The Music Room

The music room on the second floor of our little home, was a great place to hang out. When Jimmy was home, this was where he would be found, bent over the grand piano, composing and singing away.

There was also a large wooden box of finely sifted brownie ingredients (if you catch my drift), with a rolling machine and a box of zig zags. I never actually knew how that box got filled, and never asked. It was always there and anybody could partake. So, yes, the music room was a great place to hang out, even if you didn't do music.

It was one of those lazy days, when I was just hanging out, when Jimmy was working on a song. He sang in his great country voice and the bridge had a really piercing, rhythmic beat. He was deep into his music and I doubt whether he knew I was there or not, but I will never forget the first time I heard "Witchita Lineman", which would later be recorded by Glenn Campbell and was on the charts, both pop and country for many weeks. It would go gold in 1969, the following year.

I am sure that there were many more stories to be told of the music room, but that is just the one I remember.

Lady Kathryn

When Jimmy returned from a visit to Britain, where he had enjoyed visiting a recording session with the Beatles, as well as working with Richard Harris — he brought back a visitor who would come to stay at the house, and eventually stay in Hollywood. Kathryn James, came to be known as Lady Kathryn and was an import from England that came to stay. It was about that time that a recording of JRR Tolkien, reading his elven poetry, surfaced at the house. I always wondered whether she brought that from England.

She took the little room off the kitchen and I was moved to the basement, which wasn’t that bad. It was quite comfortable and even little more private than before. It didn’t have it’s own bathroom, but given a choice between me and Lady Kathryn…. well you know who was gonna go to the basement.

Kathryn became friends with many musicians in town. I remember one memorable night, when she was escorted home from an evening spent out with none other than Tiny Tim (best known for the song "Tiptoe Through The Tulips"). Kathryn went in to bed and left Tiny Tim and me standing in the kitchen. He had his ukulele with him. He asked if I would like to hear some songs and for the next hour or so, into the wee hours of the morning, I enjoyed a private concert. He played the songs he loved and I was privileged. He was a kindly and gentle soul. I was sorry to hear about his death in 1996.

Kathryn eventually moved out of the house, and I kept in touch with her. I actually became her babysitter at times. It is an experience I had while babysitting for her that moved me to put some of this on paper (or web, as it were).

A few years ago I drove across country 5 times, from coast to coast. I was working for a company that marketed Comcast and I traveled to work in different markets. You know how crossing the country makes you run through radio stations (unless you have Sirius)? For example, while crossing Arizona, I came upon a Navajo station. I listened until I got out of range. But I digress. On night, traveling a quiet stretch of road, I came upon a music show hosted by none other than Alice Cooper. His show Nights With Alice Cooper, brought back a flood of memories. Including the night that I met him.

I had babysat for Kathryn while she went on a date with Alice Cooper. The Alice Cooper above is probably who you think about. But the Alice Cooper to the left is probably closer to the guy I met. When they came back home, I think he felt sorry for me, that I hadn’t enjoyed any of the evening’s festivities and sat down with me. We played board games late into the night. He told me how he had come to have the persona of Alice Cooper. I am sure this would make a great story at this point… but remember, it’s the 60’s. Anyway, the evening stuck with me and when I heard him on the radio, I thought… yeah, I’ve had some experiences. Why not share them?

So there you have it… the motivation.

Marriages Made in Heaven

Camino Palmero was a house where several long lasting marriages originated.

At the top of the stairs, just to the right, was a room where visitors would stay. One visitor to the house was Candy, a blond haired, violet eyed beauty. It wasn’t long before Robert Siller took a fancy to her. I really never saw the connection. Candy was a 10 and Bob, well Bob was, well, Bob. But as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Robert and Candy were married and now have enjoyed well over 45 years of living and loving together.

Mephistopheles

Another match made in heaven (or Camino Palmero) was Patty, who met her future and current husband, when he came from Oklahoma to form a band, that Jimmy would sponsor. The group, named Mephistopheles, would have Skip Mosher on bass and flute, Daryl Burch on drums, Steve Simone on guitar, Gordon Grant on keyboards, Bob Siller on vocals and Fred Tacket on Guitar and other instruments. I know that Gordon Grant, Daryl Burch and Fred Tacket had come out from Oklahoma. They were really a talented group.

Fred and Patty hit it off, and eventually moved in together in a house in Laurel Canyon, in the Hollywood Hills. They were right around the corner from Frank Zappa’s house. It was really a crash pad for all sorts of types and you could walk in and meet people of all sorts. Eventually it became too crazy, even for Frank.

It was at Fred and Patty's house in Laurel Canyon that I first met Gordon Grant, when he first arrived in California. But that will be for another time.

