Category Archives: Music

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.”

Posted in Columnists, Music, Religion, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off on Tent Revival in El Monte

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 →

Posted in classical music, Downtown, Music | Comments Off on L.A. in the grips of Gustavo-mania

Welcome Home Champs!

Posted on October 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 9, 1959: Welcome Home Champs! The “Cinderella Boys” made it! Oct. 9, 1959: A bit of road rage from Frank Sinatra!

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, LAPD, Music | 2 Comments

The Strange, Terrible Saga of Mario Lanza

Posted on October 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 8, 1959: Columnist Dick Williams on Mario Lanza. Oct. 8, 1959: “The Best of Everything” starts tomorrow at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Posted in classical music, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries | Comments Off on The Strange, Terrible Saga of Mario Lanza

Dodgers Take Series!

Posted on October 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 8, 1959: The Mirror celebrates the Dodgers’ victory! And NBC suspends Charles Van Doren.   USC students protest new regulations imposed after the death of Richard Swanson during a fraternity hazing. Elvis says of being in the Army: "It … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers, Education, Front Pages, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off on Dodgers Take Series!

Tango Craze Invades Pasadena

Posted on October 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Jan. 14, 1913: That wicked dance, the “Tango Argentine,” is coming to Pasadena! These poses, among the most modest in the tango,  are demonstrated by Oscar and Suzette, who “brought the sensational dance to America.”

Posted in Music, Stage | Comments Off on Tango Craze Invades Pasadena

Cafe Orchestra Fiddles While Kitchen Burns

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1909: What the modern woman is wearing. $22.50 is $532.68 USD 2008. Here’s a bit of theater history: The Orpheum announces that it will no longer have advertising on its curtain, despite the loss in revenue of $500 … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Fashion, Food and Drink, LAPD, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Cafe Orchestra Fiddles While Kitchen Burns

Ike, Khrushchev Deadlock on Berlin; Cubs Beat Dodgers

Posted on September 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 27, 1959: Not so fast. The Cubs routed the Dodgers, 12-2, and the Braves edged the Phillies, 3-2, creating another tie atop the National League standings. The Dodgers could have clinched at least a tie for the N.L. title … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Dodgers, Music, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Ike, Khrushchev Deadlock on Berlin; Cubs Beat Dodgers

The Dodgers, Juan Marichal and the Beanball

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 21, 1969: Surfers are cleaning up their act, The Times says. Richard Nixon owns a surfboard? Jules Feiffer on the Miranda case. All the pseudo-surfers have become pseudo-hippies! The Dodgers and Giants were fighting again and Juan Marichal was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Music, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on The Dodgers, Juan Marichal and the Beanball

Found on EBay — Vintage Bongo Drums

Posted on September 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  These vintage Valje bongo drums have been listed on EBay. Perfect for re-creating the mood of the Beats of Venice West. Listed as Buy It Now for $375.

Posted in books, Music, Stage, Venice Division | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Vintage Bongo Drums

Voices — Mary Travers, 1936 – 2009

Posted on September 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Peter, Paul & Mary Keep the Faith Folk music: Trio's public TV special airing on KOCE Channel 50, new family album and video feature familiar ethnic and traditional songs that define group.  March 13, 1993 By LYNNE HEFFLEY, TIMES STAFF … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 5 Comments

Found on EBay — Earl Carroll’s Nightclub

Posted on September 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

This menu from Earl Carroll's nightclub in Hollywood (now the Nickelodeon building at 6230 Sunset Blvd.) has been listed on EBay. The vendor suggests the menu is from about 1946. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Architecture, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Earl Carroll’s Nightclub

Larry Gelbart’s 1951 ‘My L.A.’ Found

Posted on September 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 25, 1951: Rehearsals of "My L.A.," sketches inspired by Matt Weinstock's book, with a script by Larry Gelbart, Laurence Marks and Bill Manhoff. You may recall this photo from the posts I did about the death of Larry Gelbart. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Larry Gelbart’s 1951 ‘My L.A.’ Found

Police Seek to Close Dance Halls

Posted on September 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 13, 1909: Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws Dr. Reinhardt Wernigk. A campaign endorsed by Police Chief Dishman is underway to shut down the dance halls of Los Angeles. The businesses would have already been closed except that they their … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Music, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Police Seek to Close Dance Halls

Artist’s Notebook — Third Street Promenade

Posted on September 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Third Street Promenade by Marion Eisenmann, Sept. 4, 2009 Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade awakens a bit at a time in the sweet coolness of a summer morning near the ocean. Along the darkened strip of gleaming glass and steel … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Music, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Don’t Underestimate Khrushchev

Posted on September 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 10, 1959: A tidy little piece showing just how much Americans feared Nikita Khrushchev. "So Long, Mom. I'm Off to Drop the Bomb." "We'll All Go Together When We Go" At left, Tom Lehrer performs at UCLA. His satirical … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Music, Politics, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Don’t Underestimate Khrushchev

Jazz Musician Syncopates Jail

Posted on September 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 7, 1919: C.H. Baker has three shoe stores on Broadway and one on Spring Street. African American jazz musician William H.F. Wilkins is put in jail for not being able to "give a satisfactory account of himself." What's … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, LAPD, Music | Comments Off on Jazz Musician Syncopates Jail