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Billie Anderson

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Aunt Lizzie

Billie's aunt, who turned him out and "hepped" him to what was happening. Both she and Billie eventually worked out of Lulu White's house.

Bobby Hutton

17 year old Black Panther leader, was shot dead by the Oakland Police the night of April, 6, 1968.

Bunny-Bun

A fixture at the Heartbreak, slept on the couch behind the pool table. The morning of the robbery, Rock told her that he had important business all day, and she was not to let anyone in till he returned that evening. She promptly went out the side door, hoping to get a beer across the street before he noticed, only to be met by a man with a pistol.

Heartbreak Hotel

Rock's flagship. The scene of many important and amusing episodes in his long career, not the least of which is, the robbery that lead to his death.

His Grace, King Louis H. Narcisse

Raised in New Orleans, wearing cardboard in his shoes, he swore that one day he would never let his feet touch the ground. When his church "took off" the mid 60's he wore sable slippers, and had a red carpet rolled out before him.

His church at the corner of 14th and Peralta in West Oakland paints their sidewalk red in lieu of a carpet.

Huey P. Newton, Ph.D.

The charismatic leader of the Black Panther Party, and "the biggest thing on San Pablo Avenue".

The breadth and scope of the Black Panther Party activities from their elementary school breakfast programs, published writings, to orchestrated acts of civil disobedience, extends well beyond this project, Oakland, and "the 60's."

Lamar

Born in New Orleans, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, US Navy. He was one of the many soldiers to pass through the Oakland Army Base, where he met Rock and Billie. Upon his discharge he settled in Oakland.


Lulu White

The biggest thing on Basin street, New Orleans. Billie Anderson's mentor. While her reign far exceeded Billie and Rock's, she was fortunate enough to have her business declared legal for the first decade of her career.


Rock

Came out to San Francisco in 1942 with his mother, where he worked in the shipyards, married, befriended Louis H. Narcisse, and earned his moniker, "Miss Devil Rock". Eventually he would meet Billie Anderson, with whom he would build a racketeering empire.

Rock seemed larger than life to those around him, but after 22 years on San Pablo Avenue, he felt he could no longer live up to the name, "'ole big time Rocky", and he let a street hustler named Sammy take everything he had.

Sammy

"The baby's father". The moniker was a playful stab at the man, who was both punk and Judas to Rock.

Arthur Robeson

Coward. One of many straight men whom Rock could break in, again and again, for their fix money.

Stredia

Rock's mother, who gave birth to Rock's brother, Willie Earl at a gambling table. Rock inherited both her skill at poker and shoe size.

Willie Earl

Rock's half brother. Came up out of West Oakland at 17 to become a successful narcotics dealer. He was penniless when he died in prison from a heart attack at the age of 40.

Bob Wells

Billie's jocker in Vacaville Medical Facility from 1972-4.

Wells spent most of his life in prison, coming into the public eye in the early 1950's, when he was sentenced to death for attacking a guard in Folsom Prison. Walter Winchell took up his cause and lobbied along with several attorneys, Charles Garry included, to win Wells a
stay of execution.

His book, "My Name Is Wesley Robert Wells" was published by the Civil Rights Congress in 1951 to gain public support for his case.