Meet Tucson's most dedicated Star Wars fans
- Updated
The force has awakened in Tucson.
This story ran in the Star's entertainment section a few days before "Star Wars: The Force Awakes" hit the big screen in Dec. 2016.
Because today is May the 4th, we though we would run it again.
The force has awakened in Tucson.
Or maybe it has always been strong here.
That seems to be the case for some of Tucson’s biggest Star Wars fans, as they gear up for the newest movie, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which opens Friday, Dec. 18.
Some of them talked about their passion for the films. And, from what we hear, the love of “Star Wars” isn’t a crush. It’s a deep-seeded love that started when the first film came out in 1977 and grew stronger with each addition — even during that awkward Jar Jar Binks phase.
Brian Petty, 51, an artist who creates screen accurate costumes, was 12 years old when he first saw “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” He was immediately hooked.
That first film remains Petty’s favorite. The classic story of good versus evil mixed with cool costumes drew him in. Not to mention what went into getting the movie made.
“I appreciate the story behind the movie just as much as the story of the movie,” Petty said.
Once he saw the first trailer for the newest film, he hasn’t looked at any others.
“I don’t want to know anything,” he says. “I want to be 12 years old again.”
Petty, a meat cutter at Sprouts by day, spends most waking hours after work in his small backyard workshop pouring molds, mixing resin, painting and finishing helmets for costumes. His wife, Lynne, does the sewing.
Most costumes are created for local chapters of costuming clubs such as the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, which use them at community and fundraising events.
Petty is working on a Darth Vader helmet and a Storm Trooper helmet to raffle off at Roadhouse Cinemas. Money raised will go toward the Make a Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
The fundraiser will culminate in an evening at the movies for Make a Wish kids, on Jan. 1 with costumed characters.
“To me its more meaningful to go to the hospital or do the Make a Wish thing,” Petty said. “I do it because its a way for me to give back. I love “Star Wars,” but I want to dress up and do it for the right reasons.”
Petty, is one of the fans we spoke to and asked five questions about their love of “Star Wars”:
What is your most quoted movie line?
What do you think of Jar Jar Binks and why?
If you could be any character in a “Star Wars” movie, who would it be and why?
If you were a Jedi knight, what would you use your powers for and what would be your weapon of choice?
If you were to have a drink at the Mos Eisley Cantina, who would you be drinking with and why?
- Updated
Brian Petty
Petty says his fanboy status is best illustrated through the many hours he spends working to create screen accurate costumes and his involvement with the 501st Legion.
Movie line: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Jar Jar: “I really don’t have too much of a problem with him … People gotta remember George Lucas made these for 12 year olds, not 40 year olds. So, if Jar Jar was his way of having fun, I’m fine with it.”
Character: Han Solo. “Just because he’s a free spirit, does what he wants, says what he wants and he’s got a cool ship. There’s that rogue quality about him. What does he call himself? A scoundrel. Who doesn’t wanna be a scoundrel. I’ve already been a farm boy.”
Power: “Selflessly helping others. It would definitely be a light saber. As a Jedi, totally blue.”
Drink: “It would have to be old Obi Wan. I believe he would have some interesting war stories to tell.”
- Updated
Randy Van Nostrand IV, 46, director of operations at La Frontera Center
Van Nostrand has been collecting “Star Wars” toys since 1978. During that 37 years, he has managed to gather more than 1,500 characters. That number goes up if you include ships and other collectibles.
Movie line: “I know.” Han Solo’s response when Leia said she loved him.
Jar Jar: “I have no use for Jar Jar Binks. I liked the Gungans, but I thought Jar Jar was a little bit too silly.”
Character: Han Solo. “He’s just the master of cool and I’ve always loved Harrison Ford. Since I was a kid, he was one of my favorite actors.”
Power: “I would definitely use my powers to help the underprivileged ... I think the weapon I would use most would be the Jedi’s power of telekinesis because if I had a light saber I’d probably cut my leg off.”
Drink: Yoda. “I think he would have a lot of great stories to tell and I bet he’d be a lot of fun when he’s had a couple drinks.”
- Updated
Tyler Wright, 32, software developer, Danielle Wright, 32, homemaker and freelance stage manager
The couple makes their Halloween costumes every year, and were excited when their family was finally big enough to be able to create the whole core cast of Star Wars — Han, Leia, Luke, Darth Vader and Chewbacca. They created a Star Wars menu for a pretend restaurant. Menu items include “Naboochos,” “Star Destroysters,” “Buffalo X-wings,” just to name a few.
