Art & Inspiration Traditional images that need no explanation.

A recipe for disaster. What is the rifle for ?

 

Hello,

This is perhaps one of the oldest, clearest photos from the early 60s era of So Cal surf scene. The building in the back is the world famous, Golden Bear Restaurant and music venue. All of the big name rock bands and singers came through the place. It was right on Coast Highway just off of the Main Street/PCH intersection.

It was a friendly place to get a good spaghetti dinner for cheap and get lots of it for a couple of growing teenagers. It was a long drive home and if we stayed for the afternoon surf session, then by the time we were packed up, it was dinner time.

My wife and I saw plenty of groups at that place. We were lucky to get some tickets to the dinner show one night in 1968 to see Big Brother and The Holding Company. Of course, Janis Joplin was the main attraction with that group. We got a small dinner table in front of the small, flat dance floor/stage. While we ate dinner, we did not know the band would set up within 5 feet of our table.

As we all know how Janis Joplin sings and how loud the band plays back then, then you know there was no talking going on at any table, just a lot of awe. Janis Joplin in all of her glory came up to our table and looked at my wife and me with glossy eyes, while she continued belting out the song she was singing.

It was incredible and we always remember that moment in our collective memories. It was a time to be 20 somethings, live in coastal So Cal, enjoying all that it had to offer a couple of young married kids.

Jnaki

The neat thing about the photo is that there is a 58 Impala in the background, it was not mine, but at least an Impala was there in the time period. My brother and I drove his black 58 Impala with longboards sticking out of the trunk to the almost the exact spot the photo was taken of the 1934 sedan.

One of those teens sitting on the roof reminded me of a kid we met named, “Herbie T.” Those PCH parking spots were the choice ones to get as we could sit in our cars (or on top) to see the big surf waves rolling into the pier. The big parking lot below was closer, but the high level of sand prevented seeing the waves come into the pier and beach.

But, in looking at that time period and seeing the guy with the Clay Smith Cam Jacket just brings it all back to the present. History played its part and these photos show what it was like. I am sure the photo was taken by a pro photographer for an article in a national magazine or two.

 

Another trip down memory lane. Thanks.

 

Hey, Tower... look down!

 

Staving off polar bears!

Cheers,
Harv

 

Nick,

From the tag on the back of the gentlman's jacket I am going to presume that he is deer hunting, probably somewhere out West and most likely in the mountains. It looks like he stopped to put some tire chains on his wagon.

Steve

 

Rifle is for bait, he's got a 9mm under the car.

 

Every deer hunter knows that deer always come around when you're either leaving a crap (I LEAVE 'em, I don't take 'em) or putting on your tire chains. He's likely a former Boy Scout, you know....be prepared!

 

I’m guessing PA. They had the number on you back law and what appears to be a 30-30 lever action with no scope. That screams PA.

 

Might be PA like Wray said. The thing I noticed was the duals on that wagon.