When Bob Woodward mentions that you've dealt coke to John Belushi --- that's not a good thing for a Republican Conservative candidate --- that's also not a good thing for anybody running on the same ticket as the reputed drug pusher; ie., for anybody running for Congress from Brooklyn and Staten Island
It's time for the Brooklyn GOP to cut its losses fast
OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.....
However, maybe I'm all wrong about this.
What do you think ?????
75 comments:
Galewynn when you get your material from progressive liberals this is the kind of garbage you wind up posting.
The coke is the least of Vito issues. New York Times says Vito was paying Narcs cash to take the heat off. Was Marty one of those narcs?
Vito Bruno, one of the owners of the AM/PM, a licensed club in lower Manhattan that also operates after hours but that was not part of the F.B.I. investigation, said in an interview that he had given cash Christmas presents to officers. Asked if those gifts were more than $100, he replied, ''Let's just say a lot more.''
Running after hour clubs in the 80's is about coke, coke, and more coke. Has this guy always been a registered republican?
RESPONSE: THE "INVINCIBLE IGNORANCE" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 12:16 PM"
YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR HORSE WHERE YOUR CART SHOULD BE --- IN OTHER WORDS, YOU AREN'T GIVING YOURSELF(VES) ENOUGH CREDIT FOR ALL THIS MUCKED-UP OLD STUFF ABOUT VITO BRUNO.....
AND AS FOR WHAT YOU CALL "... THE KIND OF GARBAGE (WE) WIND UP POSTING...." --- I THINK IT ALL SORT OF POPS, LIKE A DEEP SNORT OF BLOW.....
Here's the comment on the thread to my prior featured post that started me looking and led me to the quotes in Woodward's book about some guy, named Vito Bruno, getting cocaine for the late John Belushi: "Anonymous said... The idiot wannabe lawyers at Fight Back and Radio Free would be well advised to read up and catch up on defamation laws and advise their friends accordingly. Vito Bruno has a stellar reputation and has a team of lawyers who will have a field day with the same wealthy dorks who intentionally lied about Marty and got away with it.... February 22, 2020 at 9:05 PM"
And I think that you aren't giving me and my readers enough credit, as well. The Radio Free Bay Ridge comments at their site are relatively sparse and subdued by comparison to what is showing up here. Our stuff pops... (well, I won't say it twice) !!!
UPDATE & BACKFILL: THE "LONG TIME AGO IN A KINGDOM BY THE SEA" EDITION
IN A FAR RANGING ARTICLE ABOUT AN FBI INVESTIGATION INTO POLICE CORRUPTION CONNECTED TO "AFTER HOURS CLUBS" --- VITO BRUNO SEEMS TO ADMIT TO THE NY TIMES THAT HE PARTICIPATED IN POLICE CORRUPTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE "AFTER HOURS" OPERATION OF HIS CLUB
This rather unusual NY Times article starts out like this: "At 4 A.M., the ground floor of the warehouse was transformed into a cave of fantastic shadows: an all-night crowd spurred on by flashing lights, music, liquor and a little cocaine.... Standing on the loading dock in front of the after-hours club, the Continental, on West 25th Street, was Arthur Weinstein, the co-owner. His hair was slicked back 50's-style and he wore a white dinner jacket with a jet-black cummerbund. Underneath his evening clothes was a transmitter that allowed the F.B.I. to monitor every word he said...." (See "F.B.I. INQUIRY ON AFTER-HOURS CLUBS STRAINS LINKS WITH POLICE" by Howard Blum, 2/22/83, NY Times/ New York [https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/22/nyregion/fbi-inquiry-on-after-hours-clubs-strains-links-with-police.html]).
As noted by a pair of my Anonymous commenters above at 2:01 PM and 3:23 PM, and kind of deep into the 1983 NY Times article cited above is this tidbit: ".... Vito Bruno, one of the owners of the AM/PM, a licensed club in lower Manhattan that also operates after hours but that was not part of the F.B.I. investigation, said in an interview that he had given cash Christmas presents to officers. Asked if those gifts were more than $100, he replied, 'Let's just say a lot more'...."
