Category Archives: Rock ‘n’ Roll

November 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock, Nov. 21, 1959

Posted on November 21, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock has the story of a man who keeps getting tickets for not having a front plate on his French Panhard. The problem is there’s no place for a license plate. Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Music, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on November 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock, Nov. 21, 1959

August 11, 1969: Ritual Killings Terrorize L.A.

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

Here is Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi’s opening statement in the Tate-La Bianca murders of August 9-10, 1969. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off on August 11, 1969: Ritual Killings Terrorize L.A.

Movieland Mystery Photo — From Our Readers [Updated]

Posted on February 2, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Photos courtesy of Matthew Harris   [Update: Please congratulate Steve Stoliar for identifying this mystery group as the T-Bones! Nice research, Steve!]     [Update: Here’s a frame grab from YouTube.] Here’s a series of mystery photos … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | 18 Comments

Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Jan. 21, 1961

Posted on January 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 21, 1961: Paul Coates has a terrific item on a radio announcer whose life fell apart after he  lost his job because the station went to rock ‘n’ roll. Charley used to patronize a place on … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, broadcasting, Columnists, Comics, Front Pages, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Jan. 21, 1961

Teena Marie, 1956 — 2010: ‘I wish I was colorless’

Posted on December 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Teena Marie: “I’m a different kind of person. Blacks and whites don’t really react in any special way to me. I don’t get anything negative from blacks and not really anything negative from whites now. But I will say it was different before I started getting some popularity. I don’t think it was prejudice from whites as much as ignorance of something they didn’t know much about. You know, I wish I was colorless sometimes.”
Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | 4 Comments

Beatle John Lennon Slain; Shot Down Outside New York Apartment

Posted on December 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

Dec. 9, 1980: Former Beatle John Lennon, 40, who led a revolution in popular music that captured the imagination of an entire generation, was shot to death Monday outside his exclusive Manhattan apartment house.He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, less … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | 3 Comments

Ritchie Valens and ‘Donna’

Posted on November 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 5, 1959, Donna Ludwig. Feb. 5, 1959: Here’s a story I neglected to post in my original coverage of “The Day the Music Died,” an interview with Donna Ludwig of Granada Hills, the subject of Ritchie Valens’ song “Donna.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Ritchie Valens and ‘Donna’

Bob Dylan in San Francisco, 1980

Posted on November 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

           Nov. 11, 1980: Robert Hilburn writes about Bob Dylan playing at San Francisco’s Warfield Theater in a concert that emphasized his “born-again” Christian material rather than his standards. ”Unwilling to turn himself into a museum … Continue reading →

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Talking Heads at the Greek – Psychedelic Furs at the Whisky

Posted on October 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Oct. 20, 1980: Robert Hilburn reviews Talking Heads at the Greek Theater. On the jump, Psychedelic Furs and Wall of Voodoo at the Whisky.

Posted in Music, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Talking Heads at the Greek – Psychedelic Furs at the Whisky

Found on EBay: Psychedelic Neckties

Posted on July 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Yes, people really did wear ties like this – with bell bottom pants. If you’re lucky, you’re too young to remember it. What’s the best use of these ties? A quilt? Halloween? ‘60s night at the Cicada Club? Sending poor … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Nightclubs, Rock 'n' Roll | 3 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 21, 1960

Posted on April 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Being a Celebrity Weighs So Heavily     Since everyone else is hesitant to say it, I'll say it myself.       I'm a celebrity.       It's been a long, hard, often discouraging fight to reach the top.  But, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Music, Paul Coates, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 21, 1960

Elvis Arrives in L.A.

Posted on April 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

    April 21, 1960: Elvis Presley’s return to Los Angeles to film “G.I. Blues” is put safely on Page 2. Instead, The Times leads the paper with the resignation of the South Korean cabinet.    ps. Georg Solti is … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Film, Hollywood, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Elvis Arrives in L.A.

On the Road With Linda Ronstadt, April 20, 1980

Posted on April 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 20, 1980: Linda Ronstadt tells Robert Hilburn, “A lot of musicians mistakenly think you're supposed to know everything about your craft at age 18 just because a couple of geniuses, like Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger, seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Rock 'n' Roll | 1 Comment

GOP Loses Voting Strength, Poll finds

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1960: The Gallup Poll says: “…the Republican Party nationwide continues at one of its lowest ebbs in basic voting strength.” I have to wonder whether results like this set off any alarms among Republicans. Perhaps later stories will … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, JFK, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Stage | Comments Off on GOP Loses Voting Strength, Poll finds

Robert Hilburn on The Jam, March 18, 1980

Posted on March 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 18, 1980: Robert Hilburn wonders whether The Jam will be The Who of the 1980s. Actually, they broke up about 1983.

Posted in Music, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Robert Hilburn on The Jam, March 18, 1980

Voices – Alex Chilton

Posted on March 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1985: "Having a band is a very difficult thing, especially if you're not making a whole lot of money,” Alex Chilton tells Don Snowden. 

Posted in Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Voices – Alex Chilton

Robert Hilburn on 38-Special, Rush

Posted on March 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 10, 1980: “Bearable by most standards, 38-Special was a godsend next to headliner Rush,” Robert Hilburn says. 

Posted in Columnists, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Robert Hilburn on 38-Special, Rush

Kennedy Pulls Even With Nixon in Poll

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 4, 1960: Nancy Sinatra greets Elvis! March 4, 1960: Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) pulls even with Vice President Richard Nixon – even though Kennedy is Catholic! (More on the jump). 

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Front Pages, health, JFK, Music, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | 1 Comment

Fiery Train Wreck Kills 17

Posted on March 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

The San Francisco Santa Fe Chief smashes into an oil tank truck and trailer 12 miles west of Bakersfield. March 2, 1960: Gov. Pat Brown gives up hope that the California Legislature will abolish the death penalty …  and Elvis … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Fiery Train Wreck Kills 17

Matt Weinstock, March 1, 1960

Posted on March 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Way Out Walkout     A great many people walked out on Miles Davis and John Coltrane, two great men of music they had primarily come to see and hear, at last Saturday's jazz concert at Shrine Auditorium, thereby provoking a … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Politics, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 1, 1960