Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

You're right, Rick, don't know what I was thinking about, but for some reason I always had Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in my mind, yes its Urquidez....I don't remember the Bennie you're talking about, but if he fought for Jackie than I would say that I seen him fight at some point....
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Frank, Bennie Rodriguez was known as "Memin". He originally was trained by Freddie Moreno, before McCoy.


-Rick

[kikibalt]

You're right, Rick, don't know what I was thinking about, but for some reason I always had Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in my mind, yes its Urquidez....I don't remember the Bennie you're talking about, but if he fought for Jackie than I would say that I seen him fight at some point....
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Frank, Bennie Rodriguez was known as "Memin". He originally was trained by Freddie Moreno, before McCoy.


-Rick

Rick...

"Memin Rodriguez", now that name rings a bell.

I seen a movie "Sand Lot" some years back about some kids growing up in the S.F. Valley playing baseball, there was a Chicano kid in the bunch who was called "The Jet" his name in the movie was Benny Rodriguez and for some reason Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez has always stuck in my mind.... :P

[scartissue]

You're right, Rick, don't know what I was thinking about, but for some reason I always had Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in my mind, yes its Urquidez....I don't remember the Bennie you're talking about, but if he fought for Jackie than I would say that I seen him fight at some point....
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Frank, Bennie Rodriguez was known as "Memin". He originally was trained by Freddie Moreno, before McCoy.


-Rick

Rick...

"Memin Rodriguez", now that name rings a bell.

I seen a movie "Sand Lot" some years back about some kids growing up in the S.F. Valley playing baseball, there was a Chicano kid in the bunch who was called "The Jet" his name in the movie was Benny Rodriguez and for some reason Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez has always stuck in my mind.... :P

It's funny, culturally, how Mexican fighters would habitually go by their nickname, which has caused havoc at boxrec when trying to sort out a fighter's record. I remember Benny "Memin" Rodriguez, but I also remember a Memo Rodriguez. I recall he made headlines back in the day when he extended Danny Lopez to 10 rounds (although it was stopped in 10 it was still a fair result as it looked like the KO record was about to be snapped). I was talking to El Gato the other day and he was telling me how he met up with Alacrancito Torres. I had to think for a minute and said, "Oh, you mean Jorge Torres?" One of my favorite fighters from the day was Halimi Gutierrez, which is all I knew him by. However, you won't find any info in boxrec under that name because it's listed under his real name of Lorenzo. Very, very difficult for them to track old fight records with that additional stumbling block.

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

Etta James

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM

"I'd Rather Go Blind"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i-AI61PEo

"All I Could Was Cry"

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D40veCPDOxI

Night Owl

Tony Allen


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmSwt__2-Sk
I Found An Angel

Tony Allen

Some great songs you posted, Roger, Thanks....

[dagosd2000]

You're right, Rick, don't know what I was thinking about, but for some reason I always had Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in my mind, yes its Urquidez....I don't remember the Bennie you're talking about, but if he fought for Jackie than I would say that I seen him fight at some point....
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Frank, Bennie Rodriguez was known as "Memin". He originally was trained by Freddie Moreno, before McCoy.


-Rick

Rick...

"Memin Rodriguez", now that name rings a bell.

I seen a movie "Sand Lot" some years back about some kids growing up in the S.F. Valley playing baseball, there was a Chicano kid in the bunch who was called "The Jet" his name in the movie was Benny Rodriguez and for some reason Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez has always stuck in my mind.... :P

It's funny, culturally, how Mexican fighters would habitually go by their nickname, which has caused havoc at boxrec when trying to sort out a fighter's record. I remember Benny "Memin" Rodriguez, but I also remember a Memo Rodriguez. I recall he made headlines back in the day when he extended Danny Lopez to 10 rounds (although it was stopped in 10 it was still a fair result as it looked like the KO record was about to be snapped). I was talking to El Gato the other day and he was telling me how he met up with Alacrancito Torres. I had to think for a minute and said, "Oh, you mean Jorge Torres?" One of my favorite fighters from the day was Halimi Gutierrez, which is all I knew him by. However, you won't find any info in boxrec under that name because it's listed under his real name of Lorenzo. Very, very difficult for them to track old fight records with that additional stumbling block.