OH BOY !!!
I don't get it. The times article is about an FBI investigation into corruption. Vito is in articles giving details about police payoffs but hes not part of the corruption investigation.
Why is Vito exempt from investigation when he tells times about corruption hes doing.
Does Kassar know how to google? This Vito stuff is all over the internet.
Nicole could use a some of that Bolivian marching powder.
Liam will soon be having an announcement
Gail, the New York Times story was not the end of it for blabbermouth Vito and his story about big Christmas gifts to the cops. There was something in 'The Guardian' newspaper that said, after the NY Times story, the cops clamped down. AM-PM, one of Vito Bruno's best known after-hours clubs and several other after-hours joints vanished.
Gail, your blog is one of the few places going with Vito Bruno's dirty club history. The 'Queen of the Click' had nothing on this, and she seems not to like Gounardes anymore. The Home Distorter is asleep at the switch too, and Paula Katinas has a look like she's walking on sunshine, and maybe Vito is helping her with that.
Gail, is Vito Bruno with Marko Kepi and is Marko Kepi with Vito?
I hear that Marko is going to Albanian household's to try to register Albanian immigrants around Bay Street and Victory on Staten Island.
A few of the many losers on this blog may have figured out by now why Liams announcement has been moved. Vito will be out the this race before Biden drops out of his.
As part of deal to get Liam to drop out, Vito is with Kepi
Still no petitions printed with Vito on them. Enter Liam.
I was at Nicoles kickoff Sunday at Cebu and No Vito. Does another dealer have that joint?
Those Albanians got the connect
As part of deal to get Liam to drop out, Liam's entire family including distant cousins and nephews are now all employed by the Bill de Blasio administration.
If Vitos history is this bad, think about how bad Liams must be if he is afraid to primary him, this is what GM should get to the bottom of..what happened , why was Liam pushed aside??
RESPONSE: THE "WIMPY" EDITION
TO A FEW OF THE COMMENTERS ABOVE SAYIN' THIS'N'THAT ABOUT LIAM'S PART IN ALL OF THIS
BACK IN THE DAYS OF POPEYE, THERE WAS A GUY CALLED J. WELLINGTON WIMPY (AKA "WIMPY THE MOOCHER") AND HIS GO-TO LINE WAS --- "I WILL GLADLY PAY YOU TUESDAY FOR A HAMBURGER TODAY"
PRETTY MUCH, LIAM LET JERRY, TED AND VITO GET AWAY WITH WIMPY'S OLD LINE --- "FOR A GOP-CONSERVATIVE BURGER FOR A NOVEMBER TUESDAY IN 2020, THEY WOULD GLADLY PAY WITH A GOP-CONSERVATIVE LINE IN 2021.....
... That and a GOP Exec Bd position for Moo-Ma, because Liam in-Sisto.
SUCH A DEAL !!!!!
It almost makes me want to break out in a late 60s show tune by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, "Promises,Promises"; of course, it was popularized by Dionne Warwick (Whitney Houston's aunt).....
Next year it will be said:
LIAM LET JERRY, TED GET AWAY WITH WIMPY'S OLD LINE --- "FOR A GOP-CONSERVATIVE BURGER FOR A NOVEMBER TUESDAY IN 2021, THEY WOULD GLADLY PAY WITH A GOP-CONSERVATIVE LINE IN 2028
I'm trying to understand something here
Ted Ghorra thought putting up John Belushi's ex-cocaine dealer was a better idea than Running McCabe?
How bad could McCabe's rap sheet be?
Nicoles Brooklyn petitions have no senate candidate.
Vito is not running and why do people think he is? No website, no social media, no peitions. Just an anonymous blogger.
