A Los Angeles Landmark! An Icon of Rock and Roll!
Tower Records on the Sunset Strip!
Sacramento based Tower Records used to be the most successful chain of record stores in the United States. They filed for bankruptcy and went out of business in 2006.
Tower Records on Sunset – stock photo of the good old days
Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard
stock photos of the good old days (opened on the Sunset Strip in 1971)
Tower Records on Sunset – Water and Power Associates
Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard
Temporary Halloween Superstore a couple years ago,
the LIVE! retail clothing store,
and the time the Gibson Guitar Showroom was dressed as Tower Records for the Colin Hanks documentary “All Things Must Pass” premier.
Temporary Halloween Superstore a couple years ago
The Sunset Strip storefront is prime West Hollywood commercial real estate.
It sits on a 34570 square-foot lot and rents for around $230000 per month.
Tower Records – File it under “Things that aren’t here anymore”
That time it was dressed up for the documentary “All Things Must Pass” premier
“All Things Must Pass – The Rise and Fall of Tower Records” released March 2015
Colin Hanks’ documentary about the history of Tower Records,
the rise and fall and the legacy left by founder Russ Solomon RIP.
Woah, oh listen to the music Woah, oh listen to the music Woah, oh listen to the music All the time
Earl “Mad Man” Muntz
All Things Must Pass
Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard RIP.
Music makes my world go round And music gets me high and keeps me on the ground In music I feel safe and sound Get lost and still be found
PARTY AT GROUND ZERO!
written by Angelo Moore, Kendall Jones and John Norwood Fisher of Fishbone in 1985
FISHBONE!
Fishbone! “Party At Ground Zero” music video directed by Henry Selick in 1985:
And Fishbone “Party At Ground Zero” LIVE at Fenders Ballroom, Long Beach, CA in 1987:
The song is about “Dancing around Armageddon” and having a good time without worry or concern….
Party at ground zero – A “B” movie starring you And the world will turn to flowing – Pink vapor stew! Johnny, go get your gun, for the commies are in our hemisphere today Ivan, go fly your MIG, for the Yankee imperialists have come to play Johnny goes to Sally’s house to kiss her goodbye But Daddy says to spend the night They make love ’till the early morning light For tomorrow Johnny goes to fight Johnny, Ivan, Ian, everybody come along for our nations need new heroes Time to sing a new war song [CHORUS] Please do not fear ’cause Fishbone is here to say (say what?) Just have a good time the stop sign is far away The toilet has flushed and green lights are a ghost And drop drills will be extinct Speedracer cloud has come They know not what they’ve done Sin has just won The planet is a crumb… [CHORUS]
The term “Ground Zero” is generally used to mean the point directly above or below the earth’s surface closest to the detonation when a nuclear explosion takes place. The term is also used to mark the point of the most severe damage or destruction.
Inauguration Day has taken place on January 20 every year following a presidential election since 1937. Trump is scheduled to be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017 around noon on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol. The president-elect and vice president-elect will both take the Oath of Office, followed by the inaugural address and the presidential procession and inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
The United States Capitol in Washington D.C.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” – The Oath of Office of the President of the United States (as mandated by the United States Constitution in Article II, Section One, Clause 8)
More than 50 House Democrats are planning to boycott the inauguration in Washington D.C. after Trump’s divisive campaign, and most recently his twitter attack this week on civil rights activist Congressman John Lewis (after he called Trump’s victory illegitimate due to Russian interference in the election). And 200,000+ people are also expected in the city the day after for the Women’s March on Washington to protest Trump’s election.
Trump is scheduled to be sworn in on January 20, 2017
Our Thoughts on Trump’s Inauguration:
The President of the United States is the head of state and head of government elected by the citizens (well, actually the Electoral College) of the United States of America to a four year term of office. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces the most expensive military (with the second largest nuclear arsenal) in the world.
NOTE: During the Cold War, a snack bar that used to be located in the open space in the center of the Pentagon was nicknamed “Cafe Ground Zero, the deadliest hot dog stand in the world.” Soviet satellites saw groups of military officers entering and exiting the hot dog stand at about the same time every day. They concluded that the stand was the entrance to an underground bunker.
