Knotts Ghost Town Talent - (Knott's Berry Farm) - Stuntmen, Actors, Dancers, Singers and Musicians

"Boot Hill" Memorial

"Boot Hill" – A Memorial to old friends

Every mining town had a "Boot Hill" graveyard, and Knott’s Ghost Town is no exception. The name "Boot Hill" refers to the fact that many of those buried there died suddenly, with their boots on.

Our version of "Boot Hill" on this website is a memorial to some old friends who were an important part of the Knott’s Ghost Town Talent in the 1970’s. We miss them and want to pay tribute to their memory.

Durward G. Padgett (15 August 1914 – 11 November 1990)

Known affectionately as "Padge", he started playing honky tonk piano in the Calico Saloon in 1964. He came to Knott’s after winding his way through a career encompassing a half century of musical Americana. Padge’s love for the piano started with lessons at eight. He later went professional as part of a trio playing classical music on a daily radio broadcast in Wichita, Kansas. A string of one-night stands throughout the oil-boom towns of the Midwest followed during the "Big Band" era of the 1930’s. Padge later moved into playing rehearsal music for Paramount Pictures, including "Yankee Doodle Dandee", starring James Cagney. Following the night club circuit with small combos in the mid- to late 1930’s and early 1940’s, Padge settled into Compton’s "Epicure Club" and then Inglewood’s "The White Elephant" in the 1950’s. It was during this period that Padge met Orchid Lou, and they married July 9, 1950. Although he played for "The Andy Devine Show" in Knott’s Wagon Camp in the early 1960’s, the Calico Saloon was Padge’s home base starting in June 1964.

In a 1975 article for the employees newsletter, "The Nugget", Padge said, I feel that I’m the living part of a great institution. My music makes this place come alive, and I feel like I’m accomplishing something. I’ve made close friends with lots of teens who have come to hear me play since they were babies. After eleven years, Knott’s has become my home, and the Knott’s are my family. I have been very happy here.

It’s little wonder that the Saloon’s lone guest one rainy winter’s day stepped out from his shadowed corner table to pay Padge a compliment. "You play nice piano", smiled the guest. "I play piano, too. My name is Roger Williams".

Padge was the first pianist for the all-new "Calico Can Can Show" which debuted in late 1974, and he continued to play piano in the Calico Saloon for many years. He was a kind and gentle man of exceptional talent, and a friend to all of us.

Source: The Nugget, Number 13, May 16, 1975.

Bob Rochelle (August 4, 1947 – November 29, 2008)

Bob Rochelle was born August 4th 1947 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The son of military parents, the family moved to Long Beach, California in 1952 when Bob was five years old. Bob attended local schools and graduated from Milliken High School in 1966. He attended Long Beach City College until 1968, majoring in speech and drama.

Bob Rochelle was born August 4th 1947 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The son of military parents, the family moved to Long Beach, California in 1952 when Bob was five years old. Bob attended local schools and graduated from Milliken High School in 1966. He attended Long Beach City College until 1968, majoring in speech and drama.

Bob started working at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1970 as a train robber, then in 1974 he moved on to a more exciting job as a stuntman in Ghost Town and in the Wild West Stunt Show in Wagon Camp. Bob was multi-talented as a performer and stuntman, and was one of the few who was able to play all of the roles in the Wild West Stunt Show equally well. After leaving Knott’s, Bob worked at Universal Studios as a stuntman and had a 25-year career in stuntwork. Bob later moved to Las Vegas where he was employed at the Best Western Mardi Gras for twelve years before his passing in 2008.

We all remember Bob for his sense of humor. At his memorial service, many recalled Bob’s ability to make us laugh at just the wrong moment in the middle of a show by a facial expression or a funny comment softly spoken so the audience couldn’t hear. He had exceptional comedic timing and he had a great ability to improvise in street skits. Bob is also remembered for his sincerity and as a loyal friend. We miss you, Bob!

Source: Bob Rochelle’s Memorial Service Program

Dan Kelly

Chuck Foster

Pierre De Gregnon

Bill Sawyer