Scartissue

Dan
Mexico is unlike the U.S. in this sense:there is not a diversity of names like there is here. We have peoples whose ancestries are from all over the world. Thus a plethora of different names.

In Mexico the first names are often after saints. The last names are very common. Nicknames in Mexico are used frequently. My wife is named Maria. She has two sisters named Maria and her mother was Maria.

I've always called my wife"Wini" because when I met her she was skinny like a hot dog. As the years have passed my wife has aged gracefully along with her waistline. However,if I still want to sleep in our bed,I won't call her"Burrito."

[scartissue]

Dan
Mexico is unlike the U.S. in this sense:there is not a diversity of names like there is here. We have peoples whose ancestries are from all over the world. Thus a plethora of different names.

In Mexico the first names are often after saints. The last names are very common. Nicknames in Mexico are used frequently. My wife is named Maria. She has two sisters named Maria and her mother was Maria.

I've always called my wife"Wini" because when I met her she was skinny like a hot dog. As the years have passed my wife has aged gracefully along with her waistline. However,if I still want to sleep in our bed,I won't call her"Burrito." [/quote]

A wise move, Rog.

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

Got out of bed today for the first time in three days, f*#king flu....

[dagosd2000]

The Greatest Pound For Pound

[Rick Farris]

You're right, Rick, don't know what I was thinking about, but for some reason I always had Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in my mind, yes its Urquidez....I don't remember the Bennie you're talking about, but if he fought for Jackie than I would say that I seen him fight at some point....
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Frank, Bennie Rodriguez was known as "Memin". He originally was trained by Freddie Moreno, before McCoy.


-Rick

Rick...

"Memin Rodriguez", now that name rings a bell.


I seen a movie "Sand Lot" some years back about some kids growing up in the S.F. Valley playing baseball, there was a Chicano kid in the bunch who was called "The Jet" his name in the movie was Benny Rodriguez and for some reason Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez has always stuck in my mind.... :P

It's funny, culturally, how Mexican fighters would habitually go by their nickname, which has caused havoc at boxrec when trying to sort out a fighter's record. I remember Benny "Memin" Rodriguez, but I also remember a Memo Rodriguez. I recall he made headlines back in the day when he extended Danny Lopez to 10 rounds (although it was stopped in 10 it was still a fair result as it looked like the KO record was about to be snapped). I was talking to El Gato the other day and he was telling me how he met up with Alacrancito Torres. I had to think for a minute and said, "Oh, you mean Jorge Torres?" One of my favorite fighters from the day was Halimi Gutierrez, which is all I knew him by. However, you won't find any info in boxrec under that name because it's listed under his real name of Lorenzo. Very, very difficult for them to track old fight records with that additional stumbling block.

Scartissue

Keeping the names straight . . .

Dan . . . I used to love Jimmy Lennon Sr. because he always would announce the fighter's street name and ring name.
I tried to do the same when compiling the boxers names for the honor roll.
When I saw the name Umberto Gonzalez, I changed it to Umberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez, Gaspar Ortega I added "El Indio". There is more than one "Young Firpo" on record, so I was careful to list (Guido Bardelli) with the name. This is important in that every fighter honored is clearly identified.

[kikibalt]

Couple of nick names just right of the top of my head.

"Pelon", like in Felix "Pelon" Cervantes

"Pulga", like Pulga Serrano

[kikibalt]

My son, James, daughters, Keana and Sierra and girlfriend, Ronnie, left for the big game "USC vs UCLA". Lucky guys....

[dagosd2000]

STANDING OVATION

If you ask a lot of us what was the fight that got you hooked on boxing,there'd be a host of replies stating the time Yvon Durelle tried to wrest the title from Archie Moore in the French Canadian's hometown in Montreal.

Jack Sharkey,the referee,could have pulled the plug on the Mongoose during the 1st round,but figured as long as Archie kept getting up he'd let him go on. There was no 3 knockdown rule. Hell,Sharkey was never faint of heart.

