Event Coverage The rhythm riot UK-Barris meets the kripple kart

Just spent a fantastic weekend at a R&B/Rock'n'Roll festival called "The Rhythm Riot", which also comes with a pretty cool (by UK standards) car show attatched. This years guest of honour was none other than George Barris! Now I know you guys are divided in your opinions of George but I myself fall into the "like" category. Like a lot of people I was introduced to Kustoms via the Batmobile and worked my way back from there, and in my humble opinion, without George's efforts in the early days, wether it be as a builder, photographer and documentor or promoter, Kustomising would never have become the iconic American art form that it was and still is today. As a wheelchair bound Quadrapledgic with no hope of ever travelling to the states, the opportunity to meet such an icon in the UK was to good to pass up. Here are some photographs to give you a flavour of the event:














Saturday afternoon started with a talk from George (introduced by a fantastically cheesy DVD of his life narrated by Adam West, which ruled) followed by a Q&A session. We're still relatively new to the idea of traditional Kustoms over here so George didn't get grilled too heavily but he was thoroughly entertaining, and what came across through his larger than life personality was unbounding enthusiasm for both cars and life. Next, it was over to the exhibition room which included, amongst other things, some of George's more dubious creations such as; "Alvin's Acorn", "The Sidewinder", "The Bunk Bed Car" and "The Pool Table Car". It was here that I got my chance to meet the man. I always approach meting my idols with great trepidation as it is very easy to have one's ilusions shattered but in this case I needn't have worried. I can honestly say that George was one of the nicest, humblest (yes, I did use the word humble) and charming human beings it has been my pleasure to meet. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he acompanied me outside to autograph The Kripple Kart where we got the chance to talk a little about paint, body mods and upholstery whilst posing for photographs.





One thing that cracked me up was that George was as keen to take photographs of us with his camera, as we were of him and he seemed to be having the time of his life documenting his trip. After this, Jane and myself went over to the main hall to chat with friends and have a few drinks and listen to the record hop. To be honest, it was all a bit too swing and not enough Rock'n'Roll guitar for me so around midnight we returned to our hotel. I should point out that this in itself was a monumental occasion for me being the first time in the almost 9 years since my accident that I have stayed away from home. After a suprisingly good nights sleep in my wheelchair, we returned to the camp for the obligatory visit from Batman and a Batmobile;



And I got to spend 5 minutes chatting to the weekends two delightful Burlesque acts. It's a good job that Jane doesn't mind me being a pervert. Here is the obligatory "Bad Bob" shot;



Next up, was the extremely well organised Riot cruise through the local countryside and into the local town of Rye for George's judging and prize giving. Accompanied by a Police escort, who ensured that the impressive precession of predominantly pre-65 vehicles was intrupted by any modern shit, George led the cruise in the batmobile. Obviously in his element, he perched on the passenger door and hung out of the car waving at the local yokels who turned out and lined the streets. We parked up at Rye for the prize giving, and just when I thought things couldn't get any better, they did. The awards were given out and I was gobsmacked when George called me and Jane forward to accept his best in show award. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of this, as being the ladies man that he is, George insisted that Jane be in all of the prize giving photo's and she was manning our camera all weekend (which she hates doing so I'm lucky to have any photo's to post at all). This applies to the cruise as she was driving The Kart.











In conclusion, I love George and unlike many others, I don't hold it against him that he had to change with the times to make a living at a time, in my opinion, from the mid-to late 60's on, when everything started going to hell in a hand basket. I wasn't born untill 1964 but for some bizzare reason, in my head, it's forever 1963 and up untill then, George was a ruler. Thank you for your attention.
Paul

 

No Thank you, Paul! I lived in the UK for a min. and loved it, but I am more than happy to be in the USA. But somehow, my OT car is a Mini!!!

 

Great pics Paul, it looks like you had a bitchin' time!!

 

not to keen on Barris-- but the cars & those ladies!

maybe you should have told that your a bad boy & you needed to be frisked! or to use you as a scratching post!

 

Cool story and pics Paul! Hey, and never give up hope of coming to the states. You and Jane are welcome over anytime.

 

I met George earlier this year and thought the same as you Paul.
Great pics,thanks.

 

Paul,
Thanks for the pictures and stories! Lovin it!
Love your pose with batman. The facial expression is spot on.

The blond! WAWAWA! I'll take 2!

 

Thanks for the pics Paul. No wonder we can't find good iron, it all migrated across the ocean LOL. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

 

Totally awesome..........congrats Krip. Tiger chick is cute.

 

Great Pics and an even greater story, Paul...Congrats on the award...it's well deserved...!!!

When someone such as yourself can direct building a wicked Kustom, then never ever give up on coming to America...If you ever get the chance, take it...and get to either Santa Maria, Cali, in May for the West Coast Kustoms show or Salina, Kansas, for the Leadsled Spectacular...you'll never regret the trip...!!!

R-

 

Yeah, Tiger chick stole my heart away! That photo really doesn't do her justice hubba hubba
Paul

 

Wow! What a great story and pics! Thanks for sharing.

 

Like many kustom nuts, I view Barris with mixed feelings: I love the real kustom work he and Sam did .... and I hate the gimmicky stuff he did in the '60s and later. On balance, though, he deserves a space near the front in the pantheon of kustom gods. More than any other single person, it was George Barris, the cars he did and the photos he took, that drove me and countless others to the "little books" and made us car junkies. Ask yourself, are you and the hobby better or worse off because of Barris?

Paul, good reporting, good photos and text .... and your ride is super!!

 

Really cool post Paul! I have met George a couple of times and I had the exact same experience you had seemed like a very nice guy. Glad you had such a cool weekend.

