Early Pittsburgh Hill District Gambling Kingpins

[JCB1977]

https://pittsburgh.verylocal.com/pittsb ... ee/142814/

[sdeitche]

Cool find. Thanks for sharing

[PolackTony]

Nice info here. Was there ever an attempt by Pittsburgh LCN to take over the black numbers racket, as Chicago did with the “policy” business there? If not, did any of the black gangsters in Pittsburgh pay street tax or kick up (for protection or police/political connections) to LCN?

[Mustangsally]

Nice info here. Was there ever an attempt by Pittsburgh LCN to take over the black numbers racket, as Chicago did with the “policy” business there? If not, did any of the black gangsters in Pittsburgh pay street tax or kick up (for protection or police/political connections) to LCN?

In Youngstown Lenny Strollo worked with blacks and recruited black drug dealers to come to the casinos he ran. As far as kicking up goes for Homewood and hill district gangsters, it's a definite no.

[FriendofHenry]

Are you sure it was Lenny that recruited the black drug dealers to his All American Club in Campbell. I believe it was Bernie the Jew's idea and he recruited/invited them. It was a natural fit as a lot of their customers were the Greek bridge painters who were also customers of the blacks

[Mustangsally]

You're 100% right. Bernie had a club as well where he did the same thing but the name escapes me

[Newyorkempire]

Are you sure it was Lenny that recruited the black drug dealers to his All American Club in Campbell. I believe it was Bernie the Jew's idea and he recruited/invited them. It was a natural fit as a lot of their customers were the Greek bridge painters who were also customers of the blacks

Henry, any insight into Williams' son in law that had the reality show and owns the strip club? Was he close to Ciancutti, Genovese? Or just an outlier type of guy?

[FriendofHenry]

Bernie ran the All American Club for Lenny. He never had his own club but most thought the All American Club was his. Lenny didn't care as long as he got the lion's share of the cash. First Ernie then after Joey got clipped, Michael sent Henry to town full time to keep an eye on things, mainly Lenny.

I'm maybe the only one on these boards that does no research.If I didn't meet the guy, I never bothered to be interested in him.
Thus I have no knowledge of Williams or his son in law.

[Newyorkempire]

Bernie ran the All American Club for Lenny. He never had his own club but most thought the All American Club was his. Lenny didn't care as long as he got the lion's share of the cash. First Ernie then after Joey got clipped, Michael sent Henry to town full time to keep an eye on things, mainly Lenny.

I'm maybe the only one on these boards that does no research.If I didn't meet the guy, I never bothered to be interested in him.
Thus I have no knowledge of Williams or his son in law.

Appreciate the response

[PolackTony]

Richard Pryor had a great skit about his time working at a mob-run nightclub in Youngstown. Anyone here know where Pryor might’ve worked and what guys there he might’ve bumped into?

[FriendofHenry]

I don't know for sure, but maybe Lenny Strollo's Palace in the Pines, a titty bar just outside of Youngstown.

[The Greek]

Are you sure it was Lenny that recruited the black drug dealers to his All American Club in Campbell. I believe it was Bernie the Jew's idea and he recruited/invited them. It was a natural fit as a lot of their customers were the Greek bridge painters who were also customers of the blacks

The Greek bridge painters are singlehandedly responsible for every piece of musical equipment I bought as a teenager.. During the painting season they would come to the nightclubs in Campbell, Niles, Akron and Pittsburgh and it would rain down one dollar bills all night. Sometimes I'd walk out of there at 6 am w $200 in $1 bills covered in smashed plate dust. Some of my greatest memories...

[FriendofHenry]

You were/are a musician that played at all these different venues? Those hard workin' Greeks played as hard as they worked.
They made good money and weren't bashful about spending it. By and large, a good bunch guys

[coldshoulder]

Richard Pryor had a great skit about his time working at a mob-run nightclub in Youngstown. Anyone here know where Pryor might’ve worked and what guys there he might’ve bumped into?

There's a YT video out there that has 'Park Theater' in the title heading, but it may refer to the club where this clip was actually recorded....?
In the video, Pryor talks about an early gig of his at a Youngstown "night club" as he called it. The 'Park Theater' reference could possibly be the infamous and legendary Park Burlesque, which operated in at least two downtown Youngstown locations for many years up until about 1980.

[FriendofHenry]

Richard Pryor had a great skit about his time working at a mob-run nightclub in Youngstown. Anyone here know where Pryor might’ve worked and what guys there he might’ve bumped into?

There's a YT video out there that has 'Park Theater' in the title heading, but it may refer to the club where this clip was actually recorded....?
In the video, Pryor talks about an early gig of his at a Youngstown "night club" as he called it. The 'Park Theater' reference could possibly be the infamous and legendary Park Burlesque, which operated in at least two downtown Youngstown locations for many years up until about 1980.

I'll bet you're right It was located in a little circle downtown next to a billiard pool room, maybe State Billiards?
The Park Theater was were Busty Russell called home when she was in Youngstown