST LAND.
I ACTUALLY
CREDIT MYSELF WITH BRINGING JIMMY STUARD TO NYC. AT THAT TIME IN
THE
SEVENTIES, I WAS ALSO A DJ AS WELL AS WRITER FOR THE DISCO COLUMN IN
BILLBOARD
MAGAZINE. IT WAS HANDED DOWN TO ME FROM A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE
NAMED TOM
MOULTON. I AM SURE YOU ALL KNOW HIM FROM THE FABULOUS MIXES AND
EXTENDED
LONGPLAYS HE PUT TOGETHER.
ANYWAY
GETTING BACK TO 12 WEST AND JIMMY: WHEN I WAS IN BOSTON, I MADE THE
ROUNDS OF ALL
THE CLUBS AND MET DANAE JACOVES (I BELIEVE THAT IS THE SPELLING)
AND ALSO
STOPPED INTO THE OFFICE OF JOHN LOUGUMO (AGAIN MAYBE SPELLED WRONG).
ONE OF THE
CLUBS I WAS TAKEN TO WAS WHERE JIMMY WAS PLAYING. WE STRUCK UP
A
CONVERSATION
AND BECAME GOOD FRIENDS. SINCE I HAD A SPECIAL FRIEND IN
BOSTONLAND, I
RETURNED OFTEN. I TOLD JIMMY THAT HE WAS INCREDIBLE AS A DJ AND
SHOULD
DEFINITELY TRY NY.
BY THAT TIME
12 WEST WAS ALREADY DOING GREAT. TONY AND ALLAN, THE OWNERS,
WERE GREAT
FRIENDS OF MINE AND OF PETER SPAR, WHO DESIGNED THE SOUND SYSTEM
AND WAS MY
PARTNER.
MANY OF YOU
DON'T REALIZE THAT THE 12 WEST SYSTEM ACTUALLY GOT ITS' START AT
FIRE ISLAND
IN THE PINES.
PRIOR TO 12
WEST OPENING, I HAD A HOUSE AT THE PINES AND WAS A DJ AT THE
BOTEL AND THE
SANDPIPER. I ALSO DID A LOT OF THE PARTIES OUT THERE.
BOTH PETER
AND I SCHLEPPED OUR BIG COFFINLIKE SPEAKERS OUT TO THE ISLAND AND
GAVE THEM A
TEST DRIVE. THE SAME GOES FOR THE LIGHTNING SYSTEM WHICH WAS
DESIGNED BY
GRAHAM SMITH. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE SPEAKERS PRODUCED A RICH AND
LUXURIOUS
SOUND DUE TO PETER'S GENIUS AND DESIRE FOR THE BEST.
WHEN TALKS
STARTED ABOUT 12 WEST AS A CLUB, WE WERE APPROACHED (PETER AND I)
DUE TO OUR
REPUTATION FROM THE ISLAND.
WELL 12 WEST
PROVED TO BE THE BEST PLACE FOR OUR SYSTEM. ITS LAYOUT
CONTRIBUTED
TO THE FULLNESS OF THE SOUND. WITH THE SPECIAL TWEETER ARRAYS AND
BASS SYSTEM,
EVERYONE WENT CRAZY.
TOM SAVARESE,
ONE OF THE FIRST DJ's THERE, WAS GREAT AND WAS FOLLOWED BY
MANY OTHERS.
WHEN JIMMY
PLAYED HE SHINED IMMENSELY. HIS BLENDS COULD NOT BE OUTDONE AND HE
DID IT SO
EFFORTLESSLY. WHILE IN NY HE STAYED WITH ME FOR 6 MONTHS UNTIL HE
GOT SETTLED
WITH HIS OWN PLACE. HE MADE 12 WEST THE LEGEND IT WAS WITH HIS
WONDERFUL
MUSIC AND HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
THERE IS MUCH
MORE TO TELL AND I WILL DO SO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
12 WEST WAS
GOOD FOR PETER AND I FOR IT BROUGHT US,TROCADERO, DREAMLAND,
PROBE AND
OTHER CLUBS
WE WERE
PROUD.
