On December 31, 1969, the Cockettes performed their first show at the Palace Theater in San Francisco. The troupe of male and female actors would have a lasting impact on fashion and drag. Singer Sylvester and film actor Divine both appeared early in their careers with the Cockettes.
The troupe’s fame grew, particularly after a review by nationally syndicated columnist Rex Reed. He reported that during the performance he attended, “confused police officers tried to control 2,000 screaming, raging, poking, flaunting, screeching, squirming and staggering fans in front of the theater.”
“Nobody paid attention to the ‘sold out’ signs. They broke open the exit doors and 300 friends of the Cockettes stormed in free … A floating carnival of freaks in sequins, feathers, skirts, fishnet stockings, cowboy hats, bras and pies. “
Among the great unwashed, Reed also noticed the presence of celebrities and local society figures.
“Inside, 200 transvestites shouted ‘We love you, Truman’ on the balconies when Truman Capote walked in in an orange sweater.”
Mrs. Johnny Carson attended. And also guests from the wedding of Liza Minnelli’s stepmother to a multimillionaire. However, the bride fled after hearing the police might ambush the Shindig.
“Dahling, I’ve already seen The Cockettes,” she purred as she climbed back into her limo.
“The show started amid a huge onslaught of applause, screams, and footsteps. The cockettes marched onto the stage. A seething mass of tumbling bodies in elaborate squat-shop costumes that do their thing for freedom. “
Tinsel tart in a hot coma
The Reed-reviewed show, Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, featured fancy costumes, parodies, songs and dances. As a bonus – and no surprise given the name of the troops – lots of tails – often glittering or studded with rhinestones.
A later review in the New York Daily News attributed its influence on fashion to the Cockettes. It celebrated their aesthetic as “a landmark, a visual treat” that already “pervades to rock and roll”.
“Whenever you see too many sequins or a rhinestone where you didn’t expect it, a feather or some glitter, that’s the influence of the cockettes.”
(Unfortunately, blinded genitals never really stood out.)
But back in San Francisco, Rex Reed watched the original revue with delighted astonishment.
“Vetta Viper … delivered campy chatter as she reverse-stripped, naked from the waist down, hairy legs pressed into a floor-length formal [gown]. “
A subsequent production showed “a prancing Holocaust made of cigarette holders, mascara, wedgies and transparent chiffon dresses with exposed sex organs. A Vogue photographer fell from her seat. “
Meanwhile, “all kinds of non-printable sexual activity on platforms, stairs and the bare floor” took place throughout the theater.
The Cockettes celebrated what Rex Reed called “sexual role confusion,” something we now call genderf_ck.
New Years Eve
The black members of the troupe called themselves the Chocolate Cockettes. In 1970 Reggie Dunnigan, one of the Chocolates, met aspiring singer Sylvester and invited him to join in. Sylvester’s hard work and continuous rehearsal were in stark contrast to the original member’s more spontaneous ethos. However, the Cockettes allowed him to do his own solo spots.
In November 1971, 47 members of the Cockettes boarded a jet plane with full resistance and flew for a New York season.
But the highly anticipated New York appearances were a decided flop. Seduced by the free drugs and drinks, the cast devoted their free time to debauchery. New Year’s Eve was the exception, he rehearsed with his band every day.
The opening show drew greats like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Liza Minnelli, Truman Capote, Gore Vidal and Angela Lansbury. Andy Warhol also showed up, along with Holly Woodlawn and Candy Darling. But the cockettes were exhausted from partying. They also assumed spontaneity towards rehearsed set pieces. But the Big Apple audience favored the latter. The show was a disaster. The riots started early and by the end the theater was almost empty.
The reviews were devastating, with the exception of New Year’s Eve. He then distanced himself from the rest of the show.
“I apologize for this travesty I am associated with.”
The sex and nudity also proved to be a bit much in a city even more serene than liberated California.
Boring, insulting and unspeakably vulgar
Newsday clutched his pearls.
“Goldi Glitters dropped her dress to reveal the glitter-covered male genitals. Sweet Pam, one of four real girls, looks like she is nine months pregnant. She sang ‘I Want Some Sugar In My Bowl’ while a bearded man performed what is legally considered unnatural. “
That’s a lot of words to say oral sex.
Lillian Roxon, who wrote the Daily News review, took up the outrage.
“A show came to New York this week that many people found boring, offensive, and unspeakably vulgar. I want to remind all of these people who are so totally outraged of one thing. When Elvis Presley first did his deed, his pelvic movements were considered indecent and vulgar. His greasy hair and sideburns were the target of a million giggles …
“Now all is good, clean family entertainment. Elvis, God bless him, made vulgarity honorable. ”
God bless Lillian, the Nostradamus of her age. She was obviously looking into her crystal ball and foreseeing the future. In that half century, drag became so mundane that the queens of suburban bowling clubs shouted bingo.
The 2002 documentary The Cockettes is available to rent on Vimeo.
Read more: December 30th <— On this day —> January 1st
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