Category Archives: Music

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 →

Posted in Blues, LAPD, Music | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

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 →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, 1957, @news, art and artists, broadcasting, Film, Music, Stage, Television | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

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 →

Posted in Columnists, Music, Paul Coates | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

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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As crazy as two waltzing mice

Posted on October 9, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 9, 1957 Ventura, Calif. Renzee Louis Alameda, 36, was the quietest man on the block. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound ex-Marine, a USC graduate, was unmarried and had lived alone at 2412 Ridgeley Drive for the last 10 years. He … Continue reading →

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Requiem

Posted on September 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 16, 1957 Los Angeles Franklyn West Storer, 50, woke up on a Saturday morning to discover that his beloved 16-year-old daughter, Mary Alice, had taken a fatal overdose of sleeping pills. In despair, he also took a fatal … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, LAPD, Music, Suicide | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Confidential–Tells the Facts and Names the Names

Posted on September 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

Scenes from the Confidential trial: Sept. 4, 1957, Dorothy Dandridge testifies Photograph by Dan McCormack, Los Angeles Times

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Max Roach, 1977

Posted on August 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

Leonard Feather on Max Roach, Jan. 6, 1977

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Prisoner’s dream

Posted on August 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 16, 1957 Santa Monica We will never know what really happened on the night ad executive Guy F. Roberts was shot to death in a Santa Monica motel room because everyone involved was lying to cover up the … Continue reading →

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Songs of the week

Posted on August 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

The picks from KWFB-AM (980), Aug. 3, 1957. I actually recognize most of these tunes; "Old Cape Cod" and "Gold Mine in the Sky" are new to me, but at least I’ve heard of Patti Page and  Pat Boone.  Alas … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Music, Rock 'n' Roll | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

KFWB–980

Posted on July 24, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 24, 1957 Los Angeles You mean there was a time when KFWB didn’t have an all-news format? Yes, indeed. Read about Larry Finley here. More (much, much more) about Boss radio here.  Vintage air checks from KFWB (and many, … Continue reading →

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Edith Piaf at the Mocambo

Posted on July 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

Edith Piaf opens at the Mocambo. Chet Baker… Art Blakey… Buddy Collette…. Slim Gaillard….And look at all the Dixieland groups. Who knew?

Posted in Film, Music, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Orchestra wives

Posted on June 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 28, 1957 Los Angeles It’s a tough life for orchestra wives. Consider the case of Joy Windsor, bandleader Charlie Barnet’s 10th wife. In May, Barnet had assured her that his days of touring were over. “I was on the … Continue reading →

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Retro moment

Posted on June 20, 2007 by lmharnisch

The Puppini Sisters…  Here’s a video with some nice (uncredited) retro animation.  Enjoy! 

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