Welcome to the 340 Club (Reprised)

THIS IS A COPY OF THE FIRST POST IN THIS SERIES - first appearing December 4, 2007 - IN WHICH IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A REUNION IN JUNE. NOW, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT, ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE PUTTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER. THE NEXT REUNION OF THE 340 CLUB IS SCHEDULED FOR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009.

ENJOY THE REPRISE!

Lancaster, Pennsylvania ... the seventies, downtown, 340 West King Street, three blocks from Penn Square - the city's center - a three story house inhabited by five virile young men. Sex, beer, rock n roll. As the landlord described it: "extreme disorganized and general misconduct."

This blog seeks your assistance in planning a commemoration, a reunion if you will, a celebration of the 340 Club. Accordingly, this is your blog. As a former resident, 340 Club cardholder, or someone who lived in the Red Rose City in the 70s who has fond memories of late nights and/or early mornings at the 340 please feel free to make your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas known as this bash is planned. Visit this blog often. It is a tool to promote, coordinate, communicate, facilitate and plan a celebration that commemorates, celebrates, touts, and reminisces about the 340 Club. The gathering is tentatively scheduled for June 6th and 7th, 2008, in Lancaster, PA. Presently and tentatively, the weekend shapes up as follows:

June 6, 2008 - $27 will get you a game ticket and a picnic ticket to an Atlantic Baseball League contest between the York Revolution and the Lancaster Barnstormers at Clipper Stadium. Prior and during the game there will be a two-hour, all you can eat, buffet picnic at Coors Light Picnic Pavilion featuring: BBQ Chicken, Grilled Hamburgers, Kunzler Hot Dogs, Deli Salad, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob, Potato Chips, Cookies and Assorted Fountain Sodas. Unfortunately the beer will need to be purchased separately. After the game I feel confident that the gang will retreat to a local pub to continue quaffing the golden beverage.

June 7, 2008 - an evolving bash that at that will be put on at cost (likely, $20) that will feature beer (free), munchies, DJ, and more. In addition there will be features and specialties that the 340 Club was known for. It is this event for which this Blog seeks your input. What do you see as a 2008 340 Club Party? In an ideal world, we would rent 340 West King Street in Lancaster and convene sometime around 2 am on Saturday morning with everyone bringing enough beer and munchies to get us through to daybreak when we would break for a bit until gathering again that afternoon when we would watch sports on TV and nap to prepare for doing it again Saturday night. Alas, due to many factors this is not possible so we need to find a place and plan a realistic resemblance of such a party.

To that extent please help us out with both party ideas as well as sharing your reminiscences of the 340 Club.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I realize I'm a little premature but I am very excited about my upcoming Valentine's Day that I could not wait to share it.The 340 Club's houseband, although they never played there (cept perhaps for some strumming of Phil's guitar), was - at least in the early to mid-life of the abode - was the Bonnie Parker Band. Even the beloved housepuppy was named Scarlet after guitarist Richie Scarlet. After virtually every Bonnie Parker show at The Village there was a mega party at the 340 Club.

Drummer Billy (from Philly) Lomax is whereabouts unknown to the best of my knowledge. Bonnie, herself, is fleeting. I believe she plays in a band called Tang and just may be stateside in the Long Island area. Rudy Valentino is in Hamburg making beautiful reggae with associated sistas. That leaves the Emperor of Rock - Richie Scarlet, the man, the music, the guitar. Well, Richie is still very active in the international rock n' roll music scene playing with Ace Frehly, Lesley West, Albert Bouchard or Dennis Dunway or his own Richie Scarlet Band.

It turns out they have a gig next Saturday, Valentine's Day, in Westchester County, NY. It further turns out that my lady friend, Beverly, and I are going to celebrate Valentine's Day at the show. Four hour trip to Baldwin Place, NY. Check in, go to mass, romantic dinner, followed by the hardest edged rock n' roll on the east coast.

I will be taking 340 Club buttons, t-shirt, and program to Richie and hope to exchange pleasantries with the Emperor for the first time in 25 years. Whether I am invited or inclined to worm remains to be seen.

The Boss

didja see the Boss? on my 1989 vintage Zenith ... it rocked ... might not be a flat screen but damn those Bose speakers still sound state of the art!!! perhaps the best rock n' roll on network TV ever; certainly none that haven't been introduced by Ed Sullivan ... 12 minutes

God Bless Barack Obama! God Bless the US of A!!

What are you doin' for Valentines Day? huh ... I'm going (weather permitting) to Westchester County New Yawk to see the Richie Scarlet Band ... 340!!!