Posts Tagged ‘Jennifer Stace’
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 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 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 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 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
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.
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.
LA Knockers studio 1976
LA Knockers 1976. Jennifer Stace, Marilyn Corwin, Yana Nirvana
June 12, 2015
Welcome back, we have some new photos for YOU!
I am scanning a best selection of my color slides for archival purposes, at higher resolution. So I am revisiting my extensive photographic coverage of the LA Knockers, and choosing those images that I feel are worth preserving for posterity in digital format. The original transparencies will also be saved.
Here’s 2 additional poses from that first studio session of 1976.
Watch Jennifer Stace, Marilyn Corwin, and Yana Nirvana kick up their heels and shoot from the hip!
LA Knockers 1976. Jennifer Stace, Marilyn Corwin, Yana Nirvana
Jennifer as a man 1979
Jennifer as john Travolta
Becky and Jennifer
June 18, 2015
In November 1979, we did a major LA Knockers photo session in my studio with the costumes for the Playboy Club show. Jennifer Stace dressed up as a man to play the male role for Kimberlee Carlson and Becky Jordan. She was a Spanish dancer choosing one girl and jilting the other in a dance routine called “Choice.” See it here. She was still wearing that outfit, when Becky had already changed from her flower dress to the red and white polka dot apron of Dorothy in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.” See her holding her (stuffed) dog Toto! Jennifer then changed to the signature white suit that John Travolta wore in the 1977 musical “Saturday Night Fever.” See Jennifer and Becky together in those outfits here.
for B&W images of these dance routines click here.
Playboy Club 1979
Jennifer, Boyd
Kimberlee, Jennifer, Patti, Becky, Boyd
June 20, 2015
I selected 2 different frames portraying Boyd Clopton, who directed the Playboy Club show in 1979, and created the costumes, with Jennifer Stace in black leather, and as John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever,” Kimberlee Carlson as Dracula, Jolli Neal in the gorilla suit, Patti Nelson as Superman, Becky Jordan as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz”.
See the earlier photos and more info here.
See B&W photos here, and what Jolli Neal looked like under the gorilla suit.
Wizard of Oz 1979
Kimberlee, Becky, Jennifer, Patti
June 21, 2015
Another pose of the dance routine inspired by “The Wizard of Oz” for the Playboy Club show.
Kimberlee Carlson as the Tin Man, Becky Jordan as Dorothy, Jennifer Stace as Scarecrow, Patti Nelson as the Cowardly Lion.
See another color photo here, B&W here
White leotards 1979
Jolli, Patti, Becky, Kim, Kimberlee, Leticia, Jennifer, Debbie
June 24, 2015
This dance routine in white leotards, chains and leggings, created for the 1979 Playboy Club show, is called “Vision Aurora,” a song composed by Michael Cavenaugh, the son of Jennifer Stace.
(standing) Jolli Neal, Patti Nelson, Becky Jordan, Kim Blank, (kneeling) Kimberlee Carlson, Leticia Ibarra, Jennifer Stace, Debbie Petersen.
See another color photo on this post, and a B&W here.
Kimberlee, Jennifer, Becky, Patti
Becky, Kimberlee, Jennifer, Patti
Italian blog
Jennifer, Patti, Becky, Lisa, Eileen, Yana
July 20, 2015
An Italian blog just published the story of my career, with advice for young people on how to make it in another country. I made sure that the LA Knockers were mentioned, with a photo of those wonderful girls, and their names too! I picked the lineup of a November 1980 photo session in my studio. 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.
See the earlier post on this blog, and the 2013 post.
See the third chapter of my career, if you read Italian.
For those who don’t, I created a website, Elisa Leonelli-My Career, with English translation.
Black on Red 1980
Patti, Eileen, Yana, Lisa, Becky, Jennifer, Joan
July 21, 2015
As I continue to scan more photos of the LA Knockers for my archives, I chose another pose of this line-up for the song “It ain’t the Meat, it’s the Motion” with Jennifer Stace kneeling next to Joan Wolfsohn, standing Patti Nelson, Eileen Molloy, Yana Nirvana, Lisa Durazo, Becky Jordan. Also from November 1980.
See the earlier post.
At that November 1980 photo session, I also took one roll of 120mm film with my Hasselblad. See below.
Patti, Eileen, Yana, Lisa, Becky, Jennifer, Joan
White and Pink 1980
Becky, Patti, Jennifer, Yana, Eileen, Lisa
July 22, 2015
See those girls “Acting Out” in my studio dressed in white and pink, with gloves and feather boas. Becky Jordan, Patti Nelson, Jennifer Stace, Yana Nirvana, Eileen Molloy, Lisa Durazo.
See earlier post.
And the B&W version, a different pose: Eileen Molloy, Becky Jordan, Yana Nirvana, Jennifer Stace, (kneeling) Lisa Durazo, Becky Jordan.
Eileen, Patti, Yana, Jennifer, Lisa, Becky