Raul Danks

During my stay on Camino Palmero, we would have visitors who would pass through and we might never see them again, or you would see them years later in a different setting.

Raul Danks was a visitor one afternoon. I remember he had just received a new Ovation guitar, to use and show off their product. It was an unusual design for the time with the rounded oval back of the body. Raul stayed through the evening and played for us. They were kind of reminiscent of Gaelic folk songs.

Raul Danks and Stefanianna Christopherson

Some years later, when I was working in New York city, I ran across him again. He invited me up to his hotel room and we talked. He warned me against ever getting involved with the Scientologists. He said he had shown some interest, and now they wouldn’t leave him alone. He was fearful of being drawn into it. I heeded his warning and never did pay them any attention.

The Cast & Crew

As I may have said before, the house at Camino Palmero was a kind of way station. People passing in and out. There were, however, several semi-permanent residents.

There was Jimmy Webb, obviously. He was the songwriter and star maker. Other than that, he was particularly absent from the day to day duties of the house. He would come down when our barber showed up to cut hair. He would come down for a meal. But he was quite the busy bee and traveled a lot.

There was me, for a time, of course. What did I do at the house? Well, for starters, I could drive one of Jimmy’s cars (either the Camaro or the Corvette) down to Pioneer Chicken and get a big box of greasy, thoroughly enjoyable chicken under any circumstance. This alone made my presence in the house worthwhile. When there was a recording session, I could run down to Pioneer Chicken and get a big box of greasy, thoroughly enjoyable chicken. Now that I think about it… a lot of my duties revolved around Pioneer Chicken. Sad to say — the demise of Pioneer Chicken has left the current generation without that delectable treat.

 There was Mike Reilly. I don’t really know what Mike did. He was just there. I am sure he knew where to procure the ingredients of Alice B Toklas brownies, but other than that I really don’t know what his duties were.

There was Bob Siller, an aspiring songwriter and performer. He was Jimmy’s protege. He wrote and recorded his own album, and later became a member of the group, Mephistopheles. Bob is an American Native and despite the fact that this is rank profiling… he could not hold his liquor. We all enjoyed seeing Robert have a few too many and “go off the reservation”. Apologies to anyone who is offended, but remember — this is the late 60’s. I’m just writing it as it happened.

Then there was Patricia. She knew everybody in town and she was a great source of some of the visitors the house would enjoy. As I mentioned, she was the cook. I think she cooked mostly vegetarian meals (which I why Pioneer Chicken was so highly prized). And honestly, I can’t say whether she was a good cook or not so good. But she was the only cook… so that is what mattered.

I am probably leaving things out… but this was the 60’s. And you know what they say? “If you can remember the 60’s, then you weren’t there”.

The House on Camino Palmero

Jimmy Webb on Camino Palmero

When Mike Reilly invited me to Hollywood, I was introduced to the house on Camino Palmero. He was living with Jimmy Webb, who maintained a large house on Camino Palmero, which housed a variety of staff and other people. It would prove to be my home for the next year, or so. But I didn’t know that when I came for a visit on that fateful weekend.

My roommate, at the time, was Vance Oligny. He had also been a friend since Norton AFB days and we both had landed jobs at General Dynamics. I let him know that I was headed into Hollywood for a visit with Mike and hit the road.

This was probably my first visit to Hollywood. Driving down Hollywood Blvd in 1968… what a trip. It was right after the Summer of Love and Hollywood was in full hippy bloom. I was this little clean cut innocent guy from San Diego and I didn’t know what to make of it all.

Camino Palmero was only a few blocks up from Graumen’s Chinese Theater, where the business district ended and the residential area began. A few houses up from Hollywood Blvd, I found the really grand house. And Mike met me at the door and introduced me around.

At the time, in Pomona, I had taken to climbing up a tree in the center of town, hanging over a branch and listening in on passing conversations. I really don't know why. I also carried a bullet in my pocket. Again I am in the dark about that. But because of that... they called me "The Lurker".

I met Patty and her young daughter. Patty was the cook/house mother. Patty was the epitome of the hippy movement. She was an organic earth mother and she pretty much set the mood in the house. I also met Jimmy Webb and probably others, but for reasons that will become clear… I can’t remember.

Someone had made brownies, using the Alice B. Toklas recipe… if you catch my drift. Now, years earlier I had tried smoking marijuana, but it had no effect on either me or my roommate, so I figured why not????

Anyway, the next day… when I returned to earth… I called up my roommate and told him that I would not be returning to Pomona and asked him to let General Dynamics know that I quit. And that was that.

