Friday, October 26, 2007

Cloud 9 and Studio K

Cloud 9 and Studio K were dance clubs inside of Knott's Berry Farm. During the 1980's they were two of the trendiest places in Orange County for teenagers to go to on a Saturday night.

I was never into dancing when I was in my teens. I was into computers, I was a computer geek, though not hard-core geek. There was something in me that resisted the stereotype.

A guy named Stephen L. Becker is trying to put together a tribute website for Cloud 9 and Studio K, and wanted to ask OCThen readers if they can contribute photos. Here's his message...

I remember piling a bunch of friends into a Toyota Tercel and heading out to Balboa Island to see RHPS at midnight every Friday. Then on Saturday, we would all head out to Knott's Berry Farm to dance at Studio K and Cloud 9. I am actively searching for pictures from Cloud 9 and Studio K from the late 80s -early 90s so I can build a tribute site. Please contact me if you have any that I may use. stephen.l.becker@gmail.com
There have also been some other comments and e-mails sent to me about Cloud 9 and Studio K, which I have posted as comments here. Please feel free to post your own comments here as well.

73 comments:

  1. Steve,
    I hung out at Studio K and Cloud 9 for many years... We were known as locals... I hope you are someone I know, I have been searching for years, trying to reconnect with people... Do you you remember Gabe??? Tony Rose??? I am so excited LOL... Please email me at mladyirish@yahoo.com

    Truly,
    Kat

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  2. HELLO, ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES OF KNOTTS BERRY FARM WAS OF COURSE, GOING DANCING AT STUDIO K AND CLOUD NINE BACK IN THE 80'S. I WAS 15 AT THE TIME BUT THOSE MEMORIES WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER!

    By LISA

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  3. Hi I went to Kennedy H.S. (class of 87) and I would spend many a weekend nights dancing at Studio K(now where Jaguar sits) and Cloudnine. I spent alot of time before that too just going there as a kid.

    By Marc J Steele

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  4. yeah.. i was one of those kids..86-88 dancing at studio k and cloudnine. very fond memories.we lived right down western ,and could see the big k light up every night.

    By jayman

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  5. Back in the 80's i was in high school and we went every weekend to go dancing at cloud 9.(better alternative music than studio k!)my mom had a huuuuge station wagon and my friends and i would load up and go. i live in Portland now, but some day i hope to go back to Cali to see my old hang outs! i really miss Knott's Scary Farm. i never missed a year!

    By Anonymous

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  6. I used to go to Cloud 9 and dance too. I used to be in the Disco Mickey Mouse team. Remember them? LOL. Anyway, great times indeed!

    By Anonymous

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  7. Well I was raised on Knott's. As a kid my dad took me on the train across the street & to Jungle island. Then as a teen I went to Cloud nine, then I worked there from 86 -91. Now I only go there once a year for the Halloween haunt. My heart breaks every year as something else is gone. Now I just read about the boot hill being bulldozed! No more beating heart! The shooting gallery too, gone! Ghost town is going, it used to strecth out to reflection lake now it's way smaller. I miss how by the side entrance there used to be a rock wall with bars that you could peek in from outside the park and wish you were inside. The devil by the volcano was so cool. I miss the shops outside, there were alot of them and I used to go all the time for dinner and shop around but now I dont go at all. Why would I go to Virginia's gift shop to buy mickey mouse stuff or eat at tgif? Stupid. No more steak house either. Oh for Jayman that asked the cloud nine dj's name it was craig. I was there dancing every saturday with the gothics. So much fun. If you remember me my name is Cher

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  8. Well I vaguely remmeber Cloud 9. I was just a bit too young and its last days were when I was about in Jr. High. But it was a big thing back then. Didn't it have checkered floors? There was something alternative [the word didn't really even exist back then] cum new wave about it. I guess I'm applying sort of modern terminology to it, but the crowd struck me as sort of vampy to rockabilly-ish. Loud Depeche Mode pumping under blacklights and all that...

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  9. Studio K was awesome. I remember dancing on the stage wearing my Guess overalls and my Ton-Sur-Ton shirt. A big group of us would go every Saturday night. Does anybody remember Videopolis at Disneyland? Never was as good as Studio K and Cloud 9.

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  10. Does anyone remember the Rubber Band Man at cloud Nine. One of the best pop lockers ever. Saw Motley Crue at Cloud Nine. Studio K was fun also. We used to jump the fence to get in. Anyone remember the Green Karmen Ghia.

