The Insider: Cheech Marin

Photo By Andy Langer

Tuesday, March 11

Who: Cheech Marin

Where: BMI's Howdy Texas! Party at Stubb's.

What: is your best memory of Austin?

Marin: Cheech & Chong played the Armadillo. We shared a bill with Freddie King. And I got laid. It was great. I played with Freddie King and got laid the same night. That's heaven.

Insider: The Armadillo was famous for hippies and rednecks enjoying music side by side. What did the more conservative parts of Texas make of Cheech & Chong?

Marin: We broke big in Texas first, out of San Antonio originally. It spread to Houston and then here. It feels like we played everywhere in Texas. And we never had trouble. When the real rednecks started smoking dope, they stayed rednecks, but they were dope-smokers, so they were a little more tolerant.

Insider: Could Cheech & Chong happen today?

Marin: No. We rode in on the marijuana change. We chronicled it. There's no chance of that happening now. We were funny and of the times. Marijuana was a new phenomenon when we started. Now it's for everyone -- doctors, lawyers, presidents.

Insider: And hip-hop, which loves Cheech & Chong.

Marin: I just did a movie with Master P!

Insider: How much dope did you two smoke?

Marin: None. I was working. But I spent a lot of time admiring his full-metal jacket; every one of his top teeth is fully gold with diamonds in them. He's got some big-ass teeth.

Insider: You had a joint lit a few minutes ago. I imagine you and Willie are the guys everybody wants to smoke with.

Marin: Pretty much. It's real frustrating when you get to Hollywood and all these junior execs want to talk story ideas, but they want you to come out to the house and smoke a joint with them first.

Insider: How much different do people treat you now then they did 30 years ago?

Marin: I get much more respect, as befits my age. But I have nothing to complain about. It's been a wonderful ride.