I worked in Hollywood in the 70's as a record promotion man for MGM records. My boss was EX-EAGLES DEFENSIVE BACK (62-63) BEN SCOTTI. Every kid pumping gas at every gas station was selling MINI-BENNYS (homemade by Hells Angels it was said). It was terrible out there then 70-71. You'd pull in for gas and a guy pumping gas would kinda look ya over for a few seconds and ask you if you needed a NICKEL or DIME bag. I can fully understand what happened to COREY HAIM. I lived out there with OHIO plates for a year and a half. They really hammered me because I looked like a tourist. Although I did get pulled in and held for a few hours because they were looking for a 1970 Thunderbird just like mine (powder blue with a white vinyl top) with Ohio Plates. They had searched my car when I got back in it. I was hoping like hell they'd catch whoever because my area was from Bakersfield to San Diego and all the ROCK stations in between. I was at a station in Pasadena one day when they raided it. Drugs especially SPEED was everywhere. They just told me to leave the area quickly. It was a UNDERGROUND ROCKER (remember them). Playing all underground stuff like URIAH HEEP etc etc. Old friends often ask me whatever happened to BEN SCOTTI. After he left MGM he and his brother TONY SCOTTI formed SCOTTI BROS. records. They later were involved in the BAYWATCH TV show and they produced both of the EDDIE and THE CRUISERS movies. Last I heard they sold their company AMERICAN MEDIA to SONY for $300 million. I understand they are trying to buy the WASH.REDSKINS. Me, I had a job offer at a TED Turner station in Chattanooga WGOW in 71-72 so I came back east. When I was at that station we were asked if we wanted to put part of our paychecks in TV CABLE stock as Turner was starting something big in Atlanta. Cable was talked about but few had it. Most of us passed on that because of his reputation as somewhat of a NUT. Couple years later here comes CNN. And to think BEN SCOTTI begged me to stay in Calif. Talk about HINDSIGHT being 20/20.
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