Category Archives: Music

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 →

Posted in art and artists, classical music, Music, Nuestro Pueblo, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | Comments Off on Orchestras Ban Women Musicians

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.”

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.”

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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 →

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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