I READ MANY
OF THE NOTES ON THIS BOARD AND WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR ALL THE
COMPLIMENTS
ABOUT THE SOUND
I WAS GLAD TO
BE APART OF THAT ERA AND WILL FILL YOU IN MORE ON THE DJ's OF
THAT ERA,
BILLBOARD, AND THE RECORD POOLS.
THESE WERE
GREAT MOMENTS IN TIME AND I AM THANKFUL FOR BOB FOR PUTTING
THIS
TOGETHER.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME BACK.
PEACE AND
LOVE
BARRY
LEDERER
____________________
From:
<xxxty@xxxxth.net>
To:
<playxxxx@xxt.net>
Subject: 12
West Memories
Date: Thu,
10 Apr 2003 22:33:03 -0400
I have talked
about this dance club more than any other I have ever been to, and
I was very
excited to find this web site. I am a southern guy who
discovered 12
West somewhat
by accident in the summer of 1976 and returned for other visits in
the next two
years that followed. I will never forget my first night there.
The dance
floor was filled with balloons when the club opened around midnight.
A friend and
I danced until dawn to the most soul-fullfilling music that I have
ever
experienced. There has never been another dance club that had a
sound
system like
12 West, and I have been in many. Even though I am not much of
a
dancer
anymore, the music from 12 West never leaves me. It quite
simply was an
experience
that unless you had been there, you wouldn't understand. In the
words of the
70's group Tavares, "Don't take away the music...."
Randy S.
____________________
From: "Jill
Ludwig" <JLUXXXXX@XXX.XX.com>
To:
<playguXXXXX@XXX.net>
Subject:
dont f(@$%) with me
Date: Sun,
4 Aug 2002 22:15:14 -0700
from robbie's
fan club these were the best days
jill henry
jeff jon joelle and the mascot david
____________________
From:
Bentley James <kjcxxx@surxxxx.xxx
To:
plaxxxxx@xxx.xxx
Subject:
12West Memories:
Date: Wed,
3 Jul 2002 05:06:17 -0400
12West was a
magical place for me. When it opened I was in my last year or
two of high school in New Jersey and was at the time stealing into
the city, unbeknownst to my father, IN my father's car, with a couple
other gay friends to get lost in the Village at the Limelight, The
Ninth Circle, the International Stud, and then on to early morning
Village snacks or White Castle on the drive home (my Dad eventually
figured out that I was taking his car in).
I went by
chance through invitation to one of 12West's very first parties and
then was told in order to get a membership I could mail a request to
them and they might send me a membership card. If I remember
correctly, the membership was free as it was in the very beginning
when they must have been trying to build an initial membership base.
I wanted so to become a member. I had taken a 12 West business
card home and realized that it was perfect to cut up and glue onto
the front of the membership request mailing as a part of the address.
I was sure this would help my letter get noticed so that I would
become one of the elite with a membership card. So young, elite
I felt when the membership card arrived in the mail.
Favorite
memories are the abounding twinkling lights, the so fun simplicity of
the carpeted steps around two of the walls, the super posh snack
tables, endless with m&ms, bananas, juice drinks, cookies, and
dancing dancing dancing (yaouza, yaouza, yaouza) and the freedom to
find a corner and toke on a joint. Another wonderful memory was
the approximately 65 year old balding man that was always there just
twirling, twirling and floating around in such an odd and proud
manner on that large dance floor, never seeming to be with anyone,
and to this youngster such a funny happy thing. Shortly after 12West
opened it was rummored amongst my friends that Mick Jagar and Elton
John had been 12West visitors.
My age was
prime to place me among those taken by the epidemic. Indeed, the
friend that brought me to the original 12West party where I was
invited to join died long ago. I am blessed to have these
memories and am so happy to see the webpage on 12West. Thank you.
Bentley James
.........bentley
down the stream,,,,,merrily, merrily,
merrily,
merrily.....
