TROPICANA FANS PICTURES & MEMORIES!!
This page will serve as a repository for all pictures and memorabilia Trop Fans want to
make public. Pictures, newspaper clips, etc. All material will be welcomed!
Our friend Bill King, who's currently working on a book about Mud Wrestling and have been
gathering information about Tropicana and the Girls, sent us the following picture and article clips
that appeared on Mayfair magazine back in 1982. He had Quisha, one of the most gorgeous dancers at Trop ever,
write the name of each girl in this picture. She correctly identified them all but two. What's the name of
those two girls Quisha missed? Hmm, let's see if you guys remember! Bill has been actively traveling to
Los Angeles to interview as many Tropicana Girls as possible. He wants to get the best
recollection of those days from the girls that made it all happen. We encourage all Trop Girls to
get in touch with Bill at clueso07@yahoo.com. Write Mud wrestling on the subject line.
It would be nice also, to get memories from those who were an important part of the Show, such as
the MCs and the Referees, who worked closely with the girls and shared their nightly routine year
after year.
For the journalist is his first time at Tropicana and he's very intrigued about the Show. He's able to
gives a a very discriptive recollection of this new kind of entertainment that is becoming a sensation
in America.
In the beginning, the Show at Tropicana was held on the Second floor. The First floor was a Disco,
but gradually Mud and Oil Wrestling gained popularity and most guys went straight up after paying
admission, so it was just a matter of time for the Show to take over the whole place and become the main attraction.
So far on this journey back in time, to remember Trop, no mention to Management has been done.
In all fairness, Paul Piccard and Staff were a key an vital element to keep Trop working
24/7 as smooth and professionally as possible. Any Business Grad could have taken an
enlightening lesson from Paul on how to run, and successfully, such a vibrant and dynamic business.
Trop action in full swing captured in these pictures!!
Here it is Guys! Just close your eyes, listen to the blasting music and recreate what
Trop was like, especially those that never set foot in the Club! Here is what the article
reads.."Take two strong, attractive girls, a pool of mud, and a referee and you have the
recipe for the latest spectator sport to hit the USA. There's no dirty wrestling - the
gorgeous grapplers fight clean! By day, Christine Pellechi is a legal secretary in
Beverly Hills. But at night, she becomes Leona, the Male Tamer - strong, sexy and wild.
For Leona is a mud wrestler, and every week up to 800 eager spectators gather at the
Hollywood Tropicana to watch her and other bikini-clad beauties fight in the mud."
Clockwise from top, Leona the Male Tamer, parades before her bout, two shots of Leona
and her opponent, California Angel, splashing out in the mud as Leona gets the upper
hand.
Mud Wrestling at its best!!
Although the fights were supposed to be fun, girls got really heated up and grabbed
each other from all angles producing some spectacular contorsions as you can see in this
picture! The journalist wrote..." Mud Wrestling is a flash, brash combination of sex and
showbiz with enough humour to interest more than just slapstick devotees. At the Tropicana
they have four bouts with different girls wrestling in each one. The bout starts with the MC
Big Al, introducing one of the girls who comes on in some sort of custome to match her stage
name, the Red Snapper, the Norwegian Knockout, Cactus Kelly and so on. Each girl has her own
theme music and when she comes out she performs a dance before stripping to her wrestling
custome." Cactus Kelly! What a fantastic name! Like you want this girl to seat on you, right?
Outch!!
And the winner takes it all!!
This is the final picture and the journalist, wrote the following, ..."In her bikini the
girl kisses members of the audience for tips. Then her adversary comes out and the process
is repeated. At the start of the fight, the two opponents kneel in the mud facing each
other. The bout itself lasts for three rounds of 90 seconds each and the girls have to try
to pin each other. At the end of the bout the audience decide who has won by the volume of
their applause, and two willing volunteers wash down the wrestlers with buckets of water.
The wrestlers are paid $ 50 by the Club and can make up to $ 80 in tips.
During the evening's show there is one special bout - the auction. The MC will start talking
about one particular girl and give her a big bild up. The the bidding starts, the highest
bidder having the privilege of wrestling the girl himself. Bidding can go up to $ 100 and
the girl keeps the money herself. The lucky winner of the action changes into swimming
trunks and goes three rounds with the girl."
Patrons Johnny and Kenny paying up Referee Carlos to get in the mud with beautiful Leslie, circa 1987!!
Do you guys remember Leslie? Well, She sent us this picture a few weeks ago and we're happy
to make it available to all Trop Fans. Here she is! She worked at Trop since the early days
and had a huge follow up. Being tall, pretty and classy she was one of the favorite
girls to wrestle or get a kiss from. She personified the image of the Tropicana Girl with
her looks and style and a very professional attitude. Johnny (smoking) sent us this pic dating
back to 1987. Him, Kenny and friends won the bidding for $300 and they're in the process of
giving the money to Referee Carlos.
"Uncle Jimmy" sent us the following pictures from Miami, Fl!!
Famous Trop regular back in the 80s, "Uncle Jimmy", currently living in Miami, Fl sent us these two pictures.
He doesn't say how he got them, but we can't thank him enough for these images! Feast your
eyes guys! Here's another couple of shots during a photo session, most likely right before opening.
