I had very similar and pleasant experiences with Deke - he was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic and fair if tough, and would let me pore over his stock for hours on end in his smoke-filled back office. Cash was tight for me so we often traded and had a great time doing so. I can't remember the reason, but once Deke was over on my side of the hill and took me by the mansion he once owned in the toney neighborhood off Hilgard across the street from UCLA. I got the feeling his music industry fortunes had waned, causing him to downsize to the modest residence in Valley Village, but if so, Deke never complained. As Lionel Atwill once put it, "He was a dear friend. He will be mourned." A Dios, Deke, Ron From: Rix Posterz <rixpost...@aol.com> To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 6:15 AM Subject: Re: [MOPO] Deke Richards
In the late 80's and early 90's before Deke had moved to Washington, I used to go up to his house in The Valley here in the L.A. area and sell him posters I'd acquired. Had a lot of conversations with him not only about posters, but about his years in the music business as well. He was the last surviving member of The Corporation, a group of 4 or 5 Motown songwriters who wrote many of the Jackson 5's biggest hits along with "Love Child" for Diana Ross and many more. Later on, he became "The Cryptkeeper". He was a really nice guy underneath his curmudgeonly exterior. Many times back then, my son---who was 7 or 8 at the time--would go with me up to his house. Through the years, whenever I spoke with Deke, he'd always ask how my son Jack was doing. Just last year...I think in August...I bought a lot of posters from him. At the time, I knew he was sick, but not to what degree. His nephew, Scott, was helping him with his poster business. Will definitely miss him. Deke was an original...truly one of a kind. Rick Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at http://www.filmfan.com/ ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
