YOGI, VICTOR, AND PAUL
COUNT YOGI, VICTOR MAYMUDES, PAUL ROTHCHILD
During the turn of the 80's, these three guys were my inner circle and they each took to each other like lifelong friends. Yogi, in the midst of his comeback was a contagious fellow. His mission was to open up everyones' "Creator given talent" in order to be a perfect golfer. I've watched him give lessons in Ralph's frozen food section.
Victor was pure history. He was a fixture in Greenwich Village in the early 60's. It was a matter of time before he was Mr. Everything to Bob Dylan. If you saw Dylan, Victor was close by. For years Vic would recount those early days over Hollywood breakfasts, only stopping so Yogi could put in his two cents.
Paul, a long time Village friend of Vic, had lost touch with him until I suprised him with a visit. They hadn't seen each other for 15 years. Their mutual friend list reads like a who's who of Rock. Paul made a fortune producing the Doors, then later Janis Joplin. He was the heaviest of the hitters. In the late 70's he started a high line musical instrument distributing company, Rothchild Musical Instruments. Worldwide. He acquired the cream of guitars and gear. Alembic, Taylor Guitars, Larrivee, Augustino, Travis Bean, and more. Bob Taylor steered him to me when he needed a West Coast representative to sell his wares.
These three old timers were my closest friends in that shark tank of Hollywood. Bringing those three together on a fairly daily basis was my biggest smash. It was fun while it lasted. All three are gone, but this page will insure they will never be forgotten.
Victor was pure history. He was a fixture in Greenwich Village in the early 60's. It was a matter of time before he was Mr. Everything to Bob Dylan. If you saw Dylan, Victor was close by. For years Vic would recount those early days over Hollywood breakfasts, only stopping so Yogi could put in his two cents.
Paul, a long time Village friend of Vic, had lost touch with him until I suprised him with a visit. They hadn't seen each other for 15 years. Their mutual friend list reads like a who's who of Rock. Paul made a fortune producing the Doors, then later Janis Joplin. He was the heaviest of the hitters. In the late 70's he started a high line musical instrument distributing company, Rothchild Musical Instruments. Worldwide. He acquired the cream of guitars and gear. Alembic, Taylor Guitars, Larrivee, Augustino, Travis Bean, and more. Bob Taylor steered him to me when he needed a West Coast representative to sell his wares.
These three old timers were my closest friends in that shark tank of Hollywood. Bringing those three together on a fairly daily basis was my biggest smash. It was fun while it lasted. All three are gone, but this page will insure they will never be forgotten.
Paul and Janis
[photo by John Byrne Cook]
Paul produced "Pearl" for Janis right before her death. Paul felt fortunate he could pick and choose his projects as there were only a handful of independent producers at the time. Most others were assigned to the Record Companies and had little choice.
My first visit to Paul's house in the Hollywood Hills was an eye opener. Making my way up the winding drive, I was surely lost. Where was the large house and many car garage? Walking into to the small two bedroom bungalow [no garage] prompted me to ask.."Why so little?" He told me one of the bedrooms is his office, leaving little room for overnight guests that would surely stay on for weeks. He talked of eventually turning it into a studio and building another home up in the trees. He doubted he'd be able to reemploy his original carpenter, Harrison Ford.
Paul produced "Pearl" for Janis right before her death. Paul felt fortunate he could pick and choose his projects as there were only a handful of independent producers at the time. Most others were assigned to the Record Companies and had little choice.
My first visit to Paul's house in the Hollywood Hills was an eye opener. Making my way up the winding drive, I was surely lost. Where was the large house and many car garage? Walking into to the small two bedroom bungalow [no garage] prompted me to ask.."Why so little?" He told me one of the bedrooms is his office, leaving little room for overnight guests that would surely stay on for weeks. He talked of eventually turning it into a studio and building another home up in the trees. He doubted he'd be able to reemploy his original carpenter, Harrison Ford.
Victor Maymudes
Photo by Lisa Law
World's Greatest Golfer
His first words to me were "I'm the greatest golfer in the world". I didn't believe him, but now I do.
