I wish my father Leo had told his story as he was one of America’s great promoters, although he hated the term. I have followed in his footsteps since 1958, going from Roller Derby promoter (SF Bay Bombers) to television syndicator, to BASS tickets and Ticketmaster and on and on. I have three grown children and three granddaughters and am a dyed in the wool Californian. I always try to be optimistic and I have so many stories to tell.
Jerry Seltzer
My thoughts on life, Roller Derby and more.
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Hey Jerry,
What an honor it is to even email you!
Thank you so much for posting all these amazing insightful stories of the past.
So much speculation has been made about the demise of the Roller Derby in 1973. I’ve heard many peoples opinions but not sure if I’ve hard yours.
Mostly I’d love to hear a great story about the Great Charlie O’Connell and what he meant to the sport and to you.
Thank you again.
Keith
Hi, Jerry! My husband is related to Sid Cohen (Sid is his great-uncle) and the family would love to know more about Sid’s life. Do you have any more stories you can share about Sid? His personality? Lifestyle? Thanks for any more stories you can share.
All the best,
Amy
It was my understanding from my father that he met Sid in the early 30′s when Sid was working for Cooney and was sent to the Coliseum with the intention of putting a bomb in the rest room (he apparently had it hidden under a tall hat!). He met my father, liked him, and went to work for him. He was a wonderful kind gentle giant and I knew him for many years. He was my father’s chief lieutenant and after he left the Roller Derby he went to work for the Ice Follies and had a great reputation in the entertainment industry. He and his wife Helen were my father’s closest friends. They would take trips together. I wish I had some photos.
Jerry,
I just saw a photo you had taken with a friend Pushy Willow while at RollerCon this summer. It brought back memories as I also have a photo with you from about 25+ years ago. I skated for the local RCA league in Westchester, NY back in the day.
I recently noticed a youtube video you were in about starting a derby league done for expert village. Who would I call to get specifics on the photos used in this video? I am trying ti see if I can gain usage rights from the derby girl with the yellow background for a product launch.
All the best.
Dean
Jerry, Just wanted to take the opportunity to say “Thanks” for writing in on the ChicagoReader.com article “Game Changer”…what a thrill that was to see you chime in on the comments section. So glad to see you’re keeping abreast of your dad’s legacy…and now yours too!
Fever has caught on in KY too…our league started last year, and we just finished our first season in Bowling Green KY. All best!
Jerry,
It’s great not only to see you blogging, but that you still have the youthful appearance of a 30-year old!
A friend was just telling me about a book he is reading on the Angels. I told him of my positive experiences with Deakon and Fu when I worked for you. Googled to see if they were still doing concerts and found your wonderful blog.
Hope you are well.
Best,
John
Hello Jerry,
Glad I found your website and the link to the new “Bomber” team. I grew up watching the San Francisco Bay Bombers, in the 60′s/early 70′s on KTVU. I just got a quick question. What ever happened to Charlie O’Connell? Thanks.
Dear Jerry Seltzer,
A journalist named Katherine (KJRinehart@Comcast.net) in Petaluma is writing an article about the old Gayland Skating rink that used to be in Petaluma. I was wondering if you might have photos of that Gayland skating rink? My grandma Joan Lujan (Spolini) used to skate there when it was still open. She told me stories of the wooden rink.
Sincerely,
Ms. Kitty MaulHER
Director of Media, Publicity and Promotions
Resurrection Roller Girls
707-889-0848
Hi Jerry!
Just found your blogspot and am enjoying reading your past blogs. Growing up in the Bay Area in the late 60s/early 70s, I watched Roller Derby every week (and, yeah, even watched Roller Games).
Thank you for promoting a product that I enjoyed so much. Hope this finds you well!
All the best,
Andrew
Dear Mr. Seltzer:
Eddie Krebs may have contacted you recently about a project we’re stepping into about Derby – Just wanted to say I will be avidly following your blog and hoping to perhaps hear more of your comments and perspective in the near future! What a wonderful adventure this is proving to be! Best to you in the meantime. We’ll be at a “Derby” gathering Friday and at Kezar on Saturday for fun and adventures a’la the banked track! YOU are in both our minds with fond memories on Eddie’s part, and respect/admiration on mine. Hope YOU will autograph my manuscript?
