" Here’s a cute one. Prior to Ambrosia’s first record contract with 20th Century, Joe Puerta ( Ambrosia’s
Bassist) and I were on tour with the infamous Chi Coltrane (Thunder and Lighting). One of the dates was
to be a simulated live performance on video to be taped at the Roxy. Well, they had their live audience
extras along with everything else and we began taping a simulated live performance which was lip sinked
to one of the album cuts. Joe was not aware that the multitude of takes we took would each deliver a
piece or two to the final master edit, in other words, you were not supposed to tell that this was a
spliced piece. So, Joe went into the dressing room and changed his clothes before each take. I was the
only one who noticed him doing this and I saw an excellent opportunity for a passive practical joke,
so I kept my mouth shut (something far from my nature ). When the tape was finally shown on national
television, I happened to be at Chi’s house (I think I went there to talk about God of course). I said
"Oh my God Chi. Look. Every time the camera goes to Joe, He’s wearing something different." Needless
to say Chi had one of her PMS Cardiac Arrests. I guess the joke ended up being played on her, because
when I told Joe about it, he about died laughing."
-Larry Kinman
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"I had planned this afternoon to ride to Geneva to the flea market in order to try to find the Chi's
single (Schimanski theme)... but the weather being unfriendly for a biker, I went to a friend of mine
and (exhaustively) searched information about Chi on the Net as I used to do..... "
"As I worked
in Dunkirk, I managed to go to her ...86 May 13th Alter Wartesaal concert in Koeln (where I often go
and pray about her) and give her a short message on a postcard. On the 27th of the same month I drove
to Utrecht, late at night, to wait for her at the end of her over- booked concert but fearing for the
security of my van in a back- street, I could not wait any time longer to get in touch with her and
I drove back home. On the 31st, I went to Saarbrucken, to her University Audimax concert where she explained
that her BMW car had been stolen (with all her valuables) during the night ... on the 27th, in Utrecht.
I (rather badly) recorded a part of her own words on a 2 x 45 audio K7 during her performance in SB
Univ.Auditorium. Her "message Tour " had started on the 26th of April in Berlin (Chernobyl disaster)
and ended on the 1st of June in Munchen."
-Gérard Colombat
(editor's note: she was an hour
late for the concert)
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Chi is allergic to cigarette smoke and had therefore called off one of her concerts.
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Chi reported in an interview that, before a concert in New York, Leonard Bernstein appeared at her dressing
room, saying that he didn't know her very well but was just curious. After the concert was done, he bounced
into her dressing room and lifted her up off her feet!
Henry Mancini was an even bigger fan
of hers.
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My dad was a LA cop in Hollywood at the time and met Chi when responding to a call to her home. Apparently,
a pscho-fan was stalking her from Europe and it really scared her. She and my dad became friends and
my mom and I got to know her too. My parents divorced soon after that in 1978 and I lost track of Chi.
I have always wanted to see her again because she and her music have left a deep impression on me.
We had barbeque dinners together on her patio, listened to her play in her living room and drove her
to the airport a few times to get her out to Europe for a concert tour! (I was in charge of holding her
heavy fur coat as we ran down the long concourses of LAX!)
Dana Kartchner, Boise, ID
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Thanks again, your informative bio answers many questions. For what it's worth I met CC in Chicago in
the early 70s, either 72 or 73. It was in Hugh Hefner's house (of all places). She came with a Playboy
writer, Craig Vetter, who sometimes reviewed records for the magazine and may have been reviewing her
first album. Hefner's mansion was better known for its wild parties but this occasion was not a party,
in fact it may have been during the day and there were only a few people resent. There was a big black
Steinway grand in the Ballroom. She played briefly, we chatted, don't remember a word that was said,
don't even remember if I had heard her music before. What I do remember is that I Won't Dance was far
and away the most powerful anti-Vietnam song ever recorded, and for that alone she has all my respect
and admiration. Wonder if Nixon ever heard it? One more thing. Some years later I asked Craig Vetter
if he was still in touch with her and he said that she'd suffered some crippling affliction to her hands
and could no longer play. It was not until a couple of days ago that I went to the Internet and found
that she was still performing. Can you throw any light on this problem with her hands? Or was it just
a rumor?
Repo Man 6/2000.
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