then came
BRONSON
story Ed Hinchey / photos JimBronson. com and Tammy Hinchey
Not unlike many others of my generation, I began riding motorcycles after catching the pilot episode of Then Came Bronson starring Michael Parks. The TV Series ran from the fall of 1969 through 1970. This one season TV series changed lives, at least it did mine. In the series, Michael parks plays a newspaperman who becomes disillusioned with the system and takes off on a motorcycle to see what’ s out there. In the pilot, he talks to his mentor‘ Papa Bear’, played by Akim Tamiroff, and discloses why he is out there and what he’ s looking for. This discussion drove it home for me- Bronson says as he explains his visit and the beginning of his travels,“ I don’ t want to conquer the world. I don’ t want to save it. I just want see my part of it clear, you know?” It was Michael Park’ s delivery and scope that carried the series. He stayed true to his beliefs and continued searching.
Michael Parks passed away last month at 77. It was a blow that hit me harder than I anticipated. So many of my early trips by bike were solo runs around the country. I had his voice in my head as I traveled with his versions of“ Long Lonesome Highway” and“ Wayfaring Stranger”( the a cappella version with Bonnie Bedelia from the pilot) running in a loop. Often, I’ d chance across a great out of the way venue where I’ d meet the nicest folks who would treat me like family. Every time that happened, as I headed back to my bike, the Bronsonesque feel of the event always made me smile. I’ ll admit I looked around a few times so those moments would be driven into my memory, promising myself I wouldn’ t forget that this was what it was all about and giving a silent salute to Bronson..… wherever the road had taken him.
Every now and then a bike mag would run a teaser about Then Came Bronson making a comeback. Obviously, that never happened. But a few simple Google searches shows I was not the only one who loved the show. Head on over to www. jimbronson. com and you’ ll find some dedicated fans. This crew builds replica bikes and plans get togethers to celebrate the show and the lifestyle. I reached out to one of the founders, Billy, who got me in touch with one of the members, Greg Patnik, who lives just south of Pittsburgh. I called him and he invited me over to grab some photos and talk Michael Parks and Then Came Bronson. It turns out I’ d seen the bike before as it was the very one showcased at the AMA Museum Moto Stars exhibit a couple years ago. I was amazed at how closely Greg’ s bike resembled the original. Talking with Greg, it was obvious how much attention he’ d paid to getting all the details right. The folks in the group all work together to get the builds correct. Many have been in touch with the studio people involved and with production to get all the details possible. Greg’ s version is a 1969 Harley-Davidson XLH, the same as Michael Parks rode in the show. The group is planning a get together in Marine Illinois where the public is welcome to join them on Sunday July 2 of this year. They have reserved the local movie theater for a special showing of the Pilot Movie and the episode
“ The Old Motorcycle Fiasco” followed by a tour of the area on their bikes. Just like the series, this group likes to get out and ride. They often plan trips around locations where Then Came Bronson was filmed. What kind of TV series, which lasted only one season, has that kind of impact? I’ d dare say it was the perfect combination of materiel that speaks to the soul- the motorcycle lifestyle- and the delivery of that material by an actor that Kevin Smith describes with these words:“ Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I’ ve ever known.” continued
22 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana / Mississippi | November 2017 | www. thunderroadslams. com