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