Donny Diamond (left) and Doctor Astro (right) on 7th avenue on a gorgeous day, were part of my original posse who have both passed away now. Donny was the baddest white boy, who also like me, was from New Jersey. He was renown to be a wicked pool player and a professional at that. Doctor Astro was a famous magician and pickpocket from way back. I had known of Donny from 1972 when he was 16 years old and ten years older than me. My friends and I would go down to the High Q pool parlour in Elizabeth New Jersey to watch him play. I ended up hooking back up with him in 1989 when he purchased the famous strip club on route 35 called The Go Go Rama which was a full nude juice bar (of all things). Their, no liquor was served as New Jersey still doesn’t permit liquor in strip clubs. The club would charge $25 to get in and the two drink minimum was $3 for either water or soda. So the girls would walk around totally naked with only their shoes on and serve the drinks then dance for the customers. In New Jersey back then, not many guys had seen totally naked girls like this before and they were spectacular to boot. Donny made a killing. In 2000 I reconnected with him and that’s when I met Doctor Astro who has his friend. I was shooting street photography prolifically then and both Donny and Doctor Astro knew almost everyone and of every event which of course we attended and mayhem ensued (I have the photos to prove it).
I miss both those guys.
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