The photographer, that I know for sure, was the famous Hollywood camera wizard "Larry Love", whose
lenses could capture the exuberance and beauty of the Trop Girls like no one else. "Larry Love" was
the official photographer and also in charge of producing all Tropicana merchandising and marketing material
such as Postcards, Posters, T-shirts, etc.
WOULDN'T YOU BE AN ASS KISSER TOO???
"OG" from Santa Monica, Ca sent us the following pictures. True collector's items!
Look at this guy kissing Darcey's ass (left). What a treat!! Darcey was not just pretty,
she was really nice and friendly and when approached by "OG" to take this picture she
was happy to do it. According to "OG", him and and his buddy Danny took the same picture
that night. We hope Danny will send us his to place them side by side! Darcey had a Legion
of Fans that would have lined up all the way up to Hollywood Blvd to have this picture taken!!
On the right, "OG" is in good hands too! Who is that cute blonde? Animal Analie? According
to "OG", one of the "Tanqueray & Tonic" Boys, from Sta Monica Blvd & 11th St. these
images date back to one wild Saturday night in 1989. They're a vivid document of what Tropicana
was all about: Beautiful girls, lots of fun and a good time guaranteed for all!!
"OG" and friend Charlie Sheen!!
Tropicana was a place for celebrities from all areas. It was always easy to run into
Rock Stars, Sport figures, Politicians, etc. Trop was magnet for all! Actors were not
the exception. Our friend "OG" and close friend Charlie Sheen were often at Trop. Both of them would
terrorize the Club chasing girls, mud wrestling and drinking. This unique picture was
taken on Friday December 20th, 1991. I did not want to retouch it or fix it in any way.
Father time did his damage to it, but it's living proof of what Tropicana was all about!!
The picture on the right was sent by Hazari, famous African Art Dealer in Los Angeles
and Chicago. Hazari was another Trop regular that had an appetite for blondies! He owned
a Mansion on Franklin Ave, Hollywood and also a big African Art Store on Melrose Avenue.
Tropicana Staff Making its Presence: Tony, Tropicana's Most Famous Bartender!!
I'm sure most of the regulars at Trop will instantly recognize Tony The Bartender, a
familiar face at Hollywood Tropicana for years. He sent us this picture dating back
to November, 1992.
He looks like a "Pimp" or "Padrote" in Mexican slang, surrounded by those
gorgeous Tropicana Girls! Tony established himself as one of the main Bartenders at Tropicana.
Tony worked at Tropicana for a significant number of years under Paul Piccard
and then after Paul's death, with the subsequent Management.
Tony took care of clients at the Bar and waitresses' orders with such an amazing fast pace
especially during the busiest nights.
Always with a courteous and professional attitude he listened with empathy to all those who
had a "few drinks too many" and wanted advice on politics, economics or relationships!!
We hope that Bartenders Lisa, Mary and Sam, will also send us pictures and comments about
those times at Trop. Surely they have lots of stories and anecdotes to share with us.
80s Rockers Also Sending Trop Memorabilia!!
Heavy Metal and Tropicana are two ingredients that go together as good as Tanqueray and Tonic!
We're happy to post this passes that Mike Schneider just sent us! Mike was part of the rock scene back
In Los Angeles during the 80s, performing in several bands. Of course, he paid his respects to Trop Girls
in more than one occasion. He carefully kept the passes we see on this picture. The top two tickets
are from 1987 and 1990, the bottom tickets are from 1990 and 1991
Mike had a great idea back then, collect all flyers bands were passing out to promote their shows. With
this material he's working on a very interesting project, a book that will compile those flyers and
the memories they bring back. For sure it'll be some interesting material to read. The title of the
book is "Flyers of the Sunset Strip" and the Twitter is @FoftheSS
Mike currently lives in Wisconsin and still playing and recording his music. He's a true
metal warrior from the 80s.
We thank him for his contribution!!
Hollywood Tropicana 30 Year Reunion!!
Back on 2011 some of the Tropicana Girls, MCs, Referees and Management met at the famous
"Raibow Bar & Grill" in Hollywood, California to celebrate 30 years since Tropicana was
founded. It was nice to see old friends and co-workers after Tropicana closed it doors. Is
not always easy for a group of people to keep an armonious relationship constantly and
issues do happen, but father time can cure it all!! Everyone had a good time and had a story
to tell or a funny situation to remember that made everybody laugh!
Of course Paul Piccard was remembered, and more than one tear shed, when his name was mentioned.
God bless him!
Click on this link to watch the video posted on youtube by Miss Ruby Tuesday
Keep them coming guys!!
We hope Trop fans enjoy this new page, dedicated absolutely to all of you. Like Bill, Johnny,
Jimmy in Miami, "OG" and Hazari, send us all you've got, pics, tickets, passes, etc. and we'll
be happy to post it here.
This last picture was taken at Trop, of course by "Larry Love" during a photo
session in 1989. Whatever happened to these girls? What became of them? Hopefully they will
contact us and also send us material for this page. They were the main reason for Tropicana
to succeed!!
Metal Darkness Productions