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Combat Zone, the

The city's "adult entertainment district," located between Downtown Crossing and Chinatown, more or less. The porno places are now entirely gone, and the "combat" these days are mostly between developers and Chinatown residents who don't want to be displaced by expensive condos planned for the area's rundown buildings.

There are now just two strip clubs left, both huddled together on the mostly-an-alley Lagrange Street.

Chris Gassler

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Comments

I worked with Cristina at the Picadilly, she frequently brought some of her homemade Polish food to the club for Stanley the owner.She brought Christmas stockings for every one that worked in the club that year,filled to the brim and with our name on them. I still have mine after almost 30 years. She also introduced me to my best friend. That was 1978-9. Albert and his mom Peggy were there at that time. The big bartender you are refering to was Jack at the Caribe . He was married to Donna Lee.I remember calling Tangerine "Tangerama". Gebo or Peter the bartender gave her that name.I am the other Tangerine (redheaded) and people would sometimes call me Tangerini.Did you work there or were you a customer?

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I don't think I remembered seeing you at the Combat Zone but your comments really brought back some of my fondest memories of the Caribe Lounge and the Combat Zone that I frequented from 1975 to 1985. I was in my 20's and being deaf. In 1976, some of my friends took me to the Caribe Lounge and I loved it. As I visited that lounge, I became friendly with strippers, doormen/bouncers, Kathy, the middle aged waitress, Big Jack, George and Peter, the bartenders, and Leo, the manager with the droopy moustache that covered his mouth. I remembered strippers like Pristina, her sister Marilyn, Betsy, Tequila, Dorie Dixon, Michelle, Lisa, Natalie, and many more. What you mentioned about Cristina who worked at Piccadilly Lounge, I thought you meant Pristina. I met her at the Piccadilly and PussyCat after she quit Caribe. She was my all-time favorite stripper and I even fell in love with her. I wonder if you keep in touch with her or heard from her. The last time I saw her was at the PussyCat Lounge in Sept. 1979.

Glenn

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are you anne marie ?

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Hi Anne

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Yes.

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I remember Donna & Tangerine, the beautiful black girl. So cool hearing these names!

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I am Al from the Pussycat. My mother (Peggy) passed away in 2006. I started in the zone in 1975 at the Pic-a-dilly on a Friday night when they were stuck for a bartender. My brother Michael told Stanley (the manager) I was an experienced bartender (I wasn't). Stanley took a liking to me and in two weeks I was the day manager and bartender. I remember most of the names mentioned previously. I remember Lady Tangerine, Tangerine, Susan Monterrey, Diane Lewis, and the bartender who went with Andrea was "Gebo" not Gino. I remember Billy Dwyer--a stand up guy. Loved "There's a Moon Out Tonite," or another song by that group. If you read this Billy, You'll know I'm whi I say I am.

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Hi Al!!,

I remember you. Thanks for remembering me. Question, do you recall the Miss nude Exotica contest in 1978 ? .Susan Montery won first prize. It was held at the Piccadilly. Someone told me that you have the movie reel. If so I would like to see it, since I'm in it also. You can mail me [email protected]. I would love to hear from you! Thanks Tangy

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Yes "Gebo" not Gino. I wrote more then one post here, I noticed I wrote Gino in one post .I got his name right in the second post. My mind is playing tricks on me. I hope these responses to you go through.Ps. Whatever happened to the film reel fronm the Miss Nude Exotica contest? Susan Monterey was the winner. I was in that contest also. Thanks Tangy. qaz7893 @yahoo.com

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Reading this page/ blog has broght back so many memories mostly good.Im so sad to hear Peggy passed. I loved her, and Als tshirt evil wicked mean and nasty,... you could be MEAN LOL but you were really a good guy deep down.

I remember all the names as I started in 79-80 TRU 85 a very young girl who had no idea what mixing was about... many people called me mistake as they said I didnt belong but I loved dancing and the girls I met and became friends with were all amazing in their own way.
From the women who were classy burlesque dancers, I in fact remember many that have been named gave me hints and tips when i began and a few who scolded me when I sat in their spot on the mirror row... I have to say I have since left that world behind and went into research but I have never worked with more loyal stand up people girls bartenders and doormen alike.

People looked out for one and other and yes there were cat fights but it blew over quickly. Cold tea at 4 seas or moonvilla... those were the days .I would love a reunion and I hope to really set one up. I understand some who may want to leave it in the past but there are many who may like to say hello and chat about the good times we had. respond back if you like the idea of a reunion.

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Hi Myztique--Hope all is well with you and yours. A reunion sounds interesting but the logistics could be a pain. How many? Where? How big a place? Food or no food? Charge or free? How much? Sex or no sex (just kidding)? See what I mean? Anyway if you want to go forward I would be willing to help. You can get in touch with me at [email protected]. Stay healthy & happy! By the way, I'm still wicked, but not evil, mean, or nasty (ok, just a bit nasty) anymore.

Big Al

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Albert, Albert is it you? I hope it is and if so, please contact me. It is kind of important. I would really LOVE to speak with you.
Hope this works out

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Albert, if you by chance ever read this, please send an email to me at [email protected]. I would really like to speak with you.

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I worked at Sam's Beef and Ale as a waitress from1984 -1987 when they closed.I than went to work as a waitress across the st. at Dominic's.(the old alfie's)I worked there from 1987- 2006,when they closed. I was devastated. I grew up in the zone. When I wasnot working at the resteraunt, I would be right out there with my man at the time.(loser with a capital L)He hung around with all the fixtures down there. Do you remember Mary Canery . I use to hang out with her when I first started working downtown. Didn't tony and Mary go to Florida? Do you remember Dale and Jimmy. Little Dale was short with long dark hair. They always kept a room over the saxon back in the day. I was best friends with Nelson over at the Tam.Nelson was the private cop they payed to clean up the Tam. He was cool and the gang, He died tragicly 8 years ago. Do you remember fat Lisa and Eric. Or milton, or Shirly and wally? Write back so we can compare war stories. What a couple of decades those were.

