Archive for the ‘Dance’ Category
L. A. Knockers
LA Knockers: Marilyn, Jennifer, Yana
June 22, 2010
Miracles of the Internet age!
Yesterday, I searched Google for LA Knockers and found 4 wonderful videos on You Tube, of this amazing dance group, lovingly edited by Marilyn Corwin, the curly hair blond bombshell I fondly remember.
I logged on to Facebook and found her email, I wrote her a message and she CALLED ME!
Not only that, but she put me in touch with LA Knockers creator and choreographer, my old friend Jennifer Stace. She is now living in Baja California, close to the other stunning dancer, Yana Nirvana!
I used to photograph these wonderful girls in all kinds of fantastic attires and dance poses, when I was a photo-journalist living in Hollywood, starting from 1976 until 1984.
I will now edit all these images, select my favorites and post them on this blog.
I hope lots of old and new fans will find this and leave their comments.
Thanks!
Elisa Leonelli, photographer (see About LA Knockers page for more info)
And now enjoy the first LA Knockers video (more to come as you scroll down)
L. A. Knockers first photo session
Yana, Jennifer, Marilyn
June 24, 2010
I first saw the LA Knockers perform live at the Starwood in 1976, and I was – literally – knocked out by their exciting dance energy.
So I immediately asked Jennifer if we could do a photo sessions, because I had just started working as a photo-journalist and I was contributing to the theater section of the Italian magazines TEMPO and ESPRESSO. They wanted me to send photographs and text about visually interesting and risqué performers.
I didn’t even have a studio yet at the time, so a borrowed the space from my photographer friend Ave Pildas, and we did various set-ups for the layout: red tutus against a huge dark grey backdrop, white leotards against white, black costumes on red, also, in an outdoor location by the fire-escape, a cheerleaders theme, with football helmet and pom-pons.
Jennifer, Marilyn, Yana
Jennifer, Marilyn, Yana
Yana, Jennifer, Marilyn
Jennifer, Marilyn and Yana even posed for me in the costumes for their movie CINDERELLA, as the stepmother and stepsisters Marbella and Drucella.
We want to know if you’re checking us out, log on to our blog, so leave a comment with your email and we’ll send you the Cinderella photo!
L. A. Knockers add guitars
Jennifer, Becky, Kimberlee
July 4, 2010
After that first photo session, I became the LA Knockers “official” photographer. That is, when they needed photographs, I would take them in my studio. By then I had rented a storefront space at 6340 Yucca, close to my apartment on Beachwood Drive.
In March 1977, I took black and white head-shots of the 3 dancers: Jennifer, Marilyn and Yana. In November 1977, Jennifer needed a group shot with their guitar players, Arnold Schoonover and Phillip Truescroff, and the new dancers: Becky Jordan and Kimberlee Carlson. Here’s a color slide from that session, which was mostly in B&W.
L.A. Knockers 1979
Marilyn, Patti, Jennifer, Kimberlee, Becky
July 4, 2010
Another photo session, for the purpose of advertising the LA Knockers new line-up, took place in my studio in 1979, I shot mostly B& W and some 4×5 slides as well. I was learning to use different techniques and the big view camera was my next challenge; I used blue gels for the background light on white seamless, and red gels for the rim light. Here’s a 35 conversion of one of those 4x5s and a B&W print.
Kimberlee, Marilyn, Jennifer, Patti, Becky
L. A. Knockers outdoors
Becky, Kimberlee, Jennifer, Marilyn, Patti
July 4, 2010
For this session from June 1979 we decided to use outdoor locations, one was the shiny blue wall of the Pacific Design Center, another the red wall around a doorway, fit backdrops for the colorful leotards of the LA Knockers. The line-up: Becky Jordan, Kimberlee Carlson, Jennifer Stace, Marilyn Corwin, Patti Nelson.
We sent out to various magazines a selection of images from these early photo sessions, with a text where I wrote about the L.A. KNOCKERS
“They are hot, wild, glittery and moving in fast motion.
They dance at the beat of punk disco tunes and strike provocative poses. They are pretty but not girlish. They are strong, assertive, sexually aggressive women.
With their bodies they express the fire of unrestricted female sexuality, a world apart from the coy and slow seductiveness of traditional gogo dancers.
There is something compelling about their performance. It must come from the fierce determination of director choreographer Jennifer, the veteran that taught them how to dance and keeps them under her wing with the love of a big sister.
They perform at the Starwood, Troubador, Comedy Store, Matrix Theater, Playboy Club, in TV and movies.”
Marilyn, Patti, Jennifer. Kimberlee, Becky
L.A. Knockers dance
Kimberlee, Becky, jennifer
July 7, 2010
It’s frustrating to look at photos of dancers, without being able to see them move and sing.
For this experience we recommend watching the L. A. Knockers videos edited by Marilyn Corwin on You Tube.
As the next best thing, we show here a sequence, of this dance number called “Choice”, created for the show at the Playboy Club in late 1979.
First Jennifer, as the fiery Spanish man with a moustache, dances with hot Kimberlee, as a flamenco dancer in a red dress with a rose between her teeth.
Then Jennifer dances with another sexy girl in a read dress.
Finally, the first girl is upset that the man’s attention has shifted to the second girl. Jealousy!
Please leave your comments, we’ll post them here.
