Welcome Paradoxers!
This blogspot will be our new home to share updates on everyone's new cd's, links to music venues, and other activities.
You can also post remembrances, photos, and any other memorabilia you would like to share. It would be great if this could become like an archive for the Paradox -- then and now.
More information to follow as I figure this out. In the meantime, please add your comments and keep the site alive and growing.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
It's a Paradox
Here's a question I've had for awhile -- where did the name "The Paradox" come from?
The four of us were sitting around trying to think of a name, nothing sounded right until either Bob or Hank, can't remember, which, came up with "Paradox" and we all liked it. I don't think I'd ever heard the word until then....or...a airplane flew over dragging a sign that said "Paradox"....all of you can come up with your own theory...Throw them out there.
We don't want paradox seekers looking here -- that's for sure!
We'll get a history site going now that we know the origin of the name....
My guess is between Bob and Helen and Hank and Connie we can recreate just about every show through the posters. We can scan some of those, too. This will be a good winter project for me. What do you think, Helen?
I wish we had some video clips. I'd love to do a documentary. The Greenwich Village scene is so well documented but like the Golden Bear reunion showed, there was a vibrant and formative Southern California folk scene as well. The Paradox in particular nurtured an entire generation of musicians -- and wacky comedians as well.
I just need to get a little ahead financially and I'll try to tackle this project in earnest.
I would have added a link when I put that initial thing up, had I known of an historical link for the nightclub. I was hoping that you or Gary would have something to add. I just wanted to get something started, and see where the flow goes. I just hope that we can add something before they take it down for lack of link. :-) Speaking of links and Monkeys and Chimps.........
I have a Paradox story. I was down on my hands and knees scrubbing the mens bathroom, it was in the daytime, the place was dark and kinda creepy to me, the big room no lights on, just the bathroom. I hear a sound and look up, Pat Paulson was standing there, I jumped out of my skin!
Now is a good time for our house writer, Diane, to start taking notes while we still know how many toes we have. Helen's memory: It was Bob and Hank's idea, Connie and I were both very reluctant, (money issue and small kids)Hank is a wonderful business guy, Bob the music guy, good combo. At 1st we found this great place in Fullerton, perfect, right by the college. Hank and Bob go to city hall, they wanted to keep out the hippies, what's a Coffe House without hippies?, They went to a city meeting in Fullerton with Mr. Knott's at one point. The city wanted everyone who would preform to register with the sheriff...right....Mr. Knott's said, fine, but Knowtt's Berry Farm's leaving if that happened. Dick Stout of the Mona Mi was selling, be bought it. Gary, Noonan and his many followers, such as J.B. from Fullerton came, we tried to get a liquor license at one point, nada, did every thing, to stay afloat, went broke, we left before Hank and Connie.The Hoot nights carried us. Hoyt alway brought a good house. Pat Paulson did us a favor after making it big time, but we didn't have the funds to advertise. Gary, take it from here.
My career actually started at the "Mon Ami" parking cars for Dick Stout. As I recall what that entailed was directing cars with a flash light to any vacant spot which at that time was mostly a dirt lot. When I ran out of parking spots, I would get to see the show. Then it would start all over again for the next show. I guess I was just kind of thrown in with the package when Dick sold the club.
I can see it all now: What will you give me for our folk club? We have a pizza oven, an espresso machine, and a guy in the parking lot with a flashlight who parks cars and who can do sound and lights.
I remember when Pat Paulsen played the club we would wrap up the first show and charge around the corner to JJ's for a couple of cocktails and then beat a hasty retreat back to the Paradox. Late shows were sometimes a little loose, but everyone always seemed to have a great time.
It's good to see Uncle Bob still has his memory cells firing. It was "Climb Every Mountain" I can still see Pat doing it. He certainly raised the bar for a lot of comics to follow.
I can almost even hear him walking out with a guitar. But seriously folks.... What were some of the other parts of that act? I think if he could, he would have swung in on the rafters like PDQ Bach used to do in concert halls. Or, gosh, maybe he did?
That was great. I always thought this was a classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04BhAxBNWIo&feature=related He was way out in front of the pack on social commentary.
Pat Paulsen: Some bit, can't remember it all," going across the desert or something " I turned to my French companion and said, What we'll we do, Peeair?" all I remember. Of courese there was the crainial painting when the whole rig fell down!
Remember the pie fights? Gary, I didn't know we inherited you.(for the high salary?) I do remember Connie and I called you the big tipper, you always gave us a whole dollar, big bucks in those days, Hank always took it away from us. Probobly because the waitreses were so damn cute!
I'm pretty sure he took the dollars away to pay for the frozen pizza's and Oscar Meyer cold cuts that were keeping Mike and I alive. Cute waitresses but already married...DAMN!
34 comments:
The four of us were sitting around trying to think of a name, nothing sounded right until either Bob or Hank, can't remember, which, came up with "Paradox" and we all liked it. I don't think I'd ever heard the word until then....or...a airplane flew over dragging a sign that said "Paradox"....all of you can come up with your own theory...Throw them out there.
This page will keep your mind twisted for a while.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox
This is where the real headache begins.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno's_paradoxes
I always thought it sounded like something Bob would come up with but I like Zeno's idea, too!
I went to Wiki and it has "Famous nightclub Orange County, California" in the "also see" section. Gee, I wonder................
