but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me.” – Al Capone
Today I learned...
I had read in many publications a books that Al Capone abused cocaine regularly… So much so he had a whole in his septum. Now I know a lot of people, that have done a lot of cocaine.., and none of them have a hole in their nose from it. So Capone, must have been a hard core user...
Back in 1999 I was living in Los Angeles.., and whenever the cast from "The Sopranos" (HBO Series) would come out for the Emmys or something like that -- I would get a phone call from one of the original gang members on the show.., Big Pussy (Vincent Pastore) asking if I wanted to hang-out with them at the hotel (The Peninsula).., and could I get some weed…
Needless to say.., of course I wanted to hang out with them -- and yes I can get you, not only some weed -- but probably the best weed in LA. Everyone I knew in LA smoked weed -- I even got high with my dentist after a cleaning one day because he smelled it on me asked if I could smoke him out…
When I got to the hotel they left word with the concierge to escort me put up the roof, where there is a nice restaurant and a really nice pool with cabanas etc., etc… In the restaurant were the creators of the show (David Chase), some producers, agents… But out by the pool -- it might as well have been a scene directly out of their hit show -- a bunch of fat Italian guys in swimming trunks wearing Peninsula bath robes (freakin' hilarious). Oh yeah, and a bunch of chicks in bikinis with really big hair…
When Big Pussy saw me.., he grabbed a few other guys, some actors and we went down a hotel room.., where there were a few other guys… Two of them were real mobsters -- Jerry Green Eyes and the other guy I can't remember his name.., but he had just gotten out of jail and was still on probation (the real deal). After some polite introductions, I whipped a few perfectly rolled joints of california's finest and handed one to Jerry Green Eyes, who immediately said -- "I knew I was going to like this kid, he's got a good look."
After 2 or 3 hits, these guys were plowed… It was like a cartoon, where you see Bugs Bunny whack Elmer Fudd on the head with a giant mallet and a bunch of tweety birds start flying around his head. They were definitely not accustomed to such good (potent) weed -- but they loved it! They ordered up some charcuterie plates, some wine and beer -- and we all got F-U-C-K-ED UP…
And that's when one of the LA actors mentioned Al Capone (I thought they were gonna whack him right there)… But they all laughed.., and said all mobsters do drugs --
Al Capone was a big coke-head.
We lit up another joint and Jerry Green Eyes told us a famous story (laughing his ass off).., of how one of Al Capone's soldiers sneezed on about $1000 worth of coke and blew it all over some prostitutes face… He thought for sure he was a dead man -- but it was so funny Al Capone couldn't stop laughing long enough to whack 'em. It was the only time he was supposedly was seen doing coke in front of his soldiers…
I still wasn't sure if the whole story was bullshit…
Today I learned -- for sure...
Until, I got a call from Big Pussy this morning… He was a few blocks from my apartment and wanted to come by and hang-out… He had a rough draft of a play he was writing about -- wait for it… Al Capone.., and wanted me to read it. And lo and behold.., the story of the coke and the prostitute was in it… I asked him if it was really true.., and he said -- if Jerry Green Eyes says it's true -- IT'S TRUE!
disclaimer 1: If there are any law enforcement trolling steemit… This is complete fiction (wink, wink..).
disclaimer 2: Im not a mobster or anything like that… I just grew up in a shady part of town surrounded by these guys. Just to be clear!
Image Source: 1 2
WOW! I am intrigued with mob history and just concluded season 2 of Boardwalk Empire. This certainly gives me a different perspective of Al Capone!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That series is amazing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I used to serve Steve Buscemi Makers Mark neat at a bar in LA -- very cool guy!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
OMG after I read that he's a volunteer firefighter, he's totally repp'd with me. Meeting Mr. Pink would be amazing!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
He was -- in Brooklyn
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
What a story!
I should reread your blog, seems like I missed a lot :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks @richman... You should check out my intro post, for a wild story -- with not such a happy ending, though...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I will definitely check it out!
Cheers :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That is one crazy story! Thanks for sharing :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The whole day freaked me out :))
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
WOW I had no idea.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
And he died of syphilis.., with the mind of a 12 year old!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
What a fascinating story! I had no idea drugs were so prevalent at that level of the mob. The movies always portray that level of mobster from that era as anti-drug but films oftentimes run counter to reality. That would have really been something to hang out with those guys, @macksby. Those kinds of memories can't be bought. I feel such an affinity to the 1920's. Have you ever heard Fats Wallers song Viper? It was supposedly one of Capone's favorites, all about weed. : )
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I haven't heard it -- I'll check it out. Weed, huh?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, the song is hilarious. Have you heard any of Fats Waller's stuff? The guy was a musical genius, a relentless partier. He would blow through money faster than he could make it. Rumor has it when he needed money he would go to the studio and compose/write songs on the spot until he made enough to live another few months. Here's a link -
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Nice car!!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I've heard of him -- but I have to check out his music!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I can see them all, Macksby. I LOVED the Sopranos. I always wondered how they got such mob-looking guys. Especially Pussy. He met a bad end. I think it's time to rewatch that show. You have the best stories!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Whenever I hang with Pussy.., it gets very interesting :))
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Jesus. I believe it.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
He's like 70 years old now!!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
No good fishing trips lately?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Im pretty sure Vinny avoids anything that has to do with the water, these days :))
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Makes sense. Organized crime and illegal drugs have always gone together.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Too much money to be made.., to ignore it!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit