My name is Douglas R. MacDuff Sr.. I went by Dougie in those days, being from back East, that’s how folks refer to You.
Having just finished a hitch with the US Army and the 1st of the 3rd US Infantry “The Old Guard” in Washington D.C., I had come home to the Bay Area. During My time in D.C. I had moonlighted at an alternative club Poseur’s as their doorman. I met a fellow named Mark Bazant at a San Francisco establishment called Night Break, His motorcycle wouldn’t start and I fixed it on the spot. Having done so We began conversing, I had recognized Him as a doorman from the Club 181 (called so because of its location at 181 Eddy St.) Mark asked Me what I was doing work and I found Myself working the door at Club Nine the following weekend.
As Mark Renee has said the place was a mecca for artists. Chris Issac was the house band for some months. Club Nine was always packed , I had to turn away many customers because of fire regulations. There was always a line and the front door was quite a scene. I had a blast there, many famous folks passed through those doors. The place was truly a marvel to behold. Many celebrities graced Club Nine ie. Nicholas Cage and Mickey Rourke to mention just a few. These guys later hung out at DNA Lounge. In the summer in 1987 a shooting took place at Our front door.
I have since been able to talk with Mark Rennie and explain to Him the occurrences of that night.
It happened like this, at around 1030 PM three(3) men who were a father, a son, and a son’s friend. had come to the front door and were a group of pretty rough and tumble characters. They were actual working cowboys out of Stockton CA, the hometown of Chris Issac. They were searching out a Country and Western bar and there were no such bars in the City.
I allowed them in and within a short time, Craig Shapiro, Greg Elliot and Tommy Vision had escorted them out. There was a scuffle outside and We told them that they were out for the evening. Tommy remained outside with Me.
Some ten (10) minutes later I saw the same three(3) men coming back , I saw one held a pistol inside a paper bag. I told Courtney, Our cashier to let people in and to call 911, We had a shooter coming. She ushered those folks in and called 911. That cashier was in fact was Courtney Love of Nirvana and Hole fame. Tommy Vision and I pushed all the patrons into the club in for their safety. As the last person was in the club the door shut and Tommy and I were stuck in the alcove. The gunman drew His weapon and fired, one hithit Tommy right under His jawline on the left side. A bartender, Brian Conley opened the door. Tommy and I made it inside.
I went to work on Tommy. Courtney again called 911 and urged them to get to Our address. Tommy was having trouble breathing so I performed a Heinrich on Him. I cleared His airway manually.
Once I had Tommy’s airway cleared and He began to speak I knew He was going to make it. I clearly remember Him looking Me in the eyes and asking Me to call His sister. We did so. Brian was bringing Me damp warm bar towels to contain the bleeding. It worked. The ambulance was there within three(3) minutes. Thanks to good work by Courtney and Brian My friend Tommy Vision survived.
That night was some 37 years ago and just recently talked to Mark Renee and explained to Him how things unfolded that night. Since then My friend and roommate Brian Conley has passed. Tommy Vision moved to Chicago and is now a working artist. Courtney Love is a rockstar.
I served in combat with US Marines and the US Army in Iraq.
Club Nine seems a very far away place and time.
I went back to work that night somehow knowing it would be one of the last nights for Club Nine and of an Era.
I can be reached on FB if You’d like to discuss that night or anything else for that matter.
I thank everyone for taking the time to read this.
I Loved Club 9 - working there was exciting - The night I got shot I was trying to prevent a couple drunks from assaulting some of the other door staff I was trying to break it up never trying to hurt anyone just trying to keep my fellow employees from being hurt - I wasn’t trying to play hero and I resent the implication- I was doing what I was paid to do and I never even saw the guy shoot me - and to set the record straight it wasn’t a 22 caliber I didn’t get Shot in the face I didn’t chase the guy down - It was the 38 Hollow point that hit me in the Side of my jaw under my left ear - Thanks to all of you that helped me then And through my recovery ! and thank you Mark Rennie and Joel Selvin !! TV-TOMMYVISION 👍
Hey TommyVision thanks for checking in. Apologies if any confusion, those were Mark's memories from 1987, thanks for correcting the record, as it were. Cheers!
Hello Mark, I figured I’d lay comment on the occurrences of the evening of the shooting. I’m hoping Tommy sees it and He will know We’ve got it sussed out. Thanks Brother and Much Love, Doug.
Hello Mark, Hello Tommy, Hello Courtney,
Hello to anybody who decides to read this,
My name is Douglas R. MacDuff Sr.. I went by Dougie in those days, being from back East, that’s how folks refer to You.
Having just finished a hitch with the US Army and the 1st of the 3rd US Infantry “The Old Guard” in Washington D.C., I had come home to the Bay Area. During My time in D.C. I had moonlighted at an alternative club Poseur’s as their doorman. I met a fellow named Mark Bazant at a San Francisco establishment called Night Break, His motorcycle wouldn’t start and I fixed it on the spot. Having done so We began conversing, I had recognized Him as a doorman from the Club 181 (called so because of its location at 181 Eddy St.) Mark asked Me what I was doing work and I found Myself working the door at Club Nine the following weekend.
As Mark Renee has said the place was a mecca for artists. Chris Issac was the house band for some months. Club Nine was always packed , I had to turn away many customers because of fire regulations. There was always a line and the front door was quite a scene. I had a blast there, many famous folks passed through those doors. The place was truly a marvel to behold. Many celebrities graced Club Nine ie. Nicholas Cage and Mickey Rourke to mention just a few. These guys later hung out at DNA Lounge. In the summer in 1987 a shooting took place at Our front door.
I have since been able to talk with Mark Rennie and explain to Him the occurrences of that night.
It happened like this, at around 1030 PM three(3) men who were a father, a son, and a son’s friend. had come to the front door and were a group of pretty rough and tumble characters. They were actual working cowboys out of Stockton CA, the hometown of Chris Issac. They were searching out a Country and Western bar and there were no such bars in the City.
I allowed them in and within a short time, Craig Shapiro, Greg Elliot and Tommy Vision had escorted them out. There was a scuffle outside and We told them that they were out for the evening. Tommy remained outside with Me.
Some ten (10) minutes later I saw the same three(3) men coming back , I saw one held a pistol inside a paper bag. I told Courtney, Our cashier to let people in and to call 911, We had a shooter coming. She ushered those folks in and called 911. That cashier was in fact was Courtney Love of Nirvana and Hole fame. Tommy Vision and I pushed all the patrons into the club in for their safety. As the last person was in the club the door shut and Tommy and I were stuck in the alcove. The gunman drew His weapon and fired, one hithit Tommy right under His jawline on the left side. A bartender, Brian Conley opened the door. Tommy and I made it inside.
I went to work on Tommy. Courtney again called 911 and urged them to get to Our address. Tommy was having trouble breathing so I performed a Heinrich on Him. I cleared His airway manually.
Once I had Tommy’s airway cleared and He began to speak I knew He was going to make it. I clearly remember Him looking Me in the eyes and asking Me to call His sister. We did so. Brian was bringing Me damp warm bar towels to contain the bleeding. It worked. The ambulance was there within three(3) minutes. Thanks to good work by Courtney and Brian My friend Tommy Vision survived.
That night was some 37 years ago and just recently talked to Mark Renee and explained to Him how things unfolded that night. Since then My friend and roommate Brian Conley has passed. Tommy Vision moved to Chicago and is now a working artist. Courtney Love is a rockstar.
I served in combat with US Marines and the US Army in Iraq.
Club Nine seems a very far away place and time.
I went back to work that night somehow knowing it would be one of the last nights for Club Nine and of an Era.
I can be reached on FB if You’d like to discuss that night or anything else for that matter.
I thank everyone for taking the time to read this.
Thanks Douglas R. MacDuff Sr.
I Loved Club 9 - working there was exciting - The night I got shot I was trying to prevent a couple drunks from assaulting some of the other door staff I was trying to break it up never trying to hurt anyone just trying to keep my fellow employees from being hurt - I wasn’t trying to play hero and I resent the implication- I was doing what I was paid to do and I never even saw the guy shoot me - and to set the record straight it wasn’t a 22 caliber I didn’t get Shot in the face I didn’t chase the guy down - It was the 38 Hollow point that hit me in the Side of my jaw under my left ear - Thanks to all of you that helped me then And through my recovery ! and thank you Mark Rennie and Joel Selvin !! TV-TOMMYVISION 👍
Hey TommyVision thanks for checking in. Apologies if any confusion, those were Mark's memories from 1987, thanks for correcting the record, as it were. Cheers!
Hello Mark, I figured I’d lay comment on the occurrences of the evening of the shooting. I’m hoping Tommy sees it and He will know We’ve got it sussed out. Thanks Brother and Much Love, Doug.