The Exotic Blog of Kahuna Kawentzmann

3 Responses to “links for 2010-02-10”

• Brad Jennings, February 11th, 2010 - 17:33
  

  Many have asked about the cause of Richard’s death?

  Before I get into that, I would like to send my deepest condolences to his beautiful wife Bonnie, His sons and daughter.

  I also would like to let the world know what an awesome guy Richard was.

  I’m a self proclaimed surf memorabila pioneer, “collecting hardcore since the 1980s” I looked up Richard as part of my surf legend licensing blitz in the early 1990s.

  As I got to know this man I came away with a few impressions.

  1) That he loved Surfing and Music. (As most red Blooded Americans from the South Bay).
  2)That he knew, John Severson, Rick Griffin and Greg Noll as friends.
  Wow! What an era!!
  3)That he had an incredible amount of surf Memorabilia.
  4)That he was willing to part with it.

  So that started our nearly two decade friendship of making money off surf Memorabilia.

  One of the first things to go was a wrapped 1960s challengers band skateboard. It was on mint condition with a decal on the deck designed by Rick Griffin. I think the original price was around 12 bucks or so.

  It went to Pat Magee in Texas for 175.00 (Todays Auction value? around $1000.00.

  The next Item went to Gordon McClelland who was Rick Griffins agent at one time. He paid a whopping $1000.00 for his old pal Ricks, Murphy around the world drawing. It was drawn on a 4×4″ piece of white chipboard.(thanks Gordon) That’s when Richard exclaimed..”I’m making more money on the collectibles then I ever did during the 1960′s.

  A few months later..
  I really wanted to broker his main personal Lp collection, but honor went to his old friend Ray Avery.
  I was there the say Ray was loading up his station wagon.
  I was bummed! But what could I do?

  Then, Hearing of Rays passing..

  I made a phone call at Delvys request. I Came to find out that the vast majority of Richards Lps were given to some kind of jazz charity by Rays daughter.
  OUCH!

  So.. to make 20 years into one page..

  Richard and I both made around 30,000 each on his surf memorabilia. Not bad for a couple of Surf bums at heart.

  Richard had diabetes to start, He was a little overweight like most of us, He ate the best tasting foods on the planet, Either at home of his own talent or in the finest restaurants, He also drank the best of wines.
  In recent years he had a few bouts with a rare blood infection, His wife started calling him the “Count” because of all the blood transfusions,LOL. He also had sleep apnea and a final bout with pneumonia.

  Richard had a Great life, A rich life filled with a zest for hard work and a love for his friends and neighbors.

  For me?
  He was like a cool older brother, with awesome stuff.

  Lastly..
  In this age of information, people write things and other people judge what they read. I hope you judge this piece as just an expression for my love for old pal Richard Delvy.

• Kahuna Kawentzmann, February 11th, 2010 - 23:43
  

  Thank you for your insights! The Challengers were one of the first true southern California Surf bands I heard and when I got the Surf Beat Best-of-compilation (combining tracks with both Delvy and Blaine on drums) that era’s vibe caught me! I sprayed the surfer from the cover onto my Makaha skateboard deck long before learning about the Challengers’ model. The included Griffin-drawn booklet is one of my coolest Surf memorabilia even though it’s a re-print. The way the Challengers recorded, especially the Delvy era drums, contributed to my ideal of Surf atmosphere. I programmed my most used reverb preset after a kick and a snare beat of Richard Delvy. Very inspiring times to say the least.

• Brad Jennings, April 22nd, 2010 - 13:37
  

  That’s too cool!

  I published around 20 reprints using the best paper and printing methods Zerox had to offer in the 90s.

  It’s becoming a collectible in it’s own right.

  I also have some records, 45′s, and Lp’s that I’m selling from the estate, they’re from the early, Mid and late 1960′s.

  Anyone interested should Email me at
  hsiarchives (replace this with at character) adelphia.net.
  626-409-8787 pacific time.

  Brad at HSI.
  My ebay name is *hsi*