In The Pipeline:

I received lots of mail after the Golden Bear reunion column last week. There is just something about that place that seems to strike emotional chord after chord with people.

“My husband and I and three in-laws bought tickets for the Saturday late show a few weeks ago,” wrote fellow Independent columnist Michéle Marr. “For about 10 years, during most of the ’70s and the very early ’80s, while the Babiracki brothers, Rick and Chuck, and Rick’s then-wife Carole ran the club, I moonlighted as a cocktail waitress at the Golden Bear. My first and then-husband, Bill Vellutini, was the soundman for the club from the early ’70s until the place closed. Serving mostly drinks and sometimes food, I squeezed between the chairs at packed tables during more shows than I can remember.”

Those sorts of personal, “scrapbook” memories are not just shared by patrons and employees, but by the artists, too.

Recently, I interviewed the great Chris Hillman, one of the original members of the Byrds and a key musician in the evolution of what today is called country rock. Hillman may have the title of performing at the Golden Bear in more bands than anyone: the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Desert Rose Band, McGuinn, Clark and Hillman, the Souther-Hillman- Furay Band — he thought he may have even missed one or two!

Hillman will be playing at the reunion Saturday, the second night of the event, and his memories of the Golden Bear are as vivid as Marr’s.

“What an amazing ambience that place had,” he said. “Warm and intimate. I had surfed at Huntington once as a kid, being from San Diego and all, so that’s all I knew about the city before I played there. But to appear at the Bear was always a treat.

“We’d get down there early, maybe 4 in the afternoon or so, to sound check. Then we’d all head out on the pier to that place at the end, it was like a coffee shop, and we’d have some of the best hamburgers I’ve ever eaten. That whole setup, the club, the pier, the ocean; it was magical.”

It was also a different vibe than playing in Los Angeles.

“When the Beatles said we [the Byrds] were their favorite American band, it made us feel special, and we were treated like stars around town. But down at the Bear, it was more laid back and cool, a great environment to play in — and the food there was great, too. Why does it always come back to the food, for me?

“It’s harder and harder to find places like that. I remember being there with McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and Tom Petty came down to meet us and hang out. It was that kind of place. A great hangout — and you never knew who might show up.”

The legendary Hillman will be featuring 46 years’ worth of his exquisite catalog, purely acoustic on guitar and mandolin along with Herb Pedersen. He’ll be telling stories and anecdotes — and, if my extended conversation with him was any gauge, we’re all in for a treat.

Along with Hillman and Pedersen that night is singer-songwriter Steve Noonan and the classic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who are actually touring behind a great new collection, “Speed of Life.”

“But we’ll be playing the hits, too,” laughed NGDB keyboard player Bob Carpenter last week.

Carpenter said he’s excited about the Golden Bear event because it helps revitalize the spirit that these bands were weaned on in the ’60s: the camaraderie, the intimacy and the energy of playing live music in a pre-MTV world when you actually had to know how to play — and write — and sing.

“We love gigs like this,” he said, “because the crowd will be there for all the right reasons. They’ll be emotionally connected to the songs, just like us.”

That’s Saturday night, and tickets also remain for Friday’s shows, which feature Honk (the famed Golden Bear regulars), multi-instrumentalist David Lindley and the Doors’ keyboard player, Ray Manzarek.

Also look for guitarist Robert Carvounas, who will be signing and talking about his recent book, “A History of the Golden Bear.”

Visit goldenbearreunion.com for details on how to purchase tickets, or call (714) 960-7904. I’ll be at the early show Saturday night; say “hi” if you’re there.

In light of the arrest made in the Dane Williams case, I will be featuring a column in the following weeks with the Williams family. In the meantime, please keep the Williams family in your thoughts and prayers.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at chris@chrisepting.com .