YES! That's the one.
Now, if there was just an info link that isn't the blog, to go to.
We don't want paradox seekers looking here -- that's for sure!
We'll get a history site going now that we know the origin of the name....
My guess is between Bob and Helen and Hank and Connie we can recreate just about every show through the posters. We can scan some of those, too. This will be a good winter project for me. What do you think, Helen?
I wish we had some video clips. I'd love to do a documentary. The Greenwich Village scene is so well documented but like the Golden Bear reunion showed, there was a vibrant and formative Southern California folk scene as well. The Paradox in particular nurtured an entire generation of musicians -- and wacky comedians as well.
I just need to get a little ahead financially and I'll try to tackle this project in earnest.
I would have added a link when I put that initial thing up, had I known of an historical link for the nightclub. I was hoping that you or Gary would have something to add. I just wanted to get something started, and see where the flow goes. I just hope that we can add something before they take it down for lack of link. :-) Speaking of links and Monkeys and Chimps.........
I started one -- under construction:
http://paradoxhistory.blogspot.com/
More to come.....
Are those dates right?
I have a Paradox story. I was down on my hands and knees scrubbing the mens bathroom, it was in the daytime, the place was dark and kinda creepy to me, the big room no lights on, just the bathroom. I hear a sound and look up, Pat Paulson was standing there, I jumped out of my skin!
Just wandering in from down the street looking for a men's room.
He, too, wanted to know where the paradox came from.....
Helen, who were the very first people to perform at the Paradox? Is there a flyer or ad for the opening?
Bob Sheffer and his Golden Guitar
Handsome Steve Noonan
Beach City Ramblers(Bill Cunningham)
The Cindy Apple Singers (featuring lead guitar Bob Sheffer
and others, plucked from thursday night hoot. It grew legs, or I should say fingers and vocal cords.
Now is a good time for our house writer, Diane, to start taking notes while we still know how many toes we have.
Helen's memory: It was Bob and Hank's idea, Connie and I were both very reluctant, (money issue and small kids)Hank is a wonderful business guy, Bob the music guy, good combo. At 1st we found this great place in Fullerton, perfect, right by the college. Hank and Bob go to city hall, they wanted to keep out the hippies, what's a Coffe House without hippies?, They went to a city meeting in Fullerton with Mr. Knott's at one point. The city wanted everyone who would preform to register with the sheriff...right....Mr. Knott's said, fine, but Knowtt's Berry Farm's leaving if that happened.
Dick Stout of the Mona Mi was selling, be bought it. Gary, Noonan and his many followers, such as J.B. from Fullerton came, we tried to get a liquor license at one point, nada, did every thing, to stay afloat, went broke, we left before Hank and Connie.The Hoot nights carried us. Hoyt alway brought a good house. Pat Paulson did us a favor after making it big time, but we didn't have the funds to advertise.
Gary, take it from here.
Yes, this is the time to start capturing all those good stories. Our history is in the making.
Gary brought this one to my attention (now in our history banner):
"Traditional Music for Contemporary Minds"
My career actually started at the "Mon Ami" parking cars for Dick Stout. As I recall what that entailed was directing cars with a flash light to any vacant spot which at that time was mostly a dirt lot. When I ran out of parking spots, I would get to see the show. Then it would start all over again for the next show. I guess I was just kind of thrown in with the package when Dick sold the club.
I didn't know that, Gary. You go way back!
I can see it all now: What will you give me for our folk club? We have a pizza oven, an espresso machine, and a guy in the parking lot with a flashlight who parks cars and who can do sound and lights.
What a steal!
Keep those memories and stories coming...
http://paradoxhistory.blogspot.com/
I remember when Pat Paulsen played the club we would wrap up the first show and charge around the corner to JJ's for a couple of cocktails and then beat a hasty retreat back to the Paradox. Late shows were sometimes a little loose, but everyone always seemed to have a great time.
I remember the sparklers. And what was the song he came out and sang? Dream the Impossible Dream? I just remember it being way over the top.
Bob remembers it as being "Climb every Mountain" but doesn't know for sure. Anyone remember?
I think Bob is right!
It's good to see Uncle Bob still has his memory cells firing. It was "Climb Every Mountain" I can still see Pat doing it. He certainly raised the bar for a lot of comics to follow.
I can almost even hear him walking out with a guitar. But seriously folks.... What were some of the other parts of that act? I think if he could, he would have swung in on the rafters like PDQ Bach used to do in concert halls. Or, gosh, maybe he did?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0j-iMlN18s
That was great. I always thought this was a classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04BhAxBNWIo&feature=related
He was way out in front of the pack on social commentary.
He definitely pushed the boundaries.
Here's his official announcement for the presidency:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHYQ0XiMB34
Pat Paulsen: Some bit, can't remember it all," going across the desert or something " I turned to my French companion and said, What we'll we do, Peeair?" all I remember.
Of courese there was the crainial painting when the whole rig fell down!
Remember the pie fights? Gary, I didn't know we inherited you.(for the high salary?) I do remember Connie and I called you the big tipper, you always gave us a whole dollar, big bucks in those days, Hank always took it away from us. Probobly because the waitreses were so damn cute!
I'm pretty sure he took the dollars away to pay for the frozen pizza's and Oscar Meyer cold cuts that were keeping Mike and I alive.
Cute waitresses but already married...DAMN!
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