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OMG...Nelson passed away?? Very Sorry to hear that happened. I new a lot of the bartenders at the Tam (I worked as bartender at Charlie Flynn's in the mid 90s). Lee was a bartender who worked at the Tam and had previously worked at the Beacon Hill Pub. Lots of great memories of my times working and playing there.

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Wow, that is so sad he was a great guy..

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ah worked at the palace on washinton st. 1959 ah think it was. palyin with a musical group. there was 3 or 4 bars within the place and a bouncer they called russian. they were some good days..and ah had a great time..still playin" music at 73.

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I was a regular patron all around the zone in the 80's. My favorite was the Naked I. I remember a huge bouncer there. He was like andre the giant kind of huge. I remember when the girls shift was over he would line them up and escort them all into a big van.

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richie allen was a moron.

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Why yes,he was.A real thug.Him and his bestest buddy,Jimbo.

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was he the creep that sold all kinds of jewlery and shit...
UGH!

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Dear Bouncer Bob,
I'm writing a book about the 1976 murder of Andrew Puopolo in the Combat Zone. Would love to hear your memories of Richie Allen - especially what he did with his life after he was acquitted. On or off the record. Please email me at [email protected] Would be grateful. Thanks.

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I'm writing a book about the 1976 murder of Andrew Puopolo in the Combat Zone and the two trials that followed. I would love to talk to you if you knew Richie Allen, Eddie Soares or Leon Easterling back in the day. It could be on or off the record, whichever you prefer. I would be grateful.

If you have a few minutes, please email me at:
[email protected]

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Mr. Tudan: I just finished "Lovers, Muggers & Thieves." It's a well-written, fascinating portrayal of Boston's seedy side. I bought my copy this week from a prominent display of local writers at Border's, corner of Washington and School Streets here in Boston. You were in good company, alongside George V. Higgins, Dennis Lehane, et al, and you surely deserve the placement. By the way, congratulations on pursuing and succeeding in your architectural career, despite all the distractions. I trust your clients are as pleased with your creative designs as your readers are with your creative writing. Best regards.

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Frank,
I truly appreciate your praise. Lovers, Muggers & Thieves is presently being adapted as a screenplay in Los Angeles, and I am collaborating with the screenwriter, Gayla Kraetch Hartsough. This has been a fun ride.
Regards,
Jonathan Tudan

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Does anyone remember Sonny Stanton and his band playing The Palace? 1959-62. He had a very good singer with the band: Moondog

Going back to the fifties, there was a piano bar in the alley way up Washington Street before Avery -- part of the Avery Hotel. I think it was above a restaurant named Dinty Moore. I saw Keith Jarrett there in the late fifties. He played there regularly.

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I played guitar with him for a few nights in the late sixties. He was a decent entertainer and played light jazz and funky jazz for the most part. Friendly too. I have no idea as to what became of him, but it was a fun, easy time.

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strippers hookers after hours went to mary anns at the circle and then finished the night off at 1869 beacon St what a strange trip it was has bndows that never cameen and always will be 1869 beacon was the place for group sex and reefer>>> the record player in the back living room stuck on fog hat live slow ride and all us naked kids lying on the floor passed out hoping for cool air through the window that never came and then the hot steamy sun who's got money for eagles deli breakfast? life in the 80's before AIDS!!!!!!!

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Sonny Stantonlived for many yrs in L.A. then back to NY and part-time in Boston. He died in July 1998 at 65 yrs

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I was thinking about the glorious crazy days spent listening to Sonny Stanton at the Palace and getting busted by the ABC. My roomate from BU used to date Sonny. So sorry to learn of his passing.

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Mary, Is it you ? If so, please email me. Neil

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When I first moved into the zone in 83 or so,the place on Tremont Street was Alfies -- amazing place;half Bikers(Red Emeralds),half hookers and pimps.I was there one night when Dominick(who was only part owner at the time) threw a guy through the front window.JB the bartender was the man if you wanted virtually any controlled substance.I worked in the clubs for a few years,then I worked for Alex at the Saxon with Tony and Big Dave Guthrie.That place was almost as rough as the clubs that I had worked in.To the anon who posted on Sept.16,do you remember Brenda ? She had a place above the Saxon,too.She,um,worked at home.She also was a fixture dancing in the 70s,but retired because hooking paid better(her words).How about Richie Allen?Maybe we knew a lot of the same people.Ah nostalgia......

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You probably know me.I was one of the youngest people downtown. I waitressed at Sam's Beef and Ale from when i was 15-18 years old. I then went to work for Dominic until they closed from 87-2006.I sure do remember Richie A. I used to hang out with his wife Tina sometimes. she would by liquer for me because I was too young to buy it myself. I was with Milton from when I was 15 till I was about 21 and grew up and got smart. I used to always call the payphone in the coffee shop looking for Milton.Little Dale died about 6 years ago.Do you remember Dale and Jimmy?Any way's who were you? I remember Tony and Mary Canary and many of the people.My daughter is Caddy's child. I am quite sure you remember Caddy.Write me back and let me know if you know me. I was always downtown when I wasn't waitressing.

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Hey Debbie,

How have you been? My name is Allan. I used to hang out at Dominic's when you worked there. We used to talk often. I used to work for the City of Boston. Why did they close down Dominic's? What have you been up to now? You can email me at [email protected]
I hope to hear from you.

Thank

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I think they just retired or sold the property for a good price. I thought it was a decent enough place but kind of boring. The era of the bar in Boston is also over.

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Does anyone remember the cast of characters at the Naked I in the mid-seventies. I think a guy named Ray C? ran the club. There was a supposed FBI agent called Earl. One of the bartenders was Tony and the day manager was Billy. Some of the dancers were Suzanne, Jasmine, Lynda. The band was terrific, but then - as with the other clubs - they were replaced with a jukebox. For a while there was a black woman MC - but I can't remember her name.

