- Dino and Carlo's Bar
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Contents
Dino and Carlo's
For a period of about four years from 1965 until 1968, overlapping the Summer of Love in both directions of time, there was a bar in San Francisco on Vallejo Ave (on the opposite side of Columbus Ave from North Beach) called Dino and Carlo's.
The bar was owned by and named after Dino Pettuchi and Carlo Morrela. It was managed by Lou 'the Glue' Marcelli[1] who is still well known to patrons of the Dolphin Club in San Francisco. He is known as 'The Commodore'
Description
This period of time was an exceptional fertile period in the development of rock and acid rock music. Dino and Carlo's, a relatively small establishment, showcased many new musical groups, poets and artists. While serving pitchers of dark beer in an even darker environment, the bar allowed many new and up and coming bands to play their music.
The beer was cheap. The performers were never paid. They put a hat on the front of the small stage to earn some compensation for their performance. The acoustics were terrible. The clientele included longshoreman and flower children, not necessarily a good mix.
No one ever complained. The music was great.
Notable Groups
The more successful bands who performed at Dino and Carlo's were:
- Credance Clearwater Revival[2][3]
- The Grateful Dead[3]
- Country Joe and the Fish
- Neal Schon (Journey)[2]
- Harry Chapin
- Janis Joplin [3]
- Jerry Garcia (solo)[3]
- Cleveland Wrecking Company[3]
- The Womb[3]
plus many others before they had become household names.
Other musical groups
There were many talented groups not reaching the popularity of those mentioned above who also performed at Dino and Carlo's. Among then were:
- Celestial Hysteria
- The Flamin’Groovies
- Devil's Kitchen[4]
- Trudy Broussard Trio[3]
- Country Weather[2]
- Marble Farm[2]
Notable Poets
There were many poets who presented their material at Dino and Carlo's. Among them were:
Antidotes
Celestial Hysteria
This group of high school kids played on several occasions at Dino and Carlo's.
They also played all around the bay area including the Filmore West.
The scuttlebutt around Dino and Carlo's was that they came close to signing a recording contract with Seymour Stein of Sire Records but their parents had not allowed them to sign.
The Flaming Groovies
"I remember the very first place we played, it was a place called Dino and Carlo’s, and Danny couldn’t make our first show, so the very first Flamin’ Groovies show was played without drums! But, he did play the next night. It was very ramshackle back then, everything was pretty goofy. We barely had amps, you couldn’t believe the small little funky amps we were playing through"[5]
Harry Chapin
Harry is probably one musician that management at Dino and Carlo's was totally unaware had ever performed at their bar.
"I met Harry when he was strolling around the Haight Ashbury. He asked about many things but particularly about any music spots (bars) in the area. I knew of none so I took him to the Switchboard and introduced him to Ron Small. Ron knew of no good music bars in the Haight but suggested that Harry would like one of Ron's favorites close to North Beach. We both agreed to go there that evening with Ron. Ron was a prolific drinker and had already finished a full pitcher of beer before either of us had finished a glass. He excused himself to call his girlfriend Mary. The band was taking a break and Harry got up and talked to them. In a short bit, Harry got on stage, used one of the groups guitars and sang a ballad.
It was not well received.I think the bar crowd liked the real band and just didn't pay any attention to Harry. Actually I don't think anyone knew who he was. Harry returned to our table. Ron returned and ordered another pitcher of brew for himself and two more glasses for us. He was having a problem with Mary. Harry joked that "we" need better lyrics, a play on words since Ron's telephone call went badly and so had Harry's brief performance
Shortly, Harry and I were on our third or fourth beer and Ron was finishing his second pitcher. We were kicking about lyrics dealing with Mary and Ron. The one line I distinctly remember was 'I'm a young old sodden souse'. I did not realize who Harry would become. It was not until about 5 years later when I heard the song 'If my Mary were here' and remembered this incident" [6]
The Muir Beach connection
With the success of the San Francisco establishment, Dino and Carlo expanded and booked time at the Muir Beach Lodge in Marin County. They parlayed the success of a local disk jockey affectionately know as "The Buddha from Muir Beach" who already ran concerts at the Lodge. They renamed the Lodge to "The Dino and Carlo Naval Base" and many of the same bands played both in San Francisco and Muir Beach
This venue was not as successful although the bands and the music were still great.
Unfortunately the bar later added nude dancing which outraged the local residents of Muir Beach. Eventually the residents had the Lodge condemned and a public park placed at that location.[7]
The Mount Tamelpias Music Fair
The KFRC Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival was an event held June 10 and 11th, 1967 at the 4,000 seat Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheater high on the south face of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California.
References
- ^ SF Chronicle article June 06, 2011|By Meredith May, Staff Writer
- ^ a b c d MarinIJ Staff Report Posted: 06/26/2009 "Michaels for the ladies and Berlin for the guys |"http://www.marinij.com/ci_12685236
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Personal notes from Lou Marcelli
- ^ Robbie Stokes Bio |http://robcoaudio.com/robbie.aspx
- ^ Roy Loney Interview by John Battles | http://www.psychotronic.com/psychotronic-interviews/roy-loney
- ^ N.C. Demet Notes about "Life in San Francisco"
- ^ Sarah Smith's History of Muir beach | http://www.muirbeachcsd.com/documentsSarahSmith.pdf
Categories:- Drinking establishments in California
- Music venues in California
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