BijouBlog

Hi Folks! Will here. For the first time in a while, I have a title for my blog that pretty much explains itself! So, let's dive back in.

My warm welcome to Brooklyn, followed by a magical night at the Roxie, only needed a third component to prove that good things come in threes! And, this third component was finding a great job at one of NYC's famed "Carriage Trade" retailers within the first week of being back!

One of my first sights when arriving in Brooklyn.

I have to give credit to my sister-in-law for coming up with the idea. But, after all, she did spend a lot of her career as a "headhunter." I'm sure she was motivated to get me gainfully employed, so I could find my own apartment and give them back their "couch!" LOL.

All suited up for my new job.

I remember the interview as being a rather quick and straight forward - a "one-two punch" in terms of how quickly the personnel manager looked me over and hired me. My retail experience, communication skills and the fact that I was wearing my favorite midnight blue Armani double-breasted suit, helped me to land this spot in one visit. BTW, my sister-in-law and my niece not only came along to show me the way, but accompanied me right into the waiting room of the personnel department. I have to say they were my good luck charms ... particularly my little niece. You see, in 1992 right after her birth, I was asked to be her Godfather. It was and still is an honor, and is something I really cherish to this day.

So, with my prior sales experience in the men's department of a very prestigious San Francisco retailer, I was assigned to the Men's Designer Department of this legendary New York store. There was a vacancy in the department created by an internal promotion. So, they urged me to start the next day. I was thrilled!

A great place to start my endeavors in New York.

That next day was a bit of a challenge. The department manager and his assistant were both very cordial and welcoming. But, that's where it ended. I could virtually feel a chill from the other sales people in the department upon my introduction. It sort of reminded me of scenes from the movie The Women, when Joan Crawford was interacting with her fellow sales folks at the perfume counter of Blacks Fifth Avenue. LOL. Yes, this was the wonderful reality of the commissioned sales world ... competitive doesn't even scratch the surface! (Meow!) Even thought I am sensitive by nature, I was not going to let a bunch of puffed-up sales queens get in my way. So, I wanted to dig right in and let them know that this was not my first (retail) rodeo!

Meanwhile, my social life had become just as busy. I had a potential new beau. Although it was not "sex at first sight," something inside me told me it would be worth the wait ... and it was. The fireworks and sizzle were certainly there ... but, I could sense a lot more was just below the surface. I had the same kind of feeling just after meeting my first partner, Tommy. That relationship was my "rock" for 14 years. It was only his demise from A.I.D.S. that finally separated us in 1989. Remembering this very special and unique feeling, I knew I was more than ready for him, us and the rest of our lives! Like I said before - this might sound corny and melodramatic - but, here we are 31 years later.

My stay in Brooklyn quickly proved to be awkward for all parties involved. My intended mission was accomplished (and then some!). I was working, dating and doing a pretty good job on "Take Three" of living in New York. It was time for me to have my own place. It turned out well that I didn't try to live with my new beau right away.

Washington Heights ... my new digs.

I found a nice, simple studio apartment just north of his place on Riverside Drive and 155th St. in Washington Heights. "The Heights" was an adjustment. It was so far away from central Manhattan and my work. But, I had my heart set on this new man and knew my proximity to him mattered a lot. I got to meet his friends and got invited to a lot of dinners and events.

I knew my ambitions were starting to take shape. I just had to be cautious ... something that I am not used to. But, patience paid off some six months later, when he acknowledged my diligence and asked me to move in with him. I was so happy! This is when the greatest (and ongoing) chapter of my life began! So stay tuned, as I return with my next episode - The growing pains of love and living together!

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, present day

You can read Will Seagers' previous blogs for Bijou here:

Welcome Matt/Will | What's For Dessert? | On and Off the Set of L.A. Tool & Die | Wanted, Weekend Lockup and Weekends in Hermosa Beach | Honeymoon in the Palms | Birds of a Feather | The Stereo Maven of Castro Street | The Pass Around Boy | The Ecstasy and the Agony | Fitness and Fantasy | Chasing the Boys and Chasing the Sun | Becoming Invisible | The Reverse Story of Dorian Gray | Pin Money | One Organ Leads to Another! | The Wheels of Steel | Feast and Famine | An Alphabet Soup of Powders and Pills | Merry Christmas (and Getting Re-Organized) | Now and Then | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: The Badlands | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: Moby Dick Bar | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: "Just Another Stroll Down the Castro!" | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Hamburger Mary's | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Long Live the Stud! | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Club Life..."Hit me with your Rhythm Stick!” | A "Split Ticket": SoMa/Folsom and The Haight! | Staying Vanilla in a Flavorful Culture | A Little Secret | Recollections of the 1977 S.F. Gay Pride Parade | Life's a Beach | Flora & Fauna | Once Is Just Not Enough! | A Love of Cultures – A Knack for Languages! | For the Birds | It's About Time! | The Perfect Storm | Hello Chicago/Adieu Fire Island Pines! | Sex in the Woods! | My Life at the Gym | The Last Picture Show | Cumming Attractions! | The Peter Pan Syndrome | Valentine's Day Reflections | The “Idus Martias” and a Peacock! | Taxing I.M.H.O. | Nope...This Sure Ain't Kansas! | The French Connection | Water Baby | Pride: You Wear It Well! | Life Goes On... | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 1 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 2 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 3 | A Christmas Haiku | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | "Werk!" | Heart Throbs from the Past! | Homage to the Stars & Studios of My Era | Traveling the Arc | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 1 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 2 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 3 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 4 | "Brick Wall" | A Gap! | Life in South Beach | Club Memories of South Beach | Finding Love on a Dance Floor?

By Josh Eliot

[Originally published 02/28/25]

The first time I remember seeing both Lee Ryder and Rod Phillips was in one of my favorite movies, The Biggest One I Ever Saw. You may or may not know that the two of them actually dated. I personally never worked with Lee Ryder, but I was videographer for a couple of Rod Phillips scenes in what turned out to be the last movie John Travis directed for Catalina Video before moving on with Scott Masters to start Studio 2000. The movie was called Hard Steal, and Rod was cast in the lead as a sexy cat burglar. Director John Travis had worked with Rod Phillips in the past and was developing his comeback. Around the same time, Chi Chi LaRue was on the set of Sharon & Karen when one of its stars, Tony Davis (Hard To Be Good), brought his friend Nick to the set and introduced him to Chi Chi. Nick's amazing looks took Chi Chi’s breath away and he immediately became obsessed with making this stunning new boy a star - a star named Joey Stefano.

Chi Chi’s first order of business was to show Joey off to all the major studios, including Catalina. Producer Scott Masters vowed to never let Chi Chi direct movies for Catalina, so Chi Chi left the company and started working for In Hand Video, building up his directorial resume. When Chi Chi introduced Joey to the Catalina GM, he got an instant green light to direct a movie for Catalina Video starring Joey Stefano, much to the horror and anguish of Scott Masters. Billboard was on the schedule to shoot as the Joey Stefano blockbuster for Catalina, but at the very same time John Travis was prepping for his movie Hard Steal. Part of the agreement for Chi Chi to direct Billboard depended upon him allowing Joey to also take a supporting role in Hard Steal. It was an easy yes for Chi Chi to agree to, but Scott Masters, as always, had the last laugh by refusing to let Chi Chi use his name as director; instead, he demanded Chi Chi come up with a more masculine name for the credits. This is where Taylor Hudson was born. Any Catalina movies with Taylor Hudson as director were all really Chi Chi LaRue. In addition, Scott Masters made me swear that I would never show Chi Chi how we lit and shot our underneath penetration and oral shots, fearing that he would use that technique in other companies' movies. Of course, I did not oblige his order and showed Chi Chi in great detail how we got perfect lighting on underneath shots. Masters was pissed when he saw the final cut for review, but I didn’t care because those camera angles made the movie and Catalina, as a company, look better.

I’ll get into the scenes that Rod Phillips shot in Hard Steal for his comeback, but before that we need to go back and explain how Rod Phillips started in the adult film industry in the first place. A young man named Darris Robert Pyron from Norco, California, when not traveling the world, worked mostly as a florist, with his highest profile job supplying special arrangements to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Darris always dreamed of owning his own flower shop, so he started modeling to save up the money for it. Darris took on the name Lee Ryder and burst onto the scene in 1982 with a solo j/o in Biker’s Liberty, later shooting a full scene in Huge, a music-enhanced movie directed by Matt Sterling. In 1983, he became a “gay-household” name, working in A Few Good Men, Huge II, All American Boys and the mega-hit Spokes for Falcon.

