Tag Archives: Music

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Ben Model’s Undercrank Productions Bring Silent Films to Life

Posted on June 2, 2023 by lmharnisch

For more than 40 years, Ben Model has been accompanying silent films and finding new ways to bring them to audiences all over the world. Besides being a resident film accompanist at the Museum of Modern Art in New York … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The Paris Inn Sings for Its Supper

Posted on January 4, 2021 by lmharnisch

From its beginnings, Los Angeles attracted dreamers and schemers looking to devise new, more successful lives. Early leaders practiced hucksterism and hyperbole to draw Midwesterners and others to the golden, promised land of sunny Southern California and its budding metropolis … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Oh Doctor’ Welcomes Prohibition

Posted on January 27, 2020 by lmharnisch

Popular culture often comments on social and political issues of the day when citizens have no other way to voice opinions, change policy, or confront government. During the early years of the 20th century, sheet music provided a running commentary … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: George Hodel and Rachmaninoff – A Meeting That Never Occurred

Posted on February 6, 2019 by lmharnisch

So here we have a passing mention of piano prodigy George Hodel, age 9, meeting Sergei Rachmaninoff “accompanied by the Russian minister of culture.” I’m particularly interested in this line because Rachmaninoff (Kristof Konrad) shows up in “I Am the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1917, 1919, 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Feb. 3, 1959: The Day the Music Died

Posted on February 4, 2019 by lmharnisch

I’m a day late but trying to catch up. Here’s the Mirror’s front page from 1959. This post originally ran on latimes.com and is available via Archive.org.

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Jan. 7, 1969: Stocks suffer worst day in 19 months; Rams rehire Allen

Posted on January 7, 2019 by lmharnisch

Jan. 7, 1969: A 15-point drop in the Dow is Page 1 news in 1969. I wonder what they would think of today’s economic meltdowns.. Also: Gordon Lightfoot makes his debut in Los Angeles and Keith Thursby on the Rams … Continue reading →

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Dec. 21, 1947: ‘Tubby the Tuba’ and Music for Children

Posted on December 21, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.. Bonus factoid: The Jewish “defense army” Haganah was reported to have made a major attack—the largest since the U.N. partition decision—against Arabs in Lydda and Bet … Continue reading →

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Dec. 13, 1907: The Annual Rite of ‘Messiah’ at Cold, Drafty Shrine Auditorium

Posted on December 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Los Angeles Dec. 13, 1907 What do we find in music criticism of another era? Let’s take a good look. “ ‘The Messiah’ was presented at Shrine Auditorium by the Apollo Club … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Jukebox Hits

Posted on December 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Dec. 4, 1947: The jukebox hits of the week, from the Los Angeles Sentinel.

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Jukebox Hits

Posted on November 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Nov. 27, 1947: This week, we have two holiday songs: “Merry Christmas, Baby,” by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, and “How I Hate to See Xmas Come Around,” by Jimmy Witherspoon.

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Nov. 20, 1947: Contralto Carol Brice to Perform in L.A.

Posted on November 21, 2018 by lmharnisch

  “On Ma Journey,” performed by Carol Brice, accompanied by her brother Jonathan. Nov. 20, 1947: Carol Brice will perform at Philharmonic Auditorium. Here are a few of her recordings.

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Black L.A. 1947: The Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on November 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

“Since I fell for You” by Annie Laurie leads the Sentinel’s Juke Box Hits.

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Nov. 5, 1907: Bride Travels From Scotland to Marry Fiance Seeking Better Life in L.A.

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 5, 1907 Los Angeles John Richie led the bass section of the choir at St. Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland, while Testristina Adams was a contralto. They sang in the choir … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on October 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 30, 1947: Leading the juke box hits this week: Louis Jordan’s “Early in the Morning,” T-Bone Walker’s “I Know Your Wig Is Gone” and “Look Out” by Louis Jordan.

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Oct. 29, 1907: ‘Oh, God, The Bassoon!’ Musicians Union Dispute Becomes Operatic

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 29, 1907 Los Angeles Given The Times’ view of unions, it’s a little difficult to determine precisely what went wrong with a production of Ambroise Thomas’ “Mignon” at the Auditorium, but … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Idaho’s Singing Cowboy Senator, a Future Toupee Tycoon, Saddles Up for Cross-Country Ride

Posted on October 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Sen. Glen H. Taylor (D-Idaho) gave up his cross-country trip after three days, arriving in Phoenix by car with the admission that “he bit off … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Spike Jones at Philharmonic Auditorium

Posted on October 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. BY EDWIN SCHALLERT Hitting the bull’s-eye squarely in the center with the title of his show, which he calls “Musical Depreciation Revue,” Spike Jones last night … Continue reading →

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Oct. 14, 1897: ‘La Boheme’ Receives American Premiere in Los Angeles

Posted on October 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

    Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. San Francisco has long claimed the first American performance of Puccini’s “La Boheme” in March 1898 and is given credit for that distinction in … Continue reading →

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Sept. 26, 1907: Disharmony for Conductor of Long Beach Band

Posted on September 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 26, 1907 Long Beach Marco Vessella, conductor of Long Beach’s Royal Italian Band, has had nothing but trouble with Special Officer W.D. Cason after firing him from his job as ticket … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on September 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sept. 25, 1947: The Sentinel’s juke box hits of the week. On the jump:  “Thrill Me” by Roy Milton and “Money Hustlin’ Woman” by Amos Milburn.

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