Kimberlee, Jennifer, Becky
Kimberlee, Jennifer
Becky, Jennifer
L. A. Knockers spoof movies
Jennifer and Becky
Kimberlee and Kim (Kimberley)
July 7, 2010
As a recurring theme of the Playboy Club show in late 1979, the L. A. Knockers spoof Hollywood movies.
Jennifer Stace as John Travolta from “Saturday Night Fever” dances with Becky Jordan, as a sexy Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz”.
Kimberlee Carlson as Dracula is about to dig her fangs into the neck of Kim Blank, as the lady in distress in a white nightgown.
And here’s another video, to see the exciting LA Knockers dance: Part 3
L. A. Knockers 8 dancers
Kimberlee, Becky, Jennifer, Patti
July 7, 2010
Another Hollywood movie spoof, the 1939 classic “Wizard of Oz”
Kimberlee Carlson as Tin Man, Becky Jordan as Dorothy, Jennifer Stace as Scarecrow, Patti Nelson as the cowardly Lion.
The L.A. Knockers have gone from 3 to 5 to 8 dancers. Here’s the new line-up in a publicity photo. Debbie Petersen, Leticia Ibarra, Jennifer Stace, Kimberlee Carlson, Jolli Neal, Kim Blank, (front) Becky Jordan, Patti Nelson.
Debbie, Leticia, Jennifer, Kimberlee, Jolli, Kim, Becky, Patti
L. A. Knockers new dancers
Debbie, Jolli, Leticia
July 7, 2010
Here’s 3 new dancers added to the line-up in late 1979.
Debbie Petersen, Jolli Neal, Leticia Ibarra.
We have lost track of them, if anyone knows how to contact them, please send us their email. Thanks!
Kim
Leticia, Kim, Debbie
The fourth dancer, Kim Blank, hidden by a mask in the photo below, in the middle between Leticia Ibarra and Debbie Petersen, dancing the number “Have a Cigar”, is very much around, an accomplished choreographer. You may want to take a dance class from her! Take a look at her website.
And here is Kim (Kimberly) Blank again in her boxer outfit.
Pop Quiz! But you had seen her face before, although upside down, as the lady in white threatened by Dracula, in a previous post. Go back and take a look!
L. A. Knockers Village People
Debbie, Leticia, Jennifer, Kim, Jolli, Patti, Becky, Kimberlee
July 7, 2010
The opening number of that legendary show at the Playboy club was a chorus kick line to the tune of the song ‘The Women” by the Village People.
Here’s the line-up: Debbie Petersen/Hard Hat, Leticia Ibarra/Electrician, Jennifer Stace/Military Police, Kim Blank/Boxer, Jolli Neal/Football Player, Patti Nelson/Military Cadet, Becky Jordan/Sailor, Kimberlee Carlson/Cowboy.
And here’s the L. A. Knockers clad in white leotard and vinyl leggings for the dance number “Visions Aurora,” song by Michael Cavanaugh (Jennifer’s son).
Leticia, Kim, Jolli, Kimberlee, Jennifer, Patti, Becky, Debbie
L. A. Knockers Playboy Club
Kimberlee, Jennifer, Jolli, Becky, Patti, Boyd
July 7, 2010
The show at the Playboy Club generated rave reviews, see one below from The Hollywood Reporter, November 16, 1979, by Frank Barron.
“L.A. Knockers. Playboy Club, through Dec. 8
The action is hot in the Playboy Club’s living room these nights, courtesy of a dynamite dance group called the L. A. Knockers. These eight energetic women combine every sort of dancing style, have marvelous sensuality, plus a knack for comedy that has the audience yelling for more.
The Knockers spoof the Village People’s “Women” in various amusing costumes, as well as Dorothy (“The Wizard of Oz”) meeting Dracula, Superman, King Kong and John Travolta (“Saturday Night Fever”) as she dances her way in ruby slippers through the craziness. There are right-out-front sizzling dance numbers such as “Taxes”, “Love Vibrations” and “Have a Cigar”.
The show is well choreographed by Jennifer Stace, and the costumes by Boyd Clopton, who also directed, are a standout. This is just the kind of unique and exciting act that the dying nightclub business needs nowadays to liven things.”
Jennifer, Boyd
One reason why this happened is that the dance routines were very ambitious and elaborate, and to help out Jennifer Stace and her wonderful choreography, director Boyd Clopton stepped in and created these imaginative costumes.
See Boyd Clopton above at the feet of Kimberlee Carlson as Dracula, Jennifer Stace as John Travolta, Jolli Neal as King Kong, Patti Nelson as Superman, Becky Jordan as Dorothy.
And here with Jennifer Stace, both looking hot in black leather. Boyd sadly passed away ten years later, in 1989, but Jennifer is still alive and kicking, teaching dance to new generations of students.
L. A. Knockers in motion
Jennifer, Patti, Becky, Lisa, Eileen, Yana
July 9, 2010
In November 1980 we did another photo session in my Hollywood studio to create updated publicity shots for the new line-up. Some of the costumes are familiar, a few of the dancers have changed.
Kim Blank and Kimberlee Carlson are gone (don’t worry, they will be back, as will Marilyn Corwin), but Yana Nirvana is once again in the L.A. Knockers.
Two new dancers have been added. Spot them in the revised costumes for the “Women” song by the Village People:
Jennifer Stace as Boxer, Patti Nelson as Military Cadet, Becky Jordan as Cowboy, Lisa Durazo as Sailor, Eileen Molloy as Military Police, Yana Nirvana as Baseball player.