One day in Laguna Beach, California, Lee Ryder locked eyes with Gregory Leslie Patton in the Boom Boom Room gay bar. If you were gay and passing through Laguna Beach, you always made time to stop by the Boom Boom Room. The bar had a hotel attached, which made it very easy for the sex worker boys to connect with their clients. It was midday when Gregory popped in there to kill some time while his car was in the shop. Lee was 24 years old and Gregory was 21. As the story goes from the Rod Phillips (Gregory) interview in Men & Films (Bijou, 1987 - a recent Bijou re-release!), it was lust at first site. Lee Ryder worked his power of persuasion to get Gregory into the adult gay film business with their first role together in a Falcon Studios loop called High Voltage, in a threeway with Mark Hunter. Gregory took on the name Rod Phillips, "Rod" for his big dick and "Phillips" referring to a type of screwdriver. 1984 became a very busy year for the hot, new, in-demand couple, with Lee Ryder starring in Steve Scott’s Screenplay, plus The Biggest One I Ever Saw alongside his beau. Additionally, Rod Phillips made the films Boys Town: Going West Hollywood (Nova Studios) and Windows (Vivid Man). They were both in demand as sex workers and night club performers, but arguments over money, other sexual partners and jealousies resulted in them separating from their relationship and eventually leaving the business. Lee continued making a few movies like 2 X 10 and Sticky Business in 1985 and 1986, then retired. Rod left the business, then made his first comeback in the movies with Too Big For His Britches and Bare Tales in 1988. Dropping out of site after making those movies, he returned in 1990 to star in Plunge (Falcon Studios) and Hard Steal for John Travis and Catalina Video.

In Hard Steal, Rod was paired with Joey Stefano for one of the scenes, and while I’ve read that the two were dating at the time, my memory tells me that they met on our set and started dating afterwards. It makes the most sense to me, but Chi Chi LaRue, if anyone, would know the exact details for sure. I remember the chemistry with these two; Joey was acting very shy around Rod as he recognized him from his movies in the 1980s. One of Joey’s requests to Chi Chi was to work with actors like Jack Wrangler, Cole Carpenter, Eric Manchester and Chad Douglas, but Chi Chi had to explain that those movies were shot years ago and those guys are no longer in the business. I think the fact that Joey recognized Rod from that era really drew him towards him. For Rod’s part, you could just see in his eyes how he was instantly drawn to Joey, not taking his eyes off him even when they weren’t interacting. That’s what I remember and why I really think that was the day they met. They dated, as well, but for an even shorter time than Rod and Lee. Rod, at the end of the day, was really down to earth and not all about the “porn scene,” whereas Joey was up and coming and had lived and continued to embrace the party life. Little known fact: Sometime in 1991, Joey Stefano auditioned with Aaron Spelling's people, at their request, for the role of Matt Fielding, the gay character in the TV show Melrose Place. Doug Savant won the role and did a great job, even with all the limitations on gay characters at that time. Could you imagine Joey in that role?!

After breaking up with Joey Stefano, Rod Phillips left the porn scene only to return three years later for a small role in Chi Chi LaRue’s Hologram (1993). That was his last movie. On May 24th, 1993, Rod Phillips passed away at the age of 32. Rumors that he committed suicide are questioned in Live Journal, stating that he was diagnosed with HIV-related lymphatic prostate cancer, which escalated quickly during the last weeks of his life. Two years prior, on July 10th, 1991, Lee Ryder passed away, also at the age of 32, from complications of AIDS. On November 26th, 1994, Joey Stefano passed away at the age of only 26. It is documented that Stefano had a rough childhood that led him to drug use, including heroin, starting at the very early age of 15. When he did not show up to set one day, producers went to his hotel room and found his non-responsive body. It was later determined by the medical examiner that he died of an accidental overdose of cocaine, morphine, heroin and ketamine. A very sad ending for three very beloved stars of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Two decades in gay porn history that wouldn’t have been remotely the same without them.

