I think I saw most of the jumps too even though some were from re-runs on ABC Wide World of Sports. I remember when word got out that he was going to jump the Snake River, I could hardly wait. It seemed like it was two years after I first heard of it until he attempted his jump. I suppose I was getting older and the rocket jump try was no where near the level of excitement and bravado as the motorbike jumps. At least for me anyhow. Still it took some sack to try. Those days were pieces of my childhood that will never be forgotten.
In the 1960s and 70s, we ran flat-track in the Sacramento Valley, Modesto to Yuba City and the Sacramento Mile at CalExpo. At Yuba on the dirt track, after Mister Knievel's spectacular display of arrogance doing wheelies and other nincompoopery, I borrowed a Honda Mini-50 midget bike, and duplicated his routine. At the time, I was about 5' 11"... wrapped around a bike designed for a six-year old. Joke Evel Knievel.
In 1969 or 1970, Pat Rooney and I ran the indoor loop at Cow Palace south of frisco. Mister Knievel was the headliner. After his jump, he threw down his bike in a toddler-tantrum, grabbed a microphone, then bad-mouthed some patch-holders... Hell's Angels peaceably enjoying the event with their families. At the first hint of the potential riot, we grabbed our gear and booked.
Saw him jump 10 cars indoors in Chicago in the mid seventies when I was in high school. His head was no more than about 2 feet from hitting the ceiling. A real Hoot.
Worked with a guy who grew up in Helena; Geoff told this story about Evel's approach to life: FAST. It was one cold night and Geoff was heading up to the library, way above the town and reached only by a steep, winding narrow road. Evel stopped his car and asked Geoff if he needed a lift. Geoff thought about it before answering but said "sure". Where 'ya going? Library. Evel's face lit up. Hop in. And away they went like a bat out of hell, sharp turns and all. Geoff said he could barely stand up when he got out of the car. Evel was grinning and told him "See you around". They once were classmates but by then Evel had no use for school.
I grew up with Robert, Kelly, and Robbie. I used to clean Evel's golf clubs at the Country Club in Butte. He always tipped us 5 bucks- we were in awe. At age 12, I made a buck an hour.
I was on the north side of the Snake River (landing area) when the jump happened. The jump was a dud. But weeks worth of partying and all the crazy shit that went on prior to it in little old Twin Falls Idaho was quite eye opening for an 18 year old kid. That's what I remember most. Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll
Yes, Evel was a real hoot - but did you know he secretly had a brother? That's right, Leve Laveink. He died trying to jump 24 motorcycles with a Diesel Truck. Poor guy didn't even make the news...
Evel Knieval was, is and will always be, one of my personal heroes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I had forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI remember that! I begged my mom to get me the toy for christmas. I think I still have it somewhere..
ReplyDeleteLet's see someone do that today, jump a 1000cc 500lb 70's technology bike. Do or die for those guys.
ReplyDeleteHe had some big brass balls. All we had for channels on tv was 2-6-8-10-12. I watched all his jumps
ReplyDeleteI think I saw most of the jumps too even though some were from re-runs on ABC Wide World of Sports. I remember when word got out that he was going to jump the Snake River, I could hardly wait. It seemed like it was two years after I first heard of it until he attempted his jump. I suppose I was getting older and the rocket jump try was no where near the level of excitement and bravado as the motorbike jumps. At least for me anyhow. Still it took some sack to try. Those days were pieces of my childhood that will never be forgotten.
DeleteIn the 1960s and 70s, we ran flat-track in the Sacramento Valley, Modesto to Yuba City and the Sacramento Mile at CalExpo.
ReplyDeleteAt Yuba on the dirt track, after Mister Knievel's spectacular display of arrogance doing wheelies and other nincompoopery, I borrowed a Honda Mini-50 midget bike, and duplicated his routine.
At the time, I was about 5' 11"... wrapped around a bike designed for a six-year old.
Joke Evel Knievel.
In 1969 or 1970, Pat Rooney and I ran the indoor loop at Cow Palace south of frisco.
Mister Knievel was the headliner.
After his jump, he threw down his bike in a toddler-tantrum, grabbed a microphone, then bad-mouthed some patch-holders... Hell's Angels peaceably enjoying the event with their families.
At the first hint of the potential riot, we grabbed our gear and booked.
Mister Knievel was a nincompoop.
all i can see is a dweeb copying Super Dave Osborne :)
ReplyDeleteSuper Dave copied Kenevil.
DeleteSaw him jump 10 cars indoors in Chicago in the mid seventies when I was in high school. His head was no more than about 2 feet from hitting the ceiling. A real Hoot.
ReplyDeleteWorked with a guy who grew up in Helena; Geoff told this story about Evel's approach to life: FAST. It was one cold night and Geoff was heading up to the library, way above the town and reached only by a steep, winding narrow road. Evel stopped his car and asked Geoff if he needed a lift. Geoff thought about it before answering but said "sure". Where 'ya going? Library. Evel's face lit up. Hop in. And away they went like a bat out of hell, sharp turns and all. Geoff said he could barely stand up when he got out of the car. Evel was grinning and told him "See you around". They once were classmates but by then Evel had no use for school.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with Robert, Kelly, and Robbie. I used to clean Evel's golf clubs at the Country Club in Butte. He always tipped us 5 bucks- we were in awe. At age 12, I made a buck an hour.
ReplyDeleteI was on the north side of the Snake River (landing area) when the jump happened. The jump was a dud. But weeks worth of partying and all the crazy shit that went on prior to it in little old Twin Falls Idaho was quite eye opening for an 18 year old kid. That's what I remember most. Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll
ReplyDeleteYes, Evel was a real hoot - but did you know he secretly had a brother? That's right, Leve Laveink. He died trying to jump 24 motorcycles with a Diesel Truck. Poor guy didn't even make the news...
ReplyDeleteI'll let myself out.