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    Replies
    1. I remember a guy named Craig who had one. he went to lkwd high. by the way my name is Farra. my best friend Kari and I would sell our souls to go every friday and saturday nights! Best memories ever there!

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  11. Hi,
    I hung out at Studio K and Cloud 9 for many years as well!! Those are the best memories of time.I would dance all night around the years 84-87.Do you remember if your bangs were to high they would not let you in. We used to wait to go inside and then aqua net our bangs up high.I remember dancing on stage in Studio K with my black satin shirt and black leggings with tons of black eyeliner,oh those were the days!

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  12. Oh yes, I remember Studio K. I am a lot older than most of the people that remember Studio K, but you see, I was the one who came up with the concept of Studio K.

    This concept was proposed in a memo dated February 11, 1984. I still have this memo framed in my office.

    We opened Studio K on Memorial Day Weekend 1984. The success was overwelming. She was credited with bring in an additional $2.5 million per year.

    I also ran Cloud 9, but cloud 9 never did near the numbers that were attributed to Studio K.

    The name Studio K came from a contest sponsored by Knotts prior to opening. The winner received a year pass to the park. I have the original plans in my office and they refer to this facility as:
    Teen Dance Area.

    I am also the person who suggested that Studio K be torn down when we approached the 90's. I could see that her days were numbered. She was now bringing in the wrong type of crowd.

    She had a good life. WHAT A RIDE!!!

    Gary R. Salisbury

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  13. Wow- to an earlier poster 'Marc J. Steele'.....you are a name from the past! I went to Studio K WITH you on several occassions. Wearing my leaggings, satin shirt with a brooch at the neck. Don't forget my lace up granny boots...and yes- the big bangs! I remember the Kroq nights the best....hope you see this! Hope you are doing well!
    www.marcyphotos.com

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  14. UPDATE from Stephen Becker

    We now have a myspace group started.

    http://groups.myspace.com/kbflocals


    Thanks,
    Steve

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  15. What memories...My friends and I went every weekend to Studio K & Cloud 9. The smell of cloves & hairspray. I love those times!!!!

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  16. OMG!...I was a KBF employee, and a Cloud Nine & Studio K junkie. The DJ's were Craig Greg, Jack-Attack-Scalfani (Kennedy-'85), and Todd ? (I forget his last name) these 3 guys were good friends of mine, we used to party before during and after. Craig & I DJ'd side gigs. We'd party with the KROQ jocks (Richard Blade, Sweedish Igil, Katy Manor, Jed the Fish and etc.) all the time - It was insane. After hour parties were pretty much at Todd's apartment and or some Studio K local apts. Im so grateful to have been apart of this trend in its heyday, we lived and partied like no tomorrow. Too bad KBF doesnt offer anything like this to the kids today.
    Hey Craig, Tood, Jack - if some small chance you see this, look me up.
    -Sanders (as in John)

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  17. I was one of the many teenagers that went to Cloud 9 and Studio K in the middle to late 80's. I remember the after parties at Todd's house well, and also the red cowboy hats, and the satin shirts that were kind of gay. But oh well. It was all in good fun. I'm glad someone finally took the initiative and started a tribute site for these venues. Long live the K and 9..

    Ruben Sanchez

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  18. Above someone asked about the Rubberband man. If you are referring to a white kid with redish hair, yes I remember him well. He was awesome. He died from a heart condition many years ago. We heard it from one of his best friends, an african american guy, whose name escapes me.

    Cloud 9, ahhh the memories!! We went on to hang out at Circle City in Orange until we were 21 and couldn't go there any longer.

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  19. i used to hang out with all the rude boys outside cloud 9. i remember the first time my friends and i went and smelled that funny smoke (cloves) and all the guys in their suits and trenchcoats covered in buttons and patches

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    Replies
    1. I was one of the Rude Boys too. I am Jim Gibson, I bet I know you. This post is old. Oh well.

      Delete
  20. I remember seeing Debbie Deb and Ice T perform at Studio K. Ice T introduced his now ex wife, Darline, as his bodyguard. She wore the tightest body suit that left no room for the imagination.

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  21. I know a couple. If you're looking for Tony R., I know where to find him.

    T. Peck

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  22. Wow, great memories, I'll definitely be checking in on the tribute page.