Bio of Josh Eliot:

At the age of 25 in 1987, Josh Eliot was hired by Catalina Video by John Travis (Brentwood Video) and Scott Masters (Nova Video). Travis trained Eliot on his style of videography and mentored him on the art of directing. Josh directed his first movie, Runaways, in 1987. By 2009 when Josh parted ways with Catalina Video, he'd produced and directed hundreds of features and won numerous awards for Best Screenplay, Videography, Editing, and Directing. He was entered into the GayVN Hall of fame in 2002.

By Josh Eliot

When I started writing blogs for Bijou World, I honestly wasn’t sure how I would be able to draw on my memories to come up with fresh new ideas every two weeks. There are times that I struggled right up to the day before I had to send a new blog in for publication. I had 20+ years of on the job training during my tenure with Catalina Video and luckily I was able to re-watch movies on DVD, from my Catalina Library, to jump-start my memories of working on the productions. I’m also grateful for still being in touch with the surviving Catalina crew members Brad Austin (director/videographer), Jeff Burton (photographer) Eddie Cacho (make-up) and Peter Romero (director/photographer). When we get together or talk on the phone, so many shared memories come spilling out, which I in turn build ideas off of. Brad Austin is really insistent that we start a Catalina crew podcast, telling all the hysterical and tragic stories of our time working together from the 1990s to 2007. I’ve written well over 100 blogs since I started this endeavor, and only recently I felt the need to cut down to one per month. It’s challenging, but for some reason I am still able to pump out stories without too much repeating. I really wish we had smart phones back then, because I’m sure I would have taken hundreds of on set photographs to help me recall all of the adventures. The fun production stories are certainly fading with age. If I had only kept a diary.

In saying that, I could not be more proud or grateful that someone in my household has been putting in the work. My partner, Tony Italiano, was born in Perth, Australia, one of seven brothers and sisters, a few of which were born in southern Italy before his parents immigrated to Australia. In 1980, Tony moved to the USA after spending years in London. In 1976, when he first moved to England, he started writing his daily adventures into a diary. At the beginning of each new year, he would stop writing in his old book, put it in storage and continue his journalisms in a freshly purchased new one. About four years ago, he decided to pull them all out of the mothballs to give them a proper new home. He is painstakingly re-typing all of his writings into the computer to make digital files of the contents.

It was at that point that I noticed that he had a ton of memorabilia to go along with each month of the year. He puts keepsakes between the pages and I also scan them for the digital version, which I am convinced should be included in an LGBTQ+ time capsule “somewhere.” He kept receipts, ticket stubs, photos, buttons and more to be presented as evidence of the amazing events he experienced through his 50 year history as a “journaling” gay man. For example: on 5/17/1977, he has the original birthday card from his parents “to a dear son on his 21st,” with a beautiful full-page message written in Italian from his mother and father. Another was a photo from October, 1979 at the March for Gay Rights in Washington, DC, where he was holding an Australian flag. Many more life-changing and country-changing events follow, things I had forgotten about, like when I saw a “Schulte” pin. Steve Schulte, in addition to being the hottest, hairiest muscle stud in West Hollywood at the time, became the city’s gay mayor in 1986. Tony got the pin while working on his campaign. He has a lot of pins in his collection like “Stop Acid Rain” and “Stop LaRouche” -- Lyndon LaRouche was some asshole, anti-gay politician! The fact that he documented all these years and had the insight to keep the receipts, as they say, is a really unique thing. Can you imagine being able to go back to any day of any year and know exactly what you were doing and who you were doing it with?

Check out the templates below to see if any of the visuals stir up some memories for you.

-The first “teeny-tiny” journal book Tony purchased when he moved to London.

-Once he relocated to Los Angeles, Tony worked at Umbrello, an upscale furniture showroom on Melrose Avenue. Pamela Bellwood, who played Claudia on the series Dynasty, came in one day and Tony asked her to sign her autograph on their letterhead.

-Halloween 1984 was on the day after Joan Collin’s character Alexis, also from Dynasty, was thrown into jail. Dressed in drag, the group of friends all held “Free Alexis” signs as they paraded down the streets of West Hollywood.

-Mark and Tony (1982) in a romantic relationship that segued into lifelong “best” friends to this day. In fact Mark, Tony and I are vacationing together next week to the East Coast and are thinking about getting a place there to spend the summers.

What I find classic on this template is to see the love note, followed by a “pissed off note.” Real life, right!?

-Tony’s collection of “fortunes” from fortune cookies throughout the years are all over the place in his journaling.

