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 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 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!