World Famous Palomino Club - Hello, I'm A Truck

LJ Eiffert · From: California, USA

Remember The World Famous Palomino Club in North Hollywood,Calif. that was located at 6907 Lankershim Blvd. These people helped in a benefit for "Hello,I'm A Truck ", " Red Simpson " Who just had Cancer Surgery.These Entertainers who appear & Performed. Kathy Roberston,Byron Berline,Dave Dunham,Rose Vegas,Lonnie Allen Brantley Kearns,Jerry Donahue,Jan Browne,Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.,George Highfill,Gene Edwards,Debbi Smart,Ed Black,Rick Glenn,Archie Francis,Jeannie King,Dale Watson,Sue Smart,John Lee White,Lynda Peace,Billy Mitchell & Skip Edwards plus many others. The Master of Ceremonies where Billy Mize & Ronnie Mack. Just a little more to my soap box History in our Neighborhood.Any one remember this on Sunday March 12th, the year was 19 something. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.,Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year with joy!

Larry King · From: Watts, Oklahoma, USA

Palomino por favor

Billy Tonnesen · From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California

In the early 60's I worked at the Palomino filling in for Red Rhodes when he went on a two week vacation. Also played with Jimmy Bryant on about three or four Sunday afternoons. As I remember, Sidemen never made big bucks playing in the house bands. They would spend thousands on big name guest stars but sidemen were just a overhead expense kept to the minimum. As I remember it, the Palomino Club was a real dump. Bad restrooms, naugahyde booths were patched with Duct Tape, the patio was lined with plywood. Somehow it became a place to be seen for musicians and customers.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Ah - if those dressing rooms could talk..........

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

The Pal might have been a dump, but it was our dump.

Billy Tonnesen · From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California

Skip:
I did not mean to rag on just the Palomino. Most of the clubs in So.Calif. were just a little short of the "Ritz" and I played in a lot of them. It was just after the Pal was used in the Clint Eastwood movie, people would come out here on vacation and would want to see the Palomino and were sometimes dissapointed. A lot of local Country Music stars were launched from the Palomino.
Do you remember another club near the Palomino called the "Rag Doll" ?

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

The Rag Doll became "Hag's Place" in the early 70s then after one or two more name changes I can't recall at the moment,it became "Filthy McNasty's" and finally "FM Station". I played there dozens of times over the years under all those names. Leon Russell told me he used to play piano there in the 60s with Jimmy Snyder and he was so poor he'd sleep in his car out back. Now it's a Mexican joint.

LJ Eiffert · From: California, USA

Like Skip said ,our Dump! The Palomino Club in it day was the first class King Toilet Dive in Southern California.Just think how many Musicians- Songwriters And Artist got their start there. Also, look at how many others Toilet-Dives we had like Walts,The Silver Spur,Nashville West,Chit Chat, Holiday Two, Foothill, The Forge, Long Horn Saloon, Rusty Horn,Bandstand,Billy B's,Pappy & Harriet's,Val's Hideout,Shires,Little Nashville,Arthur's Club,The Bed Room,Cowboy's Party House,Chat Room, The Cedar Mill,Pioneer Room,Lariat,Imperial Inn,Lion D'or,Tumblleweed,Loretta's Lounge,Marshall's,Taylor's,Round Up,Blue Bayou,Nordondo Club,Sundown Saloon,Music Box,Starting Gate,Crazy Horse,City Limits and D J Ranch. Now look at how many Musicians was working and having fun making a living.I enjoyed playing them all at one time are another over the years and I am graceful that we had them to make history in our neighborhood with the Musicians Union or with out. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

Billy, no offense taken. The Pal was a dump...dark and dank and exactly as a dumpy club should be. But it had a vibe that made it a special place. In it's heyday it was the premier venue for country music in SoCal. In fact, it was just about the only venue that would book name country acts in LA.