    I was a regular at cloud 9 and studio k (much better than videopolis was) in the late 1980s. I could almost taste the cloves now. By day I would work at the Steakhouse or Ghosttown Grill and by night I was at studio K or cloud 9. (any steakhouse or GTG alumni out there?)

    I think I spent more time outside of studio K just hangin' with friends than actually dancing inside. I haven't been to KBF since early 1990s.

    --Anthony
    sprbudman@yahoo.com

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  23. These were fun reading. I do vaguely remember someone named "Gabe". Did he have a mohawk sometimes?

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  24. hey everyone. i just stumbled on this site since i too was one those rude boys who hung out at cloud 9 every saturday night. me and my friends would pile into my car from riverside and head out there. good times. we'd mingle with the o.c. kids and met some nice people. when we said we were from riverside they were shocked
    "wow,you drove all the way from there?" we ended up at videopolis,it was closer and hung out there until they closed. i hung out with jason,gregory g,melinda,greg,marie,spanky(o.c.kids) and my boys from the I.E.any of you out there? cheers,"POPS"

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  25. OMG! I used to party at Todd and Craigs apartment too. Anyone still in touch with them? Do they have a myspace or facebook? Are they still in the DJ business?

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  26. Wow. The memories. my name is Michael. I was one of the DJ's at both Studio K and Cloud 9. At Studio K it was just me and a guy named Todd. No idea what happened to him. Mixing Egyptian Lover into New Order into Trans-x. Good times. I remember when Disney opened Videopolis but they wouldnt let them play what we played. That was too "nasty" for Mickey. I see a post here by my old boss Gary, who hired me. Great guy and had a great vision. Rubberband man? Remember him well. Crazy pale face, skinny as hell but danm what a dancer. My view from the Studio K booth was on to the main floor with the mirrored raised stage to the right. All i had to do was flash a freeze frame of Duran Duran "Reflex" video and listen to the screams. All the Frankie Goes to Hollywood wannabes on the stage, all in black coats, white shirts, broaches, sunglasses posing every time Relax came on. We played such great music. I remember the music crates behind us all arranged by BPM. Far left was whodini, fly boys....all the way to the far right crate of Master & Servant, 2 tribes, tour de france, etc. Only place I ever worked where you, the crowd, wanted The Cure, Depeche, and Whodini, Egyptian Lover all on the same floor. I have a ton of pics at home so I'll scan and post. Glad to see you all here.

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  27. Hey T.Peck....

    Where can I find Tony Rose? I am pretty sure I am trying to find the same Tony....

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  28. I've heard there is a Facebook group surrounding Cloud 9

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  29. Does anyone know the Facebook link? I would love to catch up with some of the old group. **Chari

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  30. Where is David Cooch?

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  31. I danced at Coud 9 alot from 86-88. Z. Cavericis, string ties and cloves. Best Times of my life. Miss all my old friends from Whiitier and La Habra.

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  32. Me & My Cousins, where regular's every sat night 84-86. We met so many girls, those were the day's.

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  33. Wow! what great times......it's Frankie! (Roy S.) now go by DJ Royski....I miss all you guys!

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  34. Doe's anyone rember Kid Boogaloo great dancer/ Popper? Who where some of the cool crowd's?

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  35. trying to find a song. I think it was the song that Craig ended with. It kind of started with a sound that was almost like someone sawing wood? Or a slowed down helicopter?

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  36. Cloud 9, that's where it all began for me. My friends in high school would all pile into my yellow toyota hatch back, drink strawberry hill in the parking lot. Ride some rides, get a mozzerella cheese stick(the best ooygooy cheese stick!), or a falafel, then dance all night.
    Remember the Robert Smith and Ian Mcculloch look a likes! So cute!
    Remember dancing in circles to Shiny Shiny and Tainted Love. And the last song of the night, A Question of Lust.
    Such beautiful memories!

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  37. Hey everybody! Tyge Wellman here :-) I use to live near Peak Park on El Monte. I broke dance with Jason Jefferey (EZ-Rock), Ricky Woodward, Pete Lowe, John Muir, Martin Aperio (movie 'Rad'), Jeff Santino etc. Studio K was the best!

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  38. Hi Tyge, it was the best. Remember those days. There's a video on you tube of us breaking in Rodney's garage. Jason put it on there.

