A CELEBRATION OF ROCK HISTORY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

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Michael Hepworth

A CELEBRATION OF ROCK HISTORY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AND BEYOND.

Tarzana,CA(Perfect Music Today)9/28/16/– The exhibit will bring together works from some of Los Angeles’ best rock photographers in one venue. The San Fernando Valley has a huge rock history…Devonshire Downs in Northridge, The Country Club, & Bebop Records in Reseda all contributed to that history. Jimi Hendrix, U2, Jane’s Addiction, Tom Petty and Metallica made their mark on the “other” side of the hill…the Valley side.

DEVONSHIRE DOWNS

On June 20, 1969 nearly 200,000 people attended the three-day festival listening to the sounds of artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Booker T & the MGs, Mother Earth, The Rascals, Three Dog Night, The Grass Roots, Chambers Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal, Johnny Winter, Brenton Wood, Sweetwater and more.

THE COUNTRY CLUB

The Country Club opened in 1980. Celebrated promoter Jim Rissmiller managed the venue until 1984, bringing in top acts like B.B King, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, Captain Beefheart, Slayer and James Brown. The 1,000 person capacity spot also saw Mick Jagger shoot several music videos there and MTV hold events including a New Year’s Eve party and an awards show after-party concert by Prince. It was featured in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 hit film Boogie Nights as a disco-era club called Hot Traxx.

BEBOP RECORDS

Bebop Records & Fine Art in Reseda had a little bit of everything. You could buy records, check out the art or groove to the live performances. Bebop held four or five performances a week of different music acts and spoken word performers, eventually adding in open mike nights once a month for locals to try their hand at poetry reading. While performers such as Jane’s Addiction, Los Lobos, and Henry Rollins were among those who played at Bebop, most of the acts that performed were less well known, in part because of the small venue, but also because owner, Richard Bruland sought to book more personal acts that might not have found another venue willing to house them. The intimate space at Bebop soon became a favorite for both performers and audience members, who often likened a show there to having performers in your living room. As a result, acts were often booked months in advance and holding performances eventually became the main avenue for the record store to get people in the door and buying albums.

VALLEY MUSIC THEATER

Among the performers who appeared at the Valley Music Theater in Woodland Hills were Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, Woody Allen, Ray Charles, Art Linkletter, Robert Goulet, Mitzi Gaynor, Ike & Tina Turner, Peter, Paul & Mary, B.B. King, Lou Rawls, Three Dog Night, Jim Croce, and the Spiral Starecase. The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Doors appeared there together on February 22, 1967. (Wikipedia)

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLS

The Doors played at both Birmingham and Cleveland High Schools back in 1967. Three Dog Night played at Grant High School in the late 60s. Cherie Curie, Joan Jett and Jackie Fox of the Runaways attended Taft High School.

Seems that for a brief moment, the Valley attracted iconic rock bands and singers, making even the suburbs a cool place to be.

EVENT PARTNERS

KCSN 88.5 is partnering with us for the exhibit to kick off their Pledge Drive
Sponsors are Amoeba Music, Hollywood, School of Rock, Woodland Hills, Museum of the SFV, Northridge, Guitar Center, Northridge, Valley Relics, Chatsworth, Councilman Bob Blumenfield and Rock & Roll Pizza, Moorpark.

VENUE

The 4,600 sq. ft. San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center in Tarzana
8’ x 16’ permanent stage
Professional quality audio system with mixer and stage monitor
Great acoustics
Can seat 90-100 or hold 150 standing
Eighteen 6’and two 8’ tables
Refrigerator and clean-up sink are available
Gift shop
Men’s and women’s restrooms
Two HVAC systems for air conditioning and heating
Parking in the lot beyond the alley or in the Metro Orange line lot across the street