Leo's listing of all those old clubs brings up an important point...they're all gone. There used to be tons of little joints - just blue collar watering holes that would have a small stage and a country band at least 5 nights a week. Nothing special, no line dancing or mechanical bulls. (At least not before Urban Cowboy).
It was easy back then to play every night of the week, four or five sets a night, and really learn how to play. Not only on your own axe, but how to play with others, especially since there was usually different players each night. You really learned how to listen and it kept you on your toes. Real sink or swim stuff, true on the job training.
That's all gone now, for the most part, and I think we're all the worse off for it. When I do a gig now with players who didn't have that background, it can be a mess on the bandstand. Everyone's playing all over everybody else, no one knows how to follow along with a tune that they don't really know, etc, etc. It seems their instincts have been dulled, or not developed enough.
In retrospect, all those nights playing in those dumps - and I mean that in the best sense of the word - were a Godsend. I wouldn't want to do it again...don't think I could - pushing 60 here - but I sure am glad I did it back then.

So here's to the dumps... and to all those who cut their teeth in them, and those who still do.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

How right you are Skip. I played between 4 and 7 nights a week from 1973 till about 1990 when that whole scene fell apart. I played all those clubs and a lot more. I could have never developed my ears and chops the way I did without that kind of training. I pity the fool who thinks that any amount of band rehearsing or personal woodshedding can replace that. It also taught you how to put up with a load of crap from club owners,booking agents and primadonna band leaders as well as how to dodge ashtrays,pool cues,crazy females and the occasional bullet - all valuable skills.

Robert C. McKee · From: Ohio, USA

You guys bring back lots of memories, tho not from the Palamino, or anywhere else in California for that matter. I played in central Illinois for years, and, we too, had those wonderful, miserable, smelly, ratty, bars and things. Well...no comparison meant. We just played a lot of dives. As for cutting one's teeth..somebody would say 'key of something', and you had to hang on..put the beer aside, and start thinking really fast. Most likely, you'd be the one taking the first break...and no clue as to what the heck you were even playing. Seems like most ordinary people do their best stuff when they haven't any time to think or analyze anything. Just DO IT! lol. I played with a lot of people over the yrs, and I do find it amazing that as soon as someone deters from the 'original' version to do something different, better or worse, a lot of people get totally lost. Just think...if we never changed anything how boring it would be. 'Course, some songs a person should never change.
Dives are fun to play in, and they teach valuabe lessons to some. You're allowed to make a mistake without being chastised and to stretch your wings. As stated in a previous post..you can't beat that by woodshedding. At least for some of us, anyway. Yes, I for one, would do it all over again. They may not have been safer, but they were sure more fun to play in for me.

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

In the early 70's, Tommy Thomas would book an "A" act and a "B" act for Fri & Sat nights. My band, Easy Money, use to back up the "B" acts on Fri & Sat nights and play our normal country rock sets on Sunday for the BBQ. I have to agree with an earlier post about "if those dressing rooms could talk".
JE:-)>
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Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Jim,One time Tommy Thomas booked the Palomino Riders for a wedding close to San Diego I was on guitar,Jay Dee on steel,Jimmy Snyder,Greg Humphries on Bass,Steve Duncan drums,and Ed Hillon piano.Tommy,and Sherry invited some of us to their condo which was close by for lunch,He cooked a bunch of steaks,when he asked me how I liked mine cooked I asked him how much they were,We laughed so hard..I had never seen that side of Tommy. Laughing

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Billy Tonnesen · From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California

What a bunch of memories you guys posted and I can relate to. It was an era that will never come back. I was very lucky in my last six years of playimg through 1986. I played with Sammy Masters mostly at Elk's lodges where most of the people wanted the old Country and Western Swing Tunes. I was so fortunate to have Carl Walden playing Lead Guitar and Fiddle. We both knew when to play, when not to play, and play together. Everything was pretty much by eye contact which we both learned over the years. Also, Monty Paul was on drums and was one of the best drummers I ever worked with. He would anticipate the "kicks" on the Western Swing tunes and knew exactly what to play on ballads.

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

In the 80's we built a machine for Motorola. The person who came to buy it off was from Tennessee. His only adamant request was to go the Pal. He had heard so much about it. As the Pal was only a few blocks I took him there for lunch. The look in his eyes was indescribable, like a big weight was off his shoulders.

