| Author | Message | ||
     Gentleman_jon |
Otis Chandler, a truly extraordinary man, and great motorcycle enthusiast and collector has died at age 78. He was a man of many great accomplishments, and he will be greatly missed. A very complete obituary is in todays LA Times, a newspaper he single handedly transformed from a provincial paper to a national voice and business success. I am sure many of us have visited his museum or seen his restored classic motorcycles at various important shows. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-otislong28feb28,0,6773592,full.stor y?coll=la-home-headlines | ||
| Stevasaurus |
I'm fortunate enough to live just a few miles from his museum in Oxnard. One Saturday morning a few years ago they were having a motorcycle show in front, the museum was open to the public, and Bubba Blackwell performed outside later that day. I identified Mr. Chandler who was speaking with someone from Speedvision (it was still Speedvision back then) and got closer. He was giving the guy a tour of the mezzanine where some of his motorcycles are kept. I tagged along within earshot and listened to a lot of history. The guy definitely knew his stuff! It was a great experience. I took a picture of the two of them before I went back to find my friends. If I can find it, I'll post again. I was very saddened to hear of his passing as well. Men like him are few and far inbetween. (Message edited by stevasaurus on February 28, 2006) |