I was invited, I guess, to live at the house. These were organic times. Things just happened. You went with the flow. I found myself becoming part of the staff. Was I employed? Not really. Did I ever receive a salary? Not that I remember. I stayed in a little room off the kitchen. It actually had a private bathroom, so it was a pretty sweet setup. I would end up doing little odd jobs, running errands and such.

I am not really sure whether Jimmy was aware of all that went on in the house. He pretty much kept to himself, writing songs up in the music room and joined us from time to time. But as time went by I had a chance to meet many interesting people, because Jimmy’s house was a revolving door, people coming and people going. It was quite a ride.

Michael Patrick O'Reilly

I will tell you about Mike Reilly because he is the reason why I was invited to live in Hollywood.

I met Michael in 1964, when I was stationed at Norton Air Force Base. I had joined the Air Force shortly after JFK was assassinated and after basic training, was assigned to the AFB in San Bernardino, California. Michael was in my barracks and became a good friend.

He was a lady’s man. He was a womanizer and a drinker and knew how to party hard. In other words… for 1964, and being in the service- he was perfect. Looking back, now, with different eyes, I can see what a low life he really was, but at the time- he was my idol.  I will tell you a little story that will give you an idea of who he was. 

We took a few weeks, one summer, to be camp counselors for the Boy’s Club, which was held on Catalina Island, just off the California coast. It was a chance for us to see the island and have some fun. It wasn’t until years later that I found out my grandfather had been born on Catalina Island. His father, a liquor salesman for the West Coast, had something to do with the Angel’s baseball team which trained there. But I digress.

One night, Michael came to me and told me he had found out that John Wayne’s boat was anchored in the harbor shared by the Boy Scout’s camp. So he made me come with him, while we appropriated a boat, rowed out among the moored cruisers and finally found his boat. Michael had found out the name, so he could locate it.

He stood up in the boat and yelled for John Wayne to let him come aboard. In a few moments the “Great One” showed himself in a doorway and yelled down, “Who is that yelling?”

“Michael Patrick O’Reilly” was the answer.

And, of course, Mr Wayne replied that if we didn’t get out of there, he would call the harbor police… at which time we retreated. But standing up in a small boat, in the middle of the night, demanding to be invited aboard John Wayne’s boat is how I will always picture him.

Mike attended classes at San Bernardino Valley College. He encouraged me to take some classes. I don’t think he was interested in higher education. It was a great place to meet girls. And meet girls he did.

I hung out with Mike for the next two years, until I was assigned to a tour of duty in Vietnam, in 1966 - 1967. After returning in 1967, I came back to San Diego, then eventually moved up to Pomona, and went to work for General Dynamics.

How I kept in touch with Mike, I can’t remember. But apparently I did. And one day, Mike invited me to come and visit him in Hollywood. He had made a friend while living in San Bernardino, who was a songwriter and performer. He had released an award winning song and formed his own music label. Mike was living in a big house in Hollywood and invited me to come for a visit. Little did I know what a change that visit would make in my life.

More to come. 

Up A Tree

Denny Doherty

I have decided to call this blog “Up A Tree”, in memory of a certain morning, long ago, spent in front of Denny Doherty’s house, up a tree with Barry McGuire, watching the sun come up over Hollywood. This was sometime in 1969 (or so), and much of what happened during that time comes to me in hazy reflections.

Barry McGuire

Most of you will not know who Barry or Denny are, but it was a moment in time, when I rubbed elbows with some great and near great people. Denny Doherty earned fame when he performed with The Mamas & the Papas (he died in 2007) and Barry McGuire released the hit single “Eve of Destruction” among many others.

I will tell you how I ended Up A Tree.

The Mamas & The Papas

After The Mamas & the Papas stopped performing, Denny was looking for a new ensemble. Apparently he would hang out wherever there were singers. My friend, Mike Reilly, had met Denny when he worked for Jimmy Webb and had formed a sort of drum circle for singers at his house. Denny would come by and we would all gather around and sing. Everybody adding a harmony or counterpoint. I had a pretty decent voice and could hold a key. To be perfectly honest, I would never have become a great artist. I really didn’t have the chops. But I wrote a song or two and could carry a tune, so I imagined (the key word), that I might someday be part of some group.

It was one night at a party at Denny’s house that I found myself up a tree with Barry McGuire. Not really much to tell. It was a magical night, with a sunrise ending. Then we came down and went about our business.

But, on looking back at the years I spent in Hollywood, I am amazed at the brushes I had with some really amazing people. I was not of much consequence, myself, but I managed to hang out with quite a crowd. I will have to tell you how I met Mike Reilly, since he really became a key in getting me invited to Hollywood and putting me in touch with that marvelous group.