A conversation with Steve Grogan.....

The mis-spelled words were not changed to protect the guilty.  HA HA. 

This transcribed telephone conversation took place between Steve Grogan and Paul Watkins, shortly after Grogan was released on parole in 1985.

(We decided to leave the "X's" in, as that is how it was originally transcribed)

XX:  Is Steve there?

Steve’s Mom:  Who’s calling

XX:  XX

Steve’s Mom:  Who?

XX:  XX

Steve’s Mom: I’ll see.

Steve Grogan:  Is this XX?

XX:  Yes.

Steve Grogan:  So what’s happening?

XX:  I thought I’d call and see how you were doing.

Steve Grogan:   I’m ok. It’s really surprising how expensive everything is now, you know, after being in the joint 15 years.

XX:  Yeah but things are easier now.

Steve Grogan:  So what are you doing, are you doing music?

XX: I’m living in a shack in the desert in Tecopa.

Steve Grogan:  Where?

XX: Tecopa.

Steve Grogan:  Topanga?

XX:  No,  Ta Ta Tecopa.

Steve Grogan:  Are you nervous?

XX:  No.

Steve Grogan:  Hey it’s cool, that’s all over.

XX:  Well, Charlie always did have a way of knowing everything.

Steve Grogan:  Well, it’s cool now-so what are you doing, are you doing music?

XX:  Not really – I did make a little a way back and now I’m living on it. What are you doing?

Steve Grogan:  I’m doing art work – I go in everyday and do art work. You know it’s against my parole to associate with anyone in the Family.

XX:  Well, if it’s not cool, maybe I shouldn’t be talking to you.

Steve Grogan:  I’ll tell them that you called me – I didn’t call you

XX:  You sure it’s OK?

Steve Grogan:  Hey didn’t I know you when we were kids?

XX:  Well I wouldn’t call it kids.

Steve Grogan:  Hey I was 17 back then.

XX:  Yeah but that’s not really kids.

Steve Grogan:  You know if I hadn’t got put in the joint I don’t know how far I would have gone. I sure was a crazy kid. I’ve been working with kids who are just like I was, theyre right into the same thing.

XX:  Yeah, will things ever change?

Steve Grogan:  I guess there are only two girls into that Manson thing now. I guess that’s all they got goin', is to hang onto that. You doing anything with music?

XX:  Well I saw Brooks last summer in Venice playing at a club.

Steve Grogan:  What’s his music like, is it fusion?

XX:  Not fusion – it’s sort of folk and a tinge of psychadelic.

Steve Grogan:  How’s Brooks doing?

XX:  He’s playing around a little – he’s really into his music.  You know how this is costing me a bit, maybe I should call you later. When are you there?

Steve Grogan:  I’m not here much, just in and out. You say you’re in Topanga?

XX:  No, Tacopa, out in the desert.

Steve Grogan:  How’s your father?

XX:  Oh he died a few years ago.

Steve Grogan:  Oh that’s too bad, you know what I really found out, your parents are really important to you. Mine stuck with through this whole thing. Is your Mom still out in Calabases?

XX:  I haven’t kept in touch with her for years. After my dad died she became reclucive.

Steve Grogan:  You should go see her, go find her, it’s important.

XX:  Maybe I should call you later like on the weekend, I might be able to use a friends phone.

Steve Grogan: Well OK, God bless you.

XX: Bye, bye.

Steve Grogan:  Bye