-The pins tell a story of days gone by within the gay community...

-L.A. Cares “play safely” pin, from the Los Angeles Cooperative AIDS Risk-Reduction Education Service. They were a pioneering partnership between AIDS Project Los Angeles and The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center in 1980. Together, they launched a safer-sex education plan to combat the epidemic.

-The Shanti Project Foundation originated in San Francisco in 1974, founded by Dr. Charles Garfield. They were one of the world’s first community-based organizations to support individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. They also started PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support), providing free pet food, supplies and veterinary care to companion animals of low income ill or disabled individuals. In 1990, while working for AT&T in Los Angeles, Tony invited the Shanti Project to come and educate over 400 employees during ten seminars sponsored by AT&T’s Quality of Work Life Committee.

-The Spike, West Hollywood’s most popular leather/cruise bar. I’ll tell you what, when I first moved to L.A., my co-worker Chet Thomas (“Sal & Sal”) and I spent a lot of time there, always on our worst behavior!

-Christopher Street West is a non-profit organization that organized the first “permitted” gay parade on June 28, 1970 to commemorate Stonewall.

All great pins, alongside Studio One, a West Hollywood Disco, AIDS Walk Los Angeles and the not to be forgotten performance of Marilyn Chambers in Insatiable (1980).

-Remember Hands Across America? This was a massive charity event on May 25, 1986, where over six million people formed a human chain across the USA in order to help raise awareness regarding hunger and homelessness, with 15 million dollars being raised. Tony and his friend Tim Webb participated.

-Porn icon Blue Blake made an appearance at the Gold Coast Bar in West Hollywood for one of their Aid for AIDS fundraisers.

-The Names Project Memorial Quilt was conceived on November 27, 1985 by activist Cleve Jones during the annual candlelight march in remembrance of Harvey Milk and George Moscone. The idea of an actual quilt came to Jones after attendees of the march taped signs of their deceased friend’s names to the San Francisco Federal Building.

-Tony has an amazing section in his journaling which includes the names and photos of over 100 of his friends who died from AIDS. A very dear friend, Chris Wooley is shown, as well as Nancy Cole Sawaya, who was one of Tony’s closest friends. She was one of the founders of APLA, and I talk about her in detail in the blog: “Is That Al Parker in Your Photograph?” Yes, another of Tony’s receipts included his friendship with Al Parker.

-The ticket stub and program from a Michael Jackson concert on Sunday November 13th, 1988. A week or so later Tony went to see Childs Play 2 at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

-A photo of Tony with one of his close friends, Jim Suwalkowski. While visiting a gay bar in Italy with Mark and his friend Deric, they spotted, and started cruising, a couple of “local-lookers” named Gianni and Paolo. The Hangar Bars card in the picture has their names and phone number on the back. They all chatted and became good friends, visiting each other in their own countries for years to come. 

-Tony purchased some Padre Pio stamps that were available for a limited time in that era.

-He kept the playbill for Jeff Stryker Does Hard Time (1999), a prison-themed comedy and erotic stage show that toured major cities, including San Francisco and Chicago. A West Hollywood playhouse favorite during its run which got the audience drooling when Jeff Stryker (Powertool) performed a brief solo/masturbation sequence near the end of the show. For the record, Tony has every playbill from every show and concert he ever attended. 

-Paramount Studios was the backdrop for the finish line of the AIDS Walk-a Thon in 1989. Tony, alongside his friends Peter and Paul, celebrate after finishing the fundraiser.

-Letterhead from the incredible Miramar By The Sea Hotel in Montecito, just south of Santa Barbara. If you visited the area and were lucky enough to stay there before it was torn down, after sitting vacant for two decades, you would always remember how magical it was. The hotel, with its infamous blue roofs, was set on lush grounds, but you could walk to the beachfront, which was just across the Amtrak train tracks. Yes, the Amtrak ran right through the hotel’s property -- it was very old school.

-Two passes from the L.A. Summer Olympics 1984 and the ticket from when Tony, my parents and I climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

-A Godzilla Minus One movie stub (a fabulous movie I forced him to go to), the 3D glasses from Meow Wolf in Santé Fe New Mexico and a napkin from our trip to Boston, where we stopped in the Cheers bar for a beer. Meow Wolf is a massive, immersive art installation and mind-bending interactive museum. 