I'd love to hear if anyone knows what happened to these folks.

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Allittle before my time. I entered the scene as a dancer there in mid 80's, Mel was the owner and his goofy son (just kidding if u see this post) were in charge. There was Joel one of the bartenders, Ricky the rough looking bouncer. Dancers I remember,, Karen, Chanel, P. Cheyenne, Sweet Sativa, Dori, and a host of others... In my early 50's I've had to rehab from all that mixing, I could really swill the drinks. I stuck it out from 79 thru 83 (at least for what I can remember). I would love to know about any of the characters of this 'time'. Or e me at [email protected].

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Does anyone remember Mr. Alan

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Mel's son, Geoffrey, passed away sometime in October 2010.

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Wow. I was in touch with Geoff on a very occasional basis but had not seen or talked with him in a few years. He and I were very friendly, had met socially as we lived in the same building, and spent much time together. We used to take his dog Greta with us to TC's opposite Berklee and she'd lay outside on the sidewalk - no leash ever - waiting. We'd leave after closing and go for a walk while she hunted the rats. Just hunted down his Obituary.

Later I worked at the Naked i first as a day manager, Billy was very ill from cancer and was on qualuudes for the pain, so I was really his assistant but did most of the work while he supervised and coached. The huge benefit of this position is I had all the dancers home phone numbers because I did the phone calls. Hi, it's Joel. Your on the schedule are you coming in? Yup, wake up calls. Later I bartended for about 5 years. This was 1980 - 1985.

Sure I loved the dancers like you imagine and dated more than a few, but so many were more like sisters, sexy as all get up, but not as interesting to me. Adored Karen (long hair) and Kendra and Dori Dixon, and spent time with so many others after hours. One time I walked into Upstairz in Key West and I'm talking to the bouncer who wants to collect money from me (admission) and there is a scream and it's Butterfly aka Linda Lamia who had seen me and screamed, comes running out of the club naked except for a thong and spike heels and jumps on me. I think I'll start an ex-employee list for a future reunion! HAHAHAH How will that be! If you want to be on it send me your real name, stage name if applicable, club affiliation and any other info. If you've got any photos I'd love to start to collect these too so forward them along. If I get somewhat of a mass of them I'll circulate them around. [email protected]

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Kendra - I remember you - you were my favorite dancer @ the naked I - you were always very nice to me - I recall you wore a fedora and cute little rock n' roll outfits on stage - We often ran into each other @ the Rat - good times !!!

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Kendra your email doesn't work. You can email me at [email protected] I would love to interview you.

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Comenzo was Ray's name. The corporate name was his name spelled backward. Dee was the mc/dj. I remember Tony the bartender. He ended up marrying a dancer named Skyler.

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You mean Ray Comenzo. He was also an academic.. social scientist I think.

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A social scientist? Well he must have had an advantage over his fellow-students. There would have been enough subject matter to have written several theses.

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Ray didn’t manage to get very far from the Zone, or even off Washington St. He’s not an academic or a social scientist. He’s a doctor at Tufts Medical, and a specialist in some rare disease.

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Stopped in one time at the Naked I as a 16 or 17 y.o. in the early 70's to see if I could get a drink. So I bellied up to the bar and, well, memory isn't serving me too well so I can't say if I got that drink. Just remember sitting there for several minutes and a woman working the joint came up to me and started trying to sweet talk me into buying her a drink ......rubbing her breasts on my arm and everything. I politely declined and sat there for a few more minutes. Then I felt the need to turn and look behind me and could swear on my life that Debbie Harry was standing there by herself just hanging out. I couldn't believe it.....that's the reason I found this site - thinking of Debbie Harry and trying to find a way to ask her if that was her.
The majority of my time in the Zone was walking up one side of Washington and down the other ducking in and out of those peep shows, spending my hard earned paper route money... Lol !!
Aaah yes !!! The good ole days !!!

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I worked there the lady i remember was Red that was a burlesque dancer back in her day. Lambrose was the manager and Roy Dee was my agent . I danced under the name Eve then.

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Roy Dee was my manager also. I first danced as Saphire at the NI and then as Dianna

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does anyone remember the mouse trap lounge

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I do......we probably all do.It was located outside of the CZ,just down the street from the Teddy Bear Lounge,I believe.

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The Mousetrap was right next door to the Teddy Bear(Bare?) Lounge

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Does anyone remember the agent named Roy Dee? I think he was a real scum bag, even by CZ standards.

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he was my wifes agent but that was way before i knew her she told me about him she had to blow him every night before she started her name was jane stage name strawberry at the pussycat a natural red head 18 when she started

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Oh yes I remember him...made lots of money off those poor girls

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anybody else have videos taken of them by Roy dee? Sickens me where these may have ended up. Any info [email protected]. Thx

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oh the fond memories of the zone, when I came home on leave from the US Navy, I'd make a beeline to the zone from 1976 to 1982. and then on and off till 1988 when I left the state.
dated a Radcliff sophmore from the naked I, fell in love with princess cheyenne, and had a set of twins with very long brunette hair from the mousetrap/intermission or the 2o"clock club. forgot which club.
Miss the last of the Burlesque dancers from the Pilgrim theatre. Society the poorer for the passing of this art form.

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I do remember you, quite clearly. I remember one day, about two or three days before Mel made you a feature, you were dancing in the back room and Lisa Treat walked by saying to Mel that you were the sexiest dancer she had ever seen. You had just started doing "floor shows" (remember those?) and there was a crowd of lunch time construction workers and stock brokers along the stage and on the stairs watching you. I also remember the magazine article we were interviewed for (written by Cheyenne) with that awful picture by Roswell ______. A little while after that, you cut your hair and Mel was pissed about it.