This is the description with the You Tube videos, and Part 2.
The L.A. Knockers – a dynamite female cabaret dance ensemble of the 70’s – 80’s toured the U.S., Japan, and Canada appearing on stage, in films, commercials and videos. Street dances- locking-waacking-disco-funk-ballroom-jazz choreographed and stylized by creator and director, Jennifer Stace and featured Yana Nirvana, Marilyn Corwin, Kimberlee Carlson, Kim Blank, Lissa Kastin, Denice Polk, Joan Wulfsohn, Becky Jordan, Susan Lonergan, Eileen Molloy, Lisa Lecover, Lisa Durazo. Editing by MARILYN CORWIN
L.A. Knockers and Joan
Patti, Eileen, Yana, Lisa. Becky, Jennifer, Joan
July 9, 2010
Here are the L. A. Knockers in their trademark black tights and fishnet tops for the notorious dance number “It ain’t the Meat, it’s the Motion”: Patti Nelson, Eileen Molloy, Yana Nirvana, Lisa Durazo, Becky Jordan.
Sitting in front choreographer Jennifer Stace and artistic advisor Joan Wolfsohn.
In her upcoming autobiography, “The Philosopher’s Daughter”, Jennifer talks about meeting Joan, then a ballet teacher at Dupree’s Dance Academy, in the early 70s; Joan introduced Jennifer to one of her students, the striking Yana Nirvana, and the L.A. Knockers were born. We can’t wait to read the whole exciting story when this book is published.
And here’s the line-up, look at those legs!
Patti, Eileen, Yana, Lisa, Becky
L.A. Knockers act out
Eileen, Yana, Jennifer, Lisa, Patti, Becky
July 9, 2010
In this set-up “Acting Out” in the back row: Eileen Molloy, Yana Nirvana, Jennifer Stace in white leotards and feathered boas for the dance number “Vision Aurora”, in the front row: Lisa Durazo, Patti Nelson, Becky Jordan in pink leotards for “Love Vibrations”.
One last set-up. Standing in the back: Eileen Molloy, Yana Nirvana, Becky Jordan, in black costumes for the dance number “Have a Cigar”. Kneeling in front with wigs: Lisa Durazo, Patti Nelson for the punk number “Rock Lobster”.
Eileen, Yana, Becky, Lisa, Patti
Patti, Lisa
L.A. Knockers layout
LA Knockers-L’Espresso
July 9, 2010
And here is a published layout in the Italian Weekly L’Espresso from 1981.
The short text says:
SINGING IN THE FEMININE
They are 6 girls, all of them from California, they sing at dance at the rhythm of disco music. They are called the L.A. Knockers and they represent the female response to the macho style of the Village People. A cross between vaudeville and sophisticated avant-garde, with an an eye on the box-office, the Knockers deliver comic gags, shiny glutes and sinful moves in the clubs of Las Vegas and Reno. Recently even Frank Zappa wanted them to tour with him across the United States.
L.A. Knockers in Rapture
Kim, Dee Dee, Kimberlee, Lisa, Becky, Marilyn, Suzi
July 9, 2010
For this photo session from August 1982, in fashionable black outfits for the opening number “Rapture”, we find that 3 favorite dancers have come back into the L. A. Knockers line-up: Kim Blank, Kimberlee Carlson and Marilyn Corwin. Then we have 3 new dancers: Lisa Lecover (Kessler), Suzi Lonergan, Dee Dee Rescher. See a photo of the three of them below. And the blonde bombshell Marilyn Corwin happily back and dancing with Becky Jordan.
Lisa, Suzi, Dee Dee
Marilyn, Becky
L.A. Knockers love Jennifer
Lisa, Kimberlee, Dee Dee, Marilyn, Kim, Suzi, Becky
July 9, 2010
The 6 girls line up, like dancers do, in their multi-colored leotards and fishnet stockings: Lisa Lecover (Kessler), Kimberlee Carlson, Dee Dee Rescher, Marilyn Corwin, Kim Blank, Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan.
Then they huddle around Jennifer Stace, beaming in her short hairdo, who loves all of her girls like a big sister and they love her back.
Marilyn, Kimberlee, Dee Dee, Lisa, Becky, Suzi, Jennifer, Kim
L.A. Knockers do the Twist
Lisa, Suzi, Becky, Kim
July 9, 2010
Here’s a hot dance number inspired by the Twist, choreographed by Vincent Paterson, especially for the L.A. Knockers’ upcoming tour to Tokyo, Japan. In wigs and short dresses: Lisa Lecover (Kessler), Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan, Kim Blank.
Watch the other video edited by Marilyn Corwin for You Tube: Part 1.
L.A. Knockers Downtown
Dee Dee, Liz, Kimberlee, Jennifer
Jennifer, Kimberly, Liz, Dee Dee
July 9, 2010
On March 30, 1984, 100 photographers documented the city for the book “24 Hours in the Life of Los Angeles”. I was one of them and asked the L.A. Knockers if they would pose for me downtown. Jennifer graciously consented, so here they are, dancing at the Downtown L.A. Cafe (Dee Dee Rescher, Liz Brody, Kimberlee Carlson, Jennifer Stace) and in front of City Hall.
By the way, we’d like to find Liz Brody. She’s from New York, does anyone know how to contact her?
I wrote an article about this event for the ASMP newsletter (American Society of Magazine Photographers) and a personal account of my experience, this is what I said about the L.A. Knockers.
