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 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 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 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.

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!

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

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

Black on Pink

Marilyn, Kimberlee, Becky

July 23, 2015
For this photo session in my studio, August 1982, I put a red gel on the background strobe light to make the white backdrop go slightly pink, contrast the black of the romantic retro costumes, for the dance number “Rapture.” See earlier post
Photo above: Marilyn Corwin, Kimberlee Carlson, Becky Jordan.
Look at the lovely Suzi Lonergan and DeeDee Rescher! See post on DeeDee.

Suzi, Dee Dee

DeeDee

Square format

Lisa, Kimberlee, Dee Dee, Marilyn, Kim, Suzi, Becky.

July 24, 2015
At that same photo session of August 1982, besides using my Nikon 35mm cameras, I also shot a roll of Ektachrome 120mm film, larger square format, with my Hasselblad.  So you can see the dancers’ full figures above: Lisa Le Cover (Kessler), Kimberlee Carlson, Dee Dee Rescher, Marilyn Corwin, Kim Blank, Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan. And below another pose with the same dancers and costumes, on 35mm, smaller size film, rectangular format. See earlier post. And how these photos were printed on postcards to advertise the LA Knockers performances in Tokyo, Japan.

Kimberlee, Dee Dee, Kim, Lisa, Marilyn, Suzi, Becky.