Combat Zone, the

Thanks for providing me the name of the Essex Deli. I have been going crazy trying to think of it. I use to love the bowl of pickles on the table. As a kid I thought that was amazing.

Greetings

I used to frequent the Zone in the mid eighties. We never spent much time at the I, instead we went to the Boston Bunnies or the Pussycat.

I'll never forget Britney. I met her at the Pussycat. We drank together a few times. I also recall learning of her ahem...transformation shall we say. I remember one night some old dude told her she looked like Chrystal on Dynasty (Linda Evans). She tells the guy that she used to be hung like Blake. I nearly fell off the bar stool from laughing so hard.

I also recall a bartender at the Cat named Tio. He was a great guy, used to clear some seats for us whenever we came in. The dude really gave the royal treatment.

Good times and great memories.

I played saxophone at Jerome's Naked i for maybe a year in 1975. I was 20 years old! What a blast!! I hooked up with a dancer named Breeze and we lived together for about 4 years. In 1976 I worked at the Living Room on Stewart street playing sax. Hilarious bartender named Frank. Some of the dancers were Cherry Vanilla, Lucia Leeds, Mona. All nice girls. That gig was 7 nights a week! I used to hang out at the Tam on Tremont St. on my breaks.

Man I had so many good times there when I was in high school. I had a part time job nearby and got to know quite a few people down there.

Anyone remember the platinum wigged older woman with a big rack who used to have the stool right at the entrance to the pussycat lounge? Snow day from school and I walked in early afternoon and she grabs me and starts tapping the ashtray on the bar to get the bartenders attention. I told her I only had two bucks on me but not before getting a hug with those big breasts pushing up over the top of her dress.

I remember one summer night going past the glass slipper and there were a couple of black hookers talking out front. I negotiated with one and she took me into an ally for full service(20 bucks). Could not have been nicer person and what an ass.

Anyone remember harry's bar. He used to get some pretty high end talent hanging around there. I remember getting robbed across the street by a sly little hooker. I used to see her all the time on the way out of work and we would say hi. She was always a real wiseass. Anyhow one time I go by her and she tells me she thinks I need a good time. I had 40 bucks so I said ok. we go behind a building across from Harry's and when she is done I reach in my pocket and no money. She said I could owe her but I knew she had paid herself.

Always had fun there. It did not seem so bad or dangerous at the time and I certainly was not a savvy city kid.

Does anyone remember Mousy and her sister Tiger?

...in the early 80's I was an overnight manager at Star Market at the Pru, and always looked forward to 2:30 a.m. when many of the Zone dancers would come in!..They were so much fun and lively and did a little shopping too. I got along well with them, and one morning they surprised me with a T-Shirt that they had made for me..it said "Star Market Baby" and I bet I could still find it! I wonder if any of those sweet gals are reading this?
I could write a book about the comings and goings at Star during those times....Peter Wolf of J.Geils was a regular...on and on....

anyone remember Ginger who worked at the eye until it closed in '95, she told me she had relocated to NYC, wonder what happeded to her.

I worked in the Zone in the early 80's (83/84) and in Chelsea. I went by the name C.J. Anyone remember a dancer named Pumpkin? I have fond memories of the Zone, taught me many valuable lessons which I use now in my career - sure taught me how to carry on a conversation with a diverse clientele as I mixed for drinks. I was also featured in Swank magazine, when they did a feature in the Zone called Boston Baked Buns - anyone remember. I'd love to get my hands on a copy today, for old times sake. I'd have to keep it under lock and key from my kids and grandkids - maybe I'll show my husband.