-A more recent photo of Tony in his dog trainer uniform for Petco, and a snippet from his multi-volume set of journals. 

Tony dedicated five decades to documenting his daily life and experiences. It’s amazing that items like a movie stub, receipt or pin can all of a sudden bring a barrage of memories to the forefront. I hope you got something out of seeing these items, too! He knows what he did every day, where he ate, who he was with and the bars and clubs he went to. Just think about if you had records like that. Wouldn’t it be priceless?

As you might have guessed, Tony just asked me to print an extra copy of this writing. Can you guess why? He wants to add it to his journal.

Bio of Josh Eliot:

At the age of 25 in 1987, Josh Eliot was hired by Catalina Video by John Travis (Brentwood Video) and Scott Masters (Nova Video). Travis trained Eliot on his style of videography and mentored him on the art of directing. Josh directed his first movie, Runaways, in 1987. By 2009 when Josh parted ways with Catalina Video, he'd produced and directed hundreds of features and won numerous awards for Best Screenplay, Videography, Editing, and Directing. He was entered into the GayVN Hall of fame in 2002.

Coming back to the Big Apple.

Hi folks! Will here. As I closed up my recollections on my time spent in South Beach, I needed to add some info on why I was "driven" to make this move back to N.Y.

Number one, I had no success at finding decent or lasting employment in any of the areas where I was qualified. Although I was not broke, I had the foresight to see that continuing on a "wishful thinking" path would eventually land me in a dangerous spot. My last few weeks in South Beach were spent at a friend's apartment - sleeping on his living room couch and living out of my suitcase. I appreciated his generosity and we remained friends long after my departure from Florida.  This was almost a duplicate of the situation I faced just before I left N.J. - sleeping on a Ffriend's couch before the big move to South Beach. I was 44 and felt unhappy with what my life had become. The cold chill of reality told me that I needed to give up on any pipe dream of making South Beach work.

I had remained in touch with friends and family while in South Beach. One person in particular, my sister-in-law, knowing my dilemma, offered me "a couch" until I could find my bearings. That was a life saver. In mid-March I called her and took her up on her offer. I don't even know if my brother (her then husband) was even in on her offer. By the end of that month, I had squeezed as much of my life and belongings back into that tiny Toyota MR-2 and headed up I-95 to their Bay Ridge, Brooklyn home.

I shouldn't have left it behind.

I was able to get almost everything back in that car except one suitcase full of photographs. The suitcase itself was a memoir - it was my Eastern Airlines flight attendant suitcase.  I was depressed and bitter at the time of leaving Florida and consigned the suitcase and its photos to the garbage heap of a life that I was trying to leave and hopefully recreate.  So many times I lamented over that decision. Those photos encapsulated many wonderful years and times that were irreplaceable.  Hindsight is so 20-20!  Enough of my maudlin moaning!

The trip back to New York was forgettable. I don't even remember if I stopped for a break at a motel. As I crossed into the familiar territories of northern New Jersey and finally into New York, my mood lifted dramatically ... thank God. My two "friends," the original twin towers of the World Trade Center, were there to greet me as I arrived in N.Y.  By then, my mood was soaring.

My buddies. I watched them being built when I was a teenager.

I arrived in Brooklyn and found my way to my brother and sister-in-law's flat by late Thursday afternoon, March 30th. I was warmly greeted by them and my lovely young niece upon arrival.  We had a nice dinner and then I crashed. I was emotionally and physically spent!  After a great night's sleep and a day of recovery, I started thinking about the weekend, New York and The Roxie! In my last years in N.J., before my trek to South Beach, I spent almost every Saturday night at that iconic dance club at 10th Ave. and 18th St. in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan's lower West Side. I wanted to celebrate being back in The Big Apple and could think of no better way!

Boys, girls, balloons and fans by my favorite bar.

Once inside, I was overwhelmed by all six thousand square feet of this epic club. Between the sound system, lights, all of the beautiful people and of course the wonderful drag queens, I was home again. I went to a section of the floor where I used to hang out ... not too far from the entrance and the main bar. I ordered a Cape Cod to get started and then wandered all over the joint!  The thundering music was new and fabulous - just like it had always had been!  Without a dance partner (as of yet), I inched my way onto the dance floor and let the rhythm and lights take me away. I was never averse to dancing alone.

