A Sixties Flashback — Jordan Christopher

Posted by medusamorlock on October 23, 2008

Gee, but the 1960s seem like a really long time ago. Some…many…of our readers were probably not even born then, but it was, by everyone’s account, an amazing decade. Movie stars were MOVIE STARS, bigger than life and still held shakily aloft on pedestals shored up by a more discreet press and slightly more genteel public celebrity behavior. But you can’t change human nature, and when married Elizabeth Taylor, wed to Eddie Fisher, met and fell in crazy love with Richard Burton, married to Sybil Williams, it was the scandal of the decade. Sybil, an actress, had two children with Burton, but picked up her life after the well-publicized break-up with Burton and went on to become a major figure in the discotheque culture of New York of the ’60s, and got herself a boyfriend along the way, singer-actor Jordan Christopher.

Jordan Christopher was born Jordan Zankoff, in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 23, 1942. He was of Armenian extraction; his mother and father owned a tavern in Akron, but it wasn’t long before Jordan set off to make his fortune in the really big city. He had aspirations as a musician and actor, but in 1960s New York City the handsome young man also made a reputation for himself as a popular hairdresser, a whiz with all the up-and-coming mod styles that were de rigueur with the young celebrity crowd. Jordan and a quartet of musical friends formed a band named The Wild Ones, and they were good enough to get a gig as the house band at a club called The Peppermint Lounge.

It was around this time that Sybil Burton was making history as the proprietor of newly-opened discotheque Arthur, at the site of the old El Morocco nightclub. The Wild Ones were hired away to be the house band. Sybil financed her new venture by selling shares to friends at a $1,000 apiece, and she had a unique vision for Arthur: it would cater to the young, hip working men and women of New York, the models, and fashion people, and hairdressers, and show biz types, and everybody else who would soon make Arthur a sensation. The combination of Sybil’s innate charm and perfect reading of the social climate, and a crowd that was hungry for a new place to party, turned Arthur into an overnight success. Politicians, actors and actresses, Broadway stars, Rudolph Nureyev, Truman Capote, Sophie Tucker, Leonard Bernstein and everybody who was anybody tried to get in to the hottest place in town, and she earned her investment back in less than a year. Arthur also was instrumental in the development of the club DJ as artist; Arthur’s DJ would fill in when The Wild Ones took a break, and he (Terry Noel) became so good at reading the crowd’s mood and building excitement on the dance floor that eventually the live band was out of a job.

Well, most of the band was out of a job. Not Jordan Christopher, who had caught the eye of Sybil and eventually the two were married, with a bit of scandal attached: Sybil was more than a decade older than the 25-year-old Jordan. But it was a love match, and the pair worked together at Arthur during the club’s glory years. Before The Wild Ones were out at Arthur, they recorded an album “The Arthur Sound – Recorded Live at Arthur”, which actually turned out to have been recorded in a studio with a bunch of people brought in to chatter and simulate a discoteque crowd. But such was the excitement generated by New York’s most popular disco, a mid-1960s phenom that spawned several franchises across the U.S. — Los Angeles, Detroit, Dallas and San Francisco — and stayed as a media darling until the late 1960s when things started to go a little sour. An unfortunate racially-charged incident at the original NYC location and then a shooting convinced Sybil it was time to sell and move on in 1969.

Meanwhile, Jordan Christopher had made a name for himself, both as Mr. Ex-Richard Burton and in his own right as a handsome and talented entertainer. In addition to releasing at least one popular solo album, Christopher also caught Hollywood’s eye. He — along with his band — made his screen debut in 1966′s The Fat Spy, starring rotund comedian Jack E. Leonard, Jayne Mansfield, Phyllis Diller and Brian Donlevy. It was a cheapie secret agent/beach party comedy, obviously not an A-level production, but Christopher impressed enough to be given another role that same year in Return of the Seven, the sequel to The Magnificent Seven, starring Yul Brynner. He did some television, another movie called The Tree in 1969, and then came the movie which put him at the intersection of classic Hollywood and completely psychedelic.

American International’s Angel, Angel, Down We Go, starring Hollywood legend Jennifer Jones, featured Christopher as Bogart Peter Stuyvesant, a charismatic rock star ala Jim Morrison who makes a play for both the breathtakingly wealthy character played by Jones, as well as her plump and awkward daughter, played by Holly Near. (Near is today a highly respected singer and social activist.) Written and directed by Robert Thom (The Subterraneans, The Legend of Lylah Clare, Wild in the Streets), AADWG, also starring Roddy McDowall, Lou Rawls, and Charles Aidman, was not the hit that Thom’s Wild in the Streets had been, and it was re-released a couple of years later under the title Cult of the Damned. It’s garnered a bit of a reputation over the years, as much for the presence of Jennifer Jones in such an un-Jennifer Jones-type movie, as for its extremely kooky and over-the-top glimpse into a world of excess that probably never was.