I can't count the hours I spent in the Zone. Hot Dogs at Dirty Johns (Washington and LaGrange) and the best pizza ever at the King of Pizza. But the Sugar Shack was incredible. Imagine the O'Jays performing less than 6 feet from your table. If you could top the night off with potato pancakes at the Bulkie on Boyelston you were living. Props to Mayor Kevin White who took credit and mostly blame for the section of Boston that was almost exclusively for adult entertainment. All day Saturday shopping, an inexpensive meal at one of a whole lot of "joints" and an evening peep show. Finally a performance by the #1 soul act of the time and all in the Zone. The lights were awesome on a snowy night too.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY LEGENDS OF BURLESQUE THAT ARE ALIVE AND WELL! WE MEET EVERY YEAR THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE AT THE ORLEANS HOTEL CASINO IN LAS VEGAS. IT'S CALLED THE BURLESQUE HALL OF FAME (BHOF). WE HAVE SOME OF THE GREAT EXOTIC'S THAT GO THERE, PLUS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. GINA BON BON, ELLION NESS, KITTEN NATIVIDAD, MARINKA,SHANNON DOAH, BAMBI JONES, JOEY NAMATH, MYSELF ETC. I'M ON FACEBOOK UNDER ANGEL WALKER....I KNEW PAUL JORDAN AND FAMILY VERY WELL. I WORKED THE CZ FROM THE 60'S-70'S-EARLY 80'S. I WORKED THEM ALL THE 2:00, THE PIC, TEDDY BEAR AND MORE. I HAVE MANY CLIPPINGS OF ME FEATURING THERE. I WAS KNOWN AS SATANS ANGEL THE DEVILS OWN MISTRESS, AND QUEEN OF THE FIRE TASSELS. MANY OF THE PLACES WOULDN'T LET ME DO FIRE TASSELS, SO I USUALLY TWIRLED FIVE AT ONE TIME OF THE REGULAR ONES. THERE ARE MANY EXOTIC'S OUT THERE, WE HAVE ABOUT 50 OF THEM. I CAME OUT OF A 10 YEAR RETIREMENT TO DO A PLAY WHICH WAS WRITTEN ABOUT MY LIFE, AND PERFORMED FROM 1997 TO APRIL OF 2012 AS AN ENTERTAINER (I'M SEMI RETIRED NOW AGAIN). I'M 70 YEARS OLD, ALL NATURAL, AND STILL CAN ROCK IT ON STAGE (YOUTUBE) FOR AN OLD BROAD LOL. THERE WAS A MOVIE/DOC. MADE ABOUT MY LIFE SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND NOW I'M WRITING A BOOK. I REMEMBER SO MANY OF YOU.....AND I WAS THRILLED TO FIND THIS SITE.
MUCH FIERY LUV,
SATANS ANGEL
AKA: ANGEL WALKER

Does anyone remember desire???? Caruso ' in revere was where she got popular.and how about king arthurs???

Greetings, all.

I'm looking to purchase artifacts from the heyday of the CZ. Posters, photos, ashtrays, matchbooks, etc. are especially desirable but I'd consider anything. Please email me at [email protected] if interested. Many thanks!

John

By the way, thought folks might like this WGBH footage of Washington St. in 1979. Naked i etc. are shown toward end. http://bostonlocaltv.org/catalog/V_EA2LCPOPLJN84AM

The Combat Zone has been gone for years, but why change the name? Its parts of the Coity's history, although not as vogue as beacon Hill, North Square or other area locals, its still part of Boston's Story. Lets change ChinaTown's name to South Cove. i thinks Chinatown is a racist term. Or The North End, Or Mission Hill

Does anyone remember when Good Time Charlie's became the Club New Orleans? I left MA. in '82, visited in '85 and everything was different. I heard Charlie (owner of GTC's and several other Combat Zone clubs had moved away. And while GTC's had some sort of jazz club upstairs, CNO featured the blues artist Weepin Willie on a regular basis. I think there were still hookers working out of the club but it was less blatant.

leo o'donnell(caribbe lounge) who shared his dancers with me! john and his brother caesar,who owned and ran the (six's-663 lounge and harry's) shared their dirty little secrets with me of what girl was RIGHT and what girl was WRONG! rice-athena(wow)-cindy-debbie-and hundeds of others over 20 years! those will always remain the best times of my life.....LONG LIVE THE ZONE!!!!!!!!

