— By Jack Morse (@jmorse_) |
Omer Travers is back in town. According to a tipster, he rolled back into San Francisco late Saturday evening. Travers, who for years entertained Valencia-Street shoppers with his musical stylings, left San Francisco for Arizona sometime in 2013 (while in Arizona, he made a starring appearance in a French electro-prop group’s music video).
Travers was a controversial figure in the street-performer scene, and was frequently accused of spewing racist/homophobic invective at those strolling by.
No word yet on whether or not Travers plans to return to his perch outside Good Vibrations, but we should all know soon enough one way or another. In the meantime, consider checking out his Yelp page—it’s definitely worth the read.
[Photo: Dyche]
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Omer Travers
post in nearly 24 hours? What’s up with that? As in
Does that mean this blog is morbid, or that the Mission has gotten too boring? Or something else.
Ha I know! I was parked here waiting….
I guess it means that everyone reading this blog is so new to the mission they don’t know who he is. I was glad to see him go and bummed he’s back. Lost many a nights sleep on account of BumJovi. Damn.
Don’t forget he is also Yoko Ono’s 80’s stalker.
Best news in a long time.
I’ve had a love hate relationship with Omer for almost twenty years. I’m glad he’s in good health, and seeing as how so many people migrate here for the vibrant cultural scene, I’m glad to see him doing his thing. Maybe he can run a few thousand bro-grammers out of town and lower the collective rent, and we can name an alley for him. Just not Clarion, that honor should go to Juanita Rieloff. As a critic, I probably have more talent than he does, but I am not a performer and get nervous even with public speaking, so I guess I need to give him some street cred. And it is true he once climbed into yoko ono’s pad- by lowering himself with a rope from the roof into yoko’s 7th floor apartment. I have to admit that although I do not approve of breaking and entering, that was bad ass. And If I recall, Yoko was kind enough to not press charges. From his recollections he had been on Howard Stern several times, but I never would listen to that guy. Ps. Bro grammar guys, I don’t really hate y’all, it’s just that someone has to be in the doghouse and it appears this is your decade.
I predict he’ll spew his bigotry on the wrong person and get his ass kicked (AGAIN).
Hey,
Omer Travers is back in town. He’s headed for the big time and will not be playing in the Doorways. He wants to take his act to the inter-net and the clubs. I have lots of film on Omer over the past since 1987.
Omer is very entertaining on film. If you get a chance you film-makers need to get him on film and put the film on the inter-net. He is good enough to be the next big star. I wrote about 20 songs for him and now if only wish he would sign them. CAJ
Why are racist/homophobic rants from Omer ok and but defacing a Galeria de la Raza LBGT mural is not? It’s a double-standard unless you think the mural tagging is the harmless work of an entertaining neighborhood character.
I”ve known Omer for since 1987 “DoubleStandard”. I am positive he did not deface Galleria de la Raza mural as he is not like that. Why do you say things that are not true. Omer has many GLBT friends and Afro-American friends too.
It’s popular among some people to attack other people with these terms over the inter-net like racist/homo-phobic, but if you look at the of hater you are more so a hater than Omer, or most people. I believe in “live and let live” between people is best. Sure like everyone Omer does say politically incorrect things, but he is not a racist because he is a Christian and reaches against sodomy to prevent AIDS. He is no more racist and anti-people than you are and that is for sure.
Just because someone does not agree with your life-style does not make him hate-ful. We all have a right to express our opinions. Omer has been attacked and physically hit many times by people like you because he does not believe in your beliefs and march to their tune by mean-spirited like yourself.
Good Vibes isn’t his only perch on Valencia.
Amigos,
Omer Travers (aka Bum Jovi ) went back to Arizona yesterday. He had a good time, but could not afford to stay. Omer plans to go to the inter-net in the future.
I’ve known Omer since about 1987. Omer had a art gallery called “Awesome Flower” next to La Cumbre” on Valencia treat at that time. Omer and ex-wife Syen and child Melody were singing on the streets and had a good thing going, but all the partying caused a break-up of their team.
Afterwords, Omer’s ex-wife came out with some great music. Goggle: Syen U Music to hear some songs about those times. At that time Omer & Syen were arrested for singing on the street. Omer went to Federal Court and the judge ruled/allowed street singers to sing due to this motion by Omer based on Free Speech since 1989. Since then singing on San Francisco has been allowed. He’s a buster hero for that.
If you Google: Omer Travers Music, you’ll find stories about Omer Travers.
Someone, actually tipped Omer $50 when signing on Valencia St. this week. If you take the time to listen Omer Travers puts on a good show. Just be respectful and don’t interrupt Omer while singing. Just being out on the streets singing Omer has to fight off a lot of creeps.
For my help Omer Travers painted my apartment and gave me a painting.
Yesterday, after 40 days in San Francisco Omer flew back to Arizona. Omer was able to hang out at Sparky’s Dinner on Church Street nights with GLBTs’ and get along too after being on and singing on Valencia Street. By the way Sparky’s Dinner is the late night place to hang out in San Francisco.
In 1997, I wrote 15 song lyrics for Omer that came out great with his singing and guitar playing. I’ve never released the music video for one reason, or another. Mainly, don’t know if Omer Travers could handle being a star and all the fame and money. Someday, I will release these videos.
Never have known Omer to have problems with hard drug as he does not use, but he does have problems with alcohol and tobacco addictions.
Someday, sometime, you’ll be able to see the film made in 1998 we made with Omer singing and us clowning around. Omer can be entertaining, but can bother some people too with his actions. A good name for Omer’s one-man band would be Omer Travers and Disrupters
Another thing about Omer is he’s honest man and good person and singing and playing the guitar and doing his painting art and following his dreams.