Liam is many things. He is not an idiot. Marty's old seat is a lost cause.
439 pm
Makes no sense Marty's old seat has some R strongholds in marine park and gerritsen..the council seat has none anymore so silly if Liam saying council seat more winnable..he was pushed aside. Full stop. Period
Vito is becoming a shitpie and Nicole has to decide how big a slice she can eat.
Is Nicole going to weigh in on this?
4:39 is right.
Marty's best areas in 2018 were Orthodox Jewish EDs, and they are bloc voters. The Senate Dems control all funding, so that's where their deal will be cut.
Besides, it takes money to run a campaign. And unlike Senate GOP races since the 1950s, there's no money coming from Albany this time. Here in Brooklyn, Ted can't raise ten grand.
Besides, if this seat was winnable, there would be an all-out fight for the nomination. There isn't one. That speaks volumes.
1141
And that is even more the case for Brannan seat.
Vito Bruno campaign is amateur hour already..
Liam will soon be having an announcement at The Lief
RESPONSE: THE "VIEW FROM HERE" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 5:02 AM"
I WAS GOING TO LET YOU HAVE THE "LAST WORD" ON THIS THREAD BEFORE I MOVED ON TO SOMETHING ELSE IN A NEW FEATURED POST --- BUT I DECIDED TO CHALLENGE YOU INSTEAD --- UNLESS YOU ARE VITO BRUNO HIMSELF OR ONE OF HIS KEY INSIDERS, HOW MIGHT YOU KNOW THAT THE "BRUNO CAMPAIGN IS AMATEUR HOUR ALREADY" ?????
SO FAR HE HAS GOTTEN THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION AS THE CANDIDATE FOR THE STATE SENATE IN THE 22nd SD, IF THE LOCAL PRESS AND BLOG REPORTING IS CORRECT..... WHAT ELSE DOES HE NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW ?
I'M NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF PETITIONING EFFORT THE BROOKLYN GOP CAN PUT TOGETHER, GIVEN MARTY G'S LAST FEW PETITION SUBMISSIONS --- SO ITEM ONE ON THE AGENDA IS MAKING SURE THAT VITO BRUNO GETS ON THE BALLOT AS THE GOP CANDIDATE (BTW, HAS THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY FORMALLY ENDORSED VITO BRUNO YET ?)
If "radio silence" and "stealth campaigning" is the Vito Bruno formula going forward, it shows keen insight and wisdom far beyond his years and past experience. However, he had better have a "Plan B," because it's in the interest of NYSS Andrew Gounardes and US Congressman Max Rose to light up the Vito Bruno for State Senate candidacy like a torch in their 2020 campaigns.
Vito talked about money but so far its all talk. No petitions on the street because Vito has still not registered a committee with BOE.
Yes the conservative party has endorsed Vito Bruno for State Senate. Rumors from 35 years ago gale. Is that the theme.
RESPONSE: THE "GUEST EDITORIAL BY MATT" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 11:33 AM"
THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR WHAT YOU CALL "RUMORS" --- IF THERE IS A SINGLE THEME, I THINK IT MIGHT BE QUOTES BY VITO ABOUT VITO --- HE IS A MUCH-QUOTED GUY YOU KNOW.....
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places...." Matt. 24:6 (KJV)
..... and you can't get a more "divers place[]" than Southwest Brooklyn nowadays.
Can you imagine the rumor mill in Buckley's when those mostly latter day gumshoes bust Jim Kelly's balls when he's in town about Conservative Party Candidate Vito Bruno, the club guy, and the "grass-eaters" that he "grassed" in the day.
By amateur hour on Vito campaign, meant mo petitions, Nicole staying away, etc.
Liams announcement will be this Monday March 2nd. Time and location will be posted by Friday.
Ive been told Vito plans to run his campaign with cash only donations. Cuts out the paperwork.
The Sopranos had a character named Vito.
You don't need a committee with the BOE to print and circulate petitions.