The Pentagon – Arlington, Virginia
“Rumor has it that during the Cold War the Russians never had any less than two missiles aimed at this hot dog stand. They thought this was the Pentagon’s most top secret meeting room, and the entire Pentagon was a large fortress built around this hot dog stand. They thought the officers were going to get their top secret briefings in a protected area, but really they were just going to get lunch” – Brett Eaton, an information and communications officer for Washington Headquarters Services
Cafe Ground Zero was torn down in 2006 and a new building was built in its place. The Pentagon was declared a national historic landmark in 1992 and the courtyard is one of five historically protected features of the building. The hot dog stand was replaced by a modern building of roughly the same size and exactly the same shape.
Cafe Ground Zero at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia (torn down in 2006)
The New Building: The Center Courtyard Cafe at the Pentagon (opened in 2008)
Construction of the Pentagon was completed in approximately 16 months at a total cost of $83 million. Ground was broken September 11, 1941 and the building was dedicated on January 15, 1943. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992.
Designed by American architect George Bergstrom (1876–1955), the building is 77 ft tall, and each of the five sides of the building is 921 ft long with a five-acre central plaza. It has five floors above ground and two basement levels. One of the world’s largest office buildings, the total square footage is about 6,500,000 square feet. More than half, 3,700,000 square feet is office space. The concentric rings are designated “A” through “E” from the center out with additional “F” and “G” rings in the basement. “E” Ring offices have the outside view and are generally occupied by senior officials. Supposedly, it’s possible for a person to walk between any two points in the Pentagon in less than seven minutes.
The Pentagon After 9/11
On September 11, 2001, exactly 60 years after the building’s construction began, American Airlines Flight Flight 77 (from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport) was hijacked and deliberately flown into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37am, killing 189 people according to the official report. 59 civilians and 5 terrorists on the airplane were killed, as were 70 civilians and 55 military personnel in the building. The damaged sections of the Pentagon were rebuilt in 2002 and the occupants moved back in August. The America‘s HeroesMemorial and a chapel opened in 2002 and is located where Flight 77 crashed into the building. The Memorial is open seven days a week, year-round and is the only place at the Pentagon where photography is permitted.
The American Flag on the Pentagon for the 6th Anniversary of 9/11
After the attack on 9-11, the destroyed World Trade Center’s 15 acre site in New York City became known as “Ground Zero” and is now the new The World Trade Center and the National September 11th Memorial and Museum.
“Ground Zero” after 9-11 at the World Trade Center in New York City
Views from the WTC in 1994:
Manhattan from the World Trade Center – New York City 1994
New York City – View from the top of the World Trade Center
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – New York and New Jersey
September 11, 2001 – NEVER FORGET!
ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
One World Trade Center (aka “Freedom Tower”) – New York City
National September 11th Memorial – New York City
September 11, 2001
Armageddon as it is written in the Book of Revelation (the last book of the Bible’s New Testament) is the prophesied location of the gathering of armies for a final battle during the end times. According to the Book of Revelation, the purpose of this gathering of kings in the “place called Armageddon” is “for the war of the great day of G-d, the Almighty.” Also called the “Revelation to John” or the “Apocalypse” it is interpreted as either a literal or a symbolic location. The term is also used to refer to any “end of the world” scenario and the climax of the ongoing struggle between good and evil.
NOTE: In religion and theology, a revelation is the revealing or disclosing of some form of truth or knowledge through communication with a deity or other supernatural entity.
Tell me who’s that writin’? John the Revelator Tell me who’s that writin’? John the Revelator Who’s that writin’? John the Revelator…wrote the book of the seven seals! – ” John The Revelator” by Son House
Sam Moore as Reverend Morris at the Revival Meeting in the film “Blues Brothers 2000”:
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Well, I just found a draft of a Downtown Los Angeles Blog from 2013 and the pictures were all laid out with captions. So I thought for the third year anniversary I would work it up a little and publish it for your entertainment.
Los Angeles Times Travel Show (copyright 2014 JoshWillTravel)
I was invited down to L.A. Live in DTLA for lunch and a private tour of the Grammy Museum courtesy of AEG. I was working a deal to package their events with travel and destination specific tours. At the time when this was written I was a newbie travel advisor and set this deal with AEG up for the agency immediately. This lunch meeting was to discuss all the details and I’ll write more on the outcome later in this Blog.