Movie line: “Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh … everything’s perfectly alright now. We’re fine. We’re all fine here now, thank you. How are you?”
Jar Jar: “The one good thing I can say about Jar Jar is that it was pretty cool in 1999 to have a fully CG character...Unfortunately, he’s probably the worst character in all of “Star Wars.” … Yes, children will laugh when he gets farted on, but that’s a cheap laugh.”
Character: Danielle’s first choice is Leia because she’s cool, clever, strong and funny. But, she also likes Mon Mothma, leader of the Rebel Alliance in its fight against the Empire. “I would like to champion a cause for good like that,” she said.
For Tyler, it’s Han Solo. “Han is much more care-free, always has a wisecrack to make, and most importantly, he pilots the Millennium Falcon so the choice is obvious,” he said.
Power: “I’d be a terrible Jedi because I’d probably just use my powers on my kids. ‘You don’t want to stay up. You want to go to bed.’ … And, of course I’d use a light saber because there isn’t a kid who’s seen “Star Wars” that hasn’t fantasized about fighting with one…”
Drink: I’m a music lover and I don’t drink, so I’d probably be having some blue milk with Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes (The Cantina Band).
- Updated
Joel Hamm, 33, active duty USAF/A-10 crew chief
After joining the Air Force, Hamm bought a kit to make a storm trooper costume. When he wore it, he was amazed at the attention he got. Plus, he met people who loved the movie as much as he did. Now, he has four screen-accurate costumes, including two storm troopers, Han Solo and Boba Fett.
Movie line: “Fly casual or laugh it up fuzz ball.”
Jar Jar: “I could do without him. I think telling the story of Anakin could have been told without Jar Jar and it would have been just fine.”
Character: Hamm actually gets to be three different characters with his costumes. “I also have a Han Solo outfit. I like to look like the universe’s most wanted scoundrel. My last costume is Boba Fett which will be completed in the Spring. I like him because of the mystery of who he is and he is Han Solo’s nemesis.”
Power: “I think I would be middle of the road like a bounty hunter or smuggler and I would have some pretty sweet skills. My weapon of choice would be my handy blaster but I would have a low key looking light saber as well. Always have a back up weapon.”
Drink: “It would be my wife. I married a Leia, go figure. So, she would be my sexy counterpart to share a drink with. Always have fun with your best friend and they will always have your back.”
- Updated
No Discriminations car club — Gilbert Ybarra, 44, administrative specialist; Anthony Bowen, 47, assistant manager; James Dudderar, 47, journeyman; Rebecca Verduzco, 37, caregiver; and Annette Cook, 40, lab analyst.
These members love “Star Wars” so much that they had their cars wrapped with graphics from the films, with permission from Disney and Lucasfilm.
Movie line: “May the force be with you.”
Jar Jar: “Personally I thought he was funny at times … then irritating at almost the same time,” Ybarra says.
Character: Ybarra’s pick is Han Solo because of his cool ride — the Millennium Falcon and his co-pilot, Chewbacca. Boba Fett is Bowen’s choice because “it would be cool to hunt down people for money.”
Dudderar and Verduzco both chose stormtroopers because they are first into battle. Lastly, Cook picks R2-D2 because if it weren’t for that droid, there would be no more episodes. “He saved their butts from the start. He looks harmless, but can be dangerous,” Cook says.
Power: Ybarra would pick Jedi mind powers so he could move objects with the wave of his hand, especially furniture or cars in traffic. His weapon of choice would be a green light saber to match his black and green Mustang.
Drink: Dudderar says he’d put himself in the role of a new recruit stormtrooper fresh out of the academy and would be at the cantina to “seek information from the locals on the whereabouts of rebel scum.” The others wished to have drinks with family members who have died.
- Updated
Robert Webb Jr., 42, self-employed
Webb is not only involved with the 501st Legion with his wife, Jennifer, his entire apartment is decked out in movie paraphernalia, including 15 ships hanging from the ceiling. He will be entertaining fans in costume opening day.
Movie line: “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
Jar Jar: “He is a character you love to hate. That’s about all that needs to be said about him.”
Character: Stormtrooper. “The armor is awesome and chicks dig a man in armor.”
Power: To help the common man. “But, I could not be a Jedi. I like the ladies too much.” Weapon of choice would be a light saber.
Drink: “I would drink with the twin ladies that are at the bar. There’s nothing better to do in Mos Eisley anyway.”
- Updated
Daniel Kinn, 41, self-employed
Kinn has started re-buying all of the original Kenner toys from his childhood so he can “live vicariously through his 3-year-old son.”