“This all girls dance group invented and choreographed by Jennifer Stace has been performing in Los Angeles for the last 10 years, always funky and outrageous and constantly avant-garde.
“First we photographed Jennifer, Dee Dee, Liz and Kimberly in their blue outfits in front of the blue and grey sign for the Downtown L.A. Cafe, the artists’ hangout created by Debbie Stone. Then we walked to the Los Angeles Mall where the L.A. Knockers performed for a bunch of passing-by school children in front of the L.A. Courthouse. Then they pose for us in front of one of the oldest downtown L.A. landmarks: City Hall.”
Dee Dee, Liz, Kimberlee, Elisa, Jennifer
And here’s a self-portrait of your truly, Elisa Leonelli, the photographer, striking a pose with the dancing girls.
It’s been really fun and exciting to create this blog, with the help of Jennifer and the “girls”, all of us still around and involved in various creative endeavours: dancing, teaching, choreographing, acting, writing books, making sauce…
Thanks everyone!!!
Next stay tuned for individual pages. Please send us your memories and comments, tell us what you’re up to now!
Dee Dee Rescher
Dee Dee
July 10, 2010
Dee Dee sent us this “little story”
My first encounter with the LA Knockers was in about 1982. I saw them in performance at the Comedy store. I was -pardon the expression-“knocked out.” They were the most amazing dancers, with huge personalities, and such grace and wit. I had never seen a more innovative dance troupe, or one with more panache. The movement -the dance- was all Jennifer’s invention. I instantly became a loyal fan.
One day I was signing up for a jazz dance class at Dupree Dance Academy when I noticed a sign up sheet next to it for a class taught by “the famed LA Knocker choreographer, Jennifer Stace.” I quickly erased my name from the jazz class list and signed up for Jennifer’s.
In my first few classes I timidly stayed in the back of the room, struggling to get this new age movement into my muscle memory. Jennifer was the best teacher–nurturing, patient and so much fun! The dancers from the troupe were always faithfully in her classes, and boy, they were good, really good. After a few weeks I worked my way up to the second to the last row, then the third, then finally one day Jennifer said, “DeeDee why don’t you try the front row for a change?” I was petrified that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but I did; well, sort of.
Finally Jennifer asked me if I would be interested in joining the troupe. Flabbergasted, excited and scared to death, I of course said “YES!” While I was never one of the better dancers, I did have something that contributed to the group. I was a singer at the time, as well as an actress, and gave the Knockers a new dimension with the addition of a song number for the show. I sang “Don’t Tell Mama” from “Cabaret,” and when we played clubs I would go out into the audience and sit on the guys’ laps, flirting with and teasing the customers. I danced in only 3 or 4 numbers and always struggled to keep up with the rest of the girls. Did I mention they were “really, really good?”
I stayed with the Knockers for about 5 years, and to this day that time is one of my most cherished memories. I have kept in touch with Jennifer and have visited her on her ranch in Baja many times. She is a life-long friend and I will never be able to thank her enough for the rare and amazing life opportunity with which she gifted me.
Take a look at these websites to see what DeeDee is up to these days.
deedeerescher.com
organicoriginals.org
Yana Nirvana
Yana as Valkyrie
July 12, 2010
Look at this photo session we did with Yana Nirvana in October 1983, read what I wrote to accompany the layout!
“Who is this Valkyrie let out of a German mythology comic book? It’s Yana Nirvana doing her takeoff of a female bodybuilder.
Aerobic dancer, stand-up comic, health and fitness writer, bodybuilder … Ms. Nirvana is performing at GIO’S Cabaret in Los Angeles with the L.A. KNOCKERS, the outrageous all girls dance group.
Yana
Yana
L. A. Knockers Japan
Japan postcard
July 15, 2010
The LA Knockers performed in Japan for 3 years in a row (1980, 1981, 1982), at the Latin Quarter club in Tokyo, and became very popular. Here are 2 postcards we found, thanks to DeeDee, about their last engagement in October 1982.
Jennifer remembers: “We were booked in Japan for six weeks over a three year period. What a treat. We had a magnificent stage at the Latin Quarter in Akasaka, fabulous lighting and great audiences. The Japanese men were crazy about us, big goofey girls, and they understood our comedy. We stayed in darling tiny rooms at the Akasaka Hotel and were showered with huge bouquets of exotic flowers. Those photos from the postcards hung on the wall of the Latin Quarter advertising our show. It was trippy! It was a sensational booking! We fell in love with the country and the people.” read more under comments…
Some of the regular dancers were not able to travel. DeeDee wrote to us about her very good reason to stay home: she had been cast as Sally Bowles in CABARET! Jennifer was very understanding and sent her these postcards, that she framed. Read her amusing story under comments.
Japan postcard
L.A. Knockers Lhasa Club
Lhasa club
July 15, 2010
In January 1983, I was having an exhibit of my photographs at the Lhasa Club (see here the invitation, designed by my friend Ave Pildas). We were planning a big party for opening night, so I asked Jennifer if the LA Knockers could perform. She graciously agreed and organized a special show for the occasion, in the cast, along with Kim Blank and Suzi Lonergan, as regulars, were some of the replacement dancers who had just returned from their 8 weeks engagement in Japan.
It was a big success, more that 200 people attended, watched the printed images on the walls and a slide show in the theater, then were exhilarated by the amazing performance of the L.A Knockers.
I took some snapshots, so here they are.
