Category Archives: Music

April 17, 1938

Posted on April 17, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Shirley Temple, Peter Lorre and Mickey Mouse … Below, what do we have in Gothic type above the masthead? Yes, it is Easter Sunday in 1938 … At least 16 Arabs die in a fight between British troops and … Continue reading →

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April 15, 1908

Posted on April 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Below, an old-fashioned lunatic–really crazy–is on trial in the killing of his ex-wife, who used to sleep with a knife under her pillow. He uses the "everything went black" defense … The Police Board appoints a committee to study scam … Continue reading →

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April 14, 1958

Posted on April 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the Dodgers get a champagne welcome from Lawrence Welk at the Aragon Ballroom. Below, can it really be 50 years since Van Cliburn won the Tchaikovsky piano competition?  And in case you’re wondering: Liu Shi-kun and Lev Vlasenko tied … Continue reading →

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April 13, 1958

Posted on April 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

KNOB-FM (103.1) went on the air in August 1957 as the world’s first all-jazz station under the ownership of Sleepy Stein, The Times said. According to an Aug. 18, 1957, story by Don Page, the station had received permission to … Continue reading →

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April 9, 1958

Posted on April 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a review of a concert at the Million Dollar Theater (coming up May 11: Mariachi Vargas!) Below, Mickey Cohen touches off a sensation by releasing Lana Turner’s love letters to Johnny Stompanato. Quote of the Day: "In all my … Continue reading →

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April 8, 1958

Posted on April 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Al Jolson in blackface as the lead in "Porgy and Bess" while African Americans play all the other roles? Now there’s a casting idea that takes my breath away. Philip Scheuer interviews Ira Gershwin and notes that the lyricist … Continue reading →

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April 2, 1908

Posted on April 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the tars of the Great White Fleet are fed up with the same old songs. I’m not sure about "I’m Afraid to Go Home in the Dark," but I did find a song titled "I Used to Be Afraid … Continue reading →

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March 12, 1908

Posted on March 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Below, notes on pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski during his stay in Los Angeles. A typical musician, he is usually so wound up after his performances that he doesn’t go to bed until 4 a.m., then sleeps to noon … The … Continue reading →

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Mystery photo

Posted on February 20, 2008 by lmharnisch

OK, who’s the young man with the guitar? Phil Spector? (Kris Gray, Fred Ahlert). Absolutely…. This is a photo taken Nov. 10, 1958, and published in the Los Angeles Examiner. It was sent to me by William Dotson of the … Continue reading →

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Rocket to Stardom

Posted on February 11, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Singer arrested

Posted on February 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 1, 1958 Los Angeles Rock ‘n’ roll singer Li’l Julian "These Lonely Nights" Herrera and two companions are in custody on rape charges after taking two teenage girls to Griffith Park, The Times says. The girls told police … Continue reading →

Posted in Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 29, 1958 Charles Judson, former city editor of the late lamented L.A. Daily News, is now farm editor of the daily Grand Junction (Colo.) Sentinel. His job requires that he travel about the countryside, checking agricultural conditions and writing … Continue reading →

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Oscar Peterson RIP

Posted on December 25, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 26, 1952 Los Angeles Now playing at the Daily Mirror HQ: "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," from "Oscar Peterson Plays ‘Porgy and Bess‘ " and "You Go to My Head" from "Jazz ‘Round Midnight." 

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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 →

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Korngold dies

Posted on December 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

Erich Wolfgang Korngold, 1897-1957 The suite from "Robin Hood" is playing at the Daily Mirror HQ as I post The Times obituary on Korngold, one of the great film composers of his generation. And he lived in the Valley!   … Continue reading →

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In memoriam

Posted on November 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

Nov. 25, 1957Los Angeles The Daily Mirror is in mourning.     Email me

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Elvis trivia contest

Posted on November 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

Update: The 1947p's/LAPL's own Mary McCoy delves into ProQuest and turns up some ready answers, noting: "Gotta leave some for the rest of the kids to answer – no one likes a ProQuest-it-all!" Update II: I'm going to start filling … Continue reading →

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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

October 21, 1957: Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on October 21, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 21, 1957 When a funnyman tries to be serious, he doesn’t always come across. In fact, sometimes his sincerity is rewarded with laughs that approach guffaws. And, much as he hates it, the guy is downright hilarious. And maybe … Continue reading →

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October 12, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 12, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 12, 1957 Burl Ives, who took off more than 40 pounds to play the part of the viciously righteous father in “Desire Under the Elms,’ was putting some of it back on the other day at Frascati’s and between … Continue reading →

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