'The Roar of L'Amour'

THE  L'AMOUR SECURITY

'The Rock Capital of Brooklyn' aka L'Amour had character. It wasn't just the bands and people like me; it was the whole staff (including the bouncers/security). I never seen another venue where national touring bands knew the bouncers/security by name. At L'Amour they were an important part of the vibe. They knew the bands and customers by individual name and were very welcoming ... until they were forced not to be. I want to both thank and acknowledge them for their presence and their help. - Chuck Kaye (DJ/VJ/MC/HOST/Booker/Promoter)

SOME OF THE TEAM:

• Frank Failace Sr. Co-owner and head of security. Failace was security at the legendary Copacabana (nightclub) on West 51st in Manhattan. He was instrumental in opening L'Amour in 1978 as a disco and stayed with the venue for decades. He was head security and hired all the bouncers/security and oversaw that aspect of the venue. Known for being gritty, no nonsense and fair, Failace eventually brought his two sons (Frank Jr. and Michael) into the venue with both eventually co-managing the club on "AYI Entertainment" promoted nights alongside DJ/VJ/MC/Host/Promoter Chuck Kaye.

• Big Sal Valvo. Valvo was born in Brooklyn,but resided in Staten Island for decades until he passed in 2008. Sal first came to Failace attention when he was head of security for Twisted Sister and they played the venue. Valvo worked there from 83 to 87, with some months away while touring with various acts including Twisted Sister. Known for his threatening presence, Valvo was known for being a "cooler", who would stop incidents, just being there. 

• James Gheida. A Brooklyn native who was security and promoter at the legendary 2001 Odyssey on 64th St. in Brooklyn. The Odyssey was famous for being the disco in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. Gheida brought various rock bands to the Odyssey and eventually convinced L'Amour to do the same in 1981 and was hired to do security at L'Amour. Famous for his long Indian like hair a big moustache, Gheida worked on/off at L'Amour and their various off-shoot venues for four decades. Gheida received national press when he was accused and later acquitted for the "moshing death" of a patron in 1994. 

• Big Joe Larsen. A Staten Island native and known member of "The South Beach Sickies" of South Beach, Staten Island. Larsen came to L'Amour in 1986 and was introduced to DJ/VJ/MC/Host/Promoter Chuck Kaye and when owner Frank Failace saw his size, he immediately hired him. Larsen worked steadily until 1990 and then returned when the venue re-opened a few years later with a much smaller capacity. In the mid 90's, Larsen went on the road with Warner Brothers/Roadrunner recording artist Biohazard

There were many others, too numerous to mention all, but thank you for your contribution(s)

"The success of L'Amour was a team effort but the captain of our team was Chuck Kaye"

- Frank Falaice Jr. (L'Amour manager and owners son)

"My favorite memory of Chuck was when he finally got Cheap Trick to play at L'Amour. He sat on the edge of the DJ booth with his feet dangling and swinging like a happy little boy. The security and wait staff were cracking up"

- James Gheida (L'Amour security)

Thank you, Chuck for making the best years of my life so special 

-Frank Failace Sr. (owner and head of security)

Chuck Kaye

Ah Yes Indeed

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