Hi Jerry,
I’m doing research on a 1968 movie called ‘Petulia’ which had a roller derby match in it between the San Francisco Bay Bombers and the New York Chiefs that showed a closeup of Eddie Krebs. I am trying to find out which auditorium the scene was filmed in and Eddie for sure would know that. I had guessed it was at Kezar Pavilion but I’m now pretty well convinced it was somewhere else. Can you give me a contact number or email so I can check with him? Or perhaps you could forward this email on to him and he could contact me. Or, perhaps you or one of your readers can tell me. My email address is brianhollins@comcast.net
it was filmed at Winterland Arena., home of the Ice follies and eventually Bill Graham Presents in the 70′s……I was there.
Gerald E. Seltzer
Thanks! Eddie concurs. Ice follies – Roy Shipstead – (my ex-husband’s Godfather!) Wow – talk about “a long time ago, a galaxy far away…” lol.
Jerry, would I be right in saying the team competing against the Bombers in the movie was the New York Chiefs? (They also competed last Saturday at Kezar and the uniforms looked the same).
I gave Eddie a call – that was with George C. Scott and Julie Christie, and the match was shot at Winterland. “With sport jacket over jersey, Eddie walked down the street and met with the promoters/movie folks for several hours – tucked away in the back of a nearby restuarant, they talked for hours, and nobody even knew they were there… A fun story.
What’s your project about?
Sharon, unfortunately what they are doing at Kezar is not the Roller Derby everyone remembers.
I’m sure you’re right about that, of course. And since my only heretofore reference point has been memories of my Grandmother in about 1964, yelling at the TV Screen, “that Goddamned Eddie Krebs!”…..(really!) I will definitely defer to that. Still, I am enjoying them! Amazing, exciting fun to watch, fun to yell…. the entire experience (minus some of that “scripting”) is a satisfying thrill I would have disdainfully laughed at until I experienced it for myself. Absolutely no mystery anymore about why or how this caught on. Derby rocks.
Thanks guys – I appreciate the fast feedback! I just had a long chat with Eddie about the Winterland movie shoot. It’s clear he enjoyed the whole experience, a full day’s shoot, and especially hanging out with George C. Scott afterwards.
Re the project, I have a blog, reelsf.com, which lists Then and Now photos of locations filmed in classic San Francisco movies. One of the movies I’m currently doing is Petulia and now thanks to you I can add the roller derby location. Check it out!
Hello Jerry,
I’m inspired by your work! I’m writing an article on the history of Roller Derby and would really like to have a quick chat with you regarding your involvement.
Please email me on amyd104@hotmail.com and I’ll explain a bit more about the article. I just need about 10 minutes of your time so it would be really great if you could help me.
Many Thanks,
Amy
Hello Jerry,
I’m an architecture student and I’m looking into doing my research thesis on Roller Derby. I stumbled upon this site through your Roller Derby facebook page. I would love to have more information on the subject. My email address is frances.ortiz@gmail.com.
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!
Frances
Hi Jerry,
I’m actually preparing a clip for Deutsche Welle TV, Germanys international broadcaster, about Roller Derby. For this I search historic video material from bouts in the 30s to the 90s. Can you help out?
Cheers,
Felix
of course!
Gerald E. Seltzer
Great! So could you just write me (felix{dot}muench{at}dw{dot}de) what you’ve got. Is there a “Best-of-Compilation” or something like that
?
Best,
Felix
Hi Jerry I’m sorry if ur unintrested in this or if its not something u really are into but I’m trying to find older pics of hells angels members preferable b4 the 70s of course would take newer ones to also I’d like there to b 5 or more members in each pic but again would take any and if they cod b in their leathers that would b even better ofcourse I would pay ALL shipping packaging fees and whatever price u find reasonable I love black and white pics but there’s nothing wrong with colour photos either again I’m sorry if this is something u wouldn’t b intrested in or if u can lead me to someone who does deal with these kind of request I would grately appreciate it have a wonderful day. Crystal West
I have none…..I am sorry.
Hi Jerry, in reference to your mention of a derby show in the UK, there is a community channel show in Australia called Powerjam by a group called ‘Fans of Derby’. You should be able to find more details if you wish, using those search terms.