77 Comments:

• I agree with the commercialized and yuppified descrip of HB, though I wasn't in CA then before the development.

  By  Anonymous, at February 23, 2006 12:46 PM  

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• I find comfort in the fact that Main Street in Huntington Beach now looks so much like most other strip malls and shopping strips throughout the country. History and character are a blight. Clean, new, bright, profitable. These are good. Congratulations H.B. Mall

  By  Anonymous, at February 28, 2006 5:08 PM  

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• In the basement of the Golden Bear there were wooden crates of hand painted tiles from Greece - like the colorful tiles by the outside door. The tiles showed types of foods served in the Golden Bear's early years. I always liked the cow's head tile and the baskets of fruit. The tiles were thoughtlessly destroyed in 1986 - even after the Orange County Historical Commission asked to preserve them.

  By  Anonymous, at March 26, 2006 11:09 AM  

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• The Golden Bear didn't have the best acoustics or sight lines, but it had a vibe that only places like the Whisky a Go Go or the Troubador have. The only difference was that, when you left after a show with your ears still ringing, you got a face full of ocean breeze. The place was incredible. Many people don't realize that Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Doors, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and even Lenny Bruce and Robin Williams performed there. A real pop culture icon was lost when it was destroyed.

  By  Bob Harker, at April 13, 2006 9:48 AM  

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• I was there just before it was torn down to see a band called Louis Louis. He was a one hit wonder and I doubt anyone remembers the song "Sitting in the Lap of Luxory".
  
  The place was awesome though....

  By  Chris, at May 08, 2006 11:46 PM  

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• I lived in Huntington Beach when it redeveloped much of the city. I remember how sad it was when they tore town the Golden Bear. Something died that day. The spirit of downtown 'surf city' died that day. I have not been downtown since. Why - I can go to my local strip mall and see the same thing.

  By  Anonymous, at May 12, 2006 11:13 AM  

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• Luckily, I got to go to the Golden Bear once. It was to see Chris Isaak in 1985. I was able to get him to sign something, but I think he was really bird-dogging a young lady. Bob was right about the ocean breeze. I remember getting a stiff whiff of salt water as I walked outside. While I miss the old Main & Ocean, it's not totally strip mall. Perqs and some of the old shops are mixed in there. And don't miss the Surfing Museum at 411 Olive. They do live music in their parking lot on Surfin' Sundays.

  By  Bill O., at May 24, 2006 11:32 AM  

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• I worked there for a few years as a cocktail waitress. I was just 21 and the place was wild. I saw Howie Mandel there many times as an opening act. We felt sorry for him. He was this nice, goofy guy, kept to himself, and then got on stage and blew up surgical gloves over his head through his nose. We NEVER thought he would amount to anything...we were wrong!!!
  I saw so many acts and took it all for granted. I got to meet the acts and be with them backstage! At the time, the most wasted of them all was David Crosby and also Tommy Lee's band. Insane! I won't even go into some of the people who worked there!!!!!

  By  Anonymous, at May 24, 2006 6:56 PM  

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• I went to the Golden Bear several times in the 60-70's, one time in particular to see the Beau Brummels. They were the closest thing to the Beatles in OC. One of their roadies kept smoking a joint while he jumped on stage. Things were different. Huntington Beach in those days was filled with surfers and hippies. Not today!!

  By  Mark for Cab & Chocolate, at June 05, 2006 4:45 PM  

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• The Golden Bear was an institution of Huntington Beach. Sad to see it go. Small venues like that made you feel so invested in the performers and their music. Huntington Beach is not what it used to be, better or worse? I guess it depends when you were a youth there. I loved the 60's and 70's.

  By  Diane, at June 13, 2006 2:09 PM  

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• I worked at the Golden Bear as a cocktail waitress in about 1964. I used a phoney id because I was only 19 and I remember the managers name was Mel. The first act to plug in was The Paul Butterfield Blue's Band. I remember how everyone reacted to the loudness. That was a great time for music. For the musicians and audience. Now there are just too many people. It was a more intimate thing then.
  JH

  By  Anonymous, at June 19, 2006 1:47 PM  

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• I used to work accross the street at California T-Shirts on Main Street in the mid 70's. Had a neighbor that worked there as a bartender and used to sneak us in. What a different place HB was in those days.
  Keith Buy

  By  Keith Buy, at July 03, 2006 12:12 AM  

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• I used to work across the street at California T-Shirts on Main in the mid 70's. I had a neighbor that worked at the Golden Bear as a bartender and used to sneak us in. What a different place HB is today!

  By  Keith, at July 03, 2006 12:14 AM  

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• The Golden Bear was what H.B. was back in the 60's laid back, fun place to be. Today H.B. is noting except about money, sad.

  By  Anonymous, at July 08, 2006 8:36 PM  

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• Boy did I have fun in that club once I was 21. So many great musical nights.....Cecelio and Kapono were my favorites.
  I took pictures of it before it was torn down but it's hard to look at it now. Remember our parents lamenting about the good ol'days? Well, here I am doing it too.