It's been 35years but I still remember Arthur Venos, Kendall Pacios,Madame Butterfly, Satin, it was an adventure and I loved my time in the zone! Good memories of good people -I danced at Club 66.

I remember Venus, Tom the doorman, Chip the woman in charge of the dancers... Arthur, Kendall, Mr. Zingas, the poor boy who was shot in Chinatown ( he was a boyfriend of one of the dancers) etc CLUB 66 Sometimes I hear a song and remember dancing to it-Van Morrison "Into the Mystic" and Journey "Loving, touching and squeezing" -long time ago and far away!!

I'd like to SHARE all these Combat Zone comments on my Facebook page but how do you do it? I have a new book out, "The Combat Zone," in paper and ebook about a P. I. in the early 1970's Combat Zone. 1st book in a series.

Here's an Amazon link to my 2015 novel, "The Combat Zone," about the Zone in the 70's.
www.amazon.com/The-Combat-Zone-Jed-Power/dp/0985861789

[email protected]

Anyone remember the Night of the Paramount Hotel Fire on Janurary 28th 1966, when My division
was having a Party down there and at around 6.30 P.m. , they came into the bar where we were and Asked if any Military Guys with Firefighting Training would come help with the Hoses.
We were pretty soused but SOBERED Up quickly when we seen the Bodies being brought out of the Hotel, I recall the Trucks ( Fire trucks ) # 7 & 17 that got there early..

I went by the Nickname of " Hutch " and was dating " GIDGET " that danced there ,
The Bar had a Row of seats up higher than the ones in the Lower stage area...
Where us Sailors hung out....

Any Replys from that night ??

The Bar we were in was the " Novelty "
2 other guys went with me to Handle the Hoses till we
were relieved by ?? City Workers with ( Irish ) Names ....

Many days ago , it has been..
" Hutch "

BACK IN THE DAY OF LUCIFERS NARCCISUS RATTYS UP ON ALLSTON THE RAT @ KEN SQ RAT RILEYS BFI BRIGHTON DIST I USE TO HANG TEN WHEN SIX WUZZ NINE AT 1869 BEACON ST APT 2 BROOKLINE AND KING ARTHURS BEVERLY THE HOTSY TOTSY """g""" WAS RUNNING THE BAR AND THE HOTEL KING ARTHURS BACK THEN AND BUTCH BRENAN WAS THE MAYOR OF CHELSEA FUCK THOSE WERE THE DAYS THE GOLDEN BANANA HOCKEY TOWN AGEAN FARE THE SALOON BAR GRILL SOUTH STATION MISS THOSE DAYS AND JOHNY D'S ALLSTON IM TITS UP AT SEARS POINT MAINE CHEMICAL DOCK ON CAPT DOWNING--AMERICAN HEAVY THEFT STAR DUST VIDEO IE LIBERTY BOOK STORE THE FIFTH AMMENDMENT?? ESSEX LIQUOR BUCKET OF BLOOD PUSSY KAT BAR ON LINCOLN STREET WHERE EVERYONE KASHED THEIR NMU/MEBA AND UNEMPLOYMENT CHEQUES AND EVERYONE KNOWS YUR NAME EH HA HA HA HA HA THE COMBAT ZONE A COCK SUCKERS PARADISE REMEMBER THE REGISTRY COPS AND METS??RAT BASTARDS!!! HAPPY SWALLOW GREAT SCOTTS YA GOT YER FRANKS PLACE ON BLUE HILL REGAL DONUT LANES AND THE PENT HOUSE PUB ON BLUE HILL SMEGMA AND THE NUNS RATHSKELLAR ROLLS ROYCE MATTAPAN I HEAR TELL THE CITY IS GOING TO MAKE 1869 BEACON STREET A LANDMARK ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL IN BROOKLINE VENDING MACHINES FOR CLEEN SHEETS TOILET SEAT NAPKINS SANITARY NAPKINS 10 CENTS A PIECE REMEMBER THEM / OLD ENGLISH LEATHER PERFUME AND VENDING MACINES SELLIN RUBBERS IN THE FOYER AT KING ARTHURS IF I HAD MY WAY I

