I just scanned a magazine from the 1960’s called “69 Sunset Strip“, which was probably an homage to the popular TV series “77 Sunset Strip” which ran on ABC from 1958-1964. The introduction to the magazine says,
“The 1920’s Gingerbread style apartment house at 69 Sunset Strip has to be the swingingest, gayest 10 stories in West Hollywood, or anywhere. It counts among its tenants artists and actors (the retired superstar dating from the silents), insurance executives who spend their evenings in Western or leather togs (one has redecorated his bedroom dungeon style), a model agency, three transvestites, and two cock photographers. The parade of handsome males past the rococo lobby’s potted palms equals the crowd at West Hollywood’s popular gay bars, just over on Santa Monica Blvd.”
Why did they choose to parody “77 Sunset Strip”, the prototype for private detective shows in the late 50’s and early 60’s starring Efram Zimbalist, Jr.? My guess is the blond guy (see top photo) resembles Edd “Kookie” Byrnes, who was a major male sex symbol at the time. Next door to the fictional detective agency at 77 Sunset Strip was a restaurant called Dino’s, and IMDB says,
“Seen often was Dino’s parking lot attendant, a gangling, jive-talking youth named Kookie (Edd Byrnes), who longed to be a private detective himself and who often helped Stu and Jeff on their cases. Kookie provided comic relief for the series, and his “Kookie-isms” became a trademark… But it was Edd Byrnes’ character of Kookie who caught the public’s fancy and propelled the show into the top ten. In the first telecast of the 1959-1960 season he helped Stu Bailey catch a jewel thief by staging a revue, in which he sang a novelty song called,”Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb”. The song was released on record as a duet between Byrnes and Connie Stevens(who also starred on another Warner Bros. detective series,”Hawaiian Eye”,which was on the same network), became a smash hit making Byrnes’ character of Kookie, the “Fonzie” of his day, making him a very popular celebrity.”
“Edd found escape from family problems at the movies and at the gym, where he developed an athletic body. At age 17 he was approached by a man who offered to take free “physique” photos of him. According to Edd’s 1996 autobiography, “Kookie No More”, this led to a few years of “hustling” older, well-to-do men, despite the fact that Edd was heterosexual. One of these men acted as Edd’s mentor, introducing him to fashion and culture and encouraging his hopes for an acting career.”
“Viewers quoted his dialog, (“Baby, you’re the ginchiest!”), and young males imitated the way he wielded his ever-present comb. His fan mail soon reached an astonishing 15,000 letters a week and his single with Connie Stevens, “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb”, became a top-5 hit. The hip-talking, hair-combing image clung to him, however, and Edd felt he lost the lead in PT 109 (1963) because President John F. Kennedy didn’t want to be played by “Kookie.” A few more movies and TV appearances followed, but his career had passed its peak before he turned 30.”
“In 1975, Merv Griffin hired Edd to host a new game-show called “Wheel of Fortune” (1975/I). Two half-hour pilots were filmed. NBC bought the show but didn’t want Byrnes as host. Griffin replaced him with Chuck Woolery (who was later replaced with Pat Sajak).”
I was old enough to remember the song, and even old enough to think he was kinda hot, but all that. I remember the mannerisms of him combing that hair caught on, and pocket combs became a necessary accessory to carry at all times.
“69 Sunset Strip” (the magazine) has three pairs of hot young guys that supposedly represent the swinging residents of the gay old building. The photos and action are so hot, I actually had to look at it again before I noticed that there is no penetration! It’s that hot! There are 75 very sharp, clear images (sorry, just shy of 77…) mostly in black and white, available to VIP Members.
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