Somehow Archie dug deep into his bag of tricks and with a will of iron wore the Canadian down and pulled it out. The crowd, that early on sensed that their hometown boy was on the verge of winning the title, was going nuts. As Sharkey stood over Durelle counting him out in the 11th,that raucousness had dwindled to a peep.

Jack Drees,who called the fight,brought Archie over to the mike. Archie was wearing that sequined robe that had Sid Rosenberg's joint on the back. "Diamond Importers." "Doc" Kearns was wearing a sweater shilling the same.

Archie was very happy. Considered himself fortunate. Said that Durelle was strong and had a lot of heart. Thanked the Montreal fans for being making him feel welcome . Then Archie went on to say that he wished a 90 year old lady ,who was recuperating at Sharp's Hospital, to have a speedy recovery. He also wanted to recognize a boy by the name of Ivan to "hang in there." That was Archie. Always thinking of others.

I remember way back when I was playing on this semi pro football team.I mentioned that team. The Ghetto Messengers.I was the only white boy playing with all the "brothers." I had a friend who played on one of the other teams in the league. He played for C&M Meat Packers. It was a slaughter house in National City. The Mexican barrio.

One afternoon I went to C&M Meats to have lunch with my friend. As we were eating lunch at a table outside in the back,we heard a commotion coming from inside. The noise was getting louder and louder,so we went inside to investigate. Turns out Archie Moore had dropped in to visit his friend , the owner, and to pick up some choice cuts. Archie was going to put on a feed. The Mongoose had a rep for being quite a gourmet chef. His fried chicken is still talked about in South East San Diego by those who were there.

Well here's old Arch,arm in arm with owner, standing on the killing floor. All the butchers turned out to see him. They were standing there with the blood on their aprons chanting"Archie Moore. Archie Moore." Archie was waving and had a smile that would have went into the record books.

That's was the way the old Champ was received wherever he was. I saw him get a standing ovation when introduced in the Tijuana bullring before an Olivares fight.Ruben didn't get a standing ovation. At the San Diego Coliseum,it was the same. Before a Norton fight,when Kenny was undefeated,the crowd stood cheering for Archie. The Hall Of Champions in Balboa Park there wasn't a butt in a seat when he'd pay a visit. When he'd walk in,the President would have gotten second billing.

Thinking back to the Durelle fight when Archie was giving his attention to his friends in need always touches me. I remember my friend Johnny Rodriguez who owned the Elbo Rest Bar in Nat City. He told me he was just a kid sick with TB in the isolation ward at Balboa Hospital. Archie had promised the boys that he'd visit them after the Marciano fight. Arch was there after the fight. Thev day after. Smilng with swollen lips and searching for the youngsters through swollen eyes. That was Arch. A man who kept his word. Everyone knew that. That's why,when they were in his presence, everyone stood up.

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ATaP2TyF9U

Archie Moore Tribute Pt.1(I know Archie would have dug the music)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLvs0AvGK4Y

Archie Moore Tribute Pt.2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgZ_y9DqjuU

Archie Moore Tribute Pt.3

[kikibalt]

How a gringo found his mariachi groove

At a low point in his life, Matthew Stoneman discovered a future in Latin music. Puzzled whispers and derisive laughs don't deter him as he performs in Los Angeles to mostly Latino immigrant audiences



Matthew Stoneman, known as "Mateo," is not your average mariachi. Though he's part of the L.A. scene of traveling troubadours, he's vastly different from them, not only in style, but also in appearance.
Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

By Nicole Santa Cruz

November 28, 2009

Standing in the middle of a bustling Mexican restaurant in La Puente with a worn acoustic guitar propped high on his chest, Matthew Stoneman looks nothing like the other mariachis working this night.

There's no ten-gallon hat or silver studded charro outfit. Instead, Stoneman is all strawberry blond hair and milky skin on a scrawny frame.

But the moment he begins to sing, Matthew becomes Mateo, the Spanish tenor.

He croons the lyrics to a Venezuelan love song: "Cuando la tarde languidece, renacen las sombras. . . ."

"When the afternoon languishes, the shadows are reborn. . . ."

For eight years, the 45-year-old New Hampshire native has pursued his musical dream on the streets of L.A., cooing Spanish love songs to a mostly immigrant audience. He performs at weddings, anniversaries, funerals and other special occasions.

He's even appeared on the Spanish-language version of "American Idol," called "Cuanto Cuesta El Show," whose audience seemed to enjoy the novelty of his act. His first record, self-released in 2002, was simply called "El Gringo Mariachi."

But life as a working musician can be tough, especially for one performing in a foreign language. He has struggled financially and has had to endure whispers from puzzled customers, snickers from nasty waitresses and laughs from macho troubadours.

"Trying to sing is like being naked," he said. "It's like exposing yourself."

Then there are those nights when it's all worth it, when Stoneman hits the right notes and sets the right mood, and the women swoon. It's enough to keep his dream alive. "I am trying to push myself through to the next level," he said, "by making it so good that it's not up to chance."

So how did Matthew from New Hampshire become Mateo from Boyle Heights? It's something the musician doesn't like to talk about. He speaks broadly of his love of Latin American culture and refers obliquely to a Mexican woman he was infatuated with.

But to really get to the heart of the answer, you need to go to a place Mateo isn't anxious to revisit -- even in song.

A musical family

Stoneman always had a love for music. His father taught general music classes and his mother was a piano instructor. Growing up, he played various instruments, sang in the high school choir and then performed in a rock band shortly after graduation.

He was 19 when he decided to move from a small town in New Hampshire to California in 1983. He worked a number of odd jobs, including one as a waiter and another as a part-time piano player at the West Hollywood Hyatt hotel.

But Stoneman struggled to make a living in the big city, and it wasn't long before he was getting into trouble. In 1997, he was convicted of robbery in Los Angeles and served four years in prison.

"My plan was to keep doing robberies," said Stoneman, who was convicted of stealing equipment from a recording studio and a music store. "I was out of my mind."

Prison was a wake-up call. Never close to his family, he knew his life had to change, and so it was there that he rediscovered music. But this time with a twist.

Stoneman had always had an affinity for Latino culture. He was intrigued by the mariachi music he heard flowing through the streets of L.A.'s Eastside. He realized his soft, delicate voice was perfect for boleros, slow romantic songs. Some inmates offered to translate his songs into Spanish. Another taught him basic guitar chords.

"It's like a painter that tries sculpting," he said about singing in Spanish. "It brings out a different type of emotion."

Stoneman took to walking around the prison yard, guitar in hand, singing for staff members and fellow inmates. He did covers of Trio Los Panchos and Pedro Infante, whom Stoneman calls the "Mexican Elvis."

In prison, he began writing his own songs. He also had time to reflect on his life. But it is painful for him to talk about this period because he still thinks about the people he hurt with his crimes.

"I put my intelligence to better use these days," he said.

He was released Aug. 13, 2001. Two days later, guitar in hand, Stoneman dropped a hat on Olvera Street. He was determined to find an audience, anyone who would listen.

When Stoneman strolled into Barragan's Mexican Restaurant in Echo Park in 2007, manager Michael Barragan took one look at the performer and made his decision.

"I said we don't allow people to sing in our restaurant, which we do," Barragan said. "I didn't think he would be a good singer." The next time he saw Stoneman was a year later when he was hired to perform at a private party at the restaurant.

Barragan was impressed. He purchased some of the "Mateo" CDs that Stoneman had released in 2004 and invited the performer to sing at his parent's house Christmas Day. Stoneman also occasionally performs at the restaurant

"Once I heard him, it taught me a valuable lesson, that I should never stereotype anyone for the way they look," Barragan said. "I stereotyped him because he's a gringo singing Spanish music."

But Stoneman is more that just another troubadour.

When he was in prison, he saw the Oscar-nominated documentary Buena Vista Social Club, featuring a group of elderly Cuban musicians who became international stars in the 1990s through exposure from the film.

He was so impressed that he set out to record with members of the band. He contacted a producer who had worked with the group and in 2003 traveled to Cuba to make a self-financed record with bassist Orlando 'Cachaíto' López.

"It was deja vu," Stoneman said of the experience, referring to the time he first saw Lopez in the film.

It was one of the highlights of his life. He has managed to scratch out a living, but just barely. In a good week, he can earn up to $600. But lately he's been working seven days a week with little return.

On a recent day at a La Puente restaurant, after belting out a few songs, Stoneman switched from singer to salesman. He asked politely if anyone would like to buy his CD.

He left with less than $5 in tips. For the next four hours, Stoneman drove from Echo Park to Boyle Heights and back again, crashing Mexican restaurants, looking for work. On some weekends, he can drive up to 150 miles.

'He has a gift'

Any money Stoneman earns goes right back into his music. He lives in a cramped one-room apartment in Boyle Heights, filled with compositions, old guitars and books. He doesn't even sleep on a bed.

The back seat of his 1981 gray Mercedes is littered with empty Naked Juice bottles filled with water, and he carries cereal with him in case he gets hungry.

Sandi Romero, who owns a restaurant across the street from MacArthur Park, has been a fan ever since she first heard Stoneman sing "Dos Dolares" at a local restaurant two years ago. Romero said she admired his work ethic.

"I know the struggles," said the former musician. "I can see sometimes, his little face looks tired."

But Romero believes in his talent. "He has a gift," she said. "His voice is so sweet yet strong."

On a recent workday, Stoneman parked in a loading zone and sneaked into La Parrilla in Boyle Heights. He was hurrying to beat out his competition: a group of mariachis assembled across the street.

As Stoneman began to sing, an elderly man listened intently and smiled. Later, he purchased Stoneman's CD.

At the last stop of the night at La Parrilla on Wilshire Boulevard, Stoneman spotted Melanie Morningstar at a table nearby. She is a loyal fan.

Morningstar appeared to be in a trance as Stoneman sang "Besame Mucho," her lips moving in sync with his.

Afterward, a man with $10 in hand approached Stoneman and asked if he could sing some songs for his daughter, who was celebrating her college graduation. The singer followed him to a table in back filled with family and friends.

Stoneman, obviously tired, strummed his guitar and began to sing. "Someday when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold . . . I will feel a glow, just thinking of you . . . and the way you look tonight. . . ."

At first, the table was silent. Then the guest of honor started to cry. Suddenly, Stoneman was flooded with requests. He played "La Bamba" as they clapped and cheered.

On this night, in this place, he had found what he was looking for. He had found his audience.

[email protected]

[Rick Farris]

My son, James, daughters, Keana and Sierra and girlfriend, Ronnie, left for the big game "USC vs UCLA". Lucky guys....

Hey Frank, this is an important game to Charley & I. A Trojan loss could send us into a tail spin .
As far as I'm concerned the season is over for SC, but that's still no excuse to lose to the Bruins.
They did good with Notre Dame and Ohio State, and they best not drop the ball here.
If nothing else, they better be the best in L.A.

[Rick Farris]

Couple of nick names just right of the top of my head.

"Pelon", like in Felix "Pelon" Cervantes

"Pulga", like Pulga Serrano

Erubey "Chango" Carmona
Mario "Azabache" Martinez
Antonio "Kid Pembele" Cervantes
"El Gato" Who could that be???

As a kid, I thought alacran was the true first name of former flyweight champ, Efren "Alacran" Torres.
What do you expect from a gringo? The Scorpion.

And speaking of ring names, Harry Kabakoff had a sharp little bantam in his stable named Jose Luis Valdovinos
He was nicknamed the "Baby Faced Bandit" which Jimmy Lennon would say in both English and Espanol.
Valdovinos wouls step into the ring in a robe made from a zarape. He was a good one, not great, but could really put on a show.

OK, the games just starting.
GO TROJANS!


-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvkPIaUWchs
La Bamba sung by William Clauson


OUT OF HIS WORLD

About 10 years ago I'm wandering around Revolution Street and take a right turn down this "paseo"(passage way).Half way down on the left I see a building with a sign on the from that reads"Foreign Club Museum.William Clauson Proprietor". Now this passage way is pretty narrow. I know it doesn't get much foot traffic because there's nothing there of interest. At least not during the day. At night across from "The Foeign Club Museum there's a pretty hot night club called "Peanuts." The "paseo" gets pretty active then. But during the day,it's quiet in that corridor.

The first time I walked inside The Foreign Club Museum,I couldn't figure out its purpose. There was no admission charge. Copies of old photographs of Tijuana were on the wall. The usual posters of the Mexican Revolution. Some arts and crafts. Couldn't tell if anything was for sale because nothing had a price tag on it.

Out from the back walked out this old tall white dude with an even whiter beard. He was wearing a cowboy hat. He introduced himself as Wil Clauson. There was a guitar on a table .The old guy picked it up.
"Ever buy one of my albums?" he asked.
"No sir."
He invited me inside this little office and started to tell me of his music and film history in Mexico. I saw pictures of what must have been him way back when when he was much younger. There was a shot of him with "La India Maria."I asked him what he was up to in Tijuana.
"I'm trying to make a comeback. I want to make a go with this place."
He told me that he was born in Sweden.He told me that he lived in some flea bag hotel near Revolution Street. His only steady income,he told me, was his Social Security Check.
"The Foreign Club has a rich tradition in Tijuana. It's Bohemian in atmosphere. I have concerts with local street musicians."
I told him that I was an artist and that I had painted many famous personalities of Mexico. With that statement,I had a place to exhibit my work.

Upstairs was a room where there was plenty of space to hang up some of my paintings. To be honest,I never sold anything. Half the time Wil Clauson had the stairway leading upstairs roped off so no one could go up there. Once in a while a curious tourist would walk in. No one could figure what the place was about and would walk out not giving The Foreign Club another thought.

At one time during the 1930's The Foreign Club Casino was the center of entertainment in North America. But that Foreign Club was located near the race track. All the celebrities would make the rounds. Harlow and Gable. Fairbanks and Pickford.Chaplin. Dempsey and Ruth. Hearst. Old man Kennedy.Mob guys. Senators and Congressmen. There was no Las Vegas then.The Foreign Club had everything the big spenders would yearn for.

One night when me and Will Clauson were sitting around waiting for something to happen,the old guy came across with a good one.
"You know,"he said,"I wrote the song La Bamba."
I was surprised.
"I thought that was an old folk song."
"It is,but I put the words to it."
"Really. Do you ever get any royalty payments."
"No.Not A penny."

Well I thought Will Clauson was a little touched in the head. The only money I ever saw him take in was when he'd do his troubador act standing in the front. He'd sing Mexican songs. Sometimes he'd sing La Bamba. His Spanish was very good.

Sometime later Will Clauson got in a beef with his landlord. He lost his lease so I pulled my artwork from The Foreign Club.

My sisters have this old collection of 45 records. I was thumbing through them one day and came across "La Bamba."
To my shock I saw the name of William Clauson as being the author of the words to the song.

I often wonder where that guy is. Probably wandering around the Coahuila doing his troubador act in front of the Boom Boom Club.

[Rick Farris]

USC vs. UCLA final score:

Charlie-
Chata-


Trojans

[kikibalt]

USC vs. UCLA final score:

Charlie-
Chata-


Trojans

Couldn't stay up and watch the whole game, it was 7-0 when I passed out, but this morning Charlie is happy as a dog, and Chat is piss....

[scartissue]

Did anyone catch Honoria-Molina last night on Showtime? Everytime I get in the boxing doldrums - crap fights, crap decisions, crap on the horizon - a fight like this will come along to remind me why I'm a fight fan. Guys, beg, borrow or steal a chance to watch this on replay. Tremendous!

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

Did anyone catch Honoria-Molina last night on Showtime? Everytime I get in the boxing doldrums - crap fights, crap decisions, crap on the horizon - a fight like this will come along to remind me why I'm a fight fan. Guys, beg, borrow or steal a chance to watch this on replay. Tremendous!

Scartissue

Who won?

[kikibalt]

Sierra, this morning after the big game last nite



Sierra Baltazar

[dagosd2000]

Etta James

[dagosd2000]

Sierra, this morning after the big game last nite



Sierra Baltazar

Gives you something to live for