  By  Anonymous, at July 15, 2006 3:19 PM  

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• I too miss the Bear and bemoan the blandness of downtown HB nowadays. One of my good high school friend's older sister was dating the manager or head bouncer guy so we both got in free to any show we wanted in the early 80's. We were only 15 or 16 and got to see some great shows: David Lindley and El Rayo X, Alvin Lee (10 Years After), Dixie Dregs, BB King, Bobby Weir and the Midnights, Al Stewart, etc. I remember they had good nachos, too. The Golden Bear was a true Orange County gem!
  
  Youndy

  By  Anonymous, at July 31, 2006 11:58 PM  

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• The Golden Bear was great!
  
  I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble play there in August of 1983. Sat about 10 feet away from one of the best guitarists ever at one of the coolest places imaginable to see and hear great music.
  
  Too much!

  By  Anonymous, at August 06, 2006 6:44 PM  

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• Steve Martin as the opening act for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin getting their start. Good Times!

  By  Anonymous, at August 11, 2006 1:28 PM  

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• Some of the coastal towns southward to San Diego still seem to have some of that charm. They also have less corporate and commercial influence as Huntington. There's alot of preservation of historical landmarks and the cultural vibe too.

  By  Anonymous, at August 14, 2006 8:23 PM  

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• Can anyone tell me exactly where the Golden Bear was when it reopened after Redevelopment ? I know it was somewhere near the movies. Thanks Judy

  By  jp, at September 15, 2006 10:35 AM  

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• I've lived in OC virtually all my life and the Bear was for years the ONLY place to experience hip live entertainment here. As a local musician, I even had the privilege to perform on that famous stage one rainy night in 1980.It was definitely more of the type of venue typical of LA or SF. That's probably one reason for the innane and short-sighted decision to get rid of it (a "bad influence") and put up that ridiculous pink stucco substitute "Golden Bear"(I think even that is gone now-- died quickly and not surprisingly). There was more show business history there than OC deserves. I wouldn't be surprised if there is great regret over that decision. History should be preserved -- everything now, well let's face it, sucks !

  By  Anonymous, at September 28, 2006 4:56 PM  

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• JP:
  
  The Golden Bear was situated directly across main street from where Jack's surfboards is today. I believe the exact location is now a HB surf and sport clothing store, or something like that. There are also restaurants adjacent to it that may also have been part of the grounds. But basically it was on the corner of Main and what is now Pacific Coast Highway (Ocean Hwy back in the day I think).

  By  Nicholas, at September 30, 2006 1:51 AM  

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• I live in HB in '76 and used to skate board past the GB every day on my way yo buy candy from a liquor store up the street. I remember when they closed it down... OC is not as it once was...

  By  Anonymous, at October 09, 2006 11:59 AM  

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• I've lived in HB since 1974. My first show at the GB was Steve Martin in '75. Just before his first album. Sure enough he opened the front doors to hitch a ride and bring along 300 of his new friends. Also saw Randy Meisner (Ex Eagles bassist) Tommy Tutone, Dixie Dregs, a drunken Dan Hicks, Rick Darringer (my ears were neer the same) and the Ramones. Yes I was sweat on by Joey Ramone.
  
  My buddy grabbed a bunch of bricks when they tore it down and rebuilt his fireplace mantle with them. Very Cool. I would love to get copies of any photos inside or out of the bear.
  Bill

  By  Schmoe, at November 01, 2006 4:26 PM  

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• Such memories, a local club with history and charm. I saw tallent from Taj Mahal to Hoyt Axton (I was too young for Janice or the Doors but I have fond memories of sharing herb with friends and going to see the Ventures). I understand the need to tear the building down as it was about to fall down all by itself. However It could have been rebuilt with similar size and charm. What has happened to the downtown main street is a travesty unless you are a developer. And get rid of the circus at the pier. I enjoyed the sarcasm posted February 28, at 5:08. It seems like a little too much of Newport Beach spilled over.

  By  Obvioulsly Anonymous, at November 29, 2006 5:34 PM  

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• I arrived from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Huntington Beach in 1975. I was 18, didn't know anyone, and showed up with my guitar to become the next Neil Young. I tried many times to play in the Golden Bear. I was continualy tossed out cause of my age, hmmm, or maybe lack of talent.
  The Huntington section of Pacific Coast Highway was as a dreamscape, all sorts of exciting things happening, and just down the road in Newport Beach was the Wedge-a jetty that was the best for surfing!
  I played my guitar and sang on street corners, and regularly worked the Huntington Pier, right across the street from the Golden Bear. There was a bait store out at the end of the pier, and a narrow tavern about halfway down. I'd play in front of there almost every other day, get a free hot pastrami and swiss on a rye hogie bun, and often a paper cup of draft beer. A good spot for tourist tips.
  I lasted in So.,CA. a year and a half, no regrets, and then headed back to my Northern home near Lake Michigan.
  I'm now 50, and known in Traditional Music circles for my award winning fiddle and mandolin playing, and the workshops that I teach. We play festivals and lots of private shows, but nothing like the Golden Bear.
  Every so often I'll think back to those dreamy days, remember the fog and salt smell, the camping trip to Monterey, smiling people, and the best tan I've ever had.

  By  Bruce Ling, at January 02, 2007 10:06 PM  

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• I used to go to the Golden Bear in the 1960's. Does anybody remember a male folksinger who used to sing "The Cat Came Back" and used to quote the poem, "The moon many kiss the stars on high,
  The stars may kiss the bright blue sky, the little dewdrops may kiss the grass, but, you my friends........
  farewell!" His first name might have been Tim, but I'm not really sure.