____________________
From:
Bentley James <kjcxxx@surxxxx.xxx
To:
plaxxxxxx@xxx.xxx
Subject:
70's NYC gay scene memory
Date: Wed,
3 Jul 2002 06:43:05 -0400
Hi
Playguitar:
I just sent
you an email with some of my 12 West memories. I have another memory.
The first time or two that I went to the West Village scene in
the early mid 70's, I not only went to the Limelight, but I went to a
small disco right off the street, half sub street level down a small
stair case. It was a small square place always packed with
dancers and a little bar on one side. The entire place was
covered in mirrors. It was, I believe on a cross street that
cut across 7th Ave. at an angle, maybe a block north of the
Limelight? I want to say the word "Crystal" was in
the name of the bar.
Do you know
what I am remembering/talking about??
Thanks,
Bentley
Bentley James
.........bentley
down the stream,,,,,merrily, merrily,
merrily,
merrily.....
____________________
>>>>REPLY
TO BENTLEY J FROM PAGE AUTHOR: THANKS for checking in and sharing the
good times again! I can remember being in a bar like you describe,
but that was about 12 to 18 months before I started to come in to the
village regularly myself and I also can't recall the name! You were
there at the very beginning of 12 West: Must be great memories!
I also
remember the man you met: His name was Gino. When I pursued the
membership myself, I had only one person recommending me and they
wanted two at that time. I picked Gino to talk to one night and we
hit it off as club friends for a while.
As for the
celebrities: yes there were many! I can recall dancing in there
and seeing Andy Warhol with his friends-partying on the same floor
with me.
Truly, we
have come close to losing all recollection of this seemingly magic
experience because we did lose so many in the crisis. but now, with
almost 20 check-ins here, and the assumption that only a very small
percentage of web-surfers ever actually take the time to participate
in posting messages, etc, I begin to hope that there are maybe a few
hundred or more people still around who have been to 12 West, and
KNOW.
'Best from
Bob B.
____________________
From:
"CyberGuy" <angexxxxx@xxx.com>
To:
<playxxxxx@xxx.net>
Subject:
"The Gym"
Date: Fri,
14 Jun 2002 01:14:39 -0400
On finally
setting out to live life on my own at the tender age of 22, I will
always remember the first time a friend convinced me to go down to
some dance club over by the river. Just entering the wider world, I
had no experience with any kind of place like it before. Immediately
on entering, I knew that my life had been transformed forever.
Here I was in
this big white box, with hundreds of gorgeous people dancing together
in an ecstatic release of their spirit in body and mind unified. I
had never conceived that such a place existed and realized in that
moment that I had found something that was to be an important part of
my destiny.
From that
first night on, I had the night of my life every Saturday night
afterwards. Dancing became what I called the punctuation point of my
week, which focused me between on building a home and career.
In my mind, I
have always thought of 12 West as being "The Gym". Over the
next several years, I had the most wonderful moments of my life. I
discovered a completion of my nature as body and soul harmonized with
the pulsating beat of the musical and flashing lights. Alone on the
bleachers or on the floor with others, I exalted in the merging of my
body with the rhythm of the music.
Eager to show
off my special place, I once took a close woman friend there with me
expecting she would feel its same power that I did. I realized
however, that we were having different experiences. With that, I then
understood that 12 West was a special place created by God and
intended just for me, as it was also for each and every other person
there.
Eventually I
moved on to other new dancing experiences. Flamingo, The Saint and
the Fire Island clubs took over from what had started with 12 West,
but none ever replaced the special purity of dancing at "The
Gym". I know I was blessed to have had ten wonderful years of
releasing my soul in dance. I know however that life is meant to be a
series of transitions and all good things must pass. Now as my 50th
year draws inexorably closer, career, home and family have replaced
my every Saturday night ritual.
Words cannot
begin to express what I felt in those nights of total release and
immersion of the music and lights. No one who was not part of those
moments will ever be able to understand what we had. I will always
treasure the memory of those extraordinary years and hold them dear
for the rest of my life. The people I danced with have all gone out
onto their own separate paths of life, like leaves blown in the wind.