When you eventually do file a committee, those costs would be attributed as in-kind donations, or reiumbursements.
You don't need a committee with BOE to sell coke.
RESPONSE: THE "MY APOLOGIES TO 5:02 AM & 12:54 PM --- AND 'QUE SERA, SERA' " EDITION
RE: THE LATEST ROUND OF COMMENTS ABOVE
NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME VERBAL THRUSTS AND RIPOSTES --- IT SURE DOES SOUND LIKE AN AMATEUR HOUR BULLSHIT-SHOW BEING BREWED-UP BY THE PRO-VITO CROWD.....
DON'T YOU LOVE TO BITS THOSE GOP CANDIDATES AND THEIR GURUS WHO KEEP SAYING WHAT THEY "DON'T NEED TO DO" TO HAVE A GOOD CAMPAIGN
Vito has some contacts in the business, maybe he can have Doris Day come in and lead a flash mob singing "Que Sera, Sera" as Vito B's campaign's theme song --- even better, the Pink Martini/Philip Fournier version, much more haunting and bizarre, and that Storm Large, she's a brick shit house and a half.....
OKAY IT'S COME TO THIS --- BUT A LOT SOONER THAN I THOUGHT.....
Show of hands ! How many out there think that it's time for Vito the "B"-ster to bring in Johnny the "Q"-ster for some damage control PR ???
Nicole has dumped Vito.
The politically charged rumors about Senate Nominee Vito Bruno come from anecdotes from over 30 years ago. Vito Bruno is a successful businessman endorsed by Senator Golden, the Brooklyn and Staten Island Republican and Conservative party leaders.
We look forward to challenging senator Gournardes support of soft on crime issues including the elimination of bail.
Janelle Gericke
RESPONSE: THE " 'JANELLE' IS A NAME WELL KNOWN IN THESE PARTS --- BUT LET'S GET REAL" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 5:35 PM"
FROM THE LOOKS OF THE COMMENT ABOVE, I GUESS THAT JOHNNY CAKES IS ALREADY HANDLING THE DAMAGE CONTROL FOR THE VITO BRUNO CAMPAIGN --- IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE A BISHOP NICKY MARS PRESS RELEASE ABOUT HOW GOOD HE'S BEEN TO THE VICTIMS OF PEDOPHILE PRIESTS.....
ENOUGH OF THE COLLATERAL ATTACK ON VITO'S FRIEND AND BUD JOHN QUAGLIONE --- FIRST, WHAT'S APPEARED HERE ON THIS BLOG HAS BEEN FAR MORE THAN "POLITICALLY CHARGED RUMORS ABOUT SENATE NOMINEE VITO BRUNO" --- AS "JANELLE GERICKE" (PROBABLY A TRANSPARENTLY FALSE PSEUDONYM) STATES ACCURATELY, THEY "COME FROM ANECDOTES" --- VERY CREDIBLE "ANECDOTES" --- SOME FROM THIRTY YEARS AGO, SOME FROM MUCH MORE RECENT TIMES --- SECOND, MARTY GOLDEN AND VITO BRUNO ACTUALLY SEEM TO GO WAY, WAY BACK; AND, JANELLE (OR WHOEVER YOU REALLY ARE), DO YOU REALLY WANT THE SCRUTINY TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO LOOKING INTO THE START OF THEIR STORY TOGETHER ?????
Just like Shelley Silver had his "Janelle" --- it looks like Vito Bruno now has his own (Although one does suspect this one is a fabrication).
Only an old Marty Golden flunky would think that saying ".... Vito Bruno is a successful businessman endorsed by Senator Golden..." would end any discussion of these serious allegations against Mr. Bruno. After all, this bragging mamaluke Bruno admitted giving big gifts to cops back in the day for very important favors no doubt --- and those days were when this other mamaluke Golden was still a cop and has no credible recollection or explanation for any of the bad stuff that he did on the job.