  By  Anonymous, at January 26, 2007 3:29 PM  

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• The singer that sang "The Cat Came Back" was/is Tom Morgon. His records are reissued on CD and you can find them at cdbaby.com
  He also has a website http://www.timmorgon.com/

  By  Anonymous, at January 28, 2007 3:22 PM  

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• Ah yes The Golden Bear in the 60's. What a great place to enjoy a wide array of creative music artists and tons of fun! Our group, The Battery Operated Crabgrass were the house band at the Teen & 20 (aka The Syndicate 3000)which was located next door to the "Bear". One of our favorite things was to jam with artists who would drop in after their gig at the Golden Bear. It is indeed unfortunate that the "Bottom Liners" have stolen the soul of Southern California - and many other places for that matter. Huntington Beach is a prime example. Plastic coated and hoytie toytie comes to mind.

  By  Mr Ric n Vox, at February 10, 2007 2:52 AM  

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• I was coming up in the 80s and remember the ska/punk shows at the G. Bear. I used to see Fishbone there all the time. Anyone remember those days?
  
  I'd love to take a photo of the guy's fireplace with the bricks from the old building...that's amazing!!

  By  la.vena, at February 21, 2007 5:58 PM  

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• I am from BC Canada, I travelled down the coast back in the early 70's in my 1960 Corvette, I stopped in Huntington beach and found the Golden Bear Night Club.
  
  It was a fantastic club that I found by accident,best entertainment anywhere and great food,great people.
  
  I stayed 2 nights in HB and attended Jessie Winchester on the Sat. and The Spinners on Friday.
  
  I too was so saddened to hear they closed their doors. I brought a paper menu back for a souvenir it listed all the bands that had played there, unfortunately I lost it somewhere along the way.
  
  Rod

  By  Anonymous, at February 27, 2007 10:09 AM  

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• Fortunately I went one time to the Golden Bear. It was in ’64 when most of the acts were of the “folk music scene”. It was Joe and Eddy that I saw. But, does anyone remember the Pavilion that was right by the pier. It burnt down sometime in the ‘60s, along with the Rendezvous in Newport Beach, which burnt down a few years earlier. Although I don’t know that much of the history of the Pavilion, I know the Rendezvous was there in the ‘40s and a lot of “big bands” played there. Both got a bad reputation when “the surf element” started frequenting them and I was always suspicious of the fires of being possible set deliberately because of unsuccessful attempts to close them down.
  
  Another place with fond memories for me was Harmony Park in Anaheim. I used to see Dick Dale there every Friday night. One time I screwed up and went on a Saturday it was an entirely different crowd for country music. The Retail Clerks Union in I believe Buena Park also had dances in the ‘60s and the house band was usually Dave Myers and the Surftones.

  By  Tim, at April 06, 2007 9:10 PM  

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• Does anyone remember what year Charles Bukowski was appeared at the Golden Bear, it was June 25th according to a poster I have, but I don't know what year. Mark Turnbull was on the bill also.

  By  Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 6:36 AM  

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• We went to "The Bear" a lot in the late '60s and early '70s. Most memorable for me: Kris Kristofferson was so stoned he couldn't remember what he was doing and sang "The Silver-Tongued Devil" several times before somebody pulled him off the stage. That same night he introduced "A new young girl you're all gonna love" and out came a gorgeous thing draped in scarves and singing like an angel -- it was Carly Simon before she'd ever recorded anything.

  By  LC, at May 20, 2007 12:38 AM  

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• I played at the Golden Bear with Ian & Sylvia in 1971. England Dan & John Ford Coley opened for us. There weren't many places to eat after the show and George Nikis let me cook hamburgers in the kitchen. One night he came in as I was spreading mayonaisse on my burger and in his Greek accent said "Why do you put face cream on your hamboorger?" I've never used it on hamburgers since.
  
  Bob Walker
  www.walker-entertainment.com

  By  Bob Walker, at June 24, 2007 1:17 PM  

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• Does anyone remember a local talent playing at the GB in the late 70's or early 80's named Ken Rhoads?

  By  Anonymous, at July 20, 2007 10:40 PM  

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• I'm Ken Rhoads. I remember me. Thanks for asking. I'm in Boston now, beating up my piano. I miss HB. I miss Rick Babarakey (sp) and the gang. I had a good run with the likes of Steve Martin and the lot....
  I hope I gave you a moment of joy.
  KR

  By  ken rhoads, at July 21, 2007 8:50 PM  

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• I'm Ken Rhoads. Thanks for asking. I hope I gave you a moment of joy. I'm in Boston now. Beating up on my piano. Miss HB. Miss the GB. Miss old friends like Rick Babarakey (sp)and family. Wow! 30 years.
  Ken Rhoads

  By  ken rhoads, at July 21, 2007 8:52 PM  

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• I remember seeing Steve Martin open for Neil Diamond back in 1968 or 1969, can't remember the exact year I'm old now... I do remember that Steve was hilarious and I've always followed his career but Neil was kind of a "not so nice guy" he started yelling at the crowd when they started clapping during one of his longgggggg pauses not knowing he wasn't done with his song yet. First impressions are important, didn't follow his career.

