Category Archives: Music

Paul Coates — Confidential File, February 10, 1959

Posted on February 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Soothing Music Tempers Justice (News item) Use of background music in the Los Angeles Police Building to "alleviate tensions" of 280 employees was authorized today by the City Council. * * Scene is an interrogation room in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Music, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates — Confidential File, February 10, 1959

O.J. Simpson vs. Pat Boone, Chamberlain Scores 66 Points, February 10, 1969

Posted on February 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

O.J. Simpson vs. Pat Boone? Keith, what’s the deal? Wilt Chamberlain scored 66 points as the Lakers defeated the Suns, 134-116. That’s a career night for most people, but not Wilt. After all, this was the guy who once scored … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Sports | Comments Off on O.J. Simpson vs. Pat Boone, Chamberlain Scores 66 Points, February 10, 1969

Trial of Former Mayor’s Aide to Begin, Feburary 7, 1939

Posted on February 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

It’s a bit hard to tell from reference photographs, but I believe this is a Lockheed Hudson being assembled in Burbank. Trial of Joe Shaw, brother of recalled Mayor Frank Shaw, on 66 counts of altering public records. Fire Department … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Trial of Former Mayor’s Aide to Begin, Feburary 7, 1939

Sholem Aleichem Turns 150

Posted on February 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

By Jonathan Kirsch The writer known as Sholem Aleichem (Sholem Rabinovich, 1859-1916) was a towering figure in the Yiddish-speaking world, praised in his own lifetime as "the Jewish Mark Twain." The critic Irving Howe later singled him out as "the … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock — February 4, 1959

Posted on February 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

A Taxpayer Votes ‘No!’ As mentioned here recently, the Internal Revenue Service has the legal authority to attack bank accounts of persons who are delinquent in their payments. The policy, however, is not to work a hardship on those earnestly … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock — February 4, 1959

Paul Coates — Confidential File, February 3, 1959

Posted on February 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Bail Cut on Yanks in Tijuana Bail on some of the 20 U.S. residents held in Tijuana on gambling charges has been reduced from $1,600 to $400 and on others to $800. State Atty. Gen. Stanley Mosk was informed by … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, health, Music, Nightclubs, Paul Coates, Rock 'n' Roll, Science | Comments Off on Paul Coates — Confidential File, February 3, 1959

President to Press for Mideast Peace, Bomb Scare at Lakers Game, February 3, 1969

Posted on February 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

"President Nixon plans to take two moves shortly to obtain an Arab-Israeli peace settlement and improve this country’s relations with the Arabs." When this was written, President Barack Obama was 7 years old; Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was 23; … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | Comments Off on President to Press for Mideast Peace, Bomb Scare at Lakers Game, February 3, 1969

Rock Stars Die in Plane Crash, February 3, 1959

Posted on February 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ritchie Valens’ Roots Los Angeles Times, July 19, 1987 By GREGG BARRIOS WATSONVILLE, Calif. — “I still remember the first time we heard Ritchie sing on the radio,” the mother of the late Latino rock ‘n’ roller Ritchie Valens recalled … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll, San Fernando Valley, Television, Transportation | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — The Insomniac

Posted on February 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

A poster from the Insomniac, the Hermosa Beach coffee house, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $49.99. At left, Jack Smith visits the Insomniac, May 1, 1963.

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Black students seek to halt minstrel show, 1929

Posted on January 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

May 28, 1929.

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Black students seek to halt minstrel show, 1929

Another Night at the Haig

Posted on January 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Richard Koch writes: I have a question.  Sometime in the late 90’s I was in Los Angeles and I was researching the location where the famous Haig was.  I just wanted to stand there and take some pictures at this … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Music, Nightclubs | 3 Comments

Baby Burned to Death on Stove, Dodgers Scout Players, January 25, 1959

Posted on January 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Whenever someone tells you the past was a "kinder, simpler time," show them this article. I’m unable to find any further stories on this tragic incident. My boyfriend embarrasses me because he won’t race his car…. An advice column by … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — Earl Carroll’s

Posted on January 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here’s what appears to be an original snapshot of Earl Carroll’s, listed on EBay. Bidding starts at 99 cents.

Posted in #Jazz, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs | 1 Comment

Black Lakers players barred from white hotel, January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times reports that detention facilities for juvenile girls is badly overcrowded but doesn’t really address the reason, merely saying that the rapid increase in Southern California’s population and lack of room at state facilities are to blame. But why … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs, Sports | 1 Comment

January 16, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Saved by the Knell In everybody’s life there is a dark, unforgettable moment when it doesn’t appear he’s going to make it. A downtown group somehow got around to discussing the this topic over coffee, and Ken Bromfield Jones, Title … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock — January 12, 1959

Posted on January 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Taxing Times A young lady singer is very angry at the Internal Revenue Service. Her federal income tax last year came to around $380. She had paid all but about $70. Christmas week the revenuers attached the amount from her … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Music | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock — January 12, 1959

Demonstators protest arrival of Soviet leader; Dodger turns to acting, January 11, 1959

Posted on January 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Mikoyan provokes demonstrations in San Francisco en route to his visit to Los Angeles. Recall that Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev will come to Los Angeles later in the year. And a federal court strikes down a … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, broadcasting, Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Television | 1 Comment

‘Hair’ cast kicked out of Mexico; Stars lost in darkness, January 9, 1969

Posted on January 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

The ABA and LA should have been a good fit. The game was wide open, with lots of dunks and three-pointers. The team even had a perfect name for the town–the Stars. Definitely a better match than the previous season … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on ‘Hair’ cast kicked out of Mexico; Stars lost in darkness, January 9, 1969

Stocks suffer worst day in 19 months; Rams rehire Allen, January 7, 1969

Posted on January 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

A 15-point drop in the Dow is Page 1 news in 1969. I wonder what they would think of today’s economic meltdown. Today in Baby Boomer nostalgia: Gordon Lightfoot makes his debut in Los Angeles. It took the Rams 12 … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Columnists, Current Affairs, Front Pages, Music, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Voices — Freddie Hubbard, 1938 – 2008

Posted on December 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Freddie Hubbard tells Leonard Feather: "I’ve worked very hard to get as far as I have. I think the turning point came when I toured in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the early ’60s. Art spotlighted all his soloists, gave … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Music, Obituaries | 7 Comments