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After Thirty Years, Rickey Has a Place to Call Home

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, April 24, 2009, at 02:35PM
RickyThePirate Ed Fuentes

Rickey the Pirate at The Nickel.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Rickey the Pirate is one of the better-known faces in the Old Bank District.

Many of those who recognize Rickey on the street don't know that his last name is Taylor, or that he will turn 62 on June 3rd. They don't know that he was born in Texas, that he grew up in Watts or that he's been on the streets of Downtown for the last thirty years.

As of this week, he finally has a place to hang his hat at night.

Standing at the corner of 5th and Main today, Rickey was speaking fast, but for a change his eyes were not bleak. They looked rested.

Several weeks ago, DLANC's Russell Brown found Rickey in the street with broken teeth and a bloody eye, injured after an altercation, and he knew something needed to be done.

"I knew that he would probably get so hurt again that something really had to change quickly," says Brown. If not, "he would be dead next time."

Brown's relationship with those involved in the county's Project 50 helped the two navigate the shoals of getting Rickey into the program. Rickey's new room at the Rainbow Apartments is his first real home in three decades. He moved in on Monday, after Brown took him for a celebratory dinner.

Many locals have spotted Rickey in odd places, grabbing sleep when he could, or simply exhausted from illness. "I have bad kidneys, or something," says Rickey. "I don't really drink that much. It might be diabetes. That's what a doctor told me a long time ago."

He plans to hold onto his new place, and hopes to keep doing odd jobs. As he lists his work experience, Rickey stops and looks at the two galleries at 5th and Main. He pauses. "It was Bert Green, and Shane [Guffogg] who first gave me some work a few years ago."

On Friday, Rickey was still wearing his trademark hat, an indication that his pirate persona hasn't been taken away by his new lifestyle. While Rickey the Pirate still sails the streets of Downtown, Rickey Taylor has found a home.

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Conversation

Don Garza on April 24, 2009, at 02:55PM – #1

that's russel alright!!! Oh yeah!!! buy up Ricky's photos before they become collectors Items....


Julie Jamerson on April 24, 2009, at 02:59PM – #2

Ah, I got two of Ricky! Both on my fridge. He's probably the sweetest, most gentle human in the world. So glad he's being taken care of a bit.


Guest 1

RuelRules on April 24, 2009, at 03:09PM – #3

Thanks for reporting about this, guys. I've seen Ricky before, but never had a chance to speak to him. Good job, Russell!


Guest 2

Mesha on April 24, 2009, at 08:32PM – #4

He's served me 2 buck chuck at Pharmaka on ArtWalk nights...folks like Ricky are the salt of the earth.


Guest 3

Bert Green on April 25, 2009, at 01:18AM – #5

For the record, his first name is spelled Rickey. He is really happy to have a place of his own now, he told me after the first night at his new place he had his best night's sleep in 20 years.

Also, Project 50 did not put him into this housing, they referred him out of the Project 50 program but set him up with the tools and referrals to get medical help, financial aid, disability, and social security. Rickey still needs some help getting his new home set up. He could use donations of some basic household supplies, including clothing, towels, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies.

Anyone who can help out, even with simple donations of a few things you might not be using from your own home, please let Russell Brown know. He can arrange to get the things to Rickey's new home.

Russell can usually be reached at The Exchange at 114 W 5th St or through DLANC.


Guest 4

Ankur on April 25, 2009, at 08:27AM – #6

Hey Bert or Russell - do you have a email address we can reach you at?

I have some friends who want to see him get the help he needs. (Although, this is GREAT news)

otherwise - a n k u r v a k i l@ gmail.com

thanks! :)


Caryn Ho on April 25, 2009, at 09:39AM – #7

Wow. This community is great. I've never experienced life in L.A. like this, and I'm a native, until I moved downtown. I saw Rickey the other day with a mop, broom and other household items that he just got at a store walking to his new digs. Congratulations Rickey. Since you've put the call out for donated items it would be helpful if you were able to give us a list so he doesn't end up with 20 towels and 0 sheets scenario. Peace and Blessing to Rickey and Russell Brown.


Guest 5

out my window on April 25, 2009, at 10:55AM – #8

one down about 5,000to go. lets start at pershing square. is it me or has the spring brought out a whole new batch of pershing homeless.


Eric Richardson () on April 25, 2009, at 11:48AM – #9

I believe Russell is hoping to have an event this week where people can bring extra household items to donate to Rickey and others in his situation. We'll let you know more on that as details are available.


Guest 6

Adam Rindy on April 25, 2009, at 01:05PM – #10

Then why the hell was he my house until 3am last night!!!!

I'm super stoked for him and his new place.