To understand what a definitive portrait of the times it was, here are the trailers to both Angel, Angel, Down We Go and the re-release version Cult of the Damned, as well as the complete title song performed by Jordan Christopher in the film.

Jordan Christopher went onto make other appearances, including roles in Star 80 and Brainstorm, and he and Sybil remained happily married until Christopher’s death in 1996. He was stepfather to Sybil’s children with Burton, including actress Kate Burton, and he and Sybil had one daughter together. He found himself caught up in the crazy fame surrounding Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and all the hubbub it generated, and while not perhaps a household name to everyone, Jordan Christopher was a charming and talented young man with much promise who bore his fame well and probably gave up some of himself to make it through. We remember him on the anniversary of his birth.

(Interesting photos and movie items from Angel, Angel, Down We Go and many other films can be found on Ebay; check out the site and purchase them for yourself!).

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23 Responses A Sixties Flashback — Jordan Christopher

Posted By rhsmith : October 24, 2008 3:45 pm

I certainly knew the name but very little of the story. Thanks, Medusa, for shedding a little much-needed light on the life and career of this up-and-comer who, like so many before and after him, came-and-went well before his time.

Posted By doo wop fan : November 13, 2008 9:25 am

Prior to the Wild Ones, Jordan recored some great songs with his group Jordan and the Fascinations. I saw him perform at various stages of his career including the Broadway stage and the Brooklyn Fox Theater. Unfortunately, he never received the recognition he deserved.

Posted By Ton Ginocchio : January 12, 2009 6:15 pm

I recently unearthed an album I’d forgotten I owned,
“The Arthur Sound, The Wild Ones” with Jordon Christopher.

In 1966 myself and about 3 other young couples went to
“Arthur” on East 54th Street (I still have a matchbook)
following the High School Prom of one of the girls.
There was a live band that night and it may well have been
The Wild Ones.
What I most remember about that night is seeing Righteous Brother, Bill Medley with his date dancing all over the
floor with the rest of us!

Posted By Patti Quatro : February 26, 2009 12:02 pm

Our 60′s group,the all female Pleasure Seekers band was playing all over NYC in this era. We played a huge party for Sybil at Arthur’s, for McCarthy. Judy Garland was there, dressed to the nines, in a dramatic black hat, dancing with her young son and Lorna Luft (who we hung with in that era). It fell to her children to get her home after the night of partying. Also there were Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward, and he was cooking…..a politically themed event. The Who also attended, and we played “My Generation” for them. Arthur’s was the “hotspot” and we had a great time playing Arthur’s for an extended engagement.

Posted By redgold : May 26, 2009 9:18 pm

Great writing. I remember the place and all the news when the two got married. Would be cute if they still are. Where are they?

Posted By Tony Van : May 27, 2009 6:45 pm

I was a mwmber of the house band “The Teddy Boy’s”,later called “Mortimer” that played at Arthur and Jordan was one of our managers.He was a great fellow and he and Sybil were slways there to help us out.Though we met up in England, where I now live,a few times, time and the seasons lost the contact .It was only just recently I heard of his death. Great times back then shaking hands on the dance floor with John Wayne sitting in the bar at a table with Lauren Bacall and watching Nureyev and Dianna Ross out on the Dance Floor.Yes Arthur was the only place back then.

Posted By medusamorlock : May 28, 2009 7:20 am

Thanks for all the wonderful comments about Jordan Christopher, Sybil, Arthur, and that amazing era. Nothing that creative has come along since, clearly.

I love the mix of cultures and people who obviously all responded to the talent and excitement generated by Sybil and Jordan.

Thanks again for sharing all the memories!

Posted By Mary Pat : July 5, 2009 4:13 pm

I think there is one error in this story. Jordan’s grandparents were my parents neighbors while I was growing up. I am positive he is Macedonian and not Armenian.

Posted By Medusa : July 5, 2009 10:09 pm

Hi Mary Pat!

The only specific bio information about his family background that I could find refers to “Armenian” and that’s what I repeated here, but I have no doubt that you may very well be correct. If I can find something else to corroborate, I’ll keep looking and post an update here! Thanks for the information!

Posted By redgold : August 19, 2009 8:02 am

Hi
Seeing that Jordan was born Jordan Zankoff this would indicate he was Macedonian. I know another Macedonian-American whose name ends in “off”. I say this to back up the poster who said his family was Macedonian. Armenian names end in “ian” usually. Maybe his mother was Armenian?