Anyways, it's nice to hear that you're well and intact! Some of us weren't that lucky, I guess. I've heard through the grapevine that some of us have died, others just faded away, strung out. I'm doing well. I left the business for a number of years (4 years) to get into my own business and then headed back when that went south. I ended up staying until the end, when the club closed on New Year's Eve, 1995 (I think). I married one of the bartenders and life's been good to both of us.

I don't know if you've heard any news where you are, but a couple of years ago, Cheyenne's daughter, Torrie, was killed in a car crash. I've not spoken to Lucy in maybe 18-20 years, but her face has been in the news from time to time. Mostly to do with the psychological counseling practice she had somewhere on the south shore, and of course when her daughter died.

Take care, and I hope all continues to go well with you.

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I know this may sound crazy but my mother was a dancer at the naked i in boston in the 80's and 90's I was looking to see if anyone knew any info about her or wants to sit down and have a chat grab some food and talk. I was born in 1992 she gave me up at the hospital because she was a dancer at the time and into drugs. 26 years later still looking for her. I know it may not mean much to most people becuase she may have not made the best decisions but I'd like to meet her if I had the chance. Please contact me if you're willing to help or may know anything! Thank you so much!

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i hope you find your Mother!

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I was there in 95 i think. [email protected] is my email

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I mostly remember the late 80's - 90's at Jerome's Naked i. Let's see ...

(1) Gwynneth (dancer, waitress and bartender). The Irish bartender was her boyfriend: D.., D-something. She was so warm and sweet. She knew Princess Cheyenne and many others.

(2) Katrina (black hair; incredible dancers' legs and flexibility). I think she was a professional dancer by training. What a sense of humor she had!

(3) A dancer with long brown hair whose name was, I think, Mary: she put on spectacular shows with costumes and careful choreography to match the music; she used fake blood capsules in her vampire act; she'd crush the capsules in her mouth and the blood would drip down her body. Unfortunately, the place had become more of a strip club than a show club and when her tips were bad (worse and worse towards the end) she could be so bitter. She was very artistic. I hope she found a more rewarding outlet for her talents.

(4) I think Lady Linda Lemaya traveled back and forth between Boston and Florida. She must have been more than 6 feet tall. Some Boston musician wrote and performed "Queen of the Naked i" about her and she would sometimes dance to it. "Let's go on down, right next to Chinatown, In the cabaret, it can be night or day. Number 666, it's still the same old tricks. ... Raise your dollars high, to the Queen of the Naked i." She had a butterfly tattoo on her derriere. Some people say that PC is the Queen of the Naked i but did anybody write a song about PC?

(5) Topaz: incredible Japanese or Japanese-American gymnast. She danced to Miami Sound Machine's "Conga" and would do energetic backflips and splits and was just amazing. She wore a peach or tangerine colored shift / dress and matching bikini.

(6) Cassie and M-something. Cassie was short and had short hair that was sometimes blond and sometimes black. M-something might actually be Cassandra because they sort of kept changing names. Other members of that clique were "Ankh" or "Anka" (brown hair) and a petite bleached blond whose boyfriend was a big Native American biker dude. She showed me her Dream Catcher.

(7) The owner of Montien was a regular patron.

(8) Chicken George was a regular.

(9) There was some guy who was supposedly a Harvard Prof who sat in the front near the main stage area on the "Essex St." side. Dancers told me he was very weird but safe.

---------------------|||||||
runway main stage
---------------------|||||X| X = Harvard Prof

(10) The Brazilian Sisters! I forget their names. Mercedes? and Something. They were NOT twins. Skinny with bolt-ons and athletic with small, beautiful naturals who had won some bikini and or wet T-shirt contests at other local bars. I can "hear" their music sets in my head but I don't know the names of the songs.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

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I just heard one of the songs! The taller, skinnier Brazilian sister almost always opened with Thunder Struck by ACDC. I can still picture her in her fluttery leather (or fake leather) outfit.

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I am french my name is Isabelle and I worked for 2 years with Declan her girlfriend and Victoria and the scottish guy as well ...great fun for the ilLegal alliens we where ...very rich human (universal) experience !

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Isabelle, nice to hear from you. This is Des, the Scottish bartender.
Are you still in France?

We'll be in Paris next summer.

Reply and I'll send you an email address.

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Hi Des, long time! Maybe you'll see this message this decade! Thirty years later and I still see Jimmy at Starbucks from time to time. When your name comes up, it's always with a laugh at your sense of humor and respect for your Scottish ways! The Naked i is a galaxy far away and long ago, but good to see you as one of the survivors who's moved on. Oh yeah - I'm not writing a book - some memories are only meant to be shared with those who live through the same! You know who I am!

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harvard guy: did he bark at the dancers?

Gwenneths boyfriend was the scottish bartender Dez the super tall guy. I think there married now. Declan died I think. His girlfriend the brazilian girl Debby said he did when he went back to Irland.

Brazilian sisters were mahony and nicky. Mahony had the "boob job" and the black feather outfit. nicky was relly tanned and natural. chicken Geordge liked to buy them drinks alot. I think Mercdeds was the older sister but i didn't know her. There was another group of sisters from Brazile. I dont remember there names but one of them was kinda older like around 40 or so when she was there.

Dancer wth long brown hair is not Mary. Her names Karen and she use to get mad alot. She was a good dancer but sometimes yell at the guys coz they did not tip her.

1 of the old bar tenders works at Star bucks. He was kind of fat with long hair. Jonny? Jim? He seems to know were every one is and has lots of news about them.

I herd Teddy the manager died of a heart attack. Lambro one of the owners was working the in the tv department at some store.

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The Havard guys name was John. We used to call him John the barker. He also used to follow the dancers movements with his head. I was one of the dancers there. We used to think it was funny to get him
to bark and follow our movements but now I think it was actually kind of mean. Also,I'm not exactly sure if he worked at Harvard. I think it was at MIT and it was rumored that he was a professor but no one was really sure.