  By  Anonymous, at August 07, 2007 6:36 PM  

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• MY NAME IS KELLY LAMMERS, AND I PERFORMED AT THE GOLDEN BEAR AS LEAD GUITAR FOR THE SURFARIS IN THE EARLY 80'S. OF ALL THE CLUBS, PARKS, FAIRS AND CONCERTS WE PLAYED, THE GOLDEN BEAR STANDS OUT AS MY FAVORITE. IT'S A GENUINE SHAME THAT THAT GREAT LITTLE CLUB IS NOW GONE.

  By  KELLY LAMMERS, at August 21, 2007 9:14 AM  

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• I went to the Bear many times and saw an incredible number of talented people get their start and rise to fame there. One of the more funny moments for me was watching Pat Paulson (comedian) do his impression of Frankenstein playing pool but I mostly came to see the Paul Butterfield Blues Band play their kick-ass brand of Chicago Blues! This was by far one of the greatest music venues Orange County had then (besides Sid's Blue Beat in Newport Beach) and will probably ever have. I was very disheartened to learn that this incredible historic piece of architecture and monument to music was destroyed to make room for yet another freaking strip mall...it should have been preserved as a historic corner for all time.
  Rene Macare

  By  Fractionator1, at August 21, 2007 3:30 PM  

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• Does anyone remember the group Honk playing the GB, or the late Steve Goodman. Both great. I remember Ken Rhoads,too. He not only had a very fine singing voice, but played his instruments well, had amazing showmanship and was a brilliant songwriter. Ken, are you making a living doing your music or playing on the side? Have you written for anyone? Did you ever record? Lots of questions. We thought you were the best around. Is any of your music available for purchase. I know someone, a quasi musician, who would love to hear it.

  By  Anonymous, at September 03, 2007 11:00 PM  

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• I was the bass player in a local band named ONE. we played at the Bear in the late 70"s about five times. Great times back then.
  
  Johnny Gizmo

  By  Anonymous, at September 06, 2007 10:04 PM  

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• WE WERE WEEKLY GUESTS OF THE GOLDEN BEAR IN THE 60S ONWARD TILL IT CLOSED. I WORKED AT THE OLD NEWPORT CHART HOUSE AND THEN THE OLD LONG BEACH CHART HOUSE.
  SUCH A DIVERSE MIX OF MUSIC, BLUE GRASS, ROCK, JAZZ! PAUL BUTTERFIELD AND POCO WERE TWO OF MY FAVORITES. SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WENT ON TO ENTERTAINMENT FAME AS WELL.
  HIROSHIMA, C AND K, LINDA RONSTAD, JIMI HENDRICKS, BB KING, STEVE MARTIN CAN PLAY A BANJO WELL.
  SO SAD TO HEAR OF THE COMING REDEVELOPMENT, THE GOLEN BEARS "REPLACEMENT" NEVER REALLY CAUGHT ON.
  
  PHIL, H B GRADUATE

  By  surferphil, at September 20, 2007 1:46 AM  

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• I've been living in the Ozarks for over 25 years now but I have fond memories of the Golden Bear of the late seventies .The shows I remember the best were Flo & Eddie and Country Joe McDonald.I just learned that the G B is gone,BUMMER!

  By  Anonymous, at September 21, 2007 10:03 AM  

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• Ahh - the memories of of the GB. I cannot count the number of times I saw David Lindley & El-Rayo X - WOW. Best shows aside from David were Poco, Huey Lewis & The News. My all time favorite had to be Chris Hillman with Rick Roberts. What a great night. Yes the most wasted and I saw it up front & personal was David Crosby - still a great show...and we always wound up at Jack N' The Box afterwards - wonder why??????

  By  Anonymous, at September 25, 2007 8:53 AM  

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• Amen to that! Dave Mason, my favorite ever at the Golden Bear.

  By  Anonymous, at October 09, 2007 11:44 PM  

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• I lived in some apts on Avenue C in the late '60s. The Golden Bear was mecca to some of the best bands/groups of the era:Strawberry Alarmclock; The Guess Who;Chicago(early); Average White Band, etc...
  What a shame that this rock landmark was torn down for a strip center.
  Long Live Rock & Roll!

  By  Anonymous, at October 29, 2007 5:00 PM  

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• I was surfing the Web tonight and stumbled on this site again. I first saw it in Feb. 2006 when there was just one comment about the GOLDEN BEAR posted. It was just a few weeks after the one-year anniversary of the passing of owner Rick Babiracki--my longtime concert promotion partner. Now, 48 posted comments later, it's about time I chime in.
  
  As a college rock reporter and entertainment editor of Cal State Fullerton's campus paper, I first went to the Bear in 1974 when Rick and his brother Chuck first bought the club. I went to see Average White Band (AWB) who at the time had a #1 hit with "Pick Up The Pieces" and interviewed lead singer Hamish Stuart about the recent accidental OD death of drummer Robbie McIntosh at a Hollywood party (where Cher saved the life of the leader of the band by keeping him awake).
  
  Through the years, I worked for many venues but my favorite concerts were those intimate shows of classic rock bands at the original Bear on PCH in the '70s. Rick and I worked as a team at the new Bear that opened in the Pierside Pavilion in 1990 and after it closed, partnered at other clubs (i.e. San Diego's Bacchanal). I still work with many of the bands that played the circuit in their heyday then and are still touring today.
  