Posted By Philip : October 29, 2009 8:45 pm

I am Jordan Christopher’s cousin. He was a 100% Macedonian, born in Akron, Ohio. Jordan was a really cool cousin. It was a shock when we all learned of his death. Reading these comments here really makes me happy that he was appreciated by many fans.

Posted By Philip : October 29, 2009 8:55 pm

Minor correction provided by my mother (Jordan’s Aunt Mary), he was actually born in Youngstown, Ohio on October 23, 1940. Many web sites indicate that he was born in 1938. He grew up in Akron, Ohio before moving on with his music career.

Posted By Medusa : December 1, 2009 12:48 am

Many thanks to the comments shedding more light on Jordan Christopher’s background. I haven’t changed the article but all the additional info certainly shows that he had many fans, friends and family who cared so much about him.

Thanks again to you all for taking the time to share your insights with us!

Posted By Sarafima, Doris & Diane : January 12, 2010 6:58 pm

Hello to our family members (Jordan’s family)! We just came upon this site and were delighted to see Phillip has been here too! Jordan was by all means, Macedonian and a wonderful family member,our cousin too! Where are his daughters today?

Posted By Sarafima, Doris & Diane : January 12, 2010 7:02 pm

Hello everyone!
Jordan was our cousin and we are delighted to see other family members (Phillip) commenting and following him.Would love to know where Jordan’s daughters are today, Jody and Amy. We have lost touch since Jordan passed away! He was definetly Macedonian.

Posted By tony mante : April 26, 2010 3:19 pm

I hung with Jordan when we were 15-18 years old in Akron. As far as I knew he was (Zankoff) macedonian. He attended Buchtel High and I went to St Mary’s and then Copley. There were a number of us that ran together. We all had summer jobs but not Jordan. He always said he would marry money and never really work for a living and that is what he did.He was really good looking and talented artist and singer. He died young too bad

Posted By Medusa : April 27, 2010 8:25 am

Thanks to all for the continuing interest in this post and the talented and clearly much-liked Jordan Christopher. So Macedonian it is for his family background; thanks to everyone who contributed their personal knowledge of this!

It’s good to be able to remember old friends and family, isn’t it? Jordan clearly had lot of both who loved him very much.

-Medusa

Posted By john piazza : May 30, 2010 11:24 am

I have 2 records(45′s) by Jordan and the Fascinations. The one on the Dapt label from 1961, My Imagination, is one of the best songs ever recorded. The flip is the old Eldorados tune, I’ll Be Forever Loving You. Unlike the songs he recorded with The Wild Onbes, these are great Group and Harmony songs. Thev other I have is Once Upon A Time. Currently, there is a CD out by Jordan and the Fascinations that I just purchased.

Posted By Philip : June 1, 2010 12:33 am

Hello, to all my family, and friends of Jordan. I really enjoy the updates that are posted on this site about my Cousin Jordan. It’s neat how from time to time more people are thinking of him, and sharing their memories with us all. Best to all, Philip Vasilo

Posted By Janet M. : June 14, 2010 8:03 pm

I worked with Jordan in 1964 at Lorraine Murphy’s Restaurant in Manhasset, NY. I was the cashier, Jordan and Eddie Wright (member of The Wild Ones) were both waiters. Jordan worked under the name Jordan Zankoff, but was calling himself, Jordan Christopher. He, Eddie and Chuck were, at that time, forming their band. I don;t recall if they had gotten together with the Tommy’s yet. Jordan and his roommate (another waiter) lived next door to me for a while. Jordan, Gerry and I would often meet for breakfast before going to work. Jordan had given me a 45 RPM of Jordan and The Fascinations. I believe the title was “Blue Grass of Kentucky”, if I remember correctly. I’m sure I still have it packed away somewhere. Jordan told me he was Macedonian, he was very proud of that fact. He also told me he would marry rich and would would become famous. I am sorry to hear that he died so young. Does anyone know what the cause of his death was? He was a very nice person and fun to be with. I did go to the Peppermint Lounge several times to hear The Wild Ones play. They had a great sound.

Posted By Philip : June 14, 2010 9:15 pm

Wow, the last Post regarding Jordan is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing that information on this site. I too have several of Jordan’s albums. Funny, one day I found “Jordan has the Knack” album at a Radio Shack store in Massillon, Ohio. It was in a small bin holding just a few records. Thanks again for remembering my cousin, and please, I hope more people add to this post.

Posted By Janie : July 8, 2010 10:11 am

What was the cause of Jordan’s death? Where is he interred?

Posted By Pauline : July 13, 2010 8:07 pm

Hey I am another cousin of Jordan’s. I was very young when Jordan and Cybil were married but I do have alot of good memories of him too. I always looked forward to family gatherings so I could see him!

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