Guest 7

benjamin on April 25, 2009, at 02:09PM – #11

Barvo for this very moving story, eric and ed.


Guest 8

Amy Pigg on April 25, 2009, at 08:32PM – #12

I have seen a different step in Rickey's walk lately. I wondered what was up!? He must be really happy, I walked by him a few minutes ago and he was singing "Can't get enough, of that funky stuff!" yeah baby! Go Rickey, I love that guy!


Guest 9

nanorich on April 26, 2009, at 08:17AM – #13

Good for Ricky.

Please post a list of needed stuff, and I will am sure I can help.


Marc Loge on April 27, 2009, at 09:49AM – #14

Yeah for Rickey! Saturday was so busy, we didn't see this until today!

Gorsh, Cheer LA had a rummage sale at Harlem Alley on Sat. and gave away tons of clothing, kitchen utensils and furniture to local homeless people as well as getting donations from locals (for the same items - most for $1) from those that could afford it. The alley was jam packed! Tons of neighbors showed up and bought. The charity raised lots of $$$ for The Cheer LA's "Cheer for Life" fund that benefits local AIDS charities. There was very little left over and it was all donated to the Women’s Shelter/Clinic on Los Angeles Street.

Kudos to Minson and Bruce for doing all the heavy lifting and special thanks to the Gilmore's for donating the space and Dawn/Sue at Downtown LA News for getting the word out!


Guest 10

Russell Brown on April 27, 2009, at 04:16PM – #15

We will be hosting a "house warming" party for Rickey NEXT Tuesday May 5th at 7 pm to 10 pm at The Exchange 114 West 5th Street (between Spring & Main).

What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than to celebrate starting a new home for part of our rich local color.

Rickey basically needs everything that you would need to live on your own. His apartment at the Rainbow includes furniture of a twin bed with storage underneath, a desk and chair, a galley kitchen and a private bath.

Needed are dishes, pans, silverware, sheets, blanket, towels, toiletries, books, TV, music. All groceries, paper goods and cleaning supplies are also needed.

We will be collecting supplies from now through the event next Tuesday. Feel free to drop off contributions from now thru May 5th at the collection boxes at 114 West 5th Street. Call before hand to make sure someone is here to receive them at The Exchange 114 West 5th Street (home of HD BID outreach office and a community event space for Historic Downtown.)

We will be taking monetary donations to buy needed supplies that are not donated. We will be making a trip to the 99 Cent or Big Lots store for all the missing items. Extra funds will be managed for needed medicine, phone minutes, bill payment and money for incidentals and food.

So celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us and help change an integral part of downtown life by supporting Rickey the Pirate.


Guest 11

BigTone on April 29, 2009, at 01:28PM – #16

Great to hear- Rickey is a sweet sweet dude-best of lUck brother...T


Guest 12

Shannon Parker on April 29, 2009, at 05:32PM – #17

Glad to see all this enthusiam for Rickey, and I hope it keeps going for all the people in our community who are homeless. Rickey was housed by my organization the Skid Row Housing Trust. We provide housing and servcies for over 1,300 formerly homeless individuals in our community. The staff at the Trust really went above and beyond the call of duty to get Rickey housed and I would like to acknowledge them here in this forum. People helped get him a TB test, a doctor provided an exam, outreach workers started paperwork and case mananagers made the necesary appointments and phone calls to make this happen. Its a long process and I thank Russ for persoanlly taking Rickey through some of the steps. If there is anything extra after the house warming we would be glad to see if any of 113 newly housed people at the Abbey Apartments could use it. Thanks Downtown!
Shannon Parker, Skid Row Housing Trust


Guest 13

Russell Brown on May 04, 2009, at 03:45PM – #18

Reminder,

We are doing a fundraiser/ housewarming for Rickey Tuesday May 5th at 6 pm to 10pm at The Exchange 114 WEST 5th Street (between Spring & Main).

Bring household donations, cleaning supplies, groceries (anything you would need to set up a studio apartment for independent living).

Met Rickey, get a signed pirate photo, talk with his Mom and enjoy her amazing home-made peach cobbler.

Questions? Call Russ


Guest 11

Beth Dewey on June 19, 2009, at 07:34PM – #19

Met Rickey on Wednesday night. Our niece on S. Spring Street introduced us and he took a picture of the three of us. Very nice man and seemed very happy. Our niece said some thugs beat him up recently and took his pirate hat. . .what a bunch of losers. His friends got him a new one.


Ebby Castillo on December 09, 2011, at 11:17AM – #20

Rickey is by far the sweetest man I have ever met. He walked me to my car once really late at night expecting nothing.I would love to help Rickey, please provide a contact email address. I have donations.



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