Character: IG-88, a bounty-hunter droid that made a small appearance in “Empire Strikes Back.” Kinn says the fact that it was a bounty hunter with no master or handler made it a truly scary character.
Jar Jar: “I was never a fan of Jar Jar. … I think what made him annoying was the way he spoke. It was over the top and kind of out there, even for a “Star Wars” character.”
Power: Kinn wants to be a Jedi Shadow, similar to police, that were dispatched to destroy all agents of the Dark Side.
Drink: Han Solo. “I’ve always wanted to be there during the famous who-shot-first-scene. Han or Greedo. C’mon, who wouldn’t want to see that first hand. Of course, we all know Han shot first.”
- Updated
Jonas Blackketter, 9
Blackketter quotes “Star Wars” movies daily and “knows an amazing amount of trivia,” says his mother, Rachael. He loves the “light sabers and action” in the films. And, the music. “I really like the soundtrack,” he says.
Movie line: “What a piece of junk!”
Jar Jar: “I don’t like Jar Jar because he is just really, really annoying.”
Character: “Obi-Wan Kenobi because he’s an awesome Jedi Knight, a great fighter and is a very dedicated Jedi.”
Power: “I would use the Force to always swish a basketball. My weapon of choice would be a light saber. Definitely.”
If you could have any character from a “Star Wars” movie as a best friend, who would it be and why? “I would have Mace Windu as my best friend because he can stare down anyone.”
- Updated
Freddy Contreras, 27, can often be found talking about "Star Wars" — as well as other pop-culture topics — with a friend on their podcast at www.thebcon.com . He also has a huge collection of figures and toys and goes to conventions. "You name it, I've probably done it," he says.
We asked Contreras the same questions we asked the others:
Movie line: "Together we can rule the galaxy."
Jar Jar: "He was like the annoying little brother. You love him, but you kinda want to smack him in the face once in a while."
Character: R2-D2 because "he's never had his mind erased and he's the only character who knows everything from every episode."
Powers: Guardian of peace. "I would try to rid evil and criminals. I'd be almost like a mini-police force, but with good measure, not violent or anything, and maybe even diplomatic and help good causes stand a chance. I would have two light sabers in each hand."
Drink: Boba Fett. "I feel like nobody would even mess with us because he's kinda intimidating. But, he's one of my favorite characters because he's so mysterious and I'd just kinda like to pick his brain."
James-Michael Maume Alameda was a 19-year-old radio DJ wannabe when he legally changed his name to Obi-Wan Kenobi in May 1999.
Yes, that Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master who taught using the power of the Force to battle the forces of evil in the “Star Wars” series of blockbuster films.
Alameda — we mean Kenobi — changed his name as part of a contest sponsored by Tucson radio station 93.7 KRQ. The prize: $1,000 cash and a regular, albeit barely paid, gig with the old KRQ morning show “Mojo & Betsy.”
The name change turned out to be a career launcher for Kenobi.
“I actually got the job with KRQ after I won their contest. About five years ago I became the morning show producer for KNST, which is the news talk station” owned by KRQ parent iHeartMedia Inc. “I still do weekends on KRQ, and my third job I am the head DJ and the entertainment coordinator for Reflections at the Buttes, which is a wedding venue on North Oracle Road.”
Some brides and grooms think it’s pretty cool to have Obi-Wan Kenobi DJ their wedding reception, he added with laugh.
He was one of two Tucsonans to legally change their name to Obi-Wan Kenobi in 1999, when Lucas Films released the much anticipated “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.” Two years later, the first Tucson Obi-Wan changed his name back to James Terry Wilkowski, mild-mannered father of three.
Kenobi No. 2 has never wavered on his devotion to his name of choice.
“I always said I would never change it (back) unless it was my grandmother’s dying wish on her death bed, or I met a girl and she didn’t want me to have that name,” said Kenobi, 36.
He met and married the girl — she never knew him as James Alameda — and they have two kids, 4-year-old Jenna and 18-month-old Cody. His wife and kids all go by his original last name, Alameda.
“She still calls me Obi and she thinks it’s weird to hear somebody use the name James, but she didn’t want a fake last name is how she put it,” he explained.
Kenobi admitted there are certain hiccups to having the name Obi-Wan Kenobi. He routinely has to spend extra time at airport security and he rarely, if ever, gets taken seriously enough to be picked for a jury. And he admits to shrinking a bit when the DMV clerk calls out his name when he gets a new license.