  In going full circle, AWB was always one of my favorite groups and 16 years later when they reunited, I promoted their show at the new Bear. Nowadays, we try to get together when they're on the West Coast and in fact, they'll be playing in town in two weeks at Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts (where I was a publicist for its debut season).
  
  SO many stories to tell! I could go on and on... When my best friend Rick died, I promised that I'd finish writing the book that we planned, "The Golden Days of The Golden Bear." So, I'd like to talk to all of you who have posted comments here. Please e-mail me at lagmay@roadrunner.com with your contact info and your fondest memories of our beloved Bear!
  
  Rockin' On,
  Bella Lagmay-Funk

  By  714Jamming, at November 06, 2007 1:30 AM  

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• Cecelio and Kapono - wow that's a blast from the past. I remember seeing them and many other greats - among them some guy by the name of B.B. King! What a great memory of the Golden Bear, I had no idea it was gone. Been from CA since 1994 now.

  By  Carol Youngerman, at November 24, 2007 3:15 PM  

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• Hawaii's CECILIO & KAPONO were made famous on the mainland by Golden Bear owner Rick Babiracki, who brought them to the mainland to play his Huntington Beach club after hearing their first release in 1974 on Columbia Records. C&K were a big hit with the beach and surfer scene with SRO shows and Rick was their West Coast booking agent for decades (and reunited them after several breakups).
  
  In the '90s, Rick & I promoted C&K concerts at the new Golden Bear in the Pierside Pavilion and other venues until Henry's second wife Lezlee took over as manager. When Rick died, C&K ordered an exotic floral arrangement for the funeral and e-mailed me a statement which I read while giving the eulogy before surfers scattered his ashes next to the HB Pier across from his beloved Bear on PCH.
  
  Every year, I always catch a C&K show when they tour California and in Hawaii for the annual Aloha Fest (also catch Henry's solo act at Waikiki's Duke's on Sundays). In fact, just saw C&K in September at the Coach House in San Juan Capo where they mentioned the Golden Bear before their encore.
  
  C&K paid props to da Bear big-time by including its familiar logo on their "Journey Through The Years" 30th Anniversary album. Today, C&K is still one of my favorite bands whose music brings back so many fond memories of da Bear and we continue to stay in touch.
  
  Aloha a hui hou,
  Bella Lagmay-Funk
  714Jamming

  By  714Jamming, at November 27, 2007 11:46 AM  

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• I was so sad to see the Golden Bear torn down. My sister had taken a beautiful picture that still hangs in my house of one of the cows. We climbed the fence one night and stole some Bear bricks for memories. I have always had it sitting on my desk, didnt do anything cool like build a fireplace with it though!

  By  Anonymous, at December 01, 2007 1:45 PM  

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• Miss the GB. Steve Martin makes mention of the Bear in his new book, 'Born Standing Up'. If you were a small club scene goer in the late 60's and 70's you'll enjoy the book.

  By  Anonymous, at December 01, 2007 3:30 PM  

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• Jose Feliciano is the act we went to The Bear to see in the 60's. After playing his heart out for a couple of hours we had the nerve to request "Mama Don't Allow". It was all good.
  Nancy

  By  Nancy, at December 03, 2007 4:20 PM  

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• This summer while working a convention in Chicago, I recognized Jose Feliciano at a popular bar. He was in to town to perform at Chicago Fest. I walked over to his table and told him I was from the Golden Bear. He had heard owner Rick has passed away and said he always loved playing the Bear.
  
  I told Jose about potential plans to bring back the club for a third time in the Pacific City project on PCH. Like the second club, Rick & I tried to bring back Bear alumni and Jose said that he'd love to play the new Bear and had his wife/manager give me their contact info. Will keep you posted here as plans develop.
  
  Rockin' On,
  Bella Lagmay-Funk
  714Jamming

  By  714Jamming, at December 03, 2007 8:24 PM  

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• This week I went back to Huntington Beach to take a walk by the pier. I haven't been there in years. I thought about the Golden Bear and what a shame it was that it was demolished. I was there only once after high school and saw Muddy Waters. It was my first experience hearing live music in a small venue. It was exhilarating. I found this site because I wanted to get some history on the Golden Bear. It's really a legend.

  By  Anonymous, at December 07, 2007 5:14 PM  

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• In 1972, I washed dishes for George and Teddy Nikos. My friends worked there as well: Al was the lightman, Chuck was the cook and Henry the bartender. I also parked cars in their lot next to the club, on the corner across from the pier. I have many stories to tell about interactions with the entertainers. My favorite is when Hoyt Axton had Al go out and buy Ouzo to toast George and Teddy between acts. I was 20 and forbidden to drink on the premises; however, when it came time for the toast George came around to my sink with a small glass of Ouzo and said "Dont tell Teddy", a minute or two later Teddy gave me a glass and said, "Dont tell George". I made my first pizza for Paul Butterfield. Michael Bloomfield washed his pimply face with phisohex in my sink. One of my predecessors as a dishwasher was Peter Tork who later became one of the Monkees. So many memories.