So riddle me this, "Janelle" (or whatever your real name is): "Who told you that it would be a good idea to link these two mamalukes from the Wild West 1970s so closely together in 2020, hmmmmm ???"
Maybe you want everybody to believe that they both got where they are in 2020 just because they were each perfect examples of a "successful businessman" from this end of Brooklyn.
If I were going to write a book about these guys, Golden and Bruno, I'd probably entitle it: "The Grass-eater and the Grasser." --- Ask each of them why; I'd love to hear how they'd respond to that.
FYI --- Somebody's picking for a pseudonym the name of a woman recently charged with being a dirty cop out west --- now, that was an interesting touch, indeed.....
A good and well run campaign hits the deck running with a well organized and solid petitioning effort. The Vito Bruno campaign, if there is such a thing, has simply hit the deck flat on its face.
Too bad, so sad for the Brooklyn GOP!
What BROOKLYN GOP?
A mention in a local paper is the only sign of Vito running. Why ?
Nobody has covered the rumors on this smear blog. Nobody.
Ghorra can't feel his face and it ain't cuz he fell on it
What i miss one gop candidate got his balls clipped and liam the lawn Sign guy joined low energy john to support Captain underpants Vito bruno. Bruno has so much baggage on him only a matter of time till Captain Underpants defeated by #Metoo.
The Blue Brothers cocaine dealer meets the disheveled public relations crisis communications professional who sleeps on his mother-in-law's futon. Hilarity insues!
What i miss one gop candidate got his balls clipped and liam the lawn Sign guy joined low energy john to support Captain underpants Vito bruno. Bruno has so much baggage on him only a matter of time till Captain Underpants defeated by #Metoo.
RESPONSE: THE "NEXT TO NO COVERAGE" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 1:46 PM"
LET ME ASK YOU A VERY PERSONAL QUESTION --- DO YOU WHISTLE WHEN YOU WALK PAST A GRAVEYARD ???
This is the equivalent of "whistling past a graveyard": "Nobody has covered the rumors on this smear blog. Nobody."
I HAVE A FOLLOWUP QUESTION FOR YOU --- WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY "RUMORS" ??? YOU CERTAINLY MUST KNOW THAT MOST OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID HERE COMES DIRECTLY FROM QUOTES BY VITO BRUNO HIMSELF --- OR CREDIBLE >>> HEARSAY <<< RECORDED BY REPUTABLE REPORTERS OF THE EVENTS INDICATIVE THAT SUCH HEARSAY WAS WIDELY BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN TRUE AT THE TIME
Naturally, Vito Bruno can contradict any of this "rumor" stuff at any time --- so far, he as wisely chosen to keep his once upon a time flapping yap shut.
BTW, at least one of my commenters has covered the "rumors" at least once, and here's what they said >>> "Nobody has covered the rumors on this smear blog. Nobody." <<< Of course, several other of my commenters have mentioned those "rumors" as well.
Thank you for playing !!! If you just give us your name and address, we'll send you our play at home version of this game. It's fun for the whole family.....
Vito has no petitions on streets, Nicole wants nothing to do with him (not on her petitions), no semblance of a campaign team, etc. Etc.
Vito Bruno has John Q working late at DeSales Media investigating if he can sue Saturday Night Live now that Trump is sueing the New York Times for libel.
Ghorra needs to go the way golden did..out to pasture...
He has not accomplished amything ans everyone is frustrared. He lets the dope (Ray) and the f... p... George run the party.....and they are reaaaaaal genuuses
Vito will getting ripped off by the normal crowd and follow their marching orders and everyone knows it..
AS AND FOR A FURTHER RESPONSE: THE "NEXT TO NO COVERAGE --- REDUX" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 1:46 PM"
MAYBE I GAVE YOUR COMMENT ABOUT NOT ENOUGH >>> COVERAGE <<< FOR MY STUFF --- OR WHAT YOU REFER TO AS "RUMORS" TOO SHORT A SHRIFT --- I APOLOGIZE AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT ASAP.....
