Yesterday, August 4, Lee Hazlewood passed away from renal cancer at the age of 78 in his home in Las Vegas. Born Barton Lee Hazlewood in Mannford, Oklahoma in 1929, he was a music legend and viewed as one of the more iconoclastic figures of 20th-century pop. Just his baritone voice alone made him sound like a cantankerous, hard living son of a bitch. I suspect he was.

Hazlewood was mostly known for his work from the 1950s through the 1970s, he composed such masterpieces as “These Boots Are Made For Walking,”  “Some Velvet Morning,”  “Sand,”  “The Fool,”  “Summer Wine,”  “Houston” and “Trouble Is A Lonesome Town.” He built a reputation as a solo artist, producer, and label owner. In the 1950s he produced Duane Eddy developing the whole ‘twangy’ guitar sound. The single “Rebel Rouser,” co-written by both Eddy and Hazlewood, became a huge international hit in 1958.  As far as being in the public eye, 1965 was his breakthrough year when he teamed up with Nancy Sinatra for a string of hit singles and an album “Nancy and Lee.”  A few years later his own LHI label, released what is widely considered the first country-rock record, the International Submarine Band featuring Gram Parsons. Over the next couple of decades he produced a series of beautifully odd solo albums that were mostly unheard of in America until Sonic Youth reissued them in the 1990s. His final release, “Cake Or Death” (Ever), was released earlier this year. 

Yesterday evening (Friday August 3rd) I attended both the Amoeba Music, San Francisco instore with super skilled turntablists DJs Platurn and Golden Chyld (pictured left) and also the San Francisco Bay Guardian's 'Best of the Bay" soiree at the de Young Museum, in nearby Golden Gate Park.

I hadn't been at the de Young Museum since it moved locations to its impressive new state-of-the-art facility in October 2005.  Come think of it, I hadn't been in Golden Gate Park, for about as long. And after seeing on local TV news and reading all the recent newspaper reports  about the "homeless problem" in the park, which made it sound like there were homeless people camped out under every bush in the park's confines with dirty syringes poking out of everywhere,  I was anticipating stumbling upon a sort of New Jack  (tent) City  which I didn't.  Instead I only witnessed a small gathering of poor unfortunate homeless down by the Stanyan end of the park (not far from Amoeba).   


But anyway, regarding the homeless situation in SF - I really see both sides.  I feel bad for residents (especially  those with little kids) who have to endure such things as street people pissing in their doorsteps or leaving dirty needles in their front yards or near playgrounds in the park.  But I also feel bad for individuals who have substance abuse problems or who are mentally ill and who have no option but living on the streets (dating back to Reagan as Governor of Cali).  And never do I forget the fact that most of us are just one paycheck away from joining them.

You gotta come down to the New Bev on Sunday, August 5th at 7:30!!

Not only are they showing two 80's classics,

LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN & FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH

But they're also having a Q&A with cast members from both films!!!

Slated to appear, schedule permitting, is Lawrence Monoson, Kimmy Robertson, David Peck, Louisa Moritz and Tessa Richarde from Last American Virgin, and, a New Bev favorite, Kelli Maroney from Fast Times at Ridgemont High!!

It's gonna be rad!!!!!

That's tomorrow night, August 5th at 7:30pm. The double feature also shows Sunday at 3:50, Monday and Tuesday at 7:30.


The New Beverly Cinema
7165 Beverly Blvd
Between La Brea and Fairfax

$7 for both films
$6 for students
$4 for seniors


http://www.newbevcinema.com
http://myspace.com/newbeverlycinema


Today, August 4th you can still catch out Coen Brothers double

THE BIG LEBOWSKI & THE HUDSUCKER PROXY at 3:05 and 7:30

Trans World Entertainment 38011

Last night I bought a first edition hard bound copy of Lenny Bruce’s “How to Talk Dirty and Influence People,” and this morning I realized it was the anniversary of his death… as they say (whoever they are) “there are no coincidences ..."

Anyway, on August 3, 1966, Lenny Bruce -- legendary stand-up comedian, author, social critic and satirist of the 1950’s and 60’s (born Leonard Alfred Schneider, October 13, 1925 ) was found dead at the age of 40 in the bathroom of his home at 8825 Hollywood Boulevard. The LAPD immediately announced that Bruce died from an overdose of narcotics, probably heroin, and that has been a universally reported fact ever since. However, the official report admits that the cause of death was unknown and the analysis inconclusive. Take that Wikipedia!

Dick Schaap eulogized Bruce in Playboy, with the memorable last line "One last four-letter word for Lenny: Dead. At forty. That's obscene."

Phil Spector, who once described Bruce as “my Socrates,” said Lenny Bruce died from "an overdose of police."

Side Note: I was going to include the entire script of  “Thank You, Mask Man,” but I’ll save that for his birthday in October. Those who might be offended will have to wait a few months. Sorry.

Here are some of Lenny Bruce’s jokes, comments and philosophies. Enjoy.

   “If Jesus had been killed 20 years ago, Catholic
   school children would be wearing little Electric 
   Chairs around their necks instead of crosses.”

   “Take away the right to say ‘fuck’ and you take away
   the right to say ‘fuck the government!’”