  By  Bruce Bertholf, at January 05, 2008 11:52 PM  

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• I worked at the Bear for George and Teddy Nikos in 1972 as a dishwasher. My friends worked there as well: Al was the lightman, Chuck the cook, and Henry the bartender.
  I also parked cars on the weekends at their lot on the corner across from the pier. The lot was once the site of "Surf City".
  I have many memories. I made my first pizza for Paul Butterfield. Mike Bloomfield washed his pimply face with phisohex in my sink! One of my favorites though is when Hoyt Axton had Al go out and buy Ouzo to toast George and Teddy for some occasion. I was under age and forbidden to drink on the premises, but when it came time to toast Teddy came around the cooler to my sink with a small glass and said, "Dont tell George". A few minutes later George came around with another small glass and said, "Dont tell Teddy". They were like uncles to me and I really enyoyed the experience.
  One of my dishwashing predecessors was Peter Tork, who soon after became a member of the Monkeys.
  If you ever went there you remember the sawdust floors, well I had the priveledge of cleaning them each week. Yes priveledge. When we swept out the old sawdust we could keep all the money we found.
  Al and I would go around and staple all the Golden Bear flyers on power poles.
  After the shows each night Al, Chuck and I would ride ten-speed bikes back home to Costa Mesa.
  One night my roommate Henry, who was an excellent guitarist filled in for a guitarist who turned sick. I think it was for Paul Butterfield Blues Band, but that was a few years ago.
  Great Music two shows a night, four days a week: Jose Feliciano, Nitty Gritty Dirt band, Elvin Bishop...the list goes on.
  I see comments from waitresses. Do any of you remember when Elvin Bishop would play. I remember one on them coming back to the kitchen during the first show; her hair was all mussed-up, her clothes all twisted and she was almost crying to George saying the crowd was too wild and it wasnt safe for her to go back out. The audience was dancing on the tables.
  Does anyone remember Hoyt Axton telling some story about Teddy breaking plates (its a greek thing) and then Teddy coming out from the kitchen with a armload of plates and having a grand old time showing how it was done.
  I am proud to say that I was part of the Golden Bear family. I will always have fond memories of that experience.

  By  bruce bertholf, at January 06, 2008 12:38 AM  

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• This is in response to Tim Tim, at April 06, 2007 9:10 PM
  The Balboa Pavilion built in 1906 never has burned down…it is still there and flourishing as of at least today as I write. http://www.balboapavilion.com . Many class reunions for the local high schools are still held there. You are correct that the Rendezvous Ballroom, just two blocks from the Pavilion burned down in August of 1966. http://www.100megspopup.com/ark/RendezvousBallroom1941.html The “Surf Element” was what made the Rendezvous. From 1961 through 1966 it did quite well and that was started by Dick Dale. It remained popular right up to the day it burned. It always had an age requirement and a dress code. Nothing rowdy ever went on there as I was there almost every weekend from 1962 through its demise. You had to be age 15 to 20 and you had to wear a tie, a jacket and dress pants…no jeans! I have a copy of these regulations in a scrapbook. Dave Myers and Surftones were the Rendezvous house band after Disk Dale left for the Retail Clerks (Yes, in Buena Park) and others in 1962. Two of the Surftones went to Costa Mesa High School just a couple miles away. Dick worked all over and made Harmony Park a second home over the years…I saw him there in the 70’s. The house band for the Retail Clerks Hall was Eddie Bertrand’s group “Eddie and the Showmen” A good history of all of this at a good price is here. http://www.dumbangelmagazine.com/buy.htm Another great history of that era is John Blair’s ‘Illustrated Discography of Surf Music’ (1995) and the other I would recommend is Robert Dalley’s ‘Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties’ (1996) both of those are in short supply and can get really expensive. The Dumb Angel Magazine link summarizes these books pretty well and for under $20.

  By  Barry, at January 17, 2008 11:26 PM  

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• During the late 70's and early 80's saw dozens of great live music at the Bear. Afterwards we would hang out on the pier and talk the night away. Favorite acts there, David Lindley (drove his old white toyota to the gigs), David Crosby and a great comedian named Bob Duback (wondered why he never made it big time). Golden Bear still remains my all time favorite club.

  By  Roy, at January 21, 2008 6:25 PM  

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• Rick Babiracki and his wife Carol lived next door to me. I always heard about the Golden Bear when I was a young kid growing up...I wish it was still around.

  By  Chasin, at January 26, 2008 12:12 AM  

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• I'm writing an article and looking for anyone who might have attended Little Richard's 1965 show at the Golden Bear.
  
  Please email me lostarchives@yahoo.com

  By  Anonymous, at February 12, 2008 8:51 AM  

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• Saw John Kay and Steppenwolf at the Golden Bear in the late 70's.
  
  Second worst thing that happened in So Cal was when the yuppie scum tore down The Golden Bear.
  