The day included freeway traffic in both directions from the San Fernando Valley, driving around DTLA, parking at Staples Center and L.A. Live, a nice lunch at Rock’N’Fish and a private tour of the Grammy Museum and the AEG offices.
Here’s the Blog and please note the pics were shot with a Blackberry camera.
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There was traffic on the 101 Freeway heading Downtown (as usual).
101 Freeway Traffic – Downtown in the Distance (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
101 – 110 Freeway South Exchange – Downtown, Los Angeles – This shoulder is where I once got a flat tire at Midnight (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
110 Freeway south – Downtown, Los Angeles (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
110 Freeway South
110 Freeway South
Convention Center or Staples Center? (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Los Angeles Convention Center
L.A. Convention Center (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
L.A. Convention Center (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
L.A. Convention Center (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Staples Center
Up the Escalator – L.A. LIVE (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
L.A.’s Finest at L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Ritz-Carlton and J.W. Marriott Hotels at L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Staples Center (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Staples Center (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Staples Center – Chick Hearn Plaza (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Staples Center – Chick Hearn Plaza (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
L.A. Live
L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Lunch at Rock’N’Fish – L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Lunch at Rock’N’Fish! We shared a Calamari appetizer (no pic, but it was good), then I had the 1/2 rack of Baby Back Ribs with fries and a salad, and Creme Brulee for dessert. The food was excellent! The calamari and ribs were tasty and cooked perfectly, and the creme brulee was delicious too.
Luxe Hotel Downtown Los Angeles (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live – Would you like a private tour?
Grammy Museum at L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Janis Joplin’s Porsche 356 in the Lobby of the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Photographs are not allowed inside the museum., but I was able to take a picture of the Janis car in the Lobby before taking a private tour. It’s a great space and the permanent and visiting exhibits were pretty spectacular!
NOTE: Dec. 10, 2015 – A 1964 Porsche 356 that once belonged to the rock singer Janis Joplin sold at auction for $1.76 million. The car had been expected to sell for between $400,000 and $600,000. The sale price includes a 10% commission for Sotheby’s auction house.
The Plaza at L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
The Plaza – L.A. Live
The Plaza at L.A. Live (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
J.W. Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Downtown Los Angeles
717 Condo – Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles
Westin Bonaventure Hotel and the Wells Fargo Towers
Wedbush Building – Downtown Los Angeles
Four Level Freeway – Downtown Los Angeles
Under the Freeway – Downtown Los Angeles
Under the Freeway – Downtown Los Angeles
NOTE: As you can see, there was a lot of the Blog laid out but never finished.
The meeting was a great success! I had a terrific lunch and a private tour of the Grammy Museum. I was gifted a couple of FREE tickets to return another time on my own. I wasn’t able to tour the Staples Center because Rihanna was rehearsing for her concert that night (if I remember right, and we would get a private tour of Staples Center on my next visit). It was a good day downtown and they did comp my parking!
The deal included access to the Grammy Museum and the 200 seat performance space, AEG events at L.A. Live and Staples Center including the Kings, Clippers, and Stars games; the BET Experience and other concerts (including corporate CLUB BOXES) and the L.A. Galaxy soccer (fútbol) games. It was a major score! But, the best laid plans….la la la.
Here are a couple more recent picture of DTLA from the Echo Park Blog:
US District Court Building & Los Angeles City Hall
Echo Park – Downtown Los Angeles, California
“Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty How can you lose? The lights are much brighter there You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go Downtown, things’ll be great when you’re Downtown, no finer place for sure, Downtown, everything’s waiting for you Downtown!”
Downtown Los Angeles is the central area of the Los Angeles metropolitan area and features many of the city’s major arts institutions and sports facilities, sightseeing opportunities, a variety of skyscrapers and associated large multinational corporations, and an array of public art and unique shopping opportunities. Downtown Los Angeles is the hub of the city’s freeway network and Metro rapid transit system.
Staples Center, opened in 1999, has contributed immensely to the revitalization of Downtown, adding 250 events and nearly 4 million visitors per year to the neighborhood. Since the opening of the Staples Center, the adjacent L.A. Live complex was completed, which includes the Nokia Theater, the Regency Theaters and the Grammy Museum.
