Original publication: BikerTrash.com
Original byline: Staff
DAYTONA BIKE WEEK
60th Anniversary
(C) 2001 by Miss BB
(Just a sample “Beauty” from Daytona)
Rain poured from the California sky as we took off for the road heading towards Daytona Beach Florida, Bike Week . Having traveled together many times before, Billy Gordon, Tobin and I are now experts in packing the van with band gear, suit cases and, of course, Billy’s antique Flathead Harley Davidson.
We drove straight through from California, taking turns at the wheel, and arrived in Houston, Texas in the wee hours of the morning. We stopped to visit with Larry, editor of www.bikertrash.com, who lent us the use of his home for a much needed shower.
We pulled into Daytona a day early and got lucky and found room at the Holiday Inn . I noticed a sign for “GIGGLES” Comedy Club and talked my way into free admittance to the next show. “Mark Whitney The Fallen Angel of Comedy” was the headliner.
Long hair hung down his back, an earring hung from one lobe, tats on his arms, faded jeans I liked him already. “Mark Whitney The Fallen Angel of Comedy” was the craziest and funniest comedian I have ever seen. He tours regularly, so if you ever get the chance to see his show, I promise you won’t regret it! I laughed so hard; I swear, I pissed my pants well almost. Definitely biker friendly material!
We found it very hard to sleep that first night due to all the excitement of Daytona happening all around us. We were ready for the first day to begin long before the sun came up. It was my first time in Daytona and I hit the door running.
It was hot as hell that morning (at least from the prospective of a California girl). I spotted the Samson Exhaust vendor and walked over to say “Hi” to my friend Ed Machado, the sales manager. We met back in January at the Easyriders 2001 Bike Show Tour and became friends. I gave Ed a big hug. It’s always great to hook up with someone when you are so many miles from home.
Seeking the Ice Cream Man From Hell shop Main Street had yet to become a living, breathing river of man and machine.
Wearing nothing more than a black g-string, boots and sunglasses the funniest guy or most hard up tried earning a few bucks his way. A five-dollar bill neatly folded rested against his tan butt passing by him again a few minutes later his five-dollar bill turned into a one-dollar bill. “Hmmmm, I wonder, could I make a buck or two? What the f__k do you think sailor boy!”
A sign covering Dirty Harry’s side building announced, “Daily Contests: Billy Gordon and Bobby Friss Band. This was Billy Gordon and The Blue Rockers second time around for Daytona Bike Week, having performed there in 1998 at the Crazy Horse Saloon and Last Resort. Biker men and women, dressed in their best, laughed and drank together waiting for the show to begin. Laughter, greetings, and bear hugs, hand shakes and happiness with life surrounded us.
Billy parked his Flathead in front of the stage. He and the Rockers took their places on stage and rocked the biker’s. Scott Shryock of MTI Sound worked magic behind the scenes, mixing keyboard, enhancing the music. The tunes vibrated off Dirty Harry’s make shift walls. DJ Joey Baja, looking cool wearing shades, watched as Tobin, of the Rockers, beat the hell out of his drums, breaking his sticks and pieces of wood landing all around him. A good time was had by one and all.
Daytona Rocks!
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