  First was the death of The Mighty Met-A-WHOOOOO-YA KMET

  By  Anonymous, at February 12, 2008 11:10 AM  

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• To the lady who wondered where the "new" Golden Bear was located: When David Crosby got out of jail in late 1983 (I think) his first gig was the Kona Hawaii (I have the stub somewhere). After the storm in '86, I saved a brick that I found at the old Bear's site after they it tore down. "They" said it was not safe. We believed the developers just wanted the money. HB was a great place to grow up with only 25,000 people in the late 60's, safe, relatively clean, friendly, and the best surfing anywhere on the west coast. Then they 'put up a parking lot', destroyed Bolsa Chica, tore down the HB Inn, completely ripped up downtown, strip malls, overcrowded streets, traffic and lights everywhere, gangs came in from Santa Ana, multi-rise condos, huge unaffordable housing, noise, trash, crime, drugs. After the fall of Saigon, everything went to hell. The cities let the Asians take over and our home town atmosphere and beauty and lifestyle was destroyed. So you completely uneducated 2/23/2006 inane commentor about how history and character is a blight and strip malls are so clean and bright, oh, and profitable, what a completely ignorant useless blight your comment is on how great HB used to be. Everybody played the Bear. Jimi, Janis, Hoyt, CSN, WHO, Butterfield, Airplane, Mahal, Taj, Dead, Neil, yeah Martin too, he grew up in Garden Grove. It was a great place. So much is gone now, all for money.

  By  nancepalajacmrswesturn, at February 21, 2008 4:14 PM  

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• Hi
  
  Does anyone rememger a place called the Salty Cellar just down the street? The had a band called the Howling Blues that sounted like the Stones

  By  Anonymous, at April 05, 2008 5:11 PM  

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• I was born in Santa Ana in 1949 and as a teenager went to the Golden Bear countless numbers of times. I saw the following bands which I remember well: Butterfield Blues Band, Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, Bo Diddley, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, Joan Baez, Gordon Lightfoot, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Grateful Dead, Country Joe and The Fish, Moby Grape, Junior Wells (w/Buddy Guy), Billy Boy Arnold, and Steve Miller Band. I remember there being at least two and sometimes three shows nightly. If business was slow, you could stay an extra show for $1 and a coke or a beer (if they weren't checking ID's closely. I remember it always being 420 friendly and very mellow there. The bathrooms were in the back of the stage area and you had to pass through a short hallway to get there. On the right, in the hallway, were one or two dressing rooms where the entertainers would hang before and after performances. On my way to pee one evening a door opened and there I was face-to-face with the legendary Janis Joplin! She said, "Hi, honey!" and gave me a sip of her paper cupful of Southern Comfort straight up. I was probably seventeen at the time. Amazing. Obviously I still talk about it to this day. I also remember eating before or after shows at the Jack-in-the Box a few doors down the street towards the south. In the same complex of buildings there was a place called, I believe, The Cave. It had a billiards room on the street level and downstairs was a psychedelically decorated room with a small stage on the north wall. My band (The Blues Express) played there as a warmup for Buffalo Springfield (true story) who had just released "For What It's Worth". We met a very young Stephen Stills, Neil Young and the rest of the band. I remember always finding a parking spot behind the club and getting lots of autographs as the performers left. The garlic bread and salads inside the Golden Bear were great, and the waitresses very tolerent of tennagers with little cash for the two-drink minimum. I was very sad to see The Bear go, and sad to see Huntington Beach lose the small town look and feel so that the corporate buildup could take place. Now it seems that the area is as well known for July 4th riots, skinheads and drugs as it is for surfing competitions.

  By  Anonymous, at April 06, 2008 2:57 PM  

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• Wow...bring back the memories. I stumbled on this site quite by accident and flew back to the summer of 1976 when I had spent a young lifetime (summer)in HB. Growing up on the east coast and in Colorado, I wanted to see the real surf. When a room in a house a buddy from Colorado came open, I jumped at the chance. It was a little duplex on Orange. We used to go out a lot. The GB was one stop, the other was a bar called Isadores down in Newport. They reminded me of a place in Boulder I used to go.
  
  The first day I was there, I was waxing a vintage (then) G&S at the steps near 16th street, and I look over and see an old friend from High School in NJ! We hung out all summer. I only wished that I knew how cold the early summer water was! The beach scene was severe! I still remember a guy that took his volleyball so seriously that he taped each of his fingers. I also remember the graffiti on the seawall "If you don't live here, don't surf here." Anyway, In October we had three days of rain and I had to go back to Colorado for ski season. Although I've lost touch, I still think about Al, Rich and Ricky; that was a summer to remember for all time. I took my youngest daughter out to see the mouse at D-land few years back and we drove through HB so I could show my wife where I lived. I couldn't find anything, everything was gone from Bolsa Chica to Main Street! The waves were still rolling in under the pier, the beach was beautiful, but now it is time only left to memories.

  By  Anonymous, at April 22, 2008 1:57 PM  

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• I just happened to stumble upon this site and oh what memories.I grew up in HB. I actually was part of a group Save Our Seaside (SOS) in 1975 that fought the redevelopment of the downtown area. We had a drawing of the Golden Bear on a t-shirt we made for our SOS group. They were going to use imminent domain to remove people from their homes and make it into a Miami Beach Highrise Resort. A History teacher at Marina High School lived down near Lake St. and was possibly going to lose his home. I was a student at Goldenwest and a former student of this History teacher. We hired an attorney and fought it. There was so much corruption we discovered at the time with the City Council and some of the business owners downtown that were going to get rich off this. We won but only for a short while. I moved away and remember when a friend shared that they passed a five story limit on highrise builings just a few years later. We had wanted a two story limit. And eventually it became what it is today. I saw BB King, Taj Mahal and many local groups at the Golden Bear. What a shame to not save this historic landmark. Growing up in Huntington Beach was the best back then. I loved that Jack in the Box. And Vic's on the beach.

