The David Forest-themed September “Cocktails with the Stars” series at the newly reopened Micky’s Bar in West Hollywood, Calif., ended with a nostalgic gathering of old-timers. Porn legend Sharon Kane turned out to discuss the days of the “Porn Brat Pack” and her acquaintance with John Holmes.
It was nice to see so many new performers and wannabe stars soak up how much things have changed.
Kane held court in the packed upper level of Micky’s along with AVN Hall of Famers Jim Steel and Chad Donovan. When fan questions about the late Joey Stefano arose, Kane became teary-eyed.
“The fans always want to know about Joey Stefano and what he was like, and it’s nice to know people still remember him,” she said.
A crowd similar to the Micky’s bunch (including Kane and I) was out dancing with Stefano the night before he died of a drug overdose 15 years ago. He would have been 41 now.
Also in the audience was Donovan’s boyfriend, porn pup Antonio Madiera. The couple is celebrating their 11th year together. Donovan, who is retired (at least for a while) from the adult business, said he is about to get a Registered Nurse license so he can work in emergency rooms. He’s very excited about that and told me he is passionate about helping people. Before turning to the adult entertainment industry as an actor and then a director, he worked as a paramedic.
Musician and former porn star Chris Green also attended with a few new tattoos on his very decorated body. He said he still works on music here and there, but the days of the fabulous Johnny Depp Clones are a distant, though fond, memory.
Forest trotted out Mark Dalton, who recently emerged from a Texas jail after serving time for assault. Dalton looked fit and trim and ready to whip up a frenzy among fans. In fact, gossip maven and longtime GAYVN Awards judge Billy Masters sauntered up to Dalton and whispered, “Prison has done you good.” (I was surprised Dalton didn’t deck him, but Masters always has had a way with words.)
Dalton had a girlfriend with him, but nevertheless he was very accommodating to fans, signing autographs and doing a bit of erotic dancing. He seemed to enjoy himself.
The winning-est gay adult performer in history, Kurt Young, also showed up for the oldsters gathering. Young sported longer hair than I’ve ever seen on him (a bit past his shoulders) and looked like a surfer dude, but he was cute as ever.
Late in the evening Steel toasted “To absent friends” and Donovan dubbed us “the survivors.”
Quickies:
- It’s going to be fascinating to see Robert Van Damme in 3D thanks to his collaboration with Dominic Ford, who developed the 3D gay porn market. The two are co-directing Fire Island Beef and are expected to release two version of the title: 2D and 3D. A special pair of 3D glasses will ship with the 3D incarnation in order to make “things” look like they’re up-close and personal.
- Raging Stallion put a flourish on Folsom Street Fair by naming Austin Wilde and David Taylor co-winners of the 2010 Raging Stallion Man of the Year title. Both are awesome in person. Taylor is a blond hunk, and Wilde is a super-masculine powerhouse. They join past Man of the Year winners Steve Cruz, Jake Deckard, Roman Ragazzi, Shane Rollins, Ricky Sinz, Michael Brandon and others.
- Speaking of Brandon: He is back on his feet after emerging from rehab. Recently I was asked to sign a giant “coming out” card for the lovely guy, who is on the mend in San Francisco.
- Finally, if you have been lucky enough to get an invite to the New Jersey pool parties of porn legend Robert Prion, then you already know it’s getting a bit chilly for the pool. Instead, Prion—who uses the parties to find delicious young recruits—has begun substituting an indoor Italian pasta buffet. He said he hopes to make the indoor events a regular thing during the winter months.
Image: John Rex
