Category Archives: Music

The Specials at the Whisky

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 11, 1980: The long-awaited merger of punk and reggae is message, mirth and mayhem, Richard Cromelin says.

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Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ Premieres at the Sports Arena

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 9, 1980: Robert Hilburn writes, “This production, which continues through Wednesday before moving to New York for its only other American staging, is more than just another night of rock 'n' roll. It's something the band's fans … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 2, 1960

Posted on February 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Mystery of Missiles       One of the problems of those who guide our missile program is making it understandable to earth-bounders.  In other words, translating complex scientific data into ordinary terms.       Toward this end former newspaperman Chris … Continue reading →

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Rock Is on Its Way Out

Posted on January 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

Don Page features Stan Freberg's "Payola Roll Blues."      Jan. 10, 1960 Don Page did not dig rock 'n' roll music. How else can you explain these opinions, looking ahead to radio in the 1960s. "There are signs (if … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Music, Rock 'n' Roll | 2 Comments

Singer Pleads Not Guilty to Soliciting

Posted on December 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Akron has remote-control dachshunds — “a zany plaything.” Johnnie Ray says he just invited a friendly undercover officer up to his room for a nightcap. Nothing indecent about that. Mr. Flynn, would you like gold plating on that nude statue … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, books, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Found on EBay: the Great White Fleet

Posted on November 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

A piece of sheet music commemorating the Great White Fleet has been listed on EBay. The fleet’s visit was one of the major events in Los Angeles in 1908. This sheet music was sold at Bullock’s. Bidding starts at $18.

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New Symphony Uses Car Horn

Posted on November 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 30, 1909: Perhaps you thought George Gershwin was the first composer to use car horns in a piece of music (“American in Paris”). But no. August Bungert uses an auto horn in his new symphonic work, “Zeppelin’s First … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, LAPD, Music | 1 Comment

Pilot Dies When Plane Hits House in Compton

Posted on November 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 28, 1959: A plane crashes into a home at 519 W. Greenleaf in Compton. Mink jeans? Are you serious? Running freeways through the upper floors of existing buildings is a startling concept – but it’s not new. As envisioned … Continue reading →

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November 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock, Nov. 21, 1959

Posted on November 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Car Troubles Two years ago, Bob Joseph bought a two-cylinder French Panhard, which has positively no area in front for a license plate.  He has been driving it with only the rear plate. On consecutive days recently he received two … Continue reading →

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Man Beaten With Ukulele

Posted on November 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “Safe Trip Ends in Death” – OK, but it made you look. April 29, 1930: I was researching a story from Nov. 21, 1959, and came across a much more interesting account of a man beaten into unconsciousness with … Continue reading →

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November 16, 1969: Once Around the Radio Dial

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

One of the true pleasures of contributing to The Daily Mirror is reading old columns by Don Page, The Times’ longtime radio critic. I regularly check his work, these days for 1959 and ’69. Some things change—by 1969 he no … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, broadcasting, Dodgers, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | 2 Comments

Orchestras Ban Women Musicians

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 2, 1919: Orchestra managers want to ban women musicians because an ensemble consisting entirely of men in tuxedos is more pleasing to the eye, The Times says. No, I'm not kidding. Nov. 16, 1919: Alma Whitaker writes about … Continue reading →

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Mexico, U.S. Blame Each Other After Border Crackdown Fails

Posted on November 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Lerdo’s Typical Grand Mexican Orchestra and “Eyes of Youth” at Tally’s Kinema at Grand and 7th and “Her Game” at Tally’s Broadway, 833 S. Broadway. Nov. 10, 1919: A plan by American and Mexican authorities to deport 100 to … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Music | 1 Comment

Shostakovich Visits L.A.!

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Shostakovich meets the press at the Ambassador Hotel. Wouldn’t it be great to go see it? Oh, wait, we let L..A. Unified tear it down. Oct. 20, 1959: Dmitri Shostakovich leads a group of Soviet composers on a tour … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Front Pages, Music, Sports, Stage | 1 Comment

The March King Comes to L.A.

Posted on October 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The hall, later known as Philharmonic Auditorium, at 5th and Olive.  Oct. 26, 1909, a Times review. Oct. 25, 1909: John Philip Sousa and his band arrive for a weeklong engagement in Los Angeles. The Sousa band was composed … Continue reading →

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Jealousy Leads to Murder and Suicide

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Zola Schmidt was  killed as she slept … while holding a letter from another man. 916 W. 9th, the scene of the crime. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Homicide, Music, Suicide | 4 Comments

Riot in Times Square Over Wagner Opera!

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 21, 1919: Servicemen and civilians riot in Times Square over a production of Richard Wagner's "Die Meistersinger" staged at the Lexington Theater despite Mayor John Francis Hylan’s ban on German opera!

Posted in #opera, classical music, Music, Stage | 1 Comment

Tent Revival in El Monte

Posted on October 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

A.A. Allen stages a tent revival in El Monte, with faith healing. Oct. 17, 1959: Dear True Love, wait until the Shangri Las release “The Leader of the Pack.”

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The Balloonatics

Posted on October 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Jeff Barnard/Associated Press July 6, 2008: Kent Couch prepares to lift off in a lawn chair from his gas station in Bend, Ore., in a balloon-suspended lawn chair at dawn. About nine hours later, he created a sensation … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Music, Stage, Transportation | 1 Comment

L.A. in the grips of Gustavo-mania

Posted on October 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Gustavo Dudamel throws himself into his conducting during his inaugural performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall as new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times / October 8, 2009) Through the generosity and … Continue reading →

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