Vito's basement

Post by **TJSAbass** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:35 am

Johnny, it was a pleasure to meet you in Cleveland in '04. Do you recall when and how the Grass Roots ended up practicing in the basement at Vito's place? Was it before Bryan joined the band? I have read that he lived upstairs there. Also, when did bandmembers have their first psychedelic experience? I did some research and found that The Byrds were tripping during their practices at Vito's before they opened at Ciro's. That would have been Jan-Feb 1965, pretty early for such things to be happening. I am curious how LSD found its way into the music scene. There was an experiment where it was given to artists, who liked it alot, and told their friends about it. My theory is, it crossed over from there. Thanks for all your time here, it's a real treat to have this opportunity to ask questions!

Post by **Johnny Echols** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:05 pm

For a few months, in the summer of 65, Arthur and I lived upstairs at Vito's, with Bryan, and Karl Franzoni. So it was convenient for us to go downstairs to rehearse.

Vito was at the center of everything at the time, and knew all the "players." They would often come to his studio, where he would hold court. He introduced us to Professors Leary and Hoffman. We were all very curious about this new drug they were touting that would expose all the secrets of life. Through one of them, we met a gentleman named Owsley, and he, by way of David Crosby, hooked us up with our first trip. I'm still waiting for all the secrets of life to be revealed! JE.

Post by **jamestkirk** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:55 pm

Johnny Echols wrote:For a few months, in the summer of 65, Arthur and I lived upstairs at Vito's, with Bryan, and Karl Franzoni. So it was convenient for us to go downstairs to rehearse.

Vito was at the center of everything at the time, and knew all the "players." They would often come to his studio, where he would hold court. He introduced us to Professors Leary and Hoffman. We were all very curious about this new drug they were touting that would expose all the secrets of life. Through one of them, we met a gentleman named Owsley, and he, by way of David Crosby, hooked us up with our first trip. I'm still waiting for all the secrets of life to be revealed! JE.

HA! I know what you mean, Johnny.

A "trip" could be a heavy thing, not to be taken lightly (it could have disastrous results)) and fortunately I never tripped or flipped out, but for some reason I mostly saw happy colorful paisley patterns superimposed over everything-- the landscape, and people too.

The answer to life is... paisleys, maybe?

Post by **Johnny Echols** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:26 pm

Maybe the secret of life is to LIVE!

JE.

Post by **TJSAbass** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:20 pm

JTK - I saw paisley too, ribbons that kept running vertically. I guess we can see where that fashion trend came from!

JE - So much for my theory. I should have guessed Crosby would be involved somehow! (after reading his book). Speaking of books, I'm surprised there isn't one about Vito, given his prominent position in the scene back then.

Post by **Johnny Echols** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:02 pm

TJSAbass wrote:JTK - I saw paisley too, ribbons that kept running vertically. I guess we can see where that fashion trend came from!

JE - So much for my theory. I should have guessed Crosby would be involved somehow! (after reading his book). Speaking of books, I'm surprised there isn't one about Vito, given his prominent position in the scene back then.

There was a book written about Vito, Sue, Karl, Beatle Bob and the rest of the crew, several years ago. I can't remember the book title, or Author. suffice it to saw, they were not treated kindly! The whole bunch migrated to Northern Calif, and Vito became Mayor of a small town up there. I think he died a few years back, though I believe Karl Franzoni is still around. JE.

Post by **jamestkirk** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:53 pm

Click on the link for a bit about Vito and Franzoni....the original freaks...FREAK OUT!

Did their "dance" come to your shows, as they did to the Byrds and the Mothers?

http://books.google.com/books?id=RWPrAF ... ni&f=false

Post by **Johnny Echols** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:58 pm

jamestkirk wrote:Click on the link for a bit about Vito and Franzoni....the original freaks...FREAK OUT!

Did their "dance" come to your shows, as they did to the Byrds and the Mothers?

http://books.google.com/books?id=RWPrAF ... ni&f=false

Did they? How can anyone forget the sight of fifty to a hundred plus freaks, In outlandish costumes gyrating to the music. These folks were hardcore, some of them would get busy right there on the dance floor. When the "Sherwood forest crowd," (as they were known by the local media). Started showing up to see the "Grassroots" at the Brave New World, we morphed into a Super band almost overnight.

JE.

Post by **The Freedom Man** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:13 pm

Wow, imagine the olours and colourfull people.Must have been great to play for such crowd.

Vito's dancers:

Post by **TJSAbass** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:37 pm

Thanks for the information. Would that be a late Sixties photo, when they were hanging at Zappa's place? I'm guessing the guy at front right to be Karl Franzoni, but I'm not sure. Vito is top row, 3rd in from the left. Is that Szou with the baby belly? JE- It must have been a real rush to get "big" that fast!

Post by **Johnny Echols** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:36 pm

TJSAbass wrote:Thanks for the information. Would that be a late Sixties photo, when they were hanging at Zappa's place? I'm guessing the guy at front right to be Karl Franzoni, but I'm not sure. Vito is top row, 3rd in from the left. Is that Szou with the baby belly? JE- It must have been a real rush to get "big" that fast!

That Be Them!! Colorful weren't they?

Ed: might I have that photo, this picture is worth at least a million words!

Post by **TJSAbass** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:04 pm

Looking again, maybe Karl Franzoni is the guy between the girl w/ necklaces and the girl w/ clasped hands above head, at upper left. Can anyone put names to any other faces here? Is Beatle Bob here, or Karen Yumyum? Or even Bobby Beausoliel? Was he part of this group? I've read about a Ricky Applebaum, who took over the building when Vito left, who had a half beard, half mustache, but I don't see anyone here like that. Comments?

Post by **jamestkirk** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:11 pm

TJSAbass wrote:Looking again, maybe Karl Franzoni is the guy between the girl w/ necklaces and the girl w/ clasped hands above head, at upper left. Can anyone put names to any other faces here? Is Beatle Bob here, or Karen Yumyum? Or even Bobby Beausoliel? Was he part of this group? I've read about a Ricky Applebaum, who took over the building when Vito left, who had a half beard, half mustache, but I don't see anyone here like that. Comments?

Hmmm....no Suzy Creamcheese....