The club ... in private and in the masses.

On a side note. In preparing for this episode of the blog, I did some research on The Roxie ... its history and the impact it had on the many cultures that graced its floor. Keeping it to a minimum, here are some basics. The club opened on December 5, 1979 as a "roller disco." This was at the height of this form of entertainment. That opening night was attended by the likes of Mick Jagger, Diana Ross and Dustin Hoffman, to name a few celebs. Other regular attendees who regularly performed there were Madonna, Cher, Bette Midler and Beyoncé. This place was an icon of entertainment.

Once again ... in private and in the masses.

Things were not always smooth sailing for the club, however. Over the years it transitioned from the roller disco of the late 70s, to the hip hop of the 80s. Violent clashes on the floor and even gunfire in and around the club forced its closing by the late 80s. But, in 1991, under the new ownership of John Blair, the club went through a huge $1.3 million renovation centering on internal architectural restructuring and a maple hardwood dance floor!  With the stewardship of Mr. Blair and his "Chelsea Boys, " the next 15 years brought the club fame and notoriety.

Myself, I was drawn to the club primarily by the music. You could always count on the fabulous music of DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Junior Vasquez and Victor Calderone - just to name a few luminaries! The sound system was legendary, too. To my knowledge, I believe it was a Richard Long system.  Studio 54 and Paradise Garage were two other of his achievements. All of that aside, the club had a very welcoming feeling. Whether you were alone or with a group, the whole monstrous dance floor and its revelers felt like one big private party!

I remember a popular song from the late 80s - "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life!"  I have to take that and put a spin on it: "Last Night a Club Saved My Life." Let me explain. On or about 4am, with the entire 6,000 square feet of the club in full swing, and me out there on the dance floor (solo), a most beautiful and exotic man danced his way right in front of me me and took away my solo dancing status!  Very handsome and reminding me of Yul Brynner (from The King and I), I was taken not only by his looks and great dancing, but by the aura around him. I knew within an instant that he was very special. I couldn't tell just how ... but, I knew that my life had changed. I know this must seem corny and melodramatic, but, we are still together 31 years later!

The familiar sight of sunrise as you leave the Roxy.

We danced together till dawn. I wanted to be with him. But, he asked if we could get together at a later date. I tried being forceful and persuasive ... to no avail. I got his number and thanked him for a wonderful night. Not "getting together" that night put this whole encounter on another level. After my persisting with a few calls and conversations, we had our first date. The night of that date was both mesmerizing and scorching!  Soon, I was renting an apartment about a block away from his ... that is, until I was welcomed into his home permanently!

So, thank you Roxie ... you magical place!  So many dance songs have lyrics about people meeting and falling in love on a dance floor. I am living proof! Please stay tuned ... as the next 31 years are pretty special, too!

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, present day

You can read Will Seagers' previous blogs for Bijou here:

Welcome Matt/Will | What's For Dessert? | On and Off the Set of L.A. Tool & Die | Wanted, Weekend Lockup and Weekends in Hermosa Beach | Honeymoon in the Palms | Birds of a Feather | The Stereo Maven of Castro Street | The Pass Around Boy | The Ecstasy and the Agony | Fitness and Fantasy | Chasing the Boys and Chasing the Sun | Becoming Invisible | The Reverse Story of Dorian Gray | Pin Money | One Organ Leads to Another! | The Wheels of Steel | Feast and Famine | An Alphabet Soup of Powders and Pills | Merry Christmas (and Getting Re-Organized) | Now and Then | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: The Badlands | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: Moby Dick Bar | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: "Just Another Stroll Down the Castro!" | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Hamburger Mary's | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Long Live the Stud! | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Club Life..."Hit me with your Rhythm Stick!” | A "Split Ticket": SoMa/Folsom and The Haight! | Staying Vanilla in a Flavorful Culture | A Little Secret | Recollections of the 1977 S.F. Gay Pride Parade | Life's a Beach | Flora & Fauna | Once Is Just Not Enough! | A Love of Cultures – A Knack for Languages! | For the Birds | It's About Time! | The Perfect Storm | Hello Chicago/Adieu Fire Island Pines! | Sex in the Woods! | My Life at the Gym | The Last Picture Show | Cumming Attractions! | The Peter Pan Syndrome | Valentine's Day Reflections | The “Idus Martias” and a Peacock! | Taxing I.M.H.O. | Nope...This Sure Ain't Kansas! | The French Connection | Water Baby | Pride: You Wear It Well! | Life Goes On... | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 1 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 2 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 3 | A Christmas Haiku | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | "Werk!" | Heart Throbs from the Past! | Traveling the Arc | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 1 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 2 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 3 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 4 | "Brick Wall" | A Gap! | Life in South Beach | Club Memories of South Beach | Homage to the Stars & Studios of My Era

