By Bruce B. Brugmann (Scroll down for a picture of the Friends of Chet)
Lee Housekeeper, the worthy keeper of the flame for Chet Helms, sent out the word to the Friends of Chet.
“This Saturday (Aug. 2) we would have celebrated Chet’s 66th birthday with him at the Great American Music Hall. Some of you would have shared a meal with him at Lefty O’Doul’s. Alas, Chet’s ashes are stashed at the Columbarium but that won’t stop us from celebrating our brother.”
And so 22 Friends of Chet showed up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on the top floor of the Columbarium in San Francisco to celebrate the legendary rock impresario and symbol of the Summer of Love who died on June 25, 2005.
It was a a lively little group, who talked and joked as if Chet were with us, wearing flowing white robes and looking like Jesus Christ. That is how I remembered him when he appeared at Guardian parties in the late l960s at the time he was energizing the old Avalon Ballroom and rock music. Then it was Chet Helms and the Family Dog and he was at the top of his game.
Carole Vernier was there, looking as if she were still gathering items for Herb Caen (she was Caen’s last assistant). And there was Boots Houston, who did a benefit to pay off Chet’s debts and promoted the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love in memory of Chet in Golden Gate park); Eugene (Dr. Hip) Schoenfeld and his wife Lonie (Dr. Hip wrote a famous column on sex and drugs for the old Berkeley Barb and the Guardian); Robert Altman, of the famous last name, but a fine photographer in his own name, who arranged the group photo; and Julius Karpen, who managed Janis Joplin, Chet’s find from Texas, and Big Brother and the Holding Company, her group.
Jose Angel Najera, who used to throw free block parties on Mullen Avenue in the l960s/70s with Chet, Janis and their d his rock star friends, did a beat on Chet’s memorial glass. Everybody chimed in with the beat. Jose’s son Eloy Cipriano Najera (aka CIPRE) let out a freestyle rap in honor of Chet.
“Chet was loving and giving and music is what kept him livin.'” (Full rap below.) Then everyone headed to Lefty O’Douls where even more Friends of Chet were gathered to continue the festivities.
Chet, you inspired another jolly good show. B3
Top row standing left to right: Julius Karpen, Sydney Minnerly, Jose Najera II, Jose
Najera, Lee Houskeeper, Bruce Brugmann, Steve Sodokoff, Scott Mize, Boots Houston, Karen Albin, Jon Diamante, Robert Altman
Middle row seated left to right: Tom Soto, Steve Somerstein, Jose Najera, Carol Vernier
Bottom row seated left to right: Eugene Schoenfeld, Lanie Schoenfeld, Judith Davis, Darice Murphy, Jerilyn Brandelius, Ann Pierson
Eloy’s rap on Chet:
“Chet Helms was born in Texas, and hitch hiked with Janis, she always wanted a Mercedes Benz but now we ridin in a Lexus!
“I remember him and my pops, smokin on chops, around the table, and gettin much props! Passin the wine, and enjoyin the time, and Cipriano raps with a rhyme! That was pulled off the grape vine
“He was good friends with my mother, and he was like a brother to my parents, and he was even the manger for Jimmy Hendrix. So we are all here to give respect thats just, due to a great man from the Family Dog, while your gone we are all in the Fog, but I goin to rise a bay HOG!,
“But Chet was loving and giving and music is what kept him livin’! SO we’re all here to give honor and respect to a man that gave the Hippies a reason for wishin for Peace, and love, and to shine bright like the stars above, and I to be free like a dove! One love! Chet Helms!”
Eloy says check out his websites:
myspace.com/Cipre
Ursession.com/Cipre
Ursessoin.com/BERNALBEAT