San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Ken cochrane
Date: 06 Oct 18 - 11:06 PM

Yes the Gourd was on the corner of Union and Laguna St. It shared a building with Marina Music, a great (mostly accoustic) guitar shop owned by Stu Goldberg. Mike King, a longtime employee was a terriffic picker. When the Gourd closed, Marina Music also closed its doors. They demolished the whole building, which was mostly held up by a prayr and a song.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,michael andrew
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 09:32 PM

i surely remember all of them - especialli Teri and Cynthia and Jeffrey

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 18 - 07:10 PM

You might be referring to terry of Live Oak, Jeffery Commanore and his GF and base player Cynthia. Jeff is a Chiropractor, who was briefly one of the Gourd owners. Dont know what became of Terry. Cynthia who was Jeffs GF and base player was around the Bay Area for several years after the Gourd closed and Jeff left. Lost touch years ago. What about Jay Kellem? Havnt heardmof him for years. Hemwoukd be very old today.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,gloria judd
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 08:01 PM

I moved to San Francisco in 1968 and I recall seeing Etta James at The Drinking Gourd. It was a great great place.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,tangonat
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 02:41 PM

My girlfriend and I lived a few blocks from the Drinking Gourd (late 60's to early 70's) and would go every week to hear Joe Russo, the piano player and singer. He was amazing. We used to see him on weekends selling things on the street down by the Cannery. I hope his life worked out well. Would love to know if anyone has any information on what happened to him.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Ken Cochrane
Date: 14 Aug 21 - 04:10 PM

Sad to report that Stu Goldberg, the owner of Marina Music, the guitar and music shop that shared the building has passes away in February 2020. His last days were in the LA area starting yet a new career in Hollywood. Stu had an amazing life and there is a 2 hour oral history of his life and adventures on the internet.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 14 Aug 21 - 11:56 PM

I never was at this folk club but was reading some of the posts here. One particular post on April 25, 2018 by a lady named Marcia Grumme said she used to sing there at open mike nights in '64 or '65. She said she wasn't that good on the guitar but that she had a good voice and sang British Traditional songs.
Is there any footage anywhere of her singing?
Since I really enjoy hearing these kind of songs, I just wanted to inquire about hearing any of these ballads by Marcia?

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Sionainne
Date: 14 Oct 21 - 02:19 PM

Wow-what a find! I am Peter Pinnock's daughter, Shannon Pinnock (in those days)- I have the LP Songs From the Drinking Gourd on a cd, the album cover having succumbed to too many moves and mold. My dad and mother (Gaby Pinnock) were regulars at the Gourd in those early days and our home was a gathering place for some of the other performers ie Dave and Joanne Spense, Carl Stivers, George, Bob... along with Tom and Dickie Smothers, Hoyt Axton and Pat Paulson, Tom McMillan :-) Great days!! As one of the few kids, I remember being at the Gourd, The Fox and Hounds, the Hungry I and the Purple Onion..My mother was choreographing stage moves for The Limelighters, The Cables and other performers at Ann's 440 club as well.. My dad also went down to LA in that time period to perform at The Troubadour in the early 60's. Incredible times for great music..and lots of good memories. It is lovely to see the other posts here-

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,JoAnn Spence
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 07:22 AM

Yes, I am still alive at 85 and still playing the banjo and singing folk songs at informal gatherings and open mics etc. I have been living in
Ontario, Canada for the last 35 years but plan to return to Tennessee
next year to live closer to my family. I have a grandson named David Spence and a new great grandson named Tavis - which is Celtic meaning "son of David" - Spence so the original David Spence is still remembered and honored as well. I perform lots of the Irish songs David sang at the Drinking Gourd and often frequented Nietzsches during their Celtic hour in Buffalo, New York where I sang accapella. That was pre-
pandemic days when the border was open. Hopefully I can get back there
before I move. Music is still my social outlet and I have been very lucky to have had it in my life all these years. My copy of The Drinking Gourd record has been put on tape and I even have some tracks
of David singing at The Gourd on my MP3 player which I listen to often. Those most certainly were..."the good old days." How delighted I am that you remember them, Shannon.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 07:44 AM

WOW! THANKS FOR POSTING HOANNE/ (EXCUSE THE LARGE TYPE PLEASE … VISION PROBLEMS REQYRE IT).