1970 TO 1980 THE BEST MOLLYS BUNRATTYS GREAT SCOTS THE TAM O SHANTER
KINVARA MAVERICKS JACKS THIS WAS BOSTON !!!!!!!!!!! THIS WAS MASSACHUSETTS IN ITS HEY DAY THEIR WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU HUNG OUT AT THESE BARS YOU HAVE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE LUCIFERS JOHN Y D OUR HOUSE EL PHOENIX ROOM 1869 BEACON ST APT 2 PARANORMAL CENTRAL SUNSHINE CLEENERS PINO PIZZA MARYANNS BAR PRESTO PIZZA SHAWMUT BANK

I've enjoyed these posts. Hopefully it's not too late to chime in. I started as a dancer in 1985. Saw Roy Dee's ad for exotic dancers, no experience required. Mel hired me. He preferred girls in gowns. No floor show was required. Mel was a Scollay Square man. We were all sad when he died and son Geoffrey took over. He had none of the class of his old man. Rick was the night manager and Tom the day manager. I still have a pair of gold Stuart Weitzmann stilettos and two gowns, one a Hedy Jo, one made by Scarlett. I still smell the cigarettes when I hold them. I worked with Cheyenne (prettier before her perm), Gezzelle (the best), Dorie Dixon, Linda Lamia (gentle lady), Britney (saved me from mad Lorna who tried to attack me with a hairbrush), Eva (I'll always miss you), Rose (so graceful), Modesty (Wild Is The Wind by Bowie never sounded better), Malika (surrounded by Chinese admirers), Jamie (daytime DJ, elegant lady, I still have cassettes of sets you made for us both), Topaz (half Lebanese and half Japanese - wow), Lee (hilarious), others too numerous to mention. I remember you, Joel, and Babe, Mel's brother, and Joanie, and many other bartenders. There was a constant parade of sexy, feisty ladies, and one or two born entertainers. The place had atmosphere, interesting customers, my very first customer was a sailor from Singapore, I also met authors, comedians, athletes, photographers, students, tycoons, doctors, cooks, con men, you name it. What a terrific education. A customer handed me a strand of pearls as a tip while I was onstage and another drank champagne from my shoe. I learned a lot of valuable lessons about myself and others. Went to at least one meal after hours at the Four Seas with Michael Kwong and company. Felt as glamorous as a star some nights, as dirty as muck on others. Anyone knows anything about Gezzelle, please give me a shout. Thanks.

I'm an author writing a book about the 1976 murder of Andrew Puopolo in the Combat Zone and the two trials. I am looking for anyone who might have known the defendants Edward Soares, Richie Allen and Leon Easterling.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you do. Thanks.

Reposting
Combat zone Paramount Hotel Fire
By Glenn Davis (not verified) on Sat, 08/13/2016 - 5:57pm
Anyone remember the Night of the Paramount Hotel Fire on Janurary 28th 1966, when My division
was having a Party down there and at around 6.30 P.m. , they came into the bar where we were and Asked if any Military Guys with Firefighting Training would come help with the Hoses.
We were pretty soused but SOBERED Up quickly when we seen the Bodies being brought out of the Hotel, I recall the Trucks ( Fire trucks ) # 7 & 17 that got there early..
I went by the Nickname of " Hutch " and was dating " GIDGET " that danced there ,
The Bar had a Row of seats up higher than the ones in the Lower stage area...
Where us Sailors hung out....
Any Replys from that night ??

