CBA Member Profile

"Hock"

By Rose Allen

The man is known simply as "Hock" - and known by a great many people in this town. I was curious about the origin of his name. Seems it was a nickname earned as a result of helping out an uncle who owned pawn shops. This was in New York City. the South Bronx to be exact, where he was born.

Hock is well recognized because of his volunteering on stage at so many musical events in this town. He first started out working stages in New York a bit and then California. Having lived in San Francisco and his involvement in the Haight Ashbury District music scene, I am certain Hock has a fine collection of stories as a result of his time there. I have heard brief sound bites from them: he knows a lot of musicians.

As the longest running crew member for the Waterfront Blues Festival, he has worked every one except the first, held in 1987. Hock helps out by making sure the crew is taken care of, the coolers are filled, drinks are on stage, etc. He sees what needs to be done and does it; the "behind the scenes stuff" as he describes it. He still moves some equipment, but due to recent health problems, he currently has certain physical limitations. It seems that the show would have a tough time going on without him. He describes himself as "chief cook and bottle washer" and a "floater."

Having "hung out" on the West Coast since the '60s with regular trips to New York, Hock had visited Oregon to check out the Oregon Country Fair and specific concerts. He moved to Portland in 1988. After visiting friends who had moved into the area, he decided to join them. "San Francisco was getting too expensive and burnt out; people were leaving." Hock has resided in an in-town neighborhood for a number of years and enjoys the convenience of getting around from that location. He states that he has "survived the music scene without conforming to the bullshit."

This self-proclaimed "old hippie" has been involved in the music scene "forever." Musical highlights over his 40+ years of involvement in the industry have been: "Woodstock, of course, concerts at Watkins Glen and the Fillmore." He boasts having attended hundreds of Grateful Dead concerts and has enjoyed all of the old San Francisco groups.

He is also a huge sports fan, supporting teams from his hometown cities of New York and San Francisco. Of course his favorite all time team is the New York Yankees. Another one of his passions is food; although you wouldn't know it from his slim physique, he claims to be able to "out eat everybody." Hock proudly displays his well-earned, framed VIP Certificate, along with some truly amazing posters. In his spare time, he also volunteers for different non-profit organizations.

Hock states: "Music soothes the savage beast - without music, imagine what this world would be like? It even tames wild animals. Music can mellow you out or create more chaos."

He is glad to be in Portland because there are so many great local groups, especially Blues. He feels that the Blues scene here matches the Blues scene anywhere. "It's great to have more than one choice when you want to go out and listen to music," even though his health problems limit that to a certain degree. And, he has certainly had his share of physical challenges lately: this is one tough guy. We wish him the best and are grateful to have him here.