Lhasa Club
Lhasa Club
L.A. Knockers on Melrose
Jennifer, Lissa, Yana
July 21, 2010
Today I was editing my early photos of theater performances, and found snapshots of the L.A. Knockers attending the first Melrose Street Festival organized by Theater Row, May 16, 1976.
This is actually when I first met them, liked what I saw, and we organized that studio session that I talked about in the beginning.
See Lissa Kastin, one the five original Knockers, standing between Jennifer Stace and Yana Nirvana. Marilyn Corwin was also there, and so was Denise Polk.
LA Knockers headshots
Jennifer
Yana
July 27, 2010
After becoming friends with Jennifer Stace, Marilyn Corwin and Yana Nirvana, during our first photos session in 1976, they asked me if I could take B&W headshots of them, because they were needed to print 8x10s for their work as dancers and actresses.
I readily complied and we shot 2 rolls of negative film.
Here are some of the results, my favorite frames.
Marilyn
L.A. Knockers Black & White
Jennifer, Becky, Kimberlee, Arnold, Phillip
Becky, Patti, Kim, Kimberlee, Jennifer, Leticia, Jolli, Debbie
July 28, 2010
Throughout the years, every time we did those studio sessions that you see illustrated above, Jennifer also asked me to shoot B&W negatives, so that prints could be made to advertise the LA Knockers upcoming engagements.
I was happy to help out that way, so we did that as well and many photos were printed for this purpose.
And they worked too!
See how the Los Angeles Magazine used one of them in their January 1980 issue, and other examples.
Leticia, Jolli, Kimberlee, Jennifer, Becky, Debbie, Kim, Patti
Jennifer, Becky, Marilyn, Kimberlee, Patti
Marilyn Corwin
Marilyn
July 28, 2010
Marilyn sent us these thoughts
I always felt like was a little too funky to fit in with my blonde hair blue-eyed California girl image… it wasn’t until I experienced Jennifer teaching her creative, outrageously funky dance moves and fun combinations to James Brown, Rufus and soul tunes that I found my calling. Her students resembled a mix of sorority girls, from Chicago to Beverly Hills. I noticed a blonde blue-eyed ice skater, Natalie, doing these robot and locking moves alongside a girl I thought I had watched on Soul Train, Lissa. Yana was a tall athletic blonde, striking and unusual. Adding to the eclectic mix of beauties was Denice, a curly-haired dancer from UCLA, perhaps a princess type but certainly not in attitude. It was so exciting watching these white Girls get down and funky in their striped knee socks, knickers pants, sport tops and hats. I thought “I want to do that.” Jennifer’s class was a blast! Her work always left room for individual self expression. What a great fit! After class Jennifer approached me and asked if I was interested in joining her company.
From Tokyo to Las Vegas, with Dick Clark and Frank Zappa, the L A Knockers have been turning heads and raising eyebrows, in films, commercials, on stage and television, since the mid seventies, with their unmistakable trend-setting rule-breaking fashion styles.
Were we chicks and babes? Never! Strong women and individuals? Always! We ARE the L A Knockers!
Read about Marilyn’s credits as an actress, dancer and choreographer in her IMDB biography.
Kimberlee Carlson
Kimberlee
August 3, 2010
Kimberlee Carlson wrote these comments.
In 1976 I was 18 years old when I met Jennifer and the LA Knockers. I had barely managed to graduate from Palmdale High and that summer found myself at a dance class in Hollywood with no plans for the future other than that I love to dance and dance hard. I had had ballet training as a child and in high school was that embarrassing white girl who was always the only one rocking out whenever there was some sort of a rock band or music assembly. Then I find this class and there was Jennifer Stace and the Knockers. All attitude in torn Betsy Johnson tee shirts, giant yellow leg warmers, hot pants, Biba maroon lipstick, saucy smirks and Parliament Funkadelic. I had found a home.
Kimberlee
Diligently I worked my way into the group by first becoming a Knockerette. This required attending and assisting Jennifer’s classes and keeping her Lucky Strikes lit. Her class was where she created an environment for the wacky and rhythmic. She was audacious and confident. She created a hybrid style combining street dancing (Locking, Pop Locking, Waacking, etc) with her ballroom training, which may seem contrary but really worked. The ballroom gave the moves a certain amount of discipline and composure and the street dancing gave it the sex appeal and the attitude. The late 70’s was the beginning of the era of the comedy clubs. At the Improvisation and the Comedy Store we became the house showgirls with our live band. It was a family affair for Jennifer. Her son Michael Cavanaugh, a successful funk keyboard player played with us and wrote several originals songs for us. I would say we were the original Pussycat Dolls but with a sense of humor. We didn’t dance like ladies. The style was seriously funky and seriously fun to do and perform. This was the beginning of the era of when street dancing crossed over and became legit and professional (now it’s ubiquitous and is called Hip Hop).
I never had so much fun and I am forever grateful for that experience. Jennifer’s standards and her exacting rhythmic style helped train me to become the dancer and mover that I am today (after several incarnations I am now in Western Montana teaching movement, Feldenkrais, Salsa). She was my dance mother.
Becky Jordan
Becky
August 3, 2010
Becky wrote (July 21)
Hi Elisa,
I have been working extra hours last few weeks. I got together with Marilyn Saturday, it was great. She showed me the blog (I am a little computer challanged!) it’s FABULOUS. I will get something to you this weekend.
