The FOCO Club, Brisbane, 1968-69 Peter
"Australia’s most evil and repugnant nightspot" Memories from those involved: The FOCO Club, Brisbane, 1968-69 Peter Gray with recollections by Frank Neilsen In the 1960s, the restless first wave of "baby-boomers" were just learning to spread their adult wings; to be able to vote, and, importantly for some, to drink in Queensland pubs. I was a 1946-model "boomer" from an average family, and had been brought up with the parental admonition to "never discuss religion, politics or money". Of course, sex should have been on the taboo list, but that particular word was never mentioned. 1 In 1964, I was privileged to start working as photographic assistant to Geoff Dauth at his Petrie Bight studio. Geoff was undoubtedly Brisbane's leading photographer, a world-class creative talent, an interesting bohemian character, and a great friend. It cannot be overstated how repressively conservative the status quo was in Brisbane during the 1960s. From many of the younger generation's point of view, Brisbane was a mind-numbing, cultural desert. Yet, despite everything, oases began to appear. At a time when the drinking age was twenty-one, there were very few places in Brisbane where young people could 'hang out'. I fell into the habit of frequenting the hippest place in Brisbane, the Primitif Café, located in the basement of the Piccadilly Arcade in Queen Street. It was run by Geoff's friend, a glamorous woman named Peter Cox. The Primitif had interesting music, served great food, and Peter's Swiss husband, Kurt, knew how to make a perfect coffee.
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