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATE OF THIS THREAD OPENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER THAT IT IS ALMOST TWENTY TEARS SINCE IT STARETED. IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS MUDCAT THREAD THAT WE HAVE BECOME RE-AQUAINTED, AND DELIGHTFULLY SO. AS MANY OF US "OLD TIMERS" NOW SAY: "KEEP ON KEEPING ON."   CHEERS, BOB(DECKMAN)NELSON

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,GYEST DECKMAN
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 11:40 AM

RE-FRESH

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Maureen Mullen
Date: 18 Dec 21 - 11:30 PM

Lived a couple of blocks from the Gourd, on Green Steet, '64...'65?..sometime around then. I was only 19 at the time. A crazy British gal named Kate Gennins took me there one night, and since it was so close, I went back again and again. Great music, great vibe. I particularly remember Jean Ball because I'd gone to her house several times to hang and listen to her and her friends play music. Going through some old books the other day and in the back of an old Bob Dylan song book, I found a sheet of paper where I'd written down the words to one of Jean's songs. So fun to see this thread. btw, I also now live in the Pacific Northwest....near Mount Hood.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,LEE CHENEY
Date: 30 Dec 21 - 04:50 PM

WHAT A GREAT THREAD. I WAS PART OF A BLUEGRASS TRIO THAT INHERITED DAVE SPENCE'S NIGHT AT THE GOURD AFTER HE PASSED. HE WAS INSPIRING AS AN ENTERTAINER. WE KEPT THAT GIG FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THEN TOOK THE SHOW TO LA. THE GOURD WAS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF MY TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. I'VE BEEN PART OF THE NASHVILLE MUSIC SCENE FOR 35 YEARS, ACHIEVING GOLD AND PLATINUM RECORDS AND A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT. IT ALL STARTED AT THE GOURD.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: Deckman
Date: 30 Dec 21 - 09:58 PM

I FIND IT AMAZUNG THAT AFATER ALL THESE MANY YEARS, THE EVENTS ABD THE MEMORIES OF THE WONDERFUL MUSIC AND SPAWNED FRIENDSHIPS THAT OCCURED AT "THE DRINKING GOURD" ARE STILL SO FRESH IN OUR COLLECTIVE MEMORIES. THIS THREAD SPEAKS TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR RESPECT FOR THE MUSIC, THE GOOD TIMES, AND OUR BETTER TIMES.

I HOPE WE CAN AGAIN HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL TIMES.   CHEERS .... BOB(DECKMAN)NELSON

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Carl Pagter
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 10:36 PM

Are you still there, Deckman? I sure hope so! I am an 88 year used-to-was with a ton of great memories. The Drinking Gourd was an important part of my life for the tan year period 1960-1970. In 1960 I was transferred by the US Navy from Virginia Beach, VA to NAS Alameda to be an instructor at NAS Alameda. As a bachelor living in the Bachelor Officers' Quarters, I used my spare time to learn to play the five string banjo, probably driving the other residents crazy. I quickly discovered the Gourd, as most people referred to it. I got to know (and hear) Charlie Stivers and George Sayre, who played there often. From the start, live music was featured on the tiny stage; about 1964 or 65, the Gourd expanded its space next to Stu Goldberg"s music store, more than doubling in size and featuring a much enlarged stage.

During the early years, I remember lines of people more than two blocks long waiting to get in; lines continued on weekends even after the expansion with its much greater seating capacity, Within a short time, I was playing and singing the Gourd on weekends - I was discharged from the Navy (but continued in the Naval Reserve) in August 1961 and enrolled in law school at UC Berkeley. Bob Steger moved to CA from Florida after receiving a B.S. in aeronautical engineering. At that time he was playing a Martin D-28 guitar and singing in one of the highest tenor voices imaginable. We started playing together as "Bob and Carl".

Very early on, we met Bill Ackridge and tried to form a group together. Bill wants us to learn a blues tune entitled "Shorty George", but try as we did, it never clicked. I loved Bill's great sense of humor and some of the songs he wrote: Cable Car Calypso, There's an Old Tule Fog A-hangin Around The Golden Gate Bridge of My Heart, You Blew The Shingles Off The Shithouse of my Heart, etc. I of course met Dave Spence (and later Joanne) and loved his singing, stage presence, and repertoire of Irish songs and his delivery. He was also a wonderful person.

