Comments from chrispy

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chrispy
chrispy commented about 25th Street Theatre on Jul 12, 2004 at 8:52 am

KennaD,

You won’t remember me by name, but YOU, my dear, are unforgettable. It’s so nice to read your kind words. You obviously understand what the 25th Street Theater represented on a more sublime level – not just a nightclub, but a place for misfits like us to find companionship and acceptance. Such was Little Richard’s heart – larger than life, always wanting to help others. Big Richard was the silent partner in that outward expression of compassion. Jake, Rob-Bob and I have been exchanging numerous messages these last few weeks. It has been a sort of therapy, exorcising all the old ghosts. All of us took Richard’s murder very personally. We never had the chance to thank him for everything he did for us. This forum is such a blessing for all of us. It is so good to hear from any and all the regulars (and irregulars!) from that period. Please send me an e-mail message to the following address: I have a link to some of Richard’s favorite music I’d like to share with you.

Chris P

chrispy
chrispy commented about 25th Street Theatre on Jun 20, 2004 at 10:40 am

The last owner of the 25th Street Theatre in Waco was Little Richard…one of the kindest men I have ever known. I think many folks' comments here are really a tribute to Richard Olson, not to a simple brick and mortar structure. [Jake, Rob-Bob, good to know you two are still alive. (hee-hee)] I don’t know how the 25th Street Theatre can realistically be brought back to life. It would require someone with the dedication, experience and money such as our mousie once had. I completely agree with the historical value placed on this structure, but it would require some serious capital investment to restore this building to even safe occupancy levels – much less into a show-place. I would personally dedicate time and effort to such a project, but I think a more fitting project would be some sort of tribute to Richard, not trying to re-create a party place in the middle of a gang-war…ask Ray Talley what he thinks…is he still around? I miss all my friends (and a few of the enemies, too) from those days. Maybe we can collect our stories about that time and write a fitting tribute to the man who brought all of us together? We can never re-create those glory days, but we can help others better understand a man who was terribly mis-understood, even after his death. Richard Carl Olson was buried in a grave near my grand-parent’s in a cemetery in Houston. I attended his funeral along with Ken and Kris and some of Richard’s family. Believe me, they had no idea what a kind soul and heart Richard had. Instead of trying to find another party room, let’s pay tribute to one of my personal heroes: Richard Carl Olson.

Chris P. heydj23-outerlimits at yahoo dot com

p.s. Hi Jake! Hi Rob-Bob!…. stop that wallerin'!! (just kidding)
p.p.s. I’m looking for the few photos of the 25th Street I do have. You remember the scketch mousie had made of the mural? I wonder where that is??!!