But the novelty of his name never gets old, he said.
“I love it,” Kenobi said. “It’s one of those funny stories that you’ve always got to talk about. As long as they get a kick out of it, I like telling the story.”
The force has awakened in Tucson.
Or maybe it has always been strong here.
That seems to be the case for some of Tucson’s biggest Star Wars fans, as they gear up for the newest movie, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which opens Friday, Dec. 18.
Some of them talked about their passion for the films. And, from what we hear, the love of “Star Wars” isn’t a crush. It’s a deep-seeded love that started when the first film came out in 1977 and grew stronger with each addition — even during that awkward Jar Jar Binks phase.
Brian Petty, 51, an artist who creates screen accurate costumes, was 12 years old when he first saw “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” He was immediately hooked.
That first film remains Petty’s favorite. The classic story of good versus evil mixed with cool costumes drew him in. Not to mention what went into getting the movie made.
“I appreciate the story behind the movie just as much as the story of the movie,” Petty said.
Once he saw the first trailer for the newest film, he hasn’t looked at any others.
“I don’t want to know anything,” he says. “I want to be 12 years old again.”
Petty, a meat cutter at Sprouts by day, spends most waking hours after work in his small backyard workshop pouring molds, mixing resin, painting and finishing helmets for costumes. His wife, Lynne, does the sewing.
Most costumes are created for local chapters of costuming clubs such as the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, which use them at community and fundraising events.
Petty is working on a Darth Vader helmet and a Storm Trooper helmet to raffle off at Roadhouse Cinemas. Money raised will go toward the Make a Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
The fundraiser will culminate in an evening at the movies for Make a Wish kids, on Jan. 1 with costumed characters.
“To me its more meaningful to go to the hospital or do the Make a Wish thing,” Petty said. “I do it because its a way for me to give back. I love “Star Wars,” but I want to dress up and do it for the right reasons.”
Petty, is one of the fans we spoke to and asked five questions about their love of “Star Wars”:
What is your most quoted movie line?
What do you think of Jar Jar Binks and why?
If you could be any character in a “Star Wars” movie, who would it be and why?
If you were a Jedi knight, what would you use your powers for and what would be your weapon of choice?
If you were to have a drink at the Mos Eisley Cantina, who would you be drinking with and why?
Brian Petty
Petty says his fanboy status is best illustrated through the many hours he spends working to create screen accurate costumes and his involvement with the 501st Legion.
Movie line: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Jar Jar: “I really don’t have too much of a problem with him … People gotta remember George Lucas made these for 12 year olds, not 40 year olds. So, if Jar Jar was his way of having fun, I’m fine with it.”
Character: Han Solo. “Just because he’s a free spirit, does what he wants, says what he wants and he’s got a cool ship. There’s that rogue quality about him. What does he call himself? A scoundrel. Who doesn’t wanna be a scoundrel. I’ve already been a farm boy.”
Power: “Selflessly helping others. It would definitely be a light saber. As a Jedi, totally blue.”
Drink: “It would have to be old Obi Wan. I believe he would have some interesting war stories to tell.”
Randy Van Nostrand IV, 46, director of operations at La Frontera Center
Van Nostrand has been collecting “Star Wars” toys since 1978. During that 37 years, he has managed to gather more than 1,500 characters. That number goes up if you include ships and other collectibles.
Movie line: “I know.” Han Solo’s response when Leia said she loved him.
Jar Jar: “I have no use for Jar Jar Binks. I liked the Gungans, but I thought Jar Jar was a little bit too silly.”
Character: Han Solo. “He’s just the master of cool and I’ve always loved Harrison Ford. Since I was a kid, he was one of my favorite actors.”
Power: “I would definitely use my powers to help the underprivileged ... I think the weapon I would use most would be the Jedi’s power of telekinesis because if I had a light saber I’d probably cut my leg off.”
Drink: Yoda. “I think he would have a lot of great stories to tell and I bet he’d be a lot of fun when he’s had a couple drinks.”
Tyler Wright, 32, software developer, Danielle Wright, 32, homemaker and freelance stage manager
The couple makes their Halloween costumes every year, and were excited when their family was finally big enough to be able to create the whole core cast of Star Wars — Han, Leia, Luke, Darth Vader and Chewbacca. They created a Star Wars menu for a pretend restaurant. Menu items include “Naboochos,” “Star Destroysters,” “Buffalo X-wings,” just to name a few.
Movie line: “Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh … everything’s perfectly alright now. We’re fine. We’re all fine here now, thank you. How are you?”