He and Joanne had adopted a daughter and she was only a few months old when tragedy struck one Sunday in Marin County when Dave's Benson Gyrocopter crashed on the last touch and go of the day. This traumatic event caused unbelievable sadness. As I do on the death of a friend, I mourned inwardly with dark thoughts and happy memories....I was especially concerned about Joanne and their child. I was delighted to read the threads of comment from Joanne and her daughter, and I wish them health, prosperity, and long life!

Another favorite: Pete Brandelius, the long time bartender (and bouncer!) at the Gourd. A hello and shout out to Pete!!! Bob Steger's wife Barbara was a delight to know. From Northern Ireland, she sang songs in a wonderful Irish lilt; she was also very artistically gifted and drew a picture in chalk on a narrow canvas about 5' high of a rather gaunt banjo player (which I still have in my garage, it having been given to me by one of the later Owner's and long-time Gourd fan, Tom Thorpe when he moved back to Tennessee in the Early 1970's). About 1966 Bob and I were joined by Gloria Lima, whom we had met on a Florida beach

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Carl Pagter
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 11:04 PM

I was cut off - guess I reached the limit for comment words - - - oh well, I was getting near the end anyway. Bob, Gloria and I had a good run until I was transferred to my company's Washington, D.C. office in 1970. Bob Steger became part owner of the Gourd with Tom Thorpe in the early 1970's; they split a couple of years later - Tom kept the Gourd, and Bob proceeded to build The Holy City Zoo (which started with music, but when Bob lost his hearing suddenly, evolved into the earliest and best comedy clubs in The City.

Bob's story is tragic, but there isn't enough room to tell it, sadly. To wrap this up: the Gourd years of th 1960's are a wonderful and treasured memory that will be with me until . . . . .Last comment: I have the sign "Drinking Gourd" in stained glass that I think hung behind the bar- it's in my garage, and if someone creates a Gourd memorial, I would happily donate this artifact from those happy years (along with Barbara Stagers chalk banjo player. Finally: delighted to read the posts from Barbara Steger(are you in touch with your brother Mark?); Pete Brandelius; Joanne Spence! - and I enjoyed all the other posts from people I don't know, but may have met along the way. Heartfelt Best Wishes!

Special thanks to Deckman for starting this thread over a decade ago.

---

Spaces added for readability. We'll make sure that Bob (Deckman) knows that this is here. Thanks! ---mudelf

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 01:52 PM

HELLO CARL ... I AM THRILLED TO READ YOUR WONDERFUL POSTING. YES, I'M STILL HERE, KICKING AND SCREAMIMNG/ MY LACK OF BISION MEANS I MUST BE RUDE AND WRITE INCAPITAL LETTERS., AND I CAN'T SEE WELL ENOUGH TO CIRRECT MY SPELLING.

THIS POSTING WILL BE BRIEF FOR NOW, BUT I WILL WILL MUCH MORE LATER TODAY. I CAN UPDARE YOU ON JOANNE SPENCE, NICE NEWS.

LATER ... BOB(DECKMAN)NELSON

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 03:14 PM

DECKMAN HERE ... BACK AGAIN ...

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH JOANNE SPENCE, UNTIL RECENTLY. SHE JUST LEFT CANADA TO MOVE CLOSE TO HER SON, AARON, IN THE U.S.



CARL ... YES, THOSE WERE CERTAINY SOME OF THE BESTEST OF OUR HALCYON DAYS, WEARN;T THEY? DAVID AND JOANN SPENCE LIVED IN LOS GATOS, AND A BUNCH OS US ESCAPEES FROM SEATTLE LIVED IN SANTA CRUZ AND THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS. MOST EVERY WEEKEND WAS MUSIC, CAVING, FISHING, AND WATCHING DAVID FLY HIS "BENSON: GYRO-COPTER.

