Going Out With The Big Kids

I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but the best thing about New York City is that you can go to clubs even if you aren't 21 years old. In fact, here, if you can prove that you are of drinking age, you get a special tag or hand stamp, if  you are under 21 yo, most rock clubs will just stamp your hands with the words, "LOSER" so that the bartenders know not to serve you liquor. (Well, that doesn't stop someone from buying you drinks, but you get the point.)

Nettie, Peter & his niece Nancy 1967

I remember the first time Peter told me he could get me in to see his band CARNIVORE at L'Amours. I was about 14 yo. I was told to be ready by 9pm, because he was going to come back for me after sound check so that I could go with him through the "musicians" door.

I was so excited. I remember picking out an off the shoulder black top with zippers all over it, tight leggings, big platform leopard boots with fringe down the back, and all sorts of crazy jewelry that only a teen would think makes her look older -- maybe old enough not to get proofed.

I teased my hair up high and big, grabbed my mom's leopard bag and walked down the street to Nettie's house to meet cousin Nancy and wait for Peter to pick us up. When I got there, Nettie had a couple of big silver rings to add to my outfit and then we waited for Pete. I remember he looked at me, commented on my "HO" (whore) clothing choice and told me he had to approve any idiot I met at the show. When we got to L'Amour, there was a huge line that went along the street and around the corner. It was so cool driving there in the car, waiting for Pete to park the car while I stood outside looking at the line of neaderthals waiting to get in. Nancy had met her friends outside so all the East 15th Street people were there and a couple of the guys commented on how much older I looked all dressed up.

Then, I saw Peter walking towards us, as people on the line were shaking his hands and telling him how much they were looking forward to partying that night. He did a cursory Squiggy "hello" to his neighborhood friends and instructed me to follow him closely through the door.

I remember this giant tattooed guy standing there. Pete and he shook hands and Pete motioned that I was with him for the night, but I was going to be in the audience. I did my best flirting smile and walked through with Pete. Inside were the other guys and the roadies. Before showing me to the door into the main club area I was given a set of rules from Peter:

* No accepting drinks from anyone
* No leaving the club with anyone except him or Nancy
* No giving out my phone number to anyone unless Peter approved
* Don't get into fights with the bitches in the club
* And, no matter what I see that goes on, I wasn't allowed to tell Nettie or Pete Sr. or I was never getting invited out again.

He promised he'd check in with me before he went on stage and then immediately after the show I was to report at the door to the dressing area. If he had to come looking for me, there was going to be a problem. He handed me $20 and told me to find Nancy and have fun.

Back then, $20 bought a lot of drinks. But, it didn't matter because one of the bartenders was a friend of the band and the bouncer seemed to know exactly who I was too. I was protected. But I danced and jumped up and down and screamed on the top of my lungs. I had a great time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qdS3gxZ6OM