Jar Jar: “The one good thing I can say about Jar Jar is that it was pretty cool in 1999 to have a fully CG character...Unfortunately, he’s probably the worst character in all of “Star Wars.” … Yes, children will laugh when he gets farted on, but that’s a cheap laugh.”
Character: Danielle’s first choice is Leia because she’s cool, clever, strong and funny. But, she also likes Mon Mothma, leader of the Rebel Alliance in its fight against the Empire. “I would like to champion a cause for good like that,” she said.
For Tyler, it’s Han Solo. “Han is much more care-free, always has a wisecrack to make, and most importantly, he pilots the Millennium Falcon so the choice is obvious,” he said.
Power: “I’d be a terrible Jedi because I’d probably just use my powers on my kids. ‘You don’t want to stay up. You want to go to bed.’ … And, of course I’d use a light saber because there isn’t a kid who’s seen “Star Wars” that hasn’t fantasized about fighting with one…”
Drink: I’m a music lover and I don’t drink, so I’d probably be having some blue milk with Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes (The Cantina Band).
Joel Hamm, 33, active duty USAF/A-10 crew chief
After joining the Air Force, Hamm bought a kit to make a storm trooper costume. When he wore it, he was amazed at the attention he got. Plus, he met people who loved the movie as much as he did. Now, he has four screen-accurate costumes, including two storm troopers, Han Solo and Boba Fett.
Movie line: “Fly casual or laugh it up fuzz ball.”
Jar Jar: “I could do without him. I think telling the story of Anakin could have been told without Jar Jar and it would have been just fine.”
Character: Hamm actually gets to be three different characters with his costumes. “I also have a Han Solo outfit. I like to look like the universe’s most wanted scoundrel. My last costume is Boba Fett which will be completed in the Spring. I like him because of the mystery of who he is and he is Han Solo’s nemesis.”
Power: “I think I would be middle of the road like a bounty hunter or smuggler and I would have some pretty sweet skills. My weapon of choice would be my handy blaster but I would have a low key looking light saber as well. Always have a back up weapon.”
Drink: “It would be my wife. I married a Leia, go figure. So, she would be my sexy counterpart to share a drink with. Always have fun with your best friend and they will always have your back.”
No Discriminations car club — Gilbert Ybarra, 44, administrative specialist; Anthony Bowen, 47, assistant manager; James Dudderar, 47, journeyman; Rebecca Verduzco, 37, caregiver; and Annette Cook, 40, lab analyst.
These members love “Star Wars” so much that they had their cars wrapped with graphics from the films, with permission from Disney and Lucasfilm.
Movie line: “May the force be with you.”
Jar Jar: “Personally I thought he was funny at times … then irritating at almost the same time,” Ybarra says.
Character: Ybarra’s pick is Han Solo because of his cool ride — the Millennium Falcon and his co-pilot, Chewbacca. Boba Fett is Bowen’s choice because “it would be cool to hunt down people for money.”
Dudderar and Verduzco both chose stormtroopers because they are first into battle. Lastly, Cook picks R2-D2 because if it weren’t for that droid, there would be no more episodes. “He saved their butts from the start. He looks harmless, but can be dangerous,” Cook says.
Power: Ybarra would pick Jedi mind powers so he could move objects with the wave of his hand, especially furniture or cars in traffic. His weapon of choice would be a green light saber to match his black and green Mustang.
Drink: Dudderar says he’d put himself in the role of a new recruit stormtrooper fresh out of the academy and would be at the cantina to “seek information from the locals on the whereabouts of rebel scum.” The others wished to have drinks with family members who have died.
Robert Webb Jr., 42, self-employed
Webb is not only involved with the 501st Legion with his wife, Jennifer, his entire apartment is decked out in movie paraphernalia, including 15 ships hanging from the ceiling. He will be entertaining fans in costume opening day.
Movie line: “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
Jar Jar: “He is a character you love to hate. That’s about all that needs to be said about him.”
Character: Stormtrooper. “The armor is awesome and chicks dig a man in armor.”
Power: To help the common man. “But, I could not be a Jedi. I like the ladies too much.” Weapon of choice would be a light saber.
Drink: “I would drink with the twin ladies that are at the bar. There’s nothing better to do in Mos Eisley anyway.”
Daniel Kinn, 41, self-employed
Kinn has started re-buying all of the original Kenner toys from his childhood so he can “live vicariously through his 3-year-old son.”
