MAY 3, 1966:
BY VICTORIA CAVALERI
The Buffalo Springfield’s first Hollywood audition was held at the Trip, I had been asked to determine if the band could be danced to. Once the contracts were signed I introduced myself to the cute dark haired guitar player.
Donna, my roommate, and I paid eighteen dollars a week for a one-bedroom apartment at “The Commadore Gardens”, a 1930’s art deco apartment building, located off Hollywood Blvd, Outside the Commodore Gardens, a mixture of boarders hung out. there were hookers, junkies, dropouts, and even a resident Hells Angel named Cowboy. Cowboy usually nodded and grunted his approval as people came and went.
Neil, Donna, and I became friends almost instantly. He told us that he didn’t have a green card, was not yet 21 years old and living on one dollar a day.
It was dark when we got to the motel. The five guys had bed on the floor, music instruments and clothing cover every available remaining space.
Donna and I insisted that Neil come home and stay with us.
Neil slept on the couch, the floor, or in one of the twin beds when Donna didn’t come home.
Dinner at the Whisky was the first meal of the day for us, Mario said to bring Neil and the other guys in the band for dinner since they would be working there in a few weeks.
Routine for the local musicians and girls who worked the clubs was breakfast at Canter’s, the Pancake House, or one of the many other local all-night restaurants.
Neil noticed the all-night Hollywood Boulevard Movie Theater walking distance from the apartment. The flashing marquees advertised double features for $1. after midnight.
The cost for Stephen Stills, Donna, Neil, and myself, including tickets, popcorn, ice cream and soda was under $10.
The theater was almost empty, except for the few old men sleeping in the quiet dark haven.
We made ourselves comfortable, putting our feet up on the empty seats in the row in front.
(copywritten)