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  39. Does anyone have any pics of Cloud 9 around 1980-1983? Also, wondering if anyone knows the name of band that played there, I think once, maybe twice in 1981? It was a smaller 3-5 man group, Blonde lead, named Joey Castano and a guitarist named Mark Morabito, they were maybe 2 years outta high school from the Fountain Valley area. If anyone remembers anything or has pics, that would be so great!! email me if you want: tntr4me@aol.com
    Thanks - K.W.

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  40. Kat - did you go to Cypress HS? there was a crew from Kennedy HS - that use to hang out - we all chilled togther in 1985-86. Good times.

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  41. holy shit! it's all coming back, the music, the girls, the dancing. i loved it all and miss it a lot. the 80's were the best. rayon shirts, z-chavaricis, MODE! ltr

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  42. Rubberbandman is NOT dead. i am his daughter.

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    Replies
    1. What does he do now?

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    2. He owns a night club ver wealthy super model wife 3 kids

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  43. I remember all the death rockers, goths, punks, etc. yes i was one of them too and now laugh at the bubble gum punk clothes my daughter wears.. i was circa late '80's early '90's. Do any of you remember all the acid that was sold and eaten there? I thought everybody was on drugs. sorry had to ask... ;) i used to go barefoot and got kicked out alot. if not barefoot, i wore ballet shoes. anybody remember me? hehehehe

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  44. Savanna Class of 87June 19, 2010 12:28 AM

    Studio K was the place after 6PM. I remember trying to 'scam' on the girls. LOL! So long ago.

    I remember David. I knew David's well.

    The remember the dance crews like Dancing Satins. LOL! I wish I had a time maching to see how silly I looked dancing.

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  45. Check out the Facebook page for the Official Knott's Berry Farm Studio K Cloud 9 Reunion Party in 2011. It's going to be the event of 2011.
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-official-Knotts-Berry-Farm-Studio-K-Cloud-9-page/370502051642?ref=ts

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  46. I crack up when I read this & the 1st girl Kat mentions do you remember Gabe since everyone seems to know him one way or another(& yes I know why he has told me all the stories). Gabe is now my husband & he always talks about the memories @ Studio K. Ironically we met while I was working @ Knott's Halloween Haunt in the late 90's. He wants to take me to this reunion to show me what his scene was all about since I'm 11 years younger & missed out but I grew up on MTV & love the 80's!!!

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  47. Nice to read and remember! And I remember Gary Salisbury - Hi Gary!

    I was the first DJ at the Cloud 9 Disco when it opened. Before it opened, I was the DJ at the Airfield Eatery. I called myself "Marco - the wild & crazy DJ" (Steve Martin was very big at the time). :) And I absolutely remember the Rubberband Man! Played his song (Spinners) and watched him pop. The dance contests and recording artist appearances were incredible. KUTE-102 was a great tie-in.

    I think I still have my name badges and some other paraphernalia from the time! I worked at Knott's between about 1976 and 1980, doing all sorts of things, from working at the Haunted Shack to the discos to stage managing to making park announcements and MCing the New Year's Party. And, Halloween Haunt was an unbelievable blast!

    Wow. I'll have to dig some stuff up from my storage boxes. Great times!

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  48. Wow....Yes I remember Gabe and Tony Rose as well I was one of the K locals...does anyone remember when we tried to put together the K Local newspaper? LOL...my BFF's at the time Liz and Robyn would all head down there every weekend...time really has gone by so fast-Sweet I think a reunion would be fun!

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  49. My friends and I back in 84-85' use to go to Studio K every Saturday. It was club "Nightscape" on Fridays and Studio K on Saturdays. Anyone remember Nightscape? It was a club in a shopping center where Main Place Mall is now. I miss those days. One of the best times of my life.

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  50. I went to Cloud 9 in the early 80's with my friend Lisa...Had so many fun times there, Disney Videopolis & especially Old World too...stylin' in my braided headbands ;)
    After dancing the night away in the 'ballroom' it was fun to hop on the empty rides & run around the park...nice we grew up (semi)innocently in the 80's.

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  51. OMG..cant for get about the all girl dance crews!!! Who remembers that? I do!! woot woot..we were just as bad as the boys!

    Tracy!

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  52. Studio K and Cloud 9 are some of my best childhood memories. My dance crew The Known Boyz would go to Knott's each Saturday night to dance, mingle, and have a great time. We also went to Videopolis at Dland and Sensations in Anaheim but Studio K was the best. The Known Boyz were: Bernie, Bill, Clint, Eric, Jim, Joe, Paul, Sean, and Steve. Several of us are going to the Studio K Reunion on April 1, 2011!
    Eric Flores

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  53. Elena AKA Silent
    OMG this place was the spot cant belive it's going to be for one night only I will be there!!!
    Best plase ever!!!!

