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In 1964, Lorey Kaye, a twenty-year-old from New Haven, CT, moved to Manhattan to start a new life in the big city. Lorey was a fresh-faced, dark-haired hippie, who attracted attention as much for her headstrong, determined, street smart attitude as for her striking good looks. She was hired as a waitress in a new nightclub that had just opened in Times Square – called Steve Paul’s ‘The Scene’.
The club was an immediate hit with gigs by the likes of BB King, Jimi Hendrix, and Sammy Davis Jr., regular visitors like Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick – and Lorey was at the heart of the action. Another group, The Lovin’ Spoonful, also played there regularly, and their lead singer, John Sebastian, took a shine to her. John and Lorey started seeing each other, and Lorey became his muse, inspiring him to compose a number of the group’s hit singles about her, such as ‘She’s A Lady’ and ‘Rain on the Roof’, even mentioning her by name in some of the lyrics.
Lorey and John Sebastian (1967)
They got hitched in 1966 – by then Lorey had started work as an insider gossip columnist at Hit Parade magazine – and now known as Lorey Sebastian, she became a popular staple in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk-rock music scene.
Lorey and John’s relationship was glamorous, high-profile, and short-lived. Lorey broke up with John in 1968 when they were in Ireland. The legend is that she fell in with a group of gypsies, and felt compelled to tune in, drop out, and join them instead. It was said that John never fully recovered from the breakup.
Lorey (right), with John Sebastian and Mama Cass (1967)
Fast forward to the mid 1970s. Lorey was back in New York, now in her mid 30s and looking for a purpose. She’d become a member of the television and film workers union, with the vague ambition of being a still photographer on movie sets. To make a little extra money, she also did work as a crew member on sex films.
It was on a Gerry Damiano movie that she met Jamie Gillis. Jamie sidled up to her, pushing her in the back, and exclaiming, “What a place to bump into a girl like you!” It was corny but it worked, and Lorey invited him back to her place.
The mutual attraction was instant and sexual – but, for Jamie, there was something more this time. For a confirmed promiscuous bachelor, Jamie confided to friends that, whisper it quietly, Lorey might actually be the one. He spent time with her, encouraged her photography ambitions, taking her to exhibitions and galleries, and was tickled that one of his favorite songs, The Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Daydream,’ had been written for her.
Not to suggest that Jamie’s relationship with New York magazine’s Insatiable Critic, Gael Greene, was over. Far from it. Even if the novelty of Jamie and Gael’s physical and emotional relationship had subsided, they were still intent on documenting their lives, in and out of bed, for a proposed joint-autobiographical book. They continued to go the city’s restaurants, cultural events, and glamorous parties, while Jamie spent his in-between time wrestling with whether he wanted an acting career, playing poker, going to the occasional audition, and making semi-regular starring appearances in adult films. In short, Jamie wanted to pursue Lorey, but not give up the affair with Gael.
This is Part 2 of the story of Jamie Gillis and Gael Greene in 1978.
Jamie
This podcast is 49 minutes long.
Listen to Part 1 of The Porn Star and the Foodie: Jamie Gillis & Gael Greene in 1978 here.
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Have to be honest – I’ve been waiting all week hoping for a follow-up to the first incredible podcast in this series.
And you’ve delivered……. and how! Another amazing slice of 1970s Jamie Gillis personal history that defies belief…
It is breathtaking that you have uncovered these tapes and curated them with such care.
Thank you so much Sandro!
The Rialto Report doesn’t disappoint. This is another spell-binding listen. Thank you.
Thanks so much Paul!
Jamie Gillis Totally Amazing Badass Hollywood Actor From The 70s 80s And Early 90s Awesome Article And Podcast Keep Up Good Work
Thanks Jeff!
Fascinating and insightful.
Don’t ever stop doing this.
We appreciate it Frnak!
Not sure how the Rialto Report can keep outgoing itself, but it does, so thank you!
Thanks for listening Zack!
We are all inherently delusional. How do you meet Jamie Gillis in the late 70s and think it’s realistic for him to be monogamous?
Wow! Another excellent podcast, although I was worn out trying to keep track of all his “intimate moments” while mooning like a love sick schoolboy.
Very touching, although I had to laugh around 20:18 when he says “I don’t know how I get into these things”!
Keep the great work-I can’t wait until the next one.
Thanks very much Steve!
I don’t really know when I figured out who Jamie Gillis was. I know I had seen Boogie Nights and started to read about that film on the internet. I remember reading that the part where Burt has a starlet in a limo looking for guys on the road to have sex with her was lifted from something Jamie would do. From there I read some small biographical pieces on the internet and of course this place. In his biography it said he was bisexual. I kind of dismissed that as untrue. After listening to this, it’s very clear that he was. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
It’s funny how these women wanted to change him. It’s like getting a dog as a pet in hopes you could teach it to be a cat. Anyone looking for monogamy probably shouldn’t date a porn star.
Interesting tapes. Jamie was certainly a weird guy and he was certainly aware of it.
Just found this. I can tell it’s gonna be good!
I love hearing Jamie’s voice. Thanks Rialto Report.
Thanks Vivi!
These recordings are even more entertaining than the first part recordings were. After I listen to this, I went back and listened to some of the other episodes about Jamie from the Rialto Report over the years. It’s quite an archive that’s been assembled about him. A fascinating and tragic person who also managed to have a lot of wonderful experiences.