...I used to play here in the 80/90s with T-Bird and the Fat Cats.
Robert Jurcak Gulf Breeze Fl...6-25-09...
Been HereEdit
I remember visiting this place as a young sailor aboard the USS Grand Canyon when we made stops in Pensacola. I remember a Japanese/American lady named Kiyoko who tended bar there and I remember those Barber chairs he had as bar stools.
Ah yes , I built the Website for them. Plus ,I was their good friend. They would often talk to me. I would often come in and get a free glass of milk. I saved his butt after the fire. I was the one who had the foresight to take all the pictures of the whole place for the website. I miss it .I miss the good times.
Lots of memoriesEdit
My favorite hang out 1963 and 64. Met my first wife there (Frankie) and became friends with the Owner and employees. As a sailor stationed on the USS Lexington, there were three places to go. Trader John's, the USO, and Pensacola beech. My marriage ended after three years, but the memories of Trader John's will stay with me to my last breath.
As I read of the closing of my old hang out, I could not help but feel a loss.
Thanks for the memories
Gene
Trader's Legendary BookEdit
An interesting note on Trader Jon- Trader Jon was an effervescent personality with a huge heart cleverly disguised in a sometimes gruff exterior. I had the privilege of meeting the man while performing for his bar in the 1980's. After my first set of music, I was called over to the bar by the man himself, and told to have a seat. There were only a handful of folks seated at the time, all "regulars". As I was sitting down, Trader hollered for the bartender to "Get me my book". At this point I knew by the surprised expressions on the faces of the people present this was an uncommon occurrence. The bartender returned with a modest-sized hardcover book and handed it to the old man. "I want you to sign my book, son." Trader said gruffly. I can remember the smiles at the bar to this day. As he placed the book in front of me sitting on the stool next to me, I noticed his socks. He had these mismatched vintage argyle socks on with shorts. I opened the book and was immediately blown away by the signatures contained within. JFK, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Neil Armstrong, Roy Scheider, they seemed endless. Politicians, War Heroes, Sports Stars and....Musicians. I was speechless, which -for me- was a new experience. Stunned, I think I said something like, "Me?, Really???" He just smiled at me and pointed out the folks he wanted me to be aware of which had signed. He talked about those signatures and their order chronologically, who came in with whom and stuff like that. The odd thing for me was, being a long-haired musician/songwriter who at the time was somewhat skittish about my path and life choice, had felt so warmed and welcomed by this man. As I signed the book, a lady at the bar asked, "Do you know what an honor this is?" -Again, speechless... Thank you Trader, for giving me the confidence to continue my work.
Tommy Kennedy