Well, we missed Adam West’s birthday … on Saturday he turned 82 years old! I remember West came to Beaumont, Texas, one time in the mid 1970s; I was a sportswriter and he played in some celebrity tennis match on the Lamar University campus.
This woman we knew, Cathy Beene, was a great tennis player and the coach of a college women’s tennis team at the time. Her doubles partner in the celebrity match was Adam West, so it was a real thrill when she said she’d introduce me.
Man, I used to watch the damn “Batman” TV series when I was in sixth grade – they used to 
show two episodes a week, part one would leave with some absurd cliffhanger then it would get resolved the next night, “same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!”
Anyway, I met and hung out with Adam West, he was pretty boring actually. I think he was hitting on our friend Cathy. And when I reached out to shake his hand goodbye he grabbed my right hand with both of his, looked me straight in the eye and said, just like Batman would have said, “Farewell, my friend, and remember … always keep both hands on the Batrope.”
For that, I will always love Adam West. He will always be Batman.
MP3: Radio contest Promo by Adam West & Burt Ward
MP3: “Miranda” (1966 single) by Adam West
MP3: Radio PSA by Adam West, Burt Ward & Yvonne Craig
MP3: “Boy Wonder, I Love You” (1966 single) by Burt Ward
MP3: “The Riddler” by Frank Gorshin
MP3: “Batman A Go-Go” by The Combo Kings
MP3: “Batman Theme” by Sun Ra & the Blues Project
Video: Adam West … I mean Batman … is BROKE!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
YouTube: Batman and Robin try to save ABC’s fall lineup
30 Days Out 