The letter of July 29 1970 in which Z gives his Mikado like poem has an interesting line. When he refers to the Banjo serenader and others of his race. There was a Black fellow who played around town especially in Golden Gate Park. I was working for the Rec. and Park Dept then in G.G.P. He was friendly enough but was always laughing kind of like he had some mental issues. This was in the 1980s and I never saw him after that. However about two years ago I saw him at Ghiradelli Square by Fishermans wharf. He was playing his banjo like old times and didn’t look much older after about 30 years. I was pretty shocked to see he was still around. Anyway I am pretty sure that was who Z was talking about. Reading into this he may have had some issues with Black people. Something to think about .
charliemartin
Here’s something else to think about, then:
http://blog.jonathanichikawa.net/2004/0 … n-and.html
-glurk
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I don’t believe in monsters.
That is a neat story charliemartin! Maybe you should approach him sometime and tell him you remember him.
Although, those lyrics were written that way in the Groucho Marx version as seen here: viewtopic.php?f=62&t=216&hilit=groucho+mikado
Could be the reason Zodiac chose that particular version…you never know. 
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
I find it ‘enlightening’ to listen to the Groucho Marx version, which is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B5iVNLhGA8
Whilst looking at this image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikisource/ … page_3.jpg
Followed by this one: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikisource/ … page_4.jpg
It seems to me to follow along nicely, although there are missed parts and variants, but you can even TELL where Z mis-heard the lyrics. At least in my opinion.
-glurk
EDIT: Specifically, listen to the Groucho version above and Z’s quote of:
ALL CHILDREN WHO ARE UP IN DATES AND IMPLORE YOU WITH IMPLATT
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I don’t believe in monsters.
Absolutely glurk! I misheard them when I was translating it myself. Some things I didn’t even know what he meant after I was told what he said. 
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
I find it ‘enlightening’ to listen to the Groucho Marx version, which is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B5iVNLhGA8
Whilst looking at this image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikisource/ … page_3.jpg
Followed by this one: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikisource/ … page_4.jpgIt seems to me to follow along nicely, although there are missed parts and variants, but you can even TELL where Z mis-heard the lyrics. At least in my opinion.
-glurk
EDIT: Specifically, listen to the Groucho version above and Z’s quote of:
ALL CHILDREN WHO ARE UP IN DATES AND IMPLORE YOU WITH IMPLATT
You are onto something there. I myself when listening to the Groucho version above also think I now some what understand Zodiac’s use of "phomphett" as well. This is pure speculation, but I think that phomphett may be an attempt to make both the words "puff it" that Groucho sings and also the microphone pop when he says it.
EDIT: RELATED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T83W3rgQuXQ
The above is Groucho in the Mikado, does he look eerily like Paul Stine in this video?
I was not too familiar with the Mikado and didn’t know these lines were taken from it. I thought this was something Z made up similar to his cyphers etc. It just seemed to fit this man especially since it occurred in S.F. Well you learn something everyday. Thats why these message boards are interesting.
charliemartin
