David Bowie- Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide (from the film Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars)
This video is footage from the documentary film of Bowie’s final concert as the stage persona Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon in July of 1973, and was directed by Donn Alan “D.A.” Pennebaker.
It’s been almost two weeks since David Bowie died and it’s still hard to believe he’s gone. A singer, songwriter, musician, producer, actor and fashion icon- he was an exceptional artist and innovator throughout his career.
His final album Blackstar was released two days before he died and the video below for Lazarus was released less than a week before that. It’s a stunning creative work made more poignant as he was clearly aware of his impending death while making it.
David Bowie’s legacy will live on in the artists he’s influenced, and those he will continue to influence in the years to come. He was an inspiration to so many, including myself. He will be missed, but we are lucky to have so much of his work to enjoy and discover.
This is the first single from Fishbone’s 1985 debut album Fishbone. The video was directed by Henry Selick who went on to later direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach and Coraline.
Fishbone are playing at The Roxy on Friday, 12/18/15.
Stone Temple Pilots- Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart
I was originally going to post this video in the coming weeks when Scott Weiland was supposed to play in Los Angeles. Sadly he passed away a week ago today (12/3/15).
This song is off Stone Temple Pilots third album Tiny Music…Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop which was released in 1996. The lyrics were written by Weiland and he also titled his 2011 autobiography Not Dead and Not for Sale.
The Dandy Warhols- Not if You Were The Last Junkie on Earth
This song was released as the second single from the 1997 album …The Dandy Warhols Come Down. The video was directed by David LaChapelle, most famous for his surreal candy colored celebrity photographs.
There are still tickets for The Dandy Warhols shows at the Teregram Ballroom on 12/3 and 12/4/15.
This 1983 single, from Public Image Ltd, reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The band was started in 1978 by singer John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols, guitarist Keith Levene (a former member of The Clash), bassist Jah Wobble, and drummer Jim Walker.
Those who know Los Angeles will recognize the Century City location and the Century Plaza Towers in the video.
Public Image Ltd are playing at the Fonda Theatre on Sunday (11/29/15).
This song, the first single released from Primal Scream’s 1991 album Screamadelica, was actually released in February of 1990, months before that album was released. It was the band’s first top UK top 40 hit. Loaded contains a sample of Peter Fonda’s speech from the 1966 film The Wild Angels seen below.
Primal Scream are playing at the Hollywood Palladium with The Cult on Friday 11/20/15.
Today (11/13/15) at Amoeba Records, Andra Day will be performing from her album Cheers to the Fall for Club Vinyl. There will be live vinyl pressings and Amoeba will be offering 50% off vinyl from artists performing at 30 Days in LA as part of the event as well.
This is from Squeeze’s 1979 album Cool For Cats. According to an article in The Guardian, in which the songwriters Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford discuss Up the Junction, the video was filmed in the kitchen of John Lennon’s old house where the Imagine video was made.
Tilbrook and Difford will be at the Wilshire Ebell for Squeeze Acoustic – “The At Odds Couple”- An Evening with Difford & Tilbrook on Saturday 11/14/15.
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (11/12-11/115)-
Thursday
Cass McCombs is the band in Cinefamily’sThe Band & A Movie series. The movie he chose is Dusty and Sweets McGee– a “stark quasi-documentary look at the Los Angeles drug scene by featuring real-life junkies playing themselves” with short film Sean preceding it. ($20)
Artist Jennifer Pastor is speaking at the Hammer Museum (free)
LACMA is hosting Selfies, Sousveillance, and Participatory Countersurveillance a conversation with artists Hasan Elahi and Annina Rüst (free with reserved ticket)
The School for the Movement of the Technicolor People curator Robert Crouch and artists Ashley Hunt, taisha paggett and Kim Zumpfe will be in conversation at LACE in Hollywood focusing on the current installation and the artists’ collaborative process.
Downtown Art Walk is back and this time it’s featuring work from the Los Angeles Plein Air Festival
Tamaryn is at The Echo with LA bands Froth and Roses ($10)
DIEM: TALKS DESIGN is a “one-day design symposium presented by the West Hollywood Design District with discussions, panels and keynotes from leaders in the fields of design, decorative arts, fashion, architecture and fine arts” and it’s all free with RSVP
Andra Day is performing for Club Vinyl at Amoeba Records and there will be a half off sale on all vinyl releases from artists headlining 30 Days in LA
Yo La Tengo are reuniting with former member Dave Schramm for an acoustic show at the Ace Hotel
William H. Macy, Baron Vaughn, Chicano Batman, Matt Walsh,and Brian Huskey will all be a part of NPR’s Bullseye with Jesse Thorn event at the Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge
Squeeze Acoustic – “The At Odds Couple” ~ An Evening with Difford & Tilbrook is at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre
Family Books is having a book signing with photographer Ryan McGinley for his new book Way Far
Depending on your feelings about crowds and Christmas celebrations you may want to check out or avoid The Grove Christmas. Seth McFarlane will be singing holiday songs along with special guests Meghan Trainor and Katharine McPhee with a 70 pieces orchestra and there will be a tree lighting, fireworks and more.
Artist Ned Evans is speaking at Craig Krull Gallery in Bergamot Station (rsvp by 11/12)
Sunday
Barnsdall Art Center Holiday Art Sale + Fundraiser will be selling prints, ceramics, jewelry, handcrafted cards and photography by students & faculty of the center. Free or a $5 ticket that includes a snack and drink, $5 for raffle tickets
This song is from Lauryn Hill’s 1999 debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was also the first commercial appearance of John Legend, who played piano on the song and was still in his late teens at the time (info via Wiki).
Hill is playing at The Observatory in Santa Ana on Thursday 11/5/15.