THABKS AGAIN FOR YOUR POSTING ... BOB(DECKMAN)NELSON

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Carl Pagter
Date: 18 Oct 22 - 05:56 PM

Deckman,         Great Posting Response! Your eyesight is impaired, and my hearing is impaired. After over 55 years playing banjo and singing, the last 40+ years with my string band "Country Ham" (9 LPs, 8 CDs), I went to hearing aids 5 years ago, the same time I started on kidney dialysis. The hearing aids distort music, so I now find it hard to listen, much less playing. My wife tells me I can no longer sing on pitch, so I now sing to myself. Ah, but the memories! Also, my wife Judie at 81 lives on our Virginia farm and continues to sing and play vigorously, while my son in CA is an excellent and active musician. And, as the founder of the California Bluegrass Association in 1974, I continue to support and enjoy the activities of that organization. So life goes on! Look forward to more information on Joanne Spence . . . Bestest, Carl Pagter

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Oct 22 - 11:34 PM

THANKS FOR YOUR POSTING CARL PAGER. AS MY LATE FATHER USED TO SAY "GETTING OLD AIN'T FOR SISSY'S." BOB (DECKMAN)NELSON

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Nov 22 - 10:09 PM

I received an email from Stephanie Brandelius, daughter of Drinking Gourd bartender Pierre Brandelius. Please contact me ([e-mail]) if you'd like to contact Stephanie.

Hi Joe,
I just stumbled across your chat and found an entry from my Dad in 2016 (below). I am sorry to say he passed last year. I now have the albums, well, I gave them to my 29 year old who thinks they are cool (stuff always comes back!)

I would love to connect with anyone who has memories of my dad, sometimes called Pete (tall, deep voice, glasses, thinning hair, SF native.)

Best regards,
Stephanie Brandelius

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Pierre Brandelius
Date: 01 Feb 16 - 02:22 PM

To: Tamara Steger. I was the bartender at The Gourd from opening to 1966 and knew Bob, Gloria, and Carl very well. Say hello to any of them still around. Don't remember Bob ever owing the place, but as is said "it was the sixties." Still have the record the kids recorded on.

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Nov 22 - 08:57 AM

BOB(DECKAMN)NELSON HERE ... JOE, THANKS FOR POSTING AGAIN TO THIS THREAD. SOME EVENTS LIKE THE WONDERFUL "DRINKING GUORD". BECOME A LIFE UNTO THERE OWN!

I NEVER NEW THE OWNERS WELL, BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY HAS AS MUCH LASTING IMPACT OF THAT COMMUNITY AS THE PERFORMERS. TO SAY THE LEAST, "THOSE WERE THE HAYLCION DAYS". (SORRY FOR THE POOR SPELLING.    BOB NELSON

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,Kare Holt Windeler
Date: 27 Jan 23 - 03:55 PM

Hey Carl Pagter! My cousin turned me on to this thread because he was curious about Dad and Mom's Coffee House (The Shiloh) back in the day. I have some sweet memories of that place. I'm glad you are still strummin'! I have a great video of you and your son doing duet at my Dad's (Bill Holt) birthday party in Pine Grove 2001. Stu Goldberg was kind enough to take all of Dad's reel-to-reels, put them on CDs, and sent them to me in Huntsville AL after Daddy passed. I'm not sure which clubs or residences they are from, but there's lots of nostalgia. Lots of characters, including Pat Paulsen. I remember Tom Thorpe as well. If you are interested in a listing of the CDs, I'm happy to oblige. I think there are about 50 of them. The Drinking Gourd, the Hungry I, and the Purple Onion are those clubs I remember Mom and Dad spending much of their time.

Love You Mr. Pagter!

Subject: RE: San Francisco ...'The Drinking Gourd' ?
From: GUEST,LilMikeSF
Date: 11 Aug 23 - 09:03 PM

just wanted to let people on this forum know that i found a posted version of songs of the drinking gourd vol. 2 at the Internet Archive and it can be streamed or downloaded free
                                       
                                       
                  https://archive.org/details/songs-of-the-drinking-gourd-vol.-2-vinyl-rip/Songs+of+the+Drinking+Gourd+Vol.+2+Vinyl+Rip/                        


I have enjoyed reading all the meories and missed connections posted here and am glad to know more about the history of this long lost pub and its role in creating musical community in San Francisco.