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Declan's dead? A shame

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I happen to have a large-ish framed photo of Sandy Shore. Very tastefully done, soft focus photo (one breast is kind of visible). It is actually autographed to my dad, Henry. He no longer wants it, but it doesn't feel right to me to huck it into the trash. Does anyone want it? You'd need to pick it up at my place of business in the center of Peabody, Ma. Let me know.

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I remember her from the zone as well as up on route one and squire. I wonder what happened to her she was very entertaining.

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I'm a journalist and novelist writing a non-fiction book about the Puopolo murders and the two trials. I am trying to write an objective book from all sides and see the event as social history which captures Boston at a pivotal time. I need to reconstruct the Combat Zone in 1976. I'd also love to hear from anyone who knew or knows Richie Allen, Edward Soares and Leon Easterling. I think some if not all of them have passed away, but would love to know more about them.

Please email me at [email protected] THANKS!!!

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THE FERRARI'S OF CANADA, ANYONE REMEMBER???I'M GEORGE MARTINELLI, THE LEAD SINGER. WE STARTED PLAYING IN JEROME'S ON WASHINGTON STREET IN 1963. WE WERE THERE FO 8 YEARS.I'D GO ACROSS THE STREET TO SEE ROGER PACE ON MY BREAK AND AGREE, ROGER WAS AWSOME. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT WAS AROUND AT THAT [email protected]

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There was a band called the five fascinators that for sure played Jeromes in 1965. They were the original Johnny and the Hurricanes
band, Iwould sit in occasionally, met my wife of 44 years in Jeromes. Absolutely the best time of my life CZ 1965.

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Does anyone remember ths store or Mr. Alan. It was around 600 Washington.

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Yes, I dated and lived with Mr. Alan in the 1970's

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I remember Alan (Schwartz, though he didn't usually disclose that, trying to pass for Italian!). I remember when he worked across the street, at Howard's, before he opened his own place. My father had a fruitstand on the corner of Hayward Place, and I basically grew up there, watching the area fully become "the Zone".

Pre-"zone": Essex Deli on Essex St, Nick's Cafeteria on Washington and Avery, Odessa Deli on Avery....Snyder's Army Navy!!! House of Hurwitz! It was a real neighborhood, and I was there every day after school and 8-6 Saturdays and all summer, from 71 on...would love to hear more DAYTIME memories of the zone!

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I was there, I remember the Caribe Lounge, Leo, Hot Ice, Michelle, etc.,etc. It seems like a million years ago, anyone remember "Candy" ?

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I remember...
Love
Georgina...
yep I made it out alive...tee-hee

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I'm glad you're okay, whoever you are.

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I was in The Zone '73-'75. Worked at the Carribe 3-4 times. (What a scumbag Leo was..)
Also frequently worked the Living Room, Squires and 2 0'clock.
Some of my besties I remember were...Desiree, Ronnie Fox, Trinket, Barbarella and side kick I think Rachael....

I was far from, stable back the....
Called myself...
Georgina

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Georgina, I was great friends with Rachael, from Venezuela, right? I spent a lot of time in the Two O’Clock. My regular bartender was the nephew of “Lefty Two-Guns” Ruggiero of NYC. Al Pacino played him in “Donnie Brasco”. Interesting folks.

Do you have any memories of; Jackie Brody, Stephanie Rose, Krishna or Sweet Lorraine?

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YEAh i remember candy samples didnt she use to perform at the Pilgrim with uh flanny fox and congressman robber mills?? their wuz um er uh dippin doo nut in fields kahner and uh um re white cab company on dot ave their wus pussy kat over on lincoln ave that place wuz funn 2!!

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"If you ever find a way out of here,just keep on going, run, don't look back,and don't even think about looking anyone up later."

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man i remember as a 16 year in the late 70s i was hook on them strip clubs.i love the pussycat.you may wonder how did they let me in,i had MONEY!!!!!!!!! i had got my first job as a lifeguard,and lets just say that most of my money went there.i remember this black striper name symone.MAN THIS WOMEN WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! as soon as i saw her,lust just over came me.there was also this beautiful white stripper name STAR.man she was hott.but i remember this man that tould me when i came in,to make sure i could remember all the beer.so he wort out a list and tould me to remember it,so when i came in i knew what i was doing.

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i remember one time when i was about 17 i went in to liberty book store.i was looking at doors that had a girl inside a booth. and the door had a photo of each girl behind the door.i remember seeing this one girl pic,and it had a strange name.it said LARITTA SEXY SHEMAIL.AGAIN IM ONLY 17 AND I HAD NO CLUE WHAT THE HECK THAT MEET.so i put my money in the booth,and i saw a women there,and yes she look very much like a women.so we made small talk.i ask her to open her legs,and she could tell that i was young,and did not know who she really was.so after a little more begging from me,she did open her legs,and what i saw was a LONG FREAKING CROOKET PENIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!. MAN I WAS LIKE YOU GOT A DICK!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I FELL AS I RAN OUT OF THERE.LOL

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I was a dancer at the 2o'clock lounge. I had a great time ,lots of fond memories .

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or fondling memories?

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Anybody remember roni silver?

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I remember roni silver,dee. I met her at the silver slipper. She was living in winthrop at the time and hanging out with a red emerald named danny tibbets. She gave me a birth control tip one time that though i could see it would work, i didn't wind up following her advice. guess, i thought that i might have to use a rubber donut for sitting if i had...

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Had a daughter named Trina..looking for herr

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How about some type of reunion get together, would that be too weird? Probably not a good idea.

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Sure..why not.. a Combat Zone facebook.

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#1 Anyone around in the 70's knows better than to have anything to do with "Facebook" #2 Most people that were there have moved on, and regret their involvement with the Combat Zone.

