Over a lifetime a special time may pass you by. Sometimes you don’t realise how good it was (until it’s gone). But on those days reflecting back you remember by talking about it. Was it your wedding, divorce, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th love? Stealing that 1st car, your 1st child, your school days, winning lotto or just having lots of sex, sometimes with girls?

But mine was the following…A little bar hide out in Challis Avenue, Potts Point. A place that was set up by 2 not fit and proper persons and a debarred solicitor. But most of you would have only meet Grant Hilton (not Paris’ dad) and Grants little brother, Marty Clapp, that’s me. From Mangoroa Valley NZ to Bathurst to Kings Cross. I met Grants partner Julian and the next thing I am heading down to Kings Cross to work in a place called Benny’s. A late night hide out for Rock n’ Rollers, road crew, management, music executives, film and television and advertising gurus. What did I know? Rugby, cricket, slice of heaven, BBQ, darts, haka, boat races, rugby, meat pies, schooners, jugs, rugby world cup, why did I bring up that?

On my first night I was told the following. Just stand at the door, when the red lights goes on, open the door, and say these famous words “Do you intend on having dinner this evening?” It should have been “Do you intend having dinner this morning?” At 3am in Bathurst the patrons would be leaving, you folks would be just arriving – this was said only if I didn’t know them – that was everyone from Jimmy Barnes, Richard Clapton, Ian Moss, Mick Cox, Don Walker, Rob Walker (I knew Rob Walker), Mark Hunter, James Reyne and the list goes on as well as the management, road crew and studio owners etc etc even Patty Mostyn. If you didn’t play rugby I didn’t know you. But the place was about to become my home and like with you, a special part of my life.

Well here we go, Benny’s. The toilets looked like they held 500 people, well over a night they did. Maybe someone should have changed the “lines” oh no I mean words to that song…You can always find me in the kitchen at parties. Kitchen – we had one. 1 spring roll, 1 bowl of rice, 1 TV dinner, unless you had been and early Benny’s goer you may have had a real home cooked meal (roasts) by our mum…a bar that would hold 150, 350 less than the dunny. It’s one dunny I think Kenny never found. Some round tables; some dark corners but there was one more special thing, well three things, Mickey, Molly and Dominic (what a team). So it started, and as time went on I got the feel of the place, I think I was beginning to understand that place, or though I did turn away Michael Hutchins because he didn’t intend to dine, until Dominic saved the day. Later someone asked me if I would like a line, my answer was “of which song?” Now I have back catalogue.

25 years ago (very close) it had everything. But no incriminating photos, no youtube, no books and no movies. Many laughs and a lot of toilet paper. But we all have a story to tell so let’s get together again and share them and the magic times and have a drink for lost family and friends while we still can. Please forward this email this letter to anyone that you sat and drank with who you think would love to be there and would appreciate those early days of Benny’s. 1980-1988

The Benny’s Bar 2007 Reunion
Wednesday 5th December 6pm
Dolphin Hotel, Crown Street, Surry Hills
$50 Donation to the “Support Act” Organization

There will be a lucky door prize but only if the bloke gets through customs. There are still some outstanding bar tabs with interest around $47,000,000.00 so bring your cash & cards.

Marty Clapp Mob: 0412 414 418
PS: My first drink will be for the late great Steve Hands.