Category Archives: Blues

In Walter (Cronkite) We Trust, March 14, 1981

Posted on March 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

             March 14, 1981: Howard Rosenberg, The Times Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic, watches Dan Rather’s debut in taking over from Walter Cronkite on the “CBS Evening News” and he is not a happy man. Art … Continue reading →

Posted in 1981, @news, art and artists, Art Seidenbaum, Blues, broadcasting, Columnists, Comics, Howard Rosenberg, Television, Walter Cronkite | 2 Comments

Les Paul, 1915 – 2009

Posted on August 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Solid-Body Legend Plagued by arthritis, Les Paul acknowledges that his playing days are probably numbered, but new releases will preserve his work  November 24, 1991 By MICHAEL WALKER, Michael Walker is a free-lance writer based in New York. NEW YORK … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, art and artists, Blues, broadcasting, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | 3 Comments

Police Botch Raid on Club

Posted on July 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 19, 1899: Police testified about a raid on the Republican Club, run by African Americans, but although they described debauchery, they couldn't cite specific instances. They just said it was a bad place: "Officers who testified were woefully lacking … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Blues, Food and Drink, LAPD, Music, Nightclubs, Politics | 1 Comment

Holy Barbarians

Posted on June 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above, the dust jacket of Lawrence Lipton's "Holy Barbarians" that's in pretty good shape. Obviously owned by a square. June 28, 1959: Lawrence Lipton uses a review of "The Beat Generation and the Angry Young Men," by Gene Feldman and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, books, Music, Nightclubs, Venice Division | 2 Comments

Happy New Year, 1959!

Posted on January 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

The rest of the world may peer into a darkened crystal ball, but at the Daily Mirror, we know what the future has to bring. In 1959, Los Angeles won the series and we lost Errol Flynn and Raymond Chandler. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #Jazz, Blues, books, broadcasting, Coming Attractions, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Television | 1 Comment

Poison gas kills Disney’s mother, November 27, 1938

Posted on November 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Above, Walt Disney gave his parents a home at 4605 Placidia Ave., Toluca Lake, for their golden wedding anniversary. According to The Times, a faulty furnace connection let carbon monoxide into the house. Disney’s father, Elias, was found unconscious … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Blues, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Religion, Sports | 2 Comments

End of the view

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

I’m sorry to note that one of my favorite downtown blogs, "View From a Loft," is going to be mothballed. Through "Loft," graphic artist Ed Fuentes explored downtown Los Angeles as only a resident can. He writes: HELLO, I MUST … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Blues, Downtown | Leave a comment

The ‘Heidi Game’ remembered, November 17, 1968

Posted on November 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

Big Scream TV Today is the 30th Anniversary of ‘The Heidi Game’, a Landmark Moment in Television Sports History Timeline 1:05: Jets take a 32-29 lead on a 26-yard field goal by Jim Turner. Raiders’ Charlie Smith returns kickoff to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, broadcasting, Sports, Television | 4 Comments

Box Set — Hank Williams

Posted on November 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Hank Williams’ obituary in The Times, Jan. 2, 1953 October 28, 2008 By Robert Hilburn More than a half century after his death, Hank Williams remains so revered as a songwriter that his gifts as a singer are often underappreciated. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, Music, Nightclubs, Obituaries | Leave a comment

Blind Tom dies

Posted on July 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

he Daily Mirror overlooked the death of "Blind Tom" Wiggins, reported June 28, 1908. Blind Tom played the piano, but he was more than a pianist. He wrote music, but he was far more than a composer. Blind Tom was … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Blues, classical music, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Elvis update

Posted on December 24, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 29, 1957 Los Angeles You may remember my post on Elvis Presley’s concerts at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, based on contemporary reviews by those two keen observers of popular culture: Wally George and Hedda Hopper. I’m sorry to say I … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, LAPD, Music | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Elvis live!

Posted on October 29, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 29, 1957 Los Angeles He came out of nowhere, barely a blip on the nation’s radar in 1955 (according to Proquest, he wasn’t mentioned even once in The Times that year). But by 1957, he was an unstoppable … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Television | 4 Comments

Prisoner’s dream

Posted on August 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 16, 1957 Santa Monica We will never know what really happened on the night ad executive Guy F. Roberts was shot to death in a Santa Monica motel room because everyone involved was lying to cover up the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, Columnists, Homicide, Music, Paul Coates | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment