The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 1966-

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, formed in Long Beach, 1966--

1970, Mr. Bojangles 

I used to hear this song before I was in high school.  I remember one summer afternoon walking on the elbow of Fish Canyon across the street from Colleen Black 

1980, "Make a Little Magic," with Nicolette Larson, 1952-1997, whose voice was better than the songs that she was known for.  Neil Young's 1978 "Lotta Love" is a sweet song, but doesn't really showcase her beautiful voice.  "I Only Want to Be With You" does a better job of showcasing her voice.  "Lotta Love" got so much airplay.  1978 I was still working at Colamco in San Dimas.  It was the year that Sean died from drowning out at the SG Riverbed.  

 

Warner Brothers Studios, 1937

1937, Warner Brothers Studios, located at 5800 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood from 1919 to 1935.  Wikipedia explains, 

By 1937 Warner had closed the Sunset Boulevard studio and the property had been converted into a bowling alley and "sports center". The Los Angeles Times reported on the conversion of the historic studio . . .

Thank you to Mathew Baker.

Main Street between 6th and 7th, 1941

 

1941, Main Street between 6th Street and 7th.  M & S Cafe, Star Loan Office, Big Nickel Coffee and Donut.

1941, Wow, Martin Turnbull covers a lot of ground.  Incredible that he's got a couple of shots of this scene.  Turnbull writes, 

This circa early 1940s (judging by the sedan delivery (probably a Chevrolet) is from at least 1941) shot looks to me like a scene from a Damon Runyon story. On the wast side of Main St between 6th and 7th in downtown L.A. the Star Loan Office pawn shop (at 641 Main St) was bookended by the 5 and 10 M&S Café and Big Nickel Coffee and Donut. Five cents for a cup of joe and a donut sounds like a pretty good deal to me, however you can’t help but wonder what a dime got you over at the M&S Café.

1954, View of the 400 Block of South Main Street, east side; shows stores and shops at sidewalk level of three-story brick building, from right to left: Los Angeles Loan (446 S. Main), Lone Star liquor and wine, Roxy Loan Office (438 S. Main), Shoe Store, Earl's Clothes shop; curbside automobile at right, street railroad tracks in the foreground. Los Angeles; ca. 1954.  Thank you to Library California.Gov.  

Looking North on Olive at 7th, Los Angeles, 1937

1937, Looking North on Olive at 7th, Los Angeles (1937)

In 1937, looking north on Olive Street at 7th Street revealed a dynamic downtown intersection filled with life and activity. Office workers, shoppers, and streetcar commuters filled the sidewalks as they navigated the bustling shopping district. Department stores, theaters, and high-rise office buildings lined the streets, reflecting the city’s economic growth during the 1930s. Streetcars shared the road with classic sedans, highlighting the coexistence of public transit and car culture. This view captured the rhythm of daily life in downtown Los Angeles, a place where business, leisure, and transit intersected in a thriving urban environment.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

East Side of 1st Street in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, 1942

1942, The East Side of 1st Street in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles (1942)

In 1942, the east side of 1st Street in Little Tokyo was a bustling center of Japanese-American life in Los Angeles. Lined with small businesses, cafes, and specialty stores, it served as a vital hub for the local community. Restaurants offered traditional Japanese cuisine, while gift shops displayed imported goods from Japan. The onset of World War II, however, would bring dramatic change as Japanese-Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps. This view of 1st Street captured the vibrant cultural heart of Little Tokyo just before this upheaval, highlighting a thriving community that would later rebuild and endure.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

5th Street & Olive, 1938

1938, In this view of 5th Street across Olive St in downtown Los Angeles, we’re treated to the sign of the long-gone Biltmore Theatre. Attached to the Biltmore Hotel, the theater was a major stop on the national touring circuit. (Erlanger was a theatrical syndicate similar to Shubert.) This photo was taken in 1938 when “Room Service” was playing—the same “Room Service” that was made into a Marx Brothers movie at RKO. The Biltmore Hotel still exists, but an office tower replaced the theater after the Los Angeles . . . Thank you to Martin Turnbull.