Bless you for doing all this, I have wonderful memories of our shoots with you! Becky
Becky called me (Aug 16) and said:
I was taking dance classes at Dupree, decided to take a rock class, met Jennifer and fell in love with her style. From then on, every moment that I could get away, I came to take her class and learn that style!
Kim Blank
Kim
August 3, 2010
Kim wrote (August 17)
My first performance with Jennifer Stace and The L.A. Knockers was in 1975. I was introduced by Joan Wulfsohn, it was during the period when Jennifer and Joan were both teaching at Dupree Dance Academy on 3rd St. in L.A. Between then and sometime in the mid-80’s I had the chance to perform with the group in various clubs and venues in L.A., and to travel to Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, El Toro Marine Base, and Tokyo, Japan. Beginning with a New Year’s Eve performance for the dawning of the 1980’s, we had a regular gig working at the venerable El Cid of Silver Lake (we alternated with the Flamenco show, performing for the locals, as well as Japanese tourists.) Along the way I had the opportunity to test my skills as a dancer/performer and choreographer, and assume some wild and outrageous costumes and identities while I was still searching for my own. It was fun, tough, crazy, eye-opening, and amazing!!! I made friends lifelong friends in the process.
A few months ago I attended a concert that featured three acts, dominated by women; I was transported back to my days with the L.A. Knockers, by the music, the apparel, the wigs, the attitudes, the raw energy, and style. I didn’t want to say, to my young friends, “been there, done, that…” but yeah…kinda had been!
So thanks for this fabulous layout Elisa!!! Thank you for documenting us so aptly and beautifully, back then, and and thank you for bringing it all up to date for us now. All my love to my fellow Knockers. Thank you Jennifer, for giving us an opportunity to work, develop and be creative!!!
I currently teach a full schedule of dance and fitness classes in L.A., and work doing choreography for film, television, and commercials. kimblank.com
Patti Nelson
Patti/Trish
August 3, 2010
Patti Nelson now goes by the name of Trish. She lives in Colorado Springs Lisa Durazo (now Rebik) is in touch with her, she writes:
(July 29) Hi Elisa,
I just spoke to Patti (Trish), she doesn’t “do” e-mail so I’m forwarding all the LA Knocker stuff to her sister. She’ll visit her sister and read everything. I’ll stay in touch with her, so that she can send a little memory blurb to you.
Jennifer Stace remembers:
Patti, Eileen, Lisa
(July 31) Patti created a spot for herself because she was a gymnist and could do acrobatics, which was a plus for my choreography; acrobatics were becoming fashionable at that time.
Those two girls, Lisa and Patti/Trish were two peas in a pod, adorable! Both were fine dancers and improvisers. Patti brought in Lisa (Durazo) and Lisa brought in Eileen (Molloy) after Patti left. Patti and Lisa were roommates and Eileen was their best friend; they were both beautiful dancers. Eileen was a classic beauty and dancer. She displayed a first class standard of excellence and was one of my favorite dancers. Lisa tapped like a fiend and could spin like a top. She had a magnetic personality on stage.
They joined the company late, and traveled with us to Japan. All three were excellent performers and were a major and bright addition to the LA Knockers!
Jennifer Stace
Jennifer
August 6, 2010
Jennifer writes:
In 1987 I moved to Baja, not to retire but to start the next facet of my life. I wanted to read, write and think – things I’d neglected for years. I wrote a memoir, The Philosopher’s Daughter, as a tribute to my son, Michael, who died in 1994, and I hope to get it published next year. And now after writing about my life, I felt the urge to swing across the dance floor again. I’d been doing yoga, but dancing brings music to the spirit and laughter to the soul, energies I’d sorely missed. Today I’m teaching retirees how to do hook turns, ripples, swing their hips while whaacking their arms to Latin Rhythms. They love it and I love them. Thanks everyone for the joyous times we shared.
Read a write-up about Jennifer (click on it to enlarge)
Baja Times
Final comments from Jennifer:
It wasn’t just a twist of fate that brought all these beautiful dancers together. It was a sense of the unusual, the joy of laughter, and rebelliousness in their characters. The LA Knockers created a pocket of special-ness that lasted for years. Across Los Angeles to Texas and up to Canada and over the sea to Japan, we entertained audiences everywhere, getting fired even retired, but we never gave way to the mundane. We reveled in our eccentricities. It was a privilege to work with these amazing women and to create with and for them a spot in the world of funk, a kookiness, into a theater of the bizarre. We found a wonder in life and created hilarity instead of straight up and down entertainment. When I look back I’m filled with awe at what we accomplished. It shines on every page of our blog that Elisa Leonelli, who believed in us from the start, created. We see ourselves dancing in videos from edited versions of our shows created by our own, Ms Marilyn Corwin. Thank all of you for your phenomenal contributions to the L A. Knockers. It was a time in my life I’ll always treasure.
Cinderella
Yana, Jennifer, Marilyn
August 7, 2010
Well, nobody sent us a request to see this old photo, so here it is, a blast from the past (1976). Jennifer Doyle as Stepmother, Marilyn Corwin as Marbella, Yana Nirvana as Drucella, the wicked stepsisters in this X rated movie version of the classic fairytale, where Cinderella gets help from her “fairy” godmother to become sexier and win over Prince Charming.
You can actually purchase the DVD from Flixster if you’re curious.