  By  CW, at May 14, 2008 1:57 AM  

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• I saw some great shows at the Bear. The best were the Pogo shows (before they were Poco). These were two of the best sounding live shows I've ever heard. Messina was on lead guitar then and his sound through his Fender stuff was incredible (must have been seriously hot rodded). Rusty Young was playing through Leslie speakers. The opening act for one of the shows was a new comedian by the name of Steve Martin. LOL
  
  I saw Albert Collins there a couple of time and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Every show is a terrific memory. It was like they were playing in your living room.

  By  Anonymous, at June 13, 2008 6:18 PM  

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• I lived in HB in the early 70's (and other OC towns after HB cops busted me for pot) while attending Orange Coast College. I was too poor to go out much but I fondly remember two shows at the Golden Bear - Muddy Waters and Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. Muddy was a revelation. I was sitting 10 feet from the stage and was amazed at the way he manhandled his guitar - it was like a toy in his hands. Whenever I listen to him now I have a mental image of him just wrenching out all of those powerful solos. Yes, I too went back about 12 years ago to check out the old scene and show my wife around. I felt like the man who fell to earth. The old Jack's wooden shack was gone, replaced by a modern two story bldg, Golden Bear gone, couldn't even find my old crummy neighborhood. Hey, anyone remember the Sugar Shack greasyspoon? Did you know you could score an oz of weed at that Jack in the Box for $10. if you were in the know? Only the memories are left.
  -Yet another Al

  By  Anonymous, at June 14, 2008 12:01 PM  

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• I grew up in Westminster and spent a great deal of time in Huntington Beach in the mid-to-late 70s, before moving to the SF Bay Area...we used to drive over and park on Lake Street, and walk past the Jack-in-the-Box, and body surf all day between lifeguard stations 5 and 7...it was not uncommon for folks to to spend all night on the beach, as HB was much more open back then...at the Golden Bear, I was able to see Bob Weir with Kingfish, the Southern r&b band Wet Willie, and watch a transcendent performance from Richie Havens...I still visit OC regularly, and find what once was pretty sad - check out Alejandro Escovedo's latest cd - there's a song called "Golden Bear" on it.

  By  Anonymous, at July 08, 2008 8:22 AM  

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• Loved and miss GB! always something going on there during my years aware of it. Anyone remember Sid's Blue Beet in Newport near the pier? The 70's was when I'd hang there. Amazing acoustic guitar and various acts played. It is still there and still cool. Sid passed away in Feb. of this year. He had been driven out of the state due to various building code infractions. He was quite a character. Miss those times!

  By  Anonymous, at July 08, 2008 11:39 AM  

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• I worked at the Bear from July 1971 until the day it closed, what I aw and heard would fill a book! Funny how many hanger-on's now claim to have worked there, but I know because I worked for both George and the other two who were le than decent to their employees and I don't care how much B.S. goes around! I stayed never the less because I loved the place. my name is Ellen and after working there almost 15 year I know all the stories.my e-mail is Ellenk707@hotmail.com.

  By  Anonymous, at July 11, 2008 2:55 PM  

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• I worked at the Golden Bear from July 1971 until the day it closed, first foe George and then "the Brothers", It seems a lot of people now claim they worked there too, if true it would fill the Rose Bowl, gotta laugh! My name is Ellen and I also had the dubious distinction of being the Head Cocktail waitressfor most of that time, probably made about two bits more for my efforts. Anyway for thoe who want the real story e-mail me at Ellenk707@hotmail.com

  By  Bearable, at July 11, 2008 5:55 PM  

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• Thank heavens I found this website! We lived in HB in 1984, the year of the Summer Olympics on the West Coast. We went to the GB once on a lovely summer eve to be blown across PCH by awesome live music to be followed by deafness for two days. Tearing down the GB was an act of treasonous proportions by someone wielding more power than sense. The responsible parties should held responsible! The GB left lasting impressions of a HB that was once the quintessential California beach town.

  By  Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 6:30 AM  

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• We lived in HB from 1952 to 1992, and watched the city grow from maybe 21,000 to somewhere near 190,000. Liked it better at 21,000. Golden Bear remembrances include The Mitchell Trio right after Chad left the group. He had been replaced by someone we knew would never succeed named John Denver.

  By  Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 6:37 PM  

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• I lived in downtown HB in 1975-1977 and used my fake ID to order a lot of drinks at the old Golden Bear. I don't think there were more than 300 seats at the long tables for dining, and on nights when they had really popular acts the squeezed in some round cocktail tables along the stage. One night they put Jerry Garcia's microphone stand on my table, talk about sitting close! I think that was the night he played untl afte 3:00 AM and the waitresses came around and picked up the drinks at 2:00. It was so cool being able to walk down there!
  Even if we couldn't afford tickets the owner might let you in free if you bought a drink or they'd open the cutains on the windows that faced PCH and you could take in the show from the sidewalk.
  I saw Garcia, Bob Weir, BB King, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Martin, various obscure jazz combos and folkies, The Byrds...on and on.
  And yeah, downtown HB sucks these days!

  By  Jaime, at August 24, 2008 6:24 PM  

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