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Got to reminiscing and just did a search. I have good memories if not many of the CZ, the Naked I. I saw an add in the paper..you know looking for exotic dancers. I quit my crappy pay day job at a center plaza brokerage firm. I was young and stupid and glad of it. What an adventure! I was in awe of Princess Chyenne the first time I saw her on the stage. "Woman in the Moon" I remember the song. One of my favorites. So, face book huh?

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Clever girl :)

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You really haven't been reading these comments too closely, have you.
This site seems flooded with people who were around in the 70's and loved every minute of it. At least that's what I gather.

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I loved working all over Boston. Some of my best Christmases and Thanksgivings were with the girls I worked with. So much craziness and pretzels too!!!
Amber

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Amber, I worked there in the early 90's - and you are right! We had great holidays together. Were you in that time frame too!

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If you notice, no one is exactly identifying themselves! We tend to remember the positive things and block out the ugly stuff. It was actually a very sad experience in my opinion.

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It would be too weird if this a real Ann Marie and one I knew back then. And Roni Silver, why does that ring a bell?

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I'd definitely join the party. Hell, I'd help organize it. There are many folks I'd enjoy seeing again.

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Still trying to post to this site

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Interested in finding anyone from 1972-1978 I danced at the 20'clock club for a short period of time, Then the Teddybear and finally, the Squire.

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I
Hew them all really well I miss them all.
George

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Hi Leslee,
Do you remember Barbara "Sunshine" French? She was a dancer at the 2 O'Clock and Pussy Cat?
Jeffrey

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Hi. I played guitar in the band at the Squire for 3 yrs July 73-July 76. The place drew a very diverse crowd: young people who came to dance, couples who came to hang out and drink, and of course the hard-core striptease audience. We played top-40 hits 5 sets a night, the dance floor was usually crowded and there were go-go girls on pedestals who got naked while we played. One I remember was named Misty. When we took our 20-minute breaks, strippers performed on the dance floor. Alphonso was the owner, Paul Tripp was the bandleader, the bouncers were Billy and John, the barmaid was Barbara. When Alphonso died, the new boss was Richie somebody. In July 76 I quit playing for a sales job with Capitol Records in NYC, and did that gig for over 30 years.

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Hi Paul,
I just found this site, I am looking for people who remember The Squire when it was owned by Alfonso Aucella. He also had "Alfonso's and the Monkey Lounge" next door until it burned down in 1970. I was told that the Squire was called the Camelot Lounge first before it was the Squire but there are only a few ads for it in the old newspapers. Paul Tripp and the Knights played at both places.I would love to speak with you about your experience there as a musician! Thanks in advance, Brenda

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Oops sorry my email is [email protected] if anyone had information on Alfonso's/Monkey Lounge in Revere or The Squire in the 1970 when it was first the Camelot. Thanks!

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I spent a lot of time in the Combat Zone in the mid-1970’s; I felt “looked after” by the folks that owned the clubs. I made friends with some of the girls.

Once we all went to the Four Seas for Chinese. A wino outside the club made a rude remark about all those girls getting into my limo. I flipped him the bird, with a smile and got into the car. As I settled back into the rear seat; I noticed, through my open window, the wino lurching across the sidewalk! I hit the up button for the window; the world went into slow-mo, the window, the wino and POW! My face and my powder-blue, 3 piece suit were drenched in muscatel!

The girls took this all in high spirits; they appreciated that I took the hit for their honor. The event was a great ice-breaker. Good times.

Do you have any memories of; Jackie Brody, Stephanie Rose, Krishna, Rachael or Sweet Lorraine?

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Now that I am in this post, I can list some of the people I liked working with. I worked with Melanie my first day as she had the dressing table next to me. Teddy Venus was kind (Good Cop) and Elliot the manager was kind and then became brutal. He was a bully. So then I worked at the Teddybear and loved George and Bucky. Diane Lewis was my dressing room buddy for two years. I hated mixing and loved dancing. It was not such a priority at the Teddybear. I loved the band at both places and they were your friend if you wanted your music played right!! Here are a few of the names I remember working with, Mickey Martin, Diedra Rhodes, Nevada Sands, Mary from Vegas, Kenny the bartender at the 2o'clock, Ernie, Billy Martin (Sax) No No Nanette, Michelle, Lee Miles (the best heart) Peggy Bartender at Teddybear, Bernadette (Silver Slipper) - she sold me my poodle (Oliver Twist) through Peggy who had him first., Dusty, Cookie, Olynda, Bucky was the best. The teddybear was a special place as were they all in their own way. Jerry Dean comes to mind. She gave me her big pillow, a real lady all the way. Electra 2000 (RIP) Jose the light man at the 20'clock club. Sonny and Norma at the Squire treated me very well. Ernie the light man at the Squire. Of course Leigh Sheron and Tiffany Carter and Tiffany Diamond. These are the people that I can remember, there are many more. Christina Fox and her St Bernard who used to come up the back stairs at closing and if I opened the door and saw him, I let him come on the stage to wake everyone up!! Will come back when I remember more!! Hello Cookie from Chelsea!!

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amber, you're so right. i dated lee miles for a while. she was really avery nice lady. in her day, when she was the star of the peek-a-boo room at the 2 o'clock, she had a terrific act. one night she was billed as "she came in a coffin" and eas wheeled on stage in an actual coffin. back then lee always had a kind of "elvira" look. last i knew she was working in brockton as a "spiritual advisor" (whatever that means...fortune teller?) i always liked her. i hope she's still with us and is ok. she did have "the best heart".

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Hi. I played consistently at the Novelty 1970-73. What a bucket of blood. Bikers without bikes. A bizarre place if ever there was one. Booked by Don McNichol. Travelled to Baltimore in 72 where our organist Tony Z phoned up his old friend Roger Pace to sub in on drums one night at the Zodiac club where were gigging. Roger sang Rod Stewart songs that night.