The L.A. Knockers appeared in several film and television projects, separately and together. Marilyn Corwin sent us a funny video, Dancers on John Paragon of Comedy Show, where Marilyn, Yana Nirvana, Becky Jordan, Kimberlee Carlson, Lisa LeCover (Kessler), Liz Brody are dancing in a number about “boobs”, “jugs” “knockers”.
Many former Knockers still work as professional actresses, dancers and choreographers. Others wrote books and started businesses.
Yana Nirvana is creating art sculptures, see slideshow at yananirvana.com
Joan Wulfshon runs a Cellular Recall Healing Center in the Pacific Palisades. Take a look at the website cellularrecalltherapy.com
She has written a book “The Child is not Dead”, read about it on this website: thechildisnotdead.com
Dee Dee Rescher still works as an actress, she has recently started a Chili Pepper sauce business with her husband George. Enjoy their fun website: organicoriginals.org
Suzi Lonergan teaches Pilates. She has made a video, that you can order on her website suzilonergan.com
Kim Blank teaches dance and fitness classes in Los Angeles. Find a description of classes and schedule on her website kimblank.com
Please, all of you Knockers out there, send us your news, tells us what you’re up to now!
Love and thanks
Elisa Leonelli
P.S. I have written a book about Robert Redford. robertredfordamericanwest.com
Happy New Year 2013!
Jennifer, Patti, Becky, Lisa K, Eileen, Yana
January 9, 2013
I checked the stats for this blog today and was amazed, we had more views in 2012 (17,765) than in 2011 (12,639), 36,336 total from June 2010.
The LA KNOCKERS seem to live on in peoples’ memory, 30 years after their glory days.
So I sent a message to everyone with the good news and received these responses:
Kimberly Blank: WOW! Thank you Elisa, for keeping us current and accounted for!!! What a legacy…
Happy New Year to ALL of us!
Kimberlee Carlson: Groovy! Great job Elisa… Keep on Knockin’!
DeeDee Rescher: Now we can truly say “The legendary LA Knockers!”…Fantastic.
Eileen Molloy: Wow! That’s exciting!
Lisa Kessler: XOXO to all of you !!!
Lisa Durazo: We all knew the Knockers would never die!
Kim: Never! Never die!!!
Jennifer Stace: So so happy the LA Knockers are still knocking… who would have thought? I knew it — we were all so special… it makes me cry to read this and to hear from all of you…. and I bet you’re all still dancing somewhere somehow… Elisa you were the spark that captured us in the moment to last a lifetime.
DeeDee: Our fearless leader has surfaced!!!! HIP HIP HORRAAAYYYYY!!!!!
Kim: Here’s to Jennifer, our intrepid, inspired, fearless, sexy, and gloriously creative leader! You gave us a unique place to express our individuality as dancers, and show-offs… An actual way to be paid for performing in LA and beyond… A chance to develop and create…A unique opportunity for being ourselves and exploring our inner Knocker-ness!!! Muchas Gracias!!!
Kimberlee: Ditto! Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks Kim for expressing Jennifer’s impact on my life/our lives- creative and otherwise-so perfectly. Don’t know what my life would have been like without Jennifer and the Knockers… Love Vibrations to you all!!
Eileen: Yes, Kim, you summed it up perfectly!!! Thank you, Jennifer, for that wonderful dancing experience!!
DeeDee: I concur…thanks Kim! Beatifully expressed!
Elisa Leonelli: Yes, feeling the Love Vibrations from all of you, I decided to spend a few hours to create a new blog post, so our readers/viewers will know that we’re still alive and kicking…
Suzi Lonergan: Thanks Elisa for all you do for the Knockers. Jennifer gave me the opportunity to perform almost daily, to actually make money while going to UCLA, to travel to Japan and to really grow as a performer. It was a very alive and passionate time. We all have friends for life – and thanks to you photos! Love to all, and Happy, Healthy, New Year!
Yana Nirvana: Thanks for keeping the Knocker home fires burning. I just got to dance with Eileen and this Saturday I’ll be dancing with Marilyn. Keep on keeping on!
Marilyn Corwin: The L A Knockers just keep on coming… and looking good! Your extraordinary photos captured the essence and fun of the group through the years. While editing the Knockers videos, I had the pleasure of getting to know the girls and their performance personalities all over again. I also re-discovered the excitement of the woman who infected us all with her passionate vision of funky-gifted-talented-precocious female dancers = Jennifer Stace, creator of the L A Knockers. My fondest sentiments to all.
Jennifer: I’m so proud to have danced with all you, brilliant, expressive and creative dancers. Our lives were filled with dreams worth while. We danced and had a grand old time doing it. We will live on through these beautiful photographs. All too wonderful to forget, caught in the moment by a great photographer. We were the diva’s of the seventies and eighties. It was our time…
My love and thanks to each of you. Jennifer Jean, the old time burlesque queen.
Marilyn, Kimberlee, Dee Dee, Lisa L, Kim, Jennifer, Suzi, Becky
Philosopher’s Daughter
Jennifer Stace in 1976
January 10, 2013
Good news from Jennifer Stace!
She has finished writing her memoirs, “The Philosopher’s Daughter, the Memoir of a LA Knocker.” Here’s the outline she sent, stay tuned for the publication date…
As the daughter of the famous Hegelian philosopher, Walter T. Stace, Princeton University scholar and pioneer in the study of Mysticism, I thought I was special; dancing for Einstein as a child and professionally as an adult, testing every rule placed in my path regardless of consequences.