"... YET AGAIN INTO THE BREACH..." NAH ! TOO SHAKESPEAREAN... --- BROADWAY MUSICALS... YEAH !!! THAT'S THE TICKET.....
[Cue Carol, that old broad whose voice is almost as gravelly as Elaine Stritch's]
"...Some paint, some sew, I meddle....
I have always been a woman who arranges things
For the pleasure and the profit it derives
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like furniture and daffodils and lives....
When a man with a timid tongue
Meets a girl with a diffident air
Why should the tortured creatures beat around the bush
When heaven knows Mother Nature always needs a little push
So I put my hand in here
I put my hand in there....
I have always been a woman who arranges things
It's my duty to assist the Lord above
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like luncheon parties, poker games, and love....
I put my hand in here
And twist a little, stir a little
Him a little, her a little
Shape a little, mold a little
Some poor chap gets sold a little
When I use my fist a little
Some [Vito] gets [brissed] a little
Pressure with the thumbs
[Newsy copy] comes
When, I put my hand in there...."
---Jerry Herman & Jerry Herman [with "my hand in there" a little]
Galewynn as usual your extremely limited pool of sources has you behind the eight ball. Vito’s selection has sent panic behind the Democratic ranks with even legendary Democrat hack Seth Pollack being trotted out to attack Vito. As usual though the Brooklyn GOP can’t help but shoot itself in the foot by already demanding full control and going after his inner circle. Lots of interviews and media coverage coming out soon. Stay tuned.
RESPONSE: THE "OH, GOODIE !" EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 10:55 PM"
"...LEGENDARY DEMOCRAT HACK SETH POLLACK BEING TROTTED OUT TO ATTACK VITO...." HMMMMMM ! YOU MUST READ LOTS OF MYSTERY NOVELS --- OR IS THAT JUST LOW HANGING FRUIT ?
LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
I feel so used, dirty and ashamed. I'll never regain my respectability; how will I face my friends and family.
There are only two things left for me --- the gun and the library.
Yeah, right ! Go get bent.....
BTW, EVEN THOUGH YOU SAID THAT SETH POLLACK IS "LEGENDARY" --- I do not think that I even know anybody named Seth Pollack.....
There is no Vito for Senate campaign..just ask nicole. Lol
1055
When Jerry Kassar says he can speak then and only then will you see "lots of interviews and media coverage" by Vito
Are there any GOP petitions with Vito Bruno's name on them? Are there any Conservative Party petitions with Vito Bruno's name on them? Has any committee for Vito Bruno been filed with the Board of Elections? Has any money been collected or disbursed related to the election of Vito Bruno?
So far, the Vito Bruno campaign for the New York State Senate has been a few mentions in the local press, political blogs or social media, and lots of chatter on this blog. Is he really a candidate at all?
Vito Bruno campaign is over before it began.
We need Liam
Vito we hardly knew ya !!
Liam & Nicole announcement at Seergy Republican club Monday 2 pm.
RESPONSE: THE " 'GROUNDHOG DAY' REDUX-REDUX-REDUX-REDUX....." EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 11:14 AM"
IS THIS A REAL ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANOTHER OF THOSE "NOTHING BURGER" BAIT & SWITCH DEALS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER AGAIN FROM LIAM ???
GM the fact that you have to ask if it’s real and would take something like that seriously proves my point that you really need to branch out and get more sources.
RESPONSE: THE " 'BADGES...' " EDITION
TO: "ANONYMOUS SAID... AT 12:49 PM"
"SOURCES !!! I DON"T NEED NO STINKIN' SOURCES...."
When I "moderate" the comments on this blog before posting them, I don't usually ask myself if I believe any of what they might be saying. I am very skeptical and don't believe a lot of what appears here.