 

Thanks for sharing the cool story and pics. Congrats on getting meet an idol. The ladies were a bonus!

 

Congratulations Paul,the award is well deserved and as for meeting George Barris,,he's just a cool old guy that has been there and done that and still enjoys having a good time. HRP

 

BAD ASS Paul, Love your sweatshirt! Straight out of Lynwood.
Great stuff. Slim

 

Funnily enough Slim, it is quite literally straight out of Lynwood, done for me by Brad Masterson who is working out of the old shop. Up there on the best 50 bucks I ever spent list
Paul

 

Congrats on the best of show award, well deserved, and in meeting one of the kustomizing legends. thanks for the pics.

I too have met George on two occasions: way, way back and not too far back.

Very knowledgeable and personable person. The real talent in the Barris Bros was Sam. George had the gift of the gab, good for marketing and seeing the trends as well as a good eye for changing a vehicle. He is also known for his photography skills.

Seems all the gearheads like him but when he's around the ladies, the hands have a tendency to wander.

 

Congratulations on the award dude....your Kart rules.
Sounds like you had a great weekend.... I think your angle on Mr Barris is spot on too... Very heartening to hear how nice & easy he was.
Chalk up another vote for the Tiger!

Regards..... Jick

 

As i already said in the Golchainers CC ....CONGRATS KRIP! A well deserved one for sure.

 

Hell, I nearly forgot to mention, yesterday was George's birthday too. We all got together and signed a huge card for him and presented it at the awards. He seemed genuinely touched and appreciative, and I guess it must have been pretty strange for him to spend his birthday surrounded by Brits and Europeans. I tried to find a thread on here to add to but everything around here move so fast I figure I must have missed it. So, happy birthday for yesterday George, may you have many more to come.
Paul

 

Cool deal Paul, glad you got to meet him. As stated before, where would customizing be without his contributions?

 

Cool pics Krip, glad you were able to get out and meet one of the true pioneers of customizing. As polarizing as the man is, you are right in that he helped shape the industry. Glad you got to meet him


-Fryguy

 

Congrats Krip, and sounds like a great time!

I brought a non car buddy to a cruise at the NHRA Museum in Pomona a couple years ago, and they were featuring some killer customs that night. We were checking out these rides, and I was explaining a little about the history of customs, and how George Barris was the most influential builder in the 50s, and his early ideas are still being used on today's builds. I get a tap on the shoulder, turned around, and George is smiling at me. He said thanks for the plug - nice cars, huh! I introduced myself and my buddy, and had a great talk. Class act that guy is, and it sure made my day.

 

Go krip!

 

Nice to meet you at the weekend Paul. If it's cool with you I'll just add my photos here. Not got to the ones of you and Barris yet...

What a weekend at the Rhythm Riot it just gets better and better. I’ve got a whole mountain of shots to go through so bare with me as it will take a while. I covered half the weekend and Neal Reed covered the other half. George Barris certainly was a hit at the show, taking time to speak to anyone who wanted and telling some great tales of times gone by. The cars of Gary Hillman made the Barris visit even more special, George hadn’t seen some of these cars for 30 years. The was also a very special Model A début at the show, fresh out of Paul Burham‘s workshop, more on that later. Top bands played all weekend and people danced their shoes off. Other highlights included the burlesque skills of Cherry Shakewell and Missy Malone which were followed by a very brave chap proposing to his girlfriend on stage , luckily the answer was yes!

Rhythm-Riot-2011-001 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr
I’m sure there are bits I’m forgetting so I’ll come back to those later. Massive thanks to Robin, Collette and Jerry for hosting an epic weekend.

Rhythm-Riot-2011-020 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr
Now on with a few photos to get you started…

Rhythm-Riot-2011-002 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr

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By the way if anyone thinks that photographer have an easy life, this was my schedule for Saturday:
12:00 DJ Bill and Jimmy Guntrip Queen Vic Pub
12:30 George Barris Q&A Lunars Bar
13:30 The Western Toneflyers Queen Vic Pub
14:00 Signing of the Cars Hire Time Annex
15:00 Have a go DJ Session Queen Vic Pub
16:00 Ali Gator & his real hot Reptile Rockers Queen Vic Pub
16:30 DJ 10″ Wonderboy Lunars Bar
17:00 Break for food Room
18:00 DJ Pooly Lunars Bar
18:30 DJ Per Rock Ballroom
19:00 The Crown Top Kings Ballroom
20:00 DJ Wildcat Pete Lunars Bar
20:30 DJ Johnny Congeroo Ballroom
20:45 Lewen Stark and the Slide Boppers Ballroom
21:30 DJ Moon Lunars Bar
22:00 DJ Juarez Ballroom
22:30 The Bobbettes Ballroom
23:00 Lady Kamikaze Queen Vic Pub
23:30 DJ Tev Collins and Steve Grinster Lunars Bar
23:45 Burlesque – Missy Malone and Cherry Shakewell Queen Vic Pub
00:00 DJ Lewen Stark Ballroom
00:15 JD McPherson Ballroom
01:00 DJ Flintstones Lunars Bar
01:15 El Nino Queen Vic Pub
01:30 Burlesque – Missy Malone and Cherry Shakewell Queen Vic Pub
01:45 DJ Vanessa Ballroom
02:00 Roy Thompson and his Mellow Kings Ballroom
02:45 DJ Mark Armstrong Ballroom
And that didn’t include all the peripheral activities too, still hopefully the photos will make you think it was worth the effort.

 

Rhythm-Riot-2011-021 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr

Rhythm-Riot-2011-022 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr

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These poor girls didn't have a ride for the cuise, fortunatley I was there to save the day