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Does anyone remember Sonny from Squire and know what he is doing today? Also, Alice in Wonderland from the Teddybear? Forever Amber

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Sonny died a few years back from cancer. Squire has since been sold.

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hi Amber.I worked at the TB Loung from 1971 to early 1974,tending bar.Bucky got me the job.I was going to law school at the time.My best friend during that period was a dancer called Candy Heart,she was a bit older than me ,im 72 now.She was blond and had been in the business several years when I meet her.Her agent was Paul Jordan.I think she danced at the Squire Club after Big Al passed away when Richi Cass took the club over .ID love to find her,and see how she doing.Bucky,George Tec,Richi,and Paul J r all in heaven now,maybe u can help me find her.my tel #6175234499

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Hi, I noticed that you mentioned billy Martin from the 2 O'clock. He was my stepfather, many years ago, but I'd love to learn how his life turned out. My Mom was Patricia Lee from the picidilly, and my aunt was cherrie Lynn.

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In the previous thread I neglected to tell you my dancing name. It was Amber.

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AMBER? ARE YOU AMBER MIST? BECAUSE IF YOU ARE.......WE WERE BEST FRIENDS IN THE CZ!
SATANS ANGEL
AKA: ANGEL WALKER

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WOW, great coming across this thread. I use to hang out at the game room. My friend stacey worked at 66. My uncle worked at a parking lot of Washington, across from a religious store.Ohh the memories. I hung at at T.C's too! I heard that mentioned,i lived upstairs.

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Does anyone remember a dancer from the i who danced under the name Paris in the 80's?

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There were two girls named Paris in the 80's. The first one was a tallish, long legged blonde, who left around 1983. I think she went to The Pussycat.

A couple years later, there was another "Paris", originally from Maine, who started dancing when she attended college in Boston. She was there until the club closed, sometime in the mid-90's. No idea what happened to her, but heard that she ended up going back to Maine and having kids.

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a lot of stories, started 1965 at jeromes, 17 yr old,working for louis venois..i remember TT, the ferraries and i think a cousin of mine used to date george [holly].DINO [dean orr]bartender killed in a bank job early 80s. the adult bookstore nest to the world famous 2o'clock. harry p. ernie the attorney, ernie the bartender,lee miles in the back room [peek-a-boo room]peggy the daytime bartender [boyfriend steve] bobby marsh [bouncer bob?] elliot [gray slacks blue sportcoat]. the living room? devon st john from no la

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I remember Ernie the Attorney, he did my taxes!!! I will never forget Elliot, could never figure him out. How can you remember what color his "uniform" was!!! Must have left an impression on you! LOL!
I heard that Ernie the Bartender (Such a Sweet Man) was thrown down an elevator shaft. Amber from California

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i was in the navy and spent alot of time in the combat zone,there was ahot dog stand on the corner of washington st.,cannot remember the side street name but i drank all day and night at a bar on that side street,the owner was a good guy,his last name was a italian name,henry tanigliaro,bbad spelling.email me if anyone remembers this club or henry,i believe his son was shot leaving yhe club one night.

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The name of the hot dog stand was "John's".

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that was Johns hot dog stand on the corner of washington and lagrange and his famous saying was HOW MANY

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Yeah she looked a little like the chick from dirty dancing. She barely moved on stage and she worked out like a fiend too which I always thought was strange. LOL!

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Yes. I remember her. I worked with her...great body and very sexy

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Does anyone remember Cindi Plowden who worked out of the Combat Zone in the late 70s up until 1980 or 1981?

Or Pam or Savi (aka "Indian Debbie") from Good Time Charlie's?

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Yes....I met Indian Debbie once.She was a sweetheart.

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Does anyone remember a woman by the name of Vivian, very pretty. She was a go-go dancer for awhile at the Intermission around 1964 to 1965. She hung at Jerome's, the King of Pizza and Dino's. Married an Italian guy named George, but I don't believe the marriage was long-lasting. There was also a short guy named Dino we hung out with, outside of Jerome's mostly. Just wondering.

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What a great site! Played at all of the aforementioned clubs in late 60's, but most memories from the Intermission. Band was called THE CHAIN GANG, our initial stab at full time music. Six sets a night; they turned the jukebox off 18 minutes into your 20 minute break, and if you were late you were fined! Seven nights/wk, with an additional matinee from 3-6 Sunday afternoons, and that was the norm for all those clubs. THE GIRLS weren't naked-YET-but there was a lot of other action going on in that place, believe me! Remember the Balliro people, envelopes passing at the door, and the circus outside in the streets. But that was a fast way to learn about being pro musicians. It served us well, along with countless other bands from that incredible era in Boston Rock&Roll. We all could identify with what The Beatles did at The Cavern, in Hamburg, and all that. It FORCED YOU to be professional-or else! so many stories, so little time... Fascinating memories.

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I was serving in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Boston from 1967-1969 and went to the Combat Zone often. I was in my early 20's and didn't have a care in the world! I liked the Garden of Eden especially. The manager was Larry Messina, then in his late 60's or early 70's, and it was rumored that he was a son of the founder of Boston's Mafia. To me, he was just Larry, a kindly, grandfatherly type that always came over to my seat for small talk. One of the bartenders was named Richie, who told me he had been on a chain gang in Florida. He was nice to me and slipped me a free drink occasionally. I dated Elaine Paul (stage name "Tootsie Roll")from the Garden of Eden for a brief time.
I also liked to go to Kim Toy's in Chinatown (good, cheap food!)
I wish every well who went through that stage of life in the Combat Zone.

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I used to like the Kim Toy restaurant too. The notorious Professor Douglas used to eat there as well. I guess it closed in the late 80s or thereabouts. A smaller Chinese market now occupies the space.

I actually explored the area recently for signs of the old Combat Zone; one would never guess what it was once like. The building that was once Good Time Charlie's is completely gone. The Pink Pussycat is now a Vietnamese restaurant.