And I do think that's a good thing; or how else might you all see any statements of questionable validity; and equally important, rebutting, opposing, contradictory or just nonsensical rejoinders to those original questionable statements.
The trope about Liam's repeated "announcements" is very much grounded in credible anecdotal source material, although several of the iterations and re-iterations along the way might well have been third party artifact. All of that reveals an underlying truth that doesn't change whether it is Liam making a real "announcement" or somebody else doing a send-up of Liam's feckless "announcements."
Type this into a Google browser:
Vito Bruno and John Belushi
Here's what you get:
https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWcPqPzYUCsC&pg=PP275&lpg=PP275&dq=Vito+Bruno+and+John+Belushi&source=bl&ots=i_B23XhKF4&sig=ACfU3U2pnFvMfhJ6LXSN99b6JsPjI93kSg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf97iX9_nnAhVblHIEHZvTDcIQ6AEwAHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Vito%20Bruno%20and%20John%20Belushi&f=false
From Vanity Fair:
"New York City’s club scene is in a state where you have to decide: Do you cater to Top 40 ugly people who pay to get in, sell them three drinks per person, and go to the bank happy? Or are you going to cater to these fabulous people, create a scene, and go bankrupt?”
That’s Vito Bruno talking. But then, he would talk like that. He’s one of the outlaws of the club scene. And the Bronze Age, for all its Medici palazzi of pop culture, has produced its share of outlaws. They tend to be involved, or have been involved, in after-hours clubs, the speakeasies of today.
Bruno is an “outlaw” from the club system too. He claims to be robbing from the rich to give to the poor. “The outlaw parties were a statement against people spending $10 million on a club,” he declares. “We came along with a bunch of Spanish street kids and a lot of artists from the East Village and put on parties that cost $500 and emptied out those big clubs.”
The trouble is that if Bruno wants to open his own clubs that mix street gangs and art gangs, he has to face prohibitive insurance payments. It’s expensive to have an element of danger in a club. So he bides his time, giving scores of parties—Rubell dubs him “the Carmen D’Alessio of the eighties”—and traveling to the boroughs. “While the yuppies are downtown being funky, you have to go to Queens to have a good time,” he complains.
Vito Bruno came out of after-hours. A boy from Bensonhurst, at nineteen he was the manager of 2001 Odyssey, the glitzy disco where Saturday Night Fever was filmed. Then in 1980 he moved into the big city to open the Studio 54 of after-hours clubs, AM/PM. Open often until eleven in the morning, AM/PM drew just as many celebrities—if not more—than the mainline clubs: John Belushi, Grace Jones, Andy Warhol, Robert De Niro, Dan Ackroyd. But 1980 is already “the old days” to Bruno: “We used to do really well. I got a Rolls-Royce, a Mercedes convertible. Back in the old days we had drivers, art collections, the whole thing. But then the business changed.”
More recently, Bruno drove a rattling car with a smashed back window (until it was stolen last September). Talking like John Travolta, but with a modified Jackie Gleason figure, this thirty-year-old life of the party sets himself up as the Robin Hood of nightlife. To get back at the authorities for shutting down so many of his clubs—Roxy, Pizza A Go Go, Inferno—he’s taken to the streets. Bruno has been throwing “outlaw parties,” and they’re as fun and chichi as New York gets. He makes a bunch of phone calls twenty-four hours before, calls a party for ten sharp, and as many as 2,500 people show. Boy George and Madonna came to Annie Flanders’s outlaw birthday party on the Williamsburg Bridge. “It was one of the greatest performance-art pieces ever,” raves Bruno. At an outlaw party on a sanitation pier on the Hudson River, he vividly recalls “fabulous, fabulous people standing amongst the garbage.” By reverse psychology, the cops who inevitably bust these parties are the most glamorous celebrities of all. Everyone anticipates their arrival.
What Seergy Club? They were forced to sell their half century headquarters back in the 1990s, after Bob DiCarlo bankrupted them.
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