I took him back that evening to hear the band. A couple of days later, after the thrill had worn off he said, "That place is a dump, isn't it?"
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LJ Eiffert · From: California, USA

On Auguest 22,1995 The Queen of Country Rock & Roll ," Linda Gail Lewis " ,Jerry Lee Lewis little sister was the last Artist to do a gig there At the Palomino. The doors never opened again.I tried to help Sherri who was still the owner at that time fighting little Billy on how to run it. I was Booking Linda and managering her with her husband Eddie Braddock.I had her at the Foothill Club,D J Ranch,Western Connection & the Stage Stop all in one week. What memories in our neighborhood for the love of Music and the Musicians who at one time was also like a family out here. No one would be out of work long. If I've ever picked with you on any gigs out here,I want to say thanks for the fun and friendship! Sincerely in Music,Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

I was in school in Socal from 70-76 and just learning dobro.....I loved the Palomino and went there often......I didn't really know the local musicians at that time....but I do remember a young JD Maness........

Yeah, it was a dump & I loved it.....I also had some good times at The Gold Rush Saloon in Calabasas....great country music....and they had western also......

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

I played a lot of these kinds of "dumps" when I was starting out, on the road too, and even then I knew they were dumps but it was the best I could do at the time... when you're young you think bigger and fancier is better...(ok maybe not every young person does but I did)... later I moved to Las Vegas and played many of the big casinos there as well as a few large dancehalls, and after a while in the casinos you learn to appreciate those old "dumps". Smile

I'm glad I didn't miss out on the experience.

Billy Tonnesen · From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California

Made a mistake in the final year I was playing with Sammy Master's group. I played through 2006 (not 1986). The old eyes aren't as good as they used to be and I missed on the edit.

Skeeter Stultz · From: LOMITA, California, USA

Leo, Don't forget the Shamrock Club, Millers Cave, Georges Roundup, and the Red Barrel.
There are probably a whole lot more but can't come up with any right now. It's true that sidemen were the same as an ashtray. A piece of equipment. And scale was almost a living wage. But a whole lot of music was made in those days.
After George Underwood bought the Red Barrel he named it Georges #2.
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LJ Eiffert · From: California, USA

Hey Skeeter,did you get any of your dues Money back that you paid Bonnie Price at The Foothill Club from that Associate that was called a Union? Leo

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Skeeter, those old "joints" bring back memories for sure........

The Shamrock on PCH. I loved that bandstand behind the bar. I never played in the house band but I worked in the Sunday afternoon and Monday night band for a while. It was an all girl band except for me. I can't even remember any of their names except for Cindy Carson who played bass for a short while with us. I replaced a blonde female lead guitarist who's name I can't remember now........

Miller's Cave? I did a two night fill in there once with Glen Garrison. I think the regular lead guitarist was a blond guy who played an archtop and he might have been in jail or sick, I don't remember.

George's Roundup? I did a week fill in with Danny Michaels on steel guitar as he needed someone for one week until whoever it was came. Danny was one helluva guitarist. He played "Classical Gas" on electric guitar with a flat pick! How many out there can do that. We actually got along pretty well as being a guitar player first, I knew most of the instrumentals he'd do, although I flubbed most of 'em being on steel.........

The Red Barrel in Hawaiian Gardens. That place is a special memory for me as that's where I first met my personal guitar hero, Al Bruno. We've been friends ever since and he's still my hero........JH in Va.
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Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

How about the creme de la Creme "Lou's Blue Fox",Not to be mistaken for or compared to Tijuana's famous Blue Fox. Laughing

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Joe, I played there some with the DeVore Brothers (Jay & Curley). They were good old boys but not too awful much in the pickin' department but I liked 'em anyway. They gave me some work when I was just starting out.

Later on when I was trying to get going on steel guitar, they had an after hours out there and the guy who ran it was a guitar player named Dale (can't remember his last name) who had an oriental girl friend. I remember he played a sunburst Gibson ES-335. He let me bring my steel guitar over there every Friday and Saturday and play steel with them at the afterhours. I really appreciated that! Yep, the old Blue Fox was in Redondo Beach, Ca....JH in Va.
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Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

In 1965 the Palomino added a "twist dance night" .. or maybe it was a go-go night, but it was an attempt to get the rock kids in, epsecially as the Thomas Bros. were losing half of the house band to the TV show Shindig!.. not to mention that the Whiskey A Go-go was massive and that the Rag Doll had gone to rock bands as well.
The Pal' tried booking rock bands, then reverted to the country bands until the late 60s when they tried country-rock (Tex, Flying Burrito Bros.) and of course the 80s when it seems everyone was booking rock bands in Los Angeles.

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