[Originally published 02/21/25]

Hi folks! Will here. With some major reflection and a lot of admiration, I wish to give kudos to the people and studios that made the 70s and 80s such a rich era for gay porn.

If ever there was a blog topic that needs to be written about in episodes, this is one!

I depend a lot upon my memory to write these blogs. But, here I actually had to use the internet and its history of the period to "flesh out" its many stars.

I need to mention that there is no rating intended in any of this. I have always looked at the porn industry as one that is very personal. It's whatever floats your boat! All the stars mentioned and the many that I have not, all contributed to the "Mass Pleasure" of this industry.

The studios and their brave creative forces also deserve accolades. There isn't a number one or top rated in this listing either. They all did a great job in bringing us pleasure and "relief!" Here are just a few that come to my mind and hopefully to yours, too.

Bijou, Brentwood, Buckshot, Catalina, Colt, Hand in Hand, HIS Video, Le Salon, Man's Image, Matt Sterling, Nova, Surge Studio, and Target come to the fore of my memory banks, with so many more that I can't bring to mind at the moment.

I guess my own anecdotes over the past few years of this blog have indicated those with whom I have had "good contact." But, there were "So Many Men and So Little Time" to have encountered all of my own fantasies of the day. So, here is the short list from my own "Fantasy Menu!" I hope you don't mind if I skip right to dessert! Yum-yum!

Fantasy co-stars Johnny Harden, Johnny Davenport, Mike Henson, Steve York,
Tico Patterson, Ken Ryker, Gordon Grant, Ken Ryker & Matt Ramsey

Remember, I said the SHORT LIST!

I hope this platter of memories has gotten you as worked up as I am! I know I will need second and third helpings. So, stay tuned to this pastry cart for more! (Wink!)

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, present day

You can read Will Seagers' previous blogs for Bijou here:

Welcome Matt/Will | What's For Dessert? | On and Off the Set of L.A. Tool & Die | Wanted, Weekend Lockup and Weekends in Hermosa Beach | Honeymoon in the Palms | Birds of a Feather | The Stereo Maven of Castro Street | The Pass Around Boy | The Ecstasy and the Agony | Fitness and Fantasy | Chasing the Boys and Chasing the Sun | Becoming Invisible | The Reverse Story of Dorian Gray | Pin Money | One Organ Leads to Another! | The Wheels of Steel | Feast and Famine | An Alphabet Soup of Powders and Pills | Merry Christmas (and Getting Re-Organized) | Now and Then | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: The Badlands | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: Moby Dick Bar | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: "Just Another Stroll Down the Castro!" | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Hamburger Mary's | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Long Live the Stud! | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Club Life..."Hit me with your Rhythm Stick!” | A "Split Ticket": SoMa/Folsom and The Haight! | Staying Vanilla in a Flavorful Culture | A Little Secret | Recollections of the 1977 S.F. Gay Pride Parade | Life's a Beach | Flora & Fauna | Once Is Just Not Enough! | A Love of Cultures – A Knack for Languages! | For the Birds | It's About Time! | The Perfect Storm | Hello Chicago/Adieu Fire Island Pines! | Sex in the Woods! | My Life at the Gym | The Last Picture Show | Cumming Attractions! | The Peter Pan Syndrome | Valentine's Day Reflections | The “Idus Martias” and a Peacock! | Taxing I.M.H.O. | Nope...This Sure Ain't Kansas! | The French Connection | Water Baby | Pride: You Wear It Well! | Life Goes On... | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 1 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 2 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 3 | A Christmas Haiku | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | "Werk!" | Heart Throbs from the Past! | Traveling the Arc | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 1 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 2 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 3 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 4 | "Brick Wall" | A Gap! | Life in South Beach | Club Memories of South Beach