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  54. I will always remember standing in line just checking out the guys and the smog. Going on stage with the dance crews. The best place shout out Melissa, Michelle, Dany, Liliana, Jerry, Mark, Maria, Gloria, all of the people from Anahim high, Katella high, Savana high xoxo Elena

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  55. Thats how we playas rolled in the 80's!

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  56. It's not difficult to believe that I am still awake. My adrenaline and excitement was through the roof the entire night in Cloud 9. It was both incredible and very surreal to see so many familiar faces that went to Studio K and Cloud 9 over 20 years ago. I walked into Cloud 9 and the memories that came back filled me with so much emotion it was almost overwhelming. Almost like returning to a childhood home but someone else now lives in "your" house.

    Everything was all too familiar and at the same time I felt distant due to all the changes that had been made inside and out. No more speakers surrounding the dance floor, no more strobe lights, no mirrored clouds on the ceiling and no more dj booth. I can't even count the number of speakers I blew out in the 7 years I called Cloud 9 my home. Yeah, I was rough on her but she was my baby and . I raised her to be strong, commanding, powerful, diverse and aggressive. I also taught her the importance of being accepting, able to show her softer side, friendly, kind, forgiving, comforting and to always remain classy.


    My little girl grew up. She now wears a more conservative blue and white checkerboard floor. Her voice has matured nicely and her tonality and inflection are very refined. She speaks clearly, loud, shows presence, loves to take center stage and can more than simply attract both men and women.

    It great to spend time with you again. I miss you.

    Your DJ,

    Mixtress Bridgette

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  57. I REMEMBER STUDIO K AND CLOUD NINE THOSE WHERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS LOL...AND ESPECIALY THE LOG RIDE...THAT RIDE WAS EVERYONES MAKE OUT RIDE///LOL

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  58. Wow. the memories are insane.
    I cant believe we missed a reunioin.
    Shaun (buckwheat) and myself (davey-boy) had a crew called Dance Society. Every afterparty from Orange to Hb where the best. Even better the gang would get together at western H.S. for tackle football. each weekend dedicated to the friends and family from the studio K. Shout out to original fly boys JoJo - Tony -Eric . Remember the partys in GG and hawiian gardens mixn till sun up? All you ladys I miss you all so amy to name Julie Dena(sex dwarf) Amy Holly Kelly Missy a- z lol- I miss you all .those where the best times of my life.....
    d.russo
    darnet2007@yahoo.com

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  59. Does anyone remember the club Zapps?? it was on the corner in a huge parking and over the hill was a 711 ....it aired on channel 56 for minute...

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I used to go. I saw Paula Abdul, New Kids on the Block, and many others. There's a lil page or so on Facebook.

      Delete
  60. We are making a feature film being made that takes place at Cloud 9 back in the 80's. We are trying to raise funding for it right now on kickstarter but we are still a ways from our goal. We have all the actors cast, the locations secured, the postproduction lined up, and the crew onboard. We just need contributions to the Kickstarter page to make this film a reality. We would love your support. Search for "Rude Boy" on kickstarter or go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1412970125/rude-boy-the-movie-a-feature-film

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  61. Does anyone remember all the break dancers at Cloud 9? Steady Rockin?

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  62. always the green guy and hell with the rest. if you are skinny puppy you will no what i"m talking about

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  63. Hi , I'm an Ollie But Goodies Girl , I went to KBF when they use to Disco dance across the parachute ride ,then it became cloud 9 omg those were the good days , then studio K 9 ,Break dancing , I went CYP, 1982-Graduated in 1985 . Awesome years .

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  64. I was good frends with rubberband man i think his name was frank i rember he had a small black car

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  65. I remember cloud 9 and all the dance crews...they were the best! Who remembers the mod dance crew..The Weather Boys? It was Ivory, spock,psycho? There was 5 or 6 of them. Any body remember the whole dance crews names?

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  66. Give me a freaky kinky nation with an oh so female population!

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  67. Deena Anderson-CallahanSeptember 08, 2013 4:15 PM

    Most of my best memories as a teen-ager were spent at Knott’s Berry Farm/Cloud 9 and Studio K back in 1985-1988.
    Someday, I look forward to re-connect with many of my old friends from there.

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