Remember "Bill Pester" of Coachella Valley

[Finias]

At the festival this year take a minute to remember one of the most amazing Coachella Valley residents, Bill Pester, THE original California Hipster. In the early 1900s Bill lived in a log hut near Palm Canyon. He led a natural lifestyle, practicing Yoga, giving spiritual advice, playing guitar, wearing longhair, beads and sandals or going barefoot, fifty years before the 60s!.

He was a well known character in the Coachella valley and famous people, such as Rudolf Valentino, would often drop by and visit Bill. The local Indians had great respect for him and welcomed Pester into their Canyon home. He appears on the Indian Census records from that time.

It is said that the roots of the 60s California Counterculture can be traced directly back to Pester, and that he even invented the "Hippie" lifestyle. Bill immigrated from Germany to the Coachella Valley bringing with him the German Lebensreform Philosophy and Naturmensch Movement, which came about in Germany in the 1800s and are the roots of the modern Counterculture.

Pester mentored the next generation of "Nature Boys" such as Eden Ahbez (author of the song Nature Boy, written about Pester), Gypsy Boots and others. This group went on to start and greatly influence the 60s Counterculture Generation. .

Much of Pester's life and legend is still a Mystery. Sadly there is not even a mention in Wikipedia of him! If you have any more information on Bill Pester, please post it here, or elsewhere. University of Arizona Professor Peter Wild is supposedly in the process of writing a book on Pester.


Peace

Finias

[Alchemy]

[J~$$$]

did pester love black tar?

[Finias]

did pester love black tar?

Well Pester came to Coachella in 1906, 8 years before the "Harrison Act", so why not, it was wide open. He may have had a nice little Poppy Garden. He looks pretty mellow in the photos.

But Bill was said to have lived on fresh air, spring water, and good vibes. Just like the rest of the crew here.

[gaypalmsprings]

here's a link of Bill Lester http://www.hippy.com/article-243.html

[jimmycrackcorn]

"here's to bill pester"
-cheers-

[J~$$$]

He is one hot hobo.

[Finias]

here's a link of Bill Lester http://www.hippy.com/article-243.html

Gaypalmsprings, being from the area, do you have any more info on Bill Pester. I know the former Mayor, Frank Bogert, wrote about him along with Millie Fischer from the Palm Canyon Trading Post. Bill bought some land in Indio in 1926, near Bermuda Dunes.

Here's a photo of Pester Entertaining a very dapper Rudolph Valentino.

[gaypalmsprings]

Gaypalmsprings, being from the area, do you have any more info on Bill Pester. I know the former Mayor, Frank Bogert, wrote about him along with Millie Fischer from the Palm Canyon Trading Post. Bill bought some land in Indio in 1926, near Bermuda Dunes.

Here's a photo of Pester Entertaining a very dapper Rudolph Valentino.

Quite dapper!

I found that article doing a Metacrawler search (yes, Virginia, there are search engines other than Google). I would contact local museums & historical societies to see what they know.

The guy sorta looks like a character in Monty Python. LOL.

[Finias]

Quite dapper!

Wonder if he stayed late?

I found that article doing a Metacrawler search (yes, Virginia, there are search engines other than Google). I would contact local museums & historical societies to see what they know.

Thanks. Yes I've seen that article and a link to it is posted in my orginal Message. Palm Springs Museum does have photos and info. on Bill Pester....... and Valentino.

Take care

Young Finias

[shoegazer76]

Now I know where they got the idea for the Dude in the Big Lebowski! Did Bill drink White Russians? Not with breastmilk I hope.

[TomAz]

It's...

[J~$$$]

LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!!!!!!!!

[gaypalmsprings]

And now for something completely different...

[J~$$$]