Downtown Los Angeles from up high 2014 (taken from WP24)!
It was a beautiful day. I found parking! The park was full of people and activity.
Here are a few pics of the park (not the people):
Echo Park Lake & Downtown Los Angeles, California
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Jose Marti Monument at Echo Park Lake – Los Angeles, California
“Man loves liberty, even if he does not know that he loves it. He is driven by it and flees from where it does not exist.” ~ Jose Marti
José Julián Martí Pérez January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895
Born in Havana, Cuba, he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary, a philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher and a political theorist. His writings and political activity became a symbol for Cuba’s bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century and he is referred to as the “Apostle of Cuban Independence.”
“El que tenga patria que la honre, el que no, que la conquiste.” (“Honor your country if you have one; and if you do not have one, struggle for it.”)
“Con todos y para el bien de todos” (“With all, and for the good of all.”)
In 1976, the city designated the intersection of Park Ave and Echo Park Ave “José Martí Square,” (plaza) to honor the the Cuban community of Los Angeles. Sculptor Sergio López-Mesa created the bust of José Martí, a Cuban writer and champion of Latin American identity whose poem from the book “Versos Sencillos” (“Simple Verses”) inspired the lyrics for “Guantanamera,” the definitive protest song of Cuba.
Civil engineer Carlos Sebastian Lorente & sculptor Sergio López-Mesa installing José Martí Monument 1976. | Cuban California Archive USC Libraries Special Collections
More Jose Marti quotes:
“Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy.”
“A grain of poetry suffices to season a century.”
“Others go to bed with their mistresses; I with my ideas.”
“It is necessary to make virtue fashionable.”
“The struggles waged by nations are weak only when they lack support in the hearts of their women.”
“Charm is a product of the unexpected.”
“The vote is a trust more delicate than any other, for it involves not just the interests of the voter, but his life, honor and future as well.”
“Man has to suffer. When he has no real afflictions, he invents some.”
José Martí was killed in battle against Spanish troops at the Battle of Dos Ríos in 1895. He is buried in Cementerio Santa Efigenia in Santiago de Cuba.
“No me entierren en lo oscuro/ A morir como un traidor/ Yo soy bueno y como bueno/ Moriré de cara al sol.” (“Do not bury me in darkness / to die like a traitor / I am good, and as a good man / I will die facing the sun.”)
US Bank Tower, Pedal Boats on Echo Park Lake & Downtown Los Angeles, California
US Bank Tower, formerly the Library Tower and First Interstate Bank World Center, is a 1018 ft skyscraper at 633 West Fifth Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s the tallest building in California, the 11th tallest building in the United States, the tallest west of the Mississippi River and the 65th tallest building in the world. (or thereabouts…) It’s 73 stories tall with two parking levels below ground. Construction began in 1987 and finished in 1989. The building was designed by Henry N. Cobb and architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. It cost $350 million to build.
The Lady of the Lake Statue, Echo Park Lake & Downtown Los Angeles, California
On a concrete peninsula with benches facing the water, is a fourteen-foot Art Deco-style female statue. The official name is “Nuestra Reina de Los Angeles” (“Our Queen of the Angels”) but most people know her simply as the “Lady of the Lake.” Rendered in poured concrete, it was created in 1934 by Ada May Sharpless with funding from the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). It stands on a pedestal box with four bas-reliefs featuring the Hollywood Bowl, L.A. Harbor, the San Gabriel Mountains and the Central Library.
“Nuestra Reina de Los Angeles” (“Our Queen of the Angels”) aka “Lady of the Lake.” 1934 by Ada May Sharpless
The “Wooden Bridge” at Echo Park Lake – Los Angeles, California
Possibly the Oldest Bridge in Los Angeles County, it was built in 1896. The bridge was originally all wood but was replaced with steel sometime before 1960. The bridge is currently closed to foot traffic and there are large locked steel gates at both ends.
Palm Trees at Echo Park Lake – Los Angeles, California
NOTE: The City of Los Angeles spent a lot of money to “rehab” the park and they did a great job! However, the HOMELESS problem remains. A homeless man was camped under a tree when I parked, and another homeless man was passed out on the steps of an outbuilding with his overflowing shopping cart parked nearby.