A year ago I
found Robbie Leslie's website and exchanged several enjoyable emails
with him revisiting those irreplaceable experiences. Finding here a
place where our 12 West memories can be shared together has been a
return to when life had no weight or limits.
Dancing is a
celebration of life and we who were part of 12 West have been
especially blessed to experience a degree of life's beauty that few
ever will. As long as a place exists for sharing that, 12 West will
always live in our minds and hearts.
____________________
From:
Iraxxxx@xxx.xom
To:
playxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject: 12
west
Date: Mon,
29 Apr 2002 00:01:02 EDT
It was magic
discovering the great 12 West. I went there with a boyfriend, and it
blew my mind. The next week I joined and went every weekend with
lovers and friends. I thought it the most elegant of the clubs, with
very subtle decor done with great style and taste. The music and
sound were amazing, and for me in my early 20's it was like oz.
Ira Joel
Haber
____________________
From:
rickexxxx@wexxx.net (Rickey Ybarra)
To:
playgxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject: 12
West Member
Date: Fri,
26 Apr 2002 23:19:22 -0700 (PDT)
Hi! I wanna
start by saying that I still and always wlll Love 12 West! I first
went to the club in 1976 and right away fell under its magic spell!
Jim Stuard and Graebar really made me wanna produce musical trips
like that! It was the best time I ever had at a social with people,
loving and dancing the night away! It was the summer of 1976 and from
that moment on it felt like The Summer of Love!
I was a go go
boy at the time but by the winter of 1976 I became a Disc Jockey! I
was lucky to play at clubs like the Cockring in the Village and the
Sandpiper on Fire Island, Hurrars in N.Y. the Ice Palace in N.Y. etc.
But it was a dream come true when I got to do a guest spot on a
Wednesday at 12 West! It was the winter of 1977 and there was magic
in the air!
Before
I left New York in 1978 I became a Disc Jockey at 12 West in Aug,
Sept. and Oct. before returning home to San Francisco. In my Heart I
took the magic of the club with me and still make CDs like Im still
playing there!
When
the music changed in 1981 I moved to the east bay area and went into
a deep private musical study. In 1982 I began playing guitar again,
having learned to in school in the 1960s. Using Heart and Soul as a
base began to write my own Songs! I Love Richard Rodgers and all the
good old composers and would Love to go into a Studio and create some
new old Songs to take to a new 12 West Site!
I
would Love to get together with like minded people. Please write me
at rickey412@webtv.net or call me at 916 448 4052.
Peace and
Love,
Rickey Ybarra
Still a 12
West member at Heart!\
____________________
From:
BLxxxxxx@aol.com
To:
playguxxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject:
just found your site
Date: Thu,
4 Apr 2002 22:11:16 EST
cant believe
I found a site dedicated to 12West. Im not 49 years young, living in
San Francisco. I left NYC in 1981, but enjoy the last 70's there. My
first dancing was at 12West. One of my first friends in NY was a
member.
The
times dancing at 12West, Garage, Flamingo and Saint were the best
times of my younger days. I have no friends left from that era, sadly
most died years later. Somehow I was meant to stay. My best friend
was Marc Garcia, we lived up in the upper 70's west side. How we
loved to dance to what we called then "happy music".
It
is impossible to explain to people today what is was like back then.
so much more special then todays scene ( I retired from dancing many
years ago. I had my days).
I have
recently from a site that lists tons of music from the 70's that I
have complety forgot about, and downloading tons of them from a site
called audiogalaxy. My best memory of happy music...........Dont Turn
Around- The Raes.
How I forgot
about the standing ovations we would give the dj. And the membership
letters was a delight to see again. The only items I seem to have yet
are a black pill box from the Garage, and a key chain from Flamingo.
But I have memories, and your site shook some more up. Thanks.
Richard - San
Francisco
____________________
From:
"Arlene" <axxxxxx@xxxxx.xx>
To:
<playguxxxxx@xxx.xet>
Subject:
12west
Date: Sat,
2 Mar 2002 17:53:55 -0500
u should add
to your list of dj's for 12 West:
PAUL POULOS
-1978 - HE ALSO worked @ Zenon ..