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Hey there CZ refugees! Where are my 1989 homegirls??? I went by Kayleigh Morgan back then and I remember Trixie and Karen, my god I wanted to grow up to be Karen! And Jennifer Storm and Chloe and Tabitha and who could forget Kristara Knight! Yeah it was tough by that time and it was the first real eye opening experience for me.Damn near got shipped off to Hong Kong by one of the Chinese crew but I made it out alive:-) My time in the Combat Zone did alot to inform my perception of the world. It was there that my regulars noticed that I could write and they encouraged me by buying me copies of "Tropic of Cancer" and "Lolita" and they told me to circle all the words I didn't know and look them up in the dictionary. I may have been nothing more than a pretty face but there were good people there who were willing to encourage true talent when they saw it. I am now at Kent State earning my bachelor degree and yes, dancing and the champagne hustle are an integral part of my writing aesthetic. Would love to hear from and catch up with anyone from back in the day. By the time I got there, at the Naked I, Teddy had a goiter on the right side of his neck the size of a grapefruit. Hope all are well. Blessed be.

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Better late than never... I worked the MouseTrap, Carribe, Living Room, 2 O'clock, Picadilly and Squires out in Revere. '73-'75. My beste friend back there was Ronnie Fox.
Reading thru the thread I saw many named I recognized.. So nice when I find one of my fellow girls out there still kicking.
I learned a lot of stuff I never really needed to know there, but... I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
Much Love
Many Blessings to you all..

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You must be the same George I worked with on & off at a few of the clubs you mentioned here. I knew Ronnie Fox very well.She was from the North Shore.If this is you I hope all is well with you.TTYL? Tangerine

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Life is Good!... Tangerine....how the hell are ya???
I'm in the process of retiring from a 30+ yr accounting position...(believe that???) hated it!!
Retraining for indoor horticulture and floral design, hopefully will be employed at a Strip Hotel, Las Vegas in a year or so..
Possibly looking at marriage #3?..:)

Hope your Happy, Safe and Well old friend.
ManyBlessings

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I'm doing just fine George thank you:) An accountant!? (You?) maybe you should show those Vegas comics a thing or two. I'll always remember quite often how you would amuse me/others with your endless brilliant humor & wit.On those slow Sunday evenings and dry nights ..you were our only hope:)Yes I remember both your wives.I knew Jennifer from working with her on the North Shore the Mermaid lounge later renamed Jaws. I think you were bartending there at that time? Your second wife.. (her name escapes me).They were both beautiful looking woman.You & your second wife lived just a few steps away from my house in the same waterfront niehborhood . Do you remember that? Jack the bartender lived for a while there with you .I saw Jack & Nancy coming out of the Amc theatre a few years ago. They look the same.Myself I am doing "some" acting work from time to time. I
worked on a movie with Arthur Wahlberg.. The Summer before last. He is Mark & Donnies older brother.My "real" job is in the animal care/training industry. I run my own business. I am also a proud Grandparent.I feel happy, well & safe I wish the same for you Amico.<3

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When adding a new post to this site, can it be placed here as the latest posting? It takes forever to find new postings when someone has responded to a 2-3 year old posting. Just saying. Otherwise, you have to scroll through pages of old postings to get to it.

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You can select sorting options at the bottom of the page. Choose "flat" rather than threaded and "date - newest first" and that should display what you want.

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I've tried that several times, it doesn't work and it reverts back to oldest comments first and threaded no matter how many times I press "save settings" Oh, well...thanks for trying

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It kind of works if I click on the latest comment on the right...

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Just trying to connect with you to say Hi. Not sure if you are still out there as your last post was awhile ago but I hope you are doing well. I worked with you at the Caribe sometime between the years of 1979 and 1987. You know we were actually a part of history! The Zone only technically existed for a brief window in time, when you look back on it, and we were a part of it. It's amazing how we never even knew it at the time. I felt like the clubs would always be there for employment, even if we ended up working as waitresses or bartenders. And such a chunk of humanity all in one place. I truly loved some of the people who visited or worked in the club. What a shock when it all disappeared, only to be replaced by a Subway sub shop. Once, after it first became a Subway, I walked in and just looked around to see what may have still been the same. The stage mirror still ran along the wall.
I pointed to it and told the young man behind the counter, "Naked girls used to dance up there, once." He blushed and looked shocked at the same time. I just walked out, thinking it was funny and yet, it felt sad. Like something that used to be alive, was now dead. Everything and everyone was gone.

Another mind blower is to walk by the old Intermission lounge that is now an Asian restaurant, to look inside the big windows and see that all these years later, long after the club has closed, long after the music went silent, the owners saw fit to preserve a little piece of Zone history in their fine dining establishment. As part of the restaurant's current décor, it still possesses the old stripper pole, smack dab in the middle of the dining area.
If only they knew what went on there. I don't think that I personally, could ever eat there. Just me. I had a hard time eating in the Caribe! Not the most sanitary of places, to say the least!

Well I had to give my two cents worth and I'm hoping Tangerine is still doing well!

That goes for anyone else I knew from back then that may be reading this. We've made it this far, might as well keep going. We're doing something right. Tasha

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do you know where irene is now would love to chat.... was a bartender for many years in the 70s and early 80s

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Hey..Hi Peter..
I haven seen or heard from Irene since about 1980ish...
she came to Vegas about 1977 but we lost touch..I've googled and looked around Facebook for her...if you find her please let her know I've been trying ti find her for years
I worry about her too..

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Is this that Peter? Friends with Marc, the bartender at Charlie's? This is Pam, Marc's girlfriend from that time. I was a bartender and waitress. Worked at the 2 o'clock, The Mousetrap, The Picadilly. Remember Ronnie Fox. She was a really nice gal. Me and Marc hang out with her sometimes.

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