Character: IG-88, a bounty-hunter droid that made a small appearance in “Empire Strikes Back.” Kinn says the fact that it was a bounty hunter with no master or handler made it a truly scary character.
Jar Jar: “I was never a fan of Jar Jar. … I think what made him annoying was the way he spoke. It was over the top and kind of out there, even for a “Star Wars” character.”
Power: Kinn wants to be a Jedi Shadow, similar to police, that were dispatched to destroy all agents of the Dark Side.
Drink: Han Solo. “I’ve always wanted to be there during the famous who-shot-first-scene. Han or Greedo. C’mon, who wouldn’t want to see that first hand. Of course, we all know Han shot first.”
Jonas Blackketter, 9
Blackketter quotes “Star Wars” movies daily and “knows an amazing amount of trivia,” says his mother, Rachael. He loves the “light sabers and action” in the films. And, the music. “I really like the soundtrack,” he says.
Movie line: “What a piece of junk!”
Jar Jar: “I don’t like Jar Jar because he is just really, really annoying.”
Character: “Obi-Wan Kenobi because he’s an awesome Jedi Knight, a great fighter and is a very dedicated Jedi.”
Power: “I would use the Force to always swish a basketball. My weapon of choice would be a light saber. Definitely.”
If you could have any character from a “Star Wars” movie as a best friend, who would it be and why? “I would have Mace Windu as my best friend because he can stare down anyone.”
Freddy Contreras, 27, can often be found talking about "Star Wars" — as well as other pop-culture topics — with a friend on their podcast at www.thebcon.com . He also has a huge collection of figures and toys and goes to conventions. "You name it, I've probably done it," he says.
We asked Contreras the same questions we asked the others:
Movie line: "Together we can rule the galaxy."
Jar Jar: "He was like the annoying little brother. You love him, but you kinda want to smack him in the face once in a while."
Character: R2-D2 because "he's never had his mind erased and he's the only character who knows everything from every episode."
Powers: Guardian of peace. "I would try to rid evil and criminals. I'd be almost like a mini-police force, but with good measure, not violent or anything, and maybe even diplomatic and help good causes stand a chance. I would have two light sabers in each hand."
Drink: Boba Fett. "I feel like nobody would even mess with us because he's kinda intimidating. But, he's one of my favorite characters because he's so mysterious and I'd just kinda like to pick his brain."
James-Michael Maume Alameda was a 19-year-old radio DJ wannabe when he legally changed his name to Obi-Wan Kenobi in May 1999.
Yes, that Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master who taught using the power of the Force to battle the forces of evil in the “Star Wars” series of blockbuster films.
Alameda — we mean Kenobi — changed his name as part of a contest sponsored by Tucson radio station 93.7 KRQ. The prize: $1,000 cash and a regular, albeit barely paid, gig with the old KRQ morning show “Mojo & Betsy.”
The name change turned out to be a career launcher for Kenobi.
“I actually got the job with KRQ after I won their contest. About five years ago I became the morning show producer for KNST, which is the news talk station” owned by KRQ parent iHeartMedia Inc. “I still do weekends on KRQ, and my third job I am the head DJ and the entertainment coordinator for Reflections at the Buttes, which is a wedding venue on North Oracle Road.”
Some brides and grooms think it’s pretty cool to have Obi-Wan Kenobi DJ their wedding reception, he added with laugh.
He was one of two Tucsonans to legally change their name to Obi-Wan Kenobi in 1999, when Lucas Films released the much anticipated “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.” Two years later, the first Tucson Obi-Wan changed his name back to James Terry Wilkowski, mild-mannered father of three.
Kenobi No. 2 has never wavered on his devotion to his name of choice.
“I always said I would never change it (back) unless it was my grandmother’s dying wish on her death bed, or I met a girl and she didn’t want me to have that name,” said Kenobi, 36.
He met and married the girl — she never knew him as James Alameda — and they have two kids, 4-year-old Jenna and 18-month-old Cody. His wife and kids all go by his original last name, Alameda.
“She still calls me Obi and she thinks it’s weird to hear somebody use the name James, but she didn’t want a fake last name is how she put it,” he explained.
Kenobi admitted there are certain hiccups to having the name Obi-Wan Kenobi. He routinely has to spend extra time at airport security and he rarely, if ever, gets taken seriously enough to be picked for a jury. And he admits to shrinking a bit when the DMV clerk calls out his name when he gets a new license.
But the novelty of his name never gets old, he said.
“I love it,” Kenobi said. “It’s one of those funny stories that you’ve always got to talk about. As long as they get a kick out of it, I like telling the story.”
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