Novelty Bar 1966
By Glenn " Hutch " Davis (not verified) on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 6:28pm
The Bar we were in was the " Novelty "
2 other guys went with me to Handle the Hoses till we
were relieved by ?? City Workers with ( Irish ) Names ....
Many days ago , it has been..
" Hutch "
[email protected]
Leave a Phone Number in
Subject Line or No Reply to Emails
Writing this to find the Veteran Sailors that were with me there
That Night

I'm an author writing a book about the 1976 murder of Andrew Puopolo and the two trials that followed. Does anyone know or remember Eddie Soares, who was a jewelry peddler in the Combat Zone for a long time? Or does anyone know how I can get in contact with any of his relations or old friends? If so, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks for any help you can offer.

I lived and worked in the combat from 67 to 79......loved every day........the girls ...some were hot....the hookers the pimps the thiefs .....And it seem like that the people who went to party......they were the ones that gave the combat zone a bad rep.....they came in like they were big and bad......but they wee nothing but sissy bitches......from the killing of Andrew Puopolo.......back in 77.......if he was not beating on a hooker.....because she wanted more money than he was wiling to pay.....he slapped her...a few times...her boy friend was across the street.....one thing lead to another......it was the people who came to party that gave Washington St. a bad name......so if there are any people out here that think the people working there were the cause of its bad name......so if you do notb know what happen that night shut the fuck up....BITCHES

Hello Everyone,
I am currently working on a podcast chronicling interviews with anyone who was in contact with the zone. Whether you be a dancer, cop, business owner or a person who went there on the weekends. I would love to hear your story.

You can reach me at my email here: [email protected]
Thanks,
Jeremy

Hey folks- Demain here again (Dawn real name). After reading all these and seeing a lot about Suzanne, I decided to call The Glass Slipper on the off chance she might be working there. She is not but the bartender remembers her, told me her real name- (But I am not posting it here as she is an extremely private person). We were kinda friends when I danced there, then she became close to favorite customer (which whom I became very dear friends) after I moved to Austin in 1990, til his death in 2000. I also worked with Britany- who looked just like Linda Evans- but we all knew she was trans. She was a sweetheart. Anyone remember the nasty bartender who beat up the gorgeous dancer and then she went on stage and put a knife into his head. I was not there that night but got the news very fast. I don't remember her name, just that she was quite shy and lovely. Got sent to MCI. Very sad. Anyone ever know another trannie named Carmen who danced at the Living Room, or Kim who also danced there then went to the I and was a dj or something, I am still in touch with her -beautiful black gal. Anyway...looking forward to more memories. Hey Paulie Boy my sister just loved your Dad. (She was visiting me from Canada and danced under the name Kelly. At the Intermission. ) Best to everyone. Dawn ([email protected]) aka Demian. my stage name.

Dancer named "tozo" (sp?) would start her routine by doing a vertical split and spiking her heel in the ceiling at the Naked-I, (front room). She left and went to CA to become a professional dancer. Somewhere 1979-1982 or so. I had the biggest crush on her.

I worked as a bouncer / back-up barman at Naked I for a short time. Girl in one of my classes at Tufts started one night and was scared when she saw me, until I gently pointed out that I worked there too and my job was to protect her, in and out of the club.

I danced in various CZ clubs from ‘72-‘76. The Four Corners where Rocky worked the bar and Angela ´The Upsidedown Girl’ still occassionally performed her act. Cookie, Peaches, Angel, Patty, Tracy and Mimi also danced there at the time. Mimi often worked double shifts and would spend the beginning of her shift applying makeup. Her signature look was hair up and elaborate butterfly eyes. Also worked upstairs at The Attic and Champagne Lounges, owned and operated by Sal and his son Joe Milinki. And several doors down at the Living Room with Maureen and Nanette. I enjoyed this period of my young life but was clear-eyed about the risk — that it was fine for a few years but after that it was time to move on.

Does anyone remember Christina? Ran a house on Marlborough street? Between 1965-1988?