During the days of Punk in North Beach in the late 70s and early 80s Leon Shakes and an artist/musician known as Sir Real were partners in high weirdness, music promotion and various other forms of Dada instigation.



When Sir Real performed he looked and sounded like a punked out, electrified, violin playing Bob Dylan on acid. He was a hit.
In those days, Leon also worked as a barker at the strip joints along Broadway near the Mabuhay. Leon was always able to attract a crowd. He imitated the voice and manner of premier barker George the Arab, whose gravelly carney spiel rang from block to block up and down the street. Leon was one of Benny Pristine's street sources...crazy as a loon and stoned to the bone, but not missing a thing that happened on the street.