I am a former
roommate of his. and I would love to hookup with him...
anyone with
info. kindly contact me @ (multiplepromo@yahoo.ca - sender
requested listing - BB)
Thanks
Arlene
____________________
From: "GARY"
<gaxxxxxx@home.com>
To:
<playguxxxxx@xxx.xet>
Subject:
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER BONDS DISCO?
Date: Thu,
17 Jan 2002 19:53:11 -0500
I too
remember the great time spent at 12 West. I was a 22 year old kid
from a small Detroit, Michigan suburb who had just came out of the
closet and went to New York with a couple of friends for Thanksgiving
weekend, 1978. My boyfriend at the time (who lived in Brooklyn
several years before) insisted we go to three bars/clubs - Boots &
Saddles, Studio 54 and 12 West. What an experience!
I also
remember going back a few years later and going to an extremely large
disco called "Bonds". It was called that, as it was in the
old Bonds clothing store (I believe on Broadway, near Times Square).
I can distinctly remember a couple of things about the club - the
dance floor was the size of a football field and there was a huge
fountain shooting up to the ceiling with colored lights pulsating to
the music. There was also a large hole in the ceiling that a blow up
Statue Of Liberty "doll" came out of and floated over the
dance floor. Does anyone else have memories about this club?
- Gary from
Grosse Pointe Michigan
From: Bob
<nrxxxxx@xxxoo.com>
To:
playguxxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject:
Sleaze
Date: Sat,
12 Jan 2002 19:34:26 -0800 (PST)
I would be
interested in hearing what everyone's
favorite
sleaze songs from 12 West were.
____________________
From:
Vinny1xxx@xxx.com
To:
playguxxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject:
memories
Date: Sun,
9 Dec 2001 11:34:22 EST
Well, I am
obviously getting to the point, when I start to think more about
"sitting on the porch"...
I continually
am amazed at the content within the Internet, hence finding this web
site, and feeling like I am just one of a few with the memories of 12
west.
Yes, 12 West
at least for myself and my friends that would go there every Friday
and Staturday night. This was the place to go and "seriously
dance".
"The
music", "the energy", "the poppers", "the
fan dancers" on the sides......it truely was glorious.
My 4 "highest
memories".....
1- Just
getting in there to dance, then head over to the Anvil after 12 west
closed to continue the party
2- The night
"It's raining men" was introduced, how the walls did not
collaspe on everyone, I will never forget.
3- The
"period" when line dancing became a "rage",
thousands of guyz "step out of their own dancing worlds",
to line dance. I was amazed to watch this. It was a sight to behold.
4- Sunday's
was normally my ironing days, in preparation for the week ahead. The
radio station KTU was normally a "folk art and slow station".
That particular Sunday, the station started off with a Donna Summer
song........and continued that whole evening. My ironing certainly
did get done more quickly, because I was back at 12 West, just
dancing and ironing away.
As it turned
out KTU took over NYC during it's beginning. I had the radio station
on in my apartment on the Westside, would leave my apt, I would hear
it from other apartments, then onto Columbus Avenue and around NYC.
God how I
miss those evenings.....but yes the memories are with me
forever.....and yes those DJ's and everyone behind the scenes and
the members "squeezed"those few hours, into my lifetime of
pure bliss and forever moments in my mind and heart.
Could it be
repeated.....I don't think so....it was a definite time and place it
"gay life and spirit".....
......and yes
all the stars on the front page..the home page are all the wonderful
and great people the attended the "Grand Balls".....how
great.
Arthur
____________________
--From: "jai
sada" <jai@troxxxxxxxxx.com>
To:
<playguxxxxx@xxx.xet>
Subject: 12
West memories
Date: Mon,
2 Jul 2001 14:20:15 -0400
I cannot
believe I found this site!! I have talked about 12 West and The River
Club for years. It was the most important part of my life! I can
still picture it and still hear the music as if it were yesterday.
Oh, how I wish it was! I have never found a place to rival it. Thank
you so very much for letting me know there are others out there who
have shared the experience!