Bonus Pics: PETA at the Bob Barker Building on Sunset and L.A. City Hall
PETA at the Bob Barker Building on Sunset Blvd in Echo Park – Los Angeles, California
US District Court Building & Los Angeles City Hall – Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)
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Q: Are there any location scouts here? (a short conversation from facebook)
JoshWillTravel: Why do you ask?
Q: I’m curious as to how all of that works. Let’s say I’d like to do a shoot with a model or shoot a low-budget commercial in a corporate skyscraper, how would I go about getting permission to check out the place to see if it fits my requirements?
A: Contact the Building or Property Manager/Management Co. and ask them if they’ll let you use it as a location. You may not need a permit if it’s private property and you don’t need city access or services. Some buildings and most hotels have a person who coordinates all their “Hollywood” filming requests. You may be able to negotiate a location based on the exposure they can get from your project.
“FilmL.A. is a private 501(c)4 not-for-profit organization established for the public benefit. They coordinate and process permits for on-location motion picture, television and commercial production under contract to an ever-increasing roster of public-sector clients in the Los Angeles region. All permits are issued by the authority of and in accordance with the policies of each client jurisdiction.”
The historic Barrel Cafe (Idle Hour Cafe, Rudy’s Keg, La Cana Restaurant) on Vineland in North Hollywood is being restored and protected! I was driving up Vineland the other day and saw that they were finally restoring the old La Cana Restaurant, so I took this picture. I posted the pic in a group on facebook, and a Blog just happened. The building has a great history and it’s being preserved!
The Historic Barrel Cafe on Vineland under construction (copyright 2014 JoshWillTravel)
The Historic Barrel Cafe on Vineland (Large photo Daily News; small photo HCM application)
Built in 1941 and closed since 1984, Bigfoot Lodge owner Bobby Green and his 1933 Group picked up the building at auction and a full restoration is underway. It reopens sometime next year as the Idle Hour Cafe.
The Idle Hour Cafe 1940’s
UPDATE! 17 January 2015 – The restoration is almost complete and it looks amazing! The woodwork is beautiful both inside and out! The gate was open and the guys were inside working on a Saturday afternoon. I asked if I could take a few pictures of the interior but they told me there was a “Gag Order” and they weren’t in charge of the decision. I’ll just say it was very impressive. The Bar, the interior space and the dining area…everything is beautiful wood. Opening in February as the new Idle Hour Cafe, or so I was told….. (and there’s a liquor license permit notice posted on the wall)
The Historic Barrel in North Hollywood (copyright 2015 JoshWillTravel)
Completely rehabilitated by 1933 Group, the famous barrel bar, abandoned for years in North Hollywood, has returned. Built 75 years ago, the design was meant to draw in drivers. 1933 Group worked on this project for over 3 years before opening The Idle Hour in 2015.
The restored wood glistens with golden hues. Patrons can have a cocktail or eat inside the barrel or on the patio where the centerpiece is the rescued Bulldog Cafe which served ice cream and tamales 1928-1960 at 1153 W. Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Bulldog Cafe – Idle Hour Patio – Phot0 by William Bradford
Idle Hour open daily 11 am-2am
21+ during all hours – Friday Happy Hour: 3-7pm
Parking: Metered street parking on Vineland and valet
Idle Hour – 4824 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood 91601 (south of Magnolia Blvd)
CAA Building (“the Death Star”) & Century Plaza Towers at Night – Century City, CA (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is a prominent entertainment and sports agency headquartered in Century City. In January 2007, CAA moved to a new building sometimes referred to as “The Death Star”.
CAA Building – 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, CA 90067
It’s National Travel & Tourism Week! Where do you want to go?
The Capitol Records Building – Hollywood, California
Capitol Records Building in Hollywood (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
The Capitol Records Building is a thirteen-story tower that was designed by Welton Becket and is one of the city’s landmarks. Construction occurred soon after British company EMI acquired Capitol Records in 1955 and the building was completed in April 1956. Located just north of the Hollywood and Vine intersection, the Capitol Records Tower is also home to the recording studios and echo chambers engineered by Les Paul. The building is included on the List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles.
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