Bring back the Golden Bear

Bella Lagmay-Funk

As entertainment editor of Cal State Fullerton’s campus newspaper in

the 1970s, my very first concerts at the original Golden Bear were

Tower of Power and Average White Band -- my all-time favorite funk

bands. One of my first backstage interviews was at the Bear in

October 1974 with Average White Band’s lead singer, Hamish Stuart,

regarding the controversial death of drummer Robbie McIntosh.

Just weeks before, the band, riding high on the success of their

No. 1 hit “Pick Up the Pieces,” were at a Hollywood party where

Robbie overdosed on a highball of heroin and cocaine. Singer-actress

Cher kept Average White Band leader Alan Gorrie conscious by walking

him around, which literally saved his life.

That year, Rick and Chuck Babiracki bought the Bear from original

owner George the Greek. The Babiracki brothers successfully ran the

club until its demise in 1986. Contrary to local lore, the old Bear

did not “burn down under mysterious circumstances” or close after the

Summer of ‘86’s infamous beach riots. The historic club was forced to

close before being demolished to pave the way for Downtown

redevelopment. Bricks from the landmark club were sold as souvenirs

to faithful fans who remember seeing such legends as Jimi Hendrix,

Janis Joplin and the Doors headline at the oceanfront club.

In 1990, Peppers Inc. brought the Bear out of hibernation,

erecting a new club and restaurant on its original site on Pacific

Coast Highway across from Surf City’s Huntington Beach Pier in the

beautiful Pierside Pavilion.

Former owner Rick Babiracki was brought in as director of

entertainment to book the talent, while I was named director of

publicity. The new Bear was welcomed back with numerous cover stories

and lots of coverage during its debut season, but sadly, the Bear had

to close its door again within a year when a theater complex was

built above it and problems arose over noise levels.

In June 2001, Rick got married, and our closest friends in the

concert industry reunited and spent the day reminiscing about those

great days.

So many great shows, so many memories. Of course, my most special

memories were of Average White Band and Tower of Power, which I can

truly say with authority, having worked in the concert industry for

30 years now, are the tightest bands in performing live in the world.

Tower of Power played the Bear a lot in the 1970s and ‘80s and always

to a sold-out -- souled-out -- house.

Today, in seeing both bands at other Southern California venues,

they fondly recall playing the new and ol’ Bear back in its heyday.

Should the Bear be resurrected a third time, Rick could lure many

of the classic bands that played his original club and are still

around to come back for reunion gigs. I’d welcome the opportunity to

be teamed with my former partner again. For sure, we could make more

“golden” memories.

* BELLA LAGMAY-FUNK is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute

to Sounding Off, e-mail us at [email protected] or fax us at (714)

965-7174.