Will there be
a reunion of any kind? I remember the very last night at The River
Club..how I cried! I still have the original invitation as well as my
membership cards..
Once again,
thank you!!!
Jai Sada
____________________
From: Dan
Smith <dsmithxx@xxx.com>
To:
playgxxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject: 12
West memories
Date: Tue,
06 Mar 2001 13:09:03 -0500
Hey Bob,
great site.
It really
struck a nerve to see your tribute to the biggest fun palace I've
ever known. I did the whole gay disco scene from 70s thru
80s...Flamingos, Cockring, LeMusche, Garage, Kamakazi, Limelight,
Saint etc, but nothing compared to 12 West. Such a hot spot with such
hot men and music. I can close my eyes and picture the place. I
remember one Halloween when thru the doors came a group of 5 or 6
aliens with these HUGE heads made up like giant brains that lit up in
the black lights. All night you could see them bobbing around, their
brains towering above everyone else. I also remember the night the
Marvelettes were there, strutting their stuff and singing live. When
they got to the song "Don't mess with Bill", they taunted
and teased my friend Glen up on stage. Passing him back and forth
between them like a tennis ball the full house crowd went wild with
cheers. I also remember that AIDs was in it's infancy and Glen passed
away not too much later. No one left to reminisce with!!!!!!
Thanx for the
great tribute site
Dan
____________________
from:
RONNIExxx@xxx.com
To:
playguxxxxx@xxx.xet
Subject: Ron
Niemann in front of 12 west march 1977
Date: Sun,
11 Feb 2001 18:04:43 EST
hey
great web site. !!!! here i am in front of 12 west march 1977. (doing
my DC larue imitation!) my name is Ron Niemann, and my friends Brad
Slater, Joey Cardona, John Rabey and John Coffey would go the club
every weekend! i remember one night the lights went off and a
spotlight hit the DJ booth and there was this enormous black women
with a white gardenia in her hair singing "i need a man," i
t was Grace Jones of course. Jimmy Stuard, gave her that night as
well as her start. please feel free to put this picture as well as my
notes on your site. I have some of my memberships I'll send along as
well.
Ron
Niemann
Attachment 1:
12 west 1977.bmp . .
(NOTE: This
photo is on the memorabilia
page - BB)
____________________
from;
Richard
Tucker <tucksxxx@xxx.rr.com>
To:
<playguxxxxx@xxx.xet>
Subject:
Hello from the Past
Date: Thu,
09 Nov 2000 20:36:14 -0800
My name is
Richard Tucker. I did lights for 3 years at 12West. I worked
with all of them Dodd ,Burgess Leslie... I thought you'd might like
to talk with me about that time and place. You're right, there
aren't many left who know about that magical place. I think
it's wonderful what you've done to keep it's legacy alive for the new
generations.
All the Best,
Richard
Tucker
____________________
From:
Djrwlesxxx@xxx.com
Date: Mon, 4
Sep 2000 17:52:46 EDT
Subject: One
More Thing....
To:
playgxxxxxx@yaxxx.com
Hiya, Bob !!
Hope you had
a great holiday. I wanted to mention, before I forgot, what a
kick I got out of your remembrances of the 12West light show , in
particular those NIFTY painted walls !! When I was working at
the club, the stripes had already been painted over, but I certainly
remember going to the club as a "civilian" back in the
latter 70's and marvelling at those W A L L S!!!
It's really a
simple trick -- washing the painted colors on the walls with
different gelled floods.... but My God, what an awesome effect !! It
made the walls seem to undulate or pulse; certainly it created the
illusion of movement. Add those recreational drugs of the
period and you had quite a cool trick.
I'm so glad
someone else remembers....
Robbie Leslie
P.S. : Do
you know or remember Adrian Stokes -- one of the true 12West
originals. He had a great booming voice and would often yell
out at full volume: "Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy !!" when
the spirit took him; the other dancers always loved it. Anyway,
we had dinner in New York last December. He looks and is doing
GREAT !