I was not the proper little girl Mummy wanted. Born in Ceylon, an Indian princess in my imagination, she was exotic, tiny, color-conscious and displeased with my dark eyes, gypsy curls, olive skin and thoroughly wanton ways. I was not blue-eyed and blond, not an academic like my brother and father. I smoked, drank, was sexually active, fought like a wildcat, loved fun and formed fun-loving, rule-breaking gangs.
Daddy didn’t seem to mind; he’d been a rebel in his youth—a poet—at the end of a long line of military men. Where he’d fallen in love with words and reason, I fell in love with the theater and dance. I choreographed films and commercials and created the avant-guard comedy troop, The LA Knockers. Regulars at the Comedy Store and the Improv, The Knockers performed with Zappa and Dr. John at the Forum, were featured in Dick Clark’s Rock and Roll Revue (Las Vegas), and toured the U.S., Canada and overseas during their twelve-year run.
I wasn’t old then. I had my son, Michael. I had husbands and lovers. I dreamed big, worked hard, found success—and tragedy, witnessing Michael’s incarceration for “attempted murder” and his devastating death from AIDS two months after his release. I didn’t live alone as I do now—except for horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and ducks—in Baja California, where I teach the salsa to lively retirees on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I tend my animals, and I’ve been writing this memoir.
Jennifer’s Memoirs
January 9, 2014
I wrote to Jennifer today to wish her a Happy New Year and tell her that our LA Knockers blog has been viewed more than 45,000 times, and she gave me the great news. Her book, The Philosopher’s Daughter, a memoir by Jennifer Stace, has been published and it’s now available from Amazon on paperback, also as a Kindle eBook.
Check it out, buy your own copy, write your reviews by clicking on this Amazon web page
“Jennifer Stace was born in Princeton, New Jersey, the daughter of a Sri Lankan immigrant and an Englishman, Walter T. Stace, the well-known Princeton philosopher, author, poet and scholar… During the seventies and eighties… she created, choreographed and directed the ground breaking L. A. Knockers, an avant-guard musical comedy dance troop.”
Joan Wulfsohn
Jennifer, Joan 1980
January 12, 2014
In a Happy New Year message to all the former LA Knockers that we’re still in touch with, I asked them to tell us what they have been up to lately.
Joan Wulfsohn sent us an excerpt from her new book Stalking Carlos Castaneda
“Around 1979 I had been collaborating and dancing with the LA Knockers, the company of my friend, Jennifer Stace for a couple of years. I’d formed a close friendship with her when she was teaching street-dance at a studio where I was employed. She had an off-beat and truly crazy sense of humor and was forming an all-female punk-rock group that she had named ‘The LA Knockers.’
Their irreverence proved confusing to those who interpreted their name as a reference to female body parts and enraged these same audience members, hopes dashed and sensibilities offended at seeing these young women “knocking” sexism, racism and time honored role-models. This iconoclasm was so far ahead of its time that the only true fans the troupe attracted were members of the gay community and an occasional fellow nut like Tom Waits and Frank Zappa.”
DeeDee Rescher
DeeDee, Marilyn, Kimberlee, Kim 1982
January 15, 2014
When we asked her what she had been up to lately, Deedee wrote:
I am still rocking & rolling in the acting arena, folks. I did do a short film this past year where I had to dance, and the LA Knockers training really came in handy!
Much of 2012 was spent on a regional tour with the hit Broadway play Lombardi, the story of the famed football coach Vince Lombardi, I played Marie, Vince’s wife. Back home I jumped on stage again at Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theater in Burbank with my recurring version of the one woman epic of Shirley Valentine. 2013 brought a nice TV gig with James Caan in the ABC sitcom Back in the Game, and a recurring role on Days of Our Lives. January 2014 takes me to Santa Barbara where I’ll take the stage again in David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People at the Ensemble Theatre Company.
Just taking it all day to day, you never know when that phone is gonna ring!
Kimberlee Carlson
Arnold, Kimberlee, Phillip, Jennifer, Becky
January 18, 2014
Kimberlee Carlson writes from Montana, where she has been living since 2007, that she is still dancing; she teaches social partner dances like country 2-step and country swing (Montana cowboy dancing), and does dance demos with a local salsa group. She sings jazz vocals with “Western Union Swing Band,” a new country western band, and she performs vintage country, jazz and blues with “Louie Bond and the Texas Playgirl”. Yes, Kimberlee was born in Odessa, Texas. She’s talked about in the media as an upcoming jazz artist in the Missoula area, and she opened the Jazzoula Festival in 2012 and 2013.
Party for Jennifer
January 27, 2014
If you always wanted to drive across the border to visit Jennifer in Mexico, this is when you should do it. There will be a publication party for her memoir The Philosopher’s Daughter at a local restaurant.
Wednesday February 19, 2014 at 12 noon
The Mongolian Grill (661) 100 6244
Carrettera Libre Tijuana-Ensenada Km. 30
Playa Encantada, Rosarito, Baja California
themongoliangrill@yahoo.com
We received an invitation saying:
You may know her as the Latin Dance Instructor here in Rosarito, but she’s also a gifted storyteller. Her captivating story tells of her personal journey from Princeton, New Jersey to Baja California. There is humor and tragedy and failure and accomplishment and LOVE.
Come and celebrate with her at 12 noon!
She will be doing a 15 minute reading and autographing her books which can be purchased at a discount, and we will be providing a special $10 lunch.
LA Knockers's Blog 