Susie and I saw Jay Leno this weekend at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and he was great. The 90-minute show felt like it passed in a heartbeat, and I guess that’s the sign of greatness. I laughed so hard my sides hurt.
I’ve seen Jay Leno in person several times at motorcycle events over the last few years, and I was surprised when writing this blog at how many photos I had. He’s a regular at the Rock Store on Sunday mornings, and it was at the Rock Store where I first saw him in person. He had arrived on his Y2K Huey-helicopter-jet-engine motorcycle before I did, and I didn’t realize he was there until I heard the characteristic whine of the Huey engine when he fired up his bike to leave. It was pretty cool.
On another occasion, good buddy Marty and I were at a Hansen Dam Britbike bike get-together. Most of the folks had already left for the classic bike run through the mountains when I saw this very classic vintage Excelsior enter the parking lot. I was focused on the bike, as I could see it was unrestored but still in very good condition.
I was snapping photos while the rider was still on the machine, with no idea who he was. When the helmet came off, though, there was Jay Leno. For a few minutes, it was just him and me. “Hi,” I said. I can be very articulate sometimes.
“Hi back,” Jay responded, and then the standup started, from a world famous comedian sitting on a nearly-80-year-old motorcycle. “It’s a ’36 Excelsior. I got a call from a 92-year-old guy in Vegas getting a divorce and he needed to raise cash,” Jay said.
“Really?” Like I said, I have a way with words. Leno just smiled and shook his head. It’s not often people can fool me, but if it’s going to happen, I guess if it’s Jay Leno it’s okay.
On another occasion, good buddy Marty and I rode to an event celebrating the life of Bud Ekins, the guy who brought Steve McQueen into the motorcycle world and went on to become one of Hollywood’s greatest stunt drivers. Jay Leno was one of the speakers at this event (it was at Warner Brothers Studios), and I was able to get another photo.
Here’s one last photo, and it’s another one at the Rock Store. When Jay Leno arrives, he’s always by himself and he’s immediately mobbed by folks wanting autographs and photos. That’s lasts for 15 minutes or so, Jay is always gracious, and then the crowd leaves to let him just poke around, looking at the bikes and making small talk like everyone else. What always impressed me was that Jay Leno is completely unpretentious. He’s just one of the guys. My good buddy Dave Walker and I had ridden to the Rock Store on our Harleys when Jay happened by, and I asked him if I could get a photo with Dave. Jay was on it in a New York minute, I probably took 20 photos, and Mr. Leno kept up a running banter the entire time.
I’ve seen Jay Leno a few other times when I didn’t grab photos, and he’s always the same nice guy, and he’s always good for a laugh. He is exactly the guy we used to see every night on the Tonight show. At the Love Run one year, he was the emcee and he asked if anyone had seen his buddy. “He’s wearing a Harley T-shirt, he has gray hair and a beard, and he’s got a pot belly…”
Jay is still out there and he’s still doing standup. And he’s still funny. If you ever get a chance to see him, take it. The guy does a great show, and it’s not an act. He’s the real deal.
I saw Jay Leno at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance some 20 years ago. He was being interviewed for a show next to one of his old steam cars. I was just a gawker, gawking and trying not to gawk.
Thanks for the memories Joe. It seems like it was just last week when you shot that photo. I keep it in a conspicuous location in my living room and regularly get comments from friends and family.
Dave! Good to hear from you, Dude! That was a good day indeed.