RL
____________________
From:
Djrwleslxx@xxx.com
To:
playxxxxx@woxxxxx.xxx.net
Subject:
BACK AT YA'
Date: Sat,
2 Sep 2000 15:34:10 EDT
Hiya, Bob !!
First... pick
up your jaw off the floor (smile).
Feel totally
free to quote me or paraphrase; I'd be very pleased to be included in
your site !!
Don't forget:
"...at 12 WEST, the sound's the best..." ANDREA TRUE
from : "N.Y. You Got Me Dancin"
Robbie Leslie
____________________
(Note from
BB: Robbie was the first celebrity from the 12 West era to contact me
back when this web site was very young. In answering him I had
made a comment about "my jaw being on the floor over that
letter" - like a cartoon character expressing surprise :-)
____________________
from;
bobfurtxxx@email.xxx.com
(date info
lost.... year 2000...)
The first
time I entered 12 west, I was meeting a Boy Friend and when I walked
in Jimmy was playing I Found Love by Love and Kiss's and it was
at the break in the record, and that was it for me, I was there ever
Sat. night there after when I got off work , I was a D.J. at Uncle
Charles South on 38th and 3rd and at 2:am I would meet my friend and
we would dance to Jimmy's music till the sun came up in the sky
light, the place was just wonderful, the sound could not be
described, it was the best sound I have ever heard.I very much miss
12 West and would like to go back in time just one more time..
Bob
Thanks for
the Great Web Site of 12 West!
____________________
From: louis
gorbea <lgorxxx@xxxxx.com>
To:
playxxxxx@worxxxxx.xxx.net
Date:
Wednesday, May 03, 2000 2:53 PM
Subject:
Twelve West
Hey Bob,
How are
you...I was introduced to you last night by Jackie at the Twelve West
party...It was a great pleasure meeting with you and talking about
the original Twelve West back in the day....My god you gagged me when
you said a possible reunion was in the making...You mentioned that
not that many people from that time are still around. Hey you ran
into me...I could never forget that historic room and the vibe...They
just don't make that vibe anymore...As a matter of fact I just
started spending the word...There are still quite a few people around
that remember, so hey do it...
The factor
that stood out in my mind was the incredible sound system...I never
heard a sound system like that and probably never will...I remember
the first time I stepped into Twelve West I was working with Eddie
Rivera president of I.D.R.C. record pool...Eddie was promoting The
Ritchie Family at the time and they did a cameo appearance that
night...Brought the house down....The vibe was incredible and if you
can recreate that vibe in a industry shading away,
please,please,please...do it...These kids today don't have a clue on
what we experienced back in the 70's...Please keep me informed, I'm
very interested in the outcome...
My God, Jimmy
Stuart, Tom Savarese.....superb!!! no one around like them...
DjLouieLou
____________________
(Note from
BB: DJ Louis Gorbea was on the staff of the IDRC record pool and did
the page layout that includes the Jimmy Stuard rememberance for the
SPINNER newsletter. That page can be seen on Jimmy's
Page.)
____________________
From:
R6xxx@xxx.com <Rxxx@xxx.com>
To:
playxxxxx@worxxxxx.xxx.net
Date: Monday,
April 17, 2000 7:59 AM
Subject: from
disco DJ "Dr. John" Bisci
I spun in
Buffalo from '76-'94.
Really like
your site!
"Dr.
John"
To return to
the main page CLICK HERE.
____________________
(Note from
BB: The Buffalo NY progressive dance party scene had it's roots as
far back as 1971 when Marty Angelo was exposed to advanced turntable
mixing in Manhattan and rushed the concept back to his home town,
thereby inspiring a large cluster of Buffalo area DJs. By comparison,
I knew of no such effort to improve the basic concept of using
continuous music for dancing in my hometown of Newark, NJ until 1976
when New York's "Disco" night life era was peaking. That
puts the Buffalo scene at least 4 years ahead of my part of N.J. with
regards to when the first DJs that could do advanced mixing
appeared. More about it at Marty's
site
____________________
MY
PROFOUND THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE AND REMEMBER.
To
return to the main page CLICK HERE.