Jan 25
In the 1960s there were two schools of thought on sound systems. The new way was assembling a set of components, speakers, amplifier, turntable, etc. As you could afford it you would buy the best component part and assemble a system. A story on the same page as this advertisement explained the concept. The old …
Dec 14
The Tribune was four months old in December 1869 and it carried an advertisement for a Grand Christmas Ball scheduled for Christmas Eve in Cambria. At the time the town in the pines was undergoing a development boom and was the county’s second city. The dinner, and dance was touted at the grandest of the …
Nov 28
Nothing says 1980s faster than boom box. Transistor radios, wonders of the 60s that would fit in the palm of your hand had sound like a singing chipmunk. Bigger speakers, bigger batteries and you had a portable party, and bonus this one has a cassette tape player. Looks like the dial is set to around …
Oct 27
One of the more enjoyable assignments for a photographer, music fan, is the Pismo Beach Jubilee by the Sea. Bands come from all over the United States as well and music lovers. Sometimes it is hard to capture the feel of the sometimes zany music in a photo, unless the date falls near Halloween.
Aug 15
Music is something people have wanted to have around since the earliest times. This store could set you up with phonographs that played discs or cylinders. And if you got tired of the aerobic exercise turning the crank on the music box they sold violins, guitars, accordions and mandolins. My kind of store. Guitars started …
Feb 08
Find the path to international recording fame using this one weird trick. Record in the bathroom. Among the porcelain urinals and sinks, across the hall from radio station, KCPR is the sound environment that launched a recording star. Alfred M. Yankovic is arguably the second most famous Cal Poly graduate after John Madden. If you …
Feb 03
William Basie did not have an easy path to success. His mother and father saved pennies to pay for music lessons. He began as a drummer in the school band and switched to piano in his teens. A good choice. His professional career began before he was 20 as a $3 a night piano player …
Nov 01
Any worthwhile college town in the 1970s had more than one stereo store. A listening room with lights set low so the components could glow on the shelves. Bring in your favorite virgin vinyl albums to play on the turntable. One of the happiest places on earth. To be honest I never was one of …
Jul 20
Britney Spears performs at the Mid-State Fair in 1999. ©David Middlecamp/The Tribune I always thought the cartoon mule featured on the television show "Hee Haw" was a contrivance to connect to a rural audience. Guess I was wrong. According to Buck Owen's official website his connection he grew up on a farm outside Sherman, Texas. …
Jul 02
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE PASO ROBLES COLLECTION, POLISH MUSIC CENTER, USC; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, USED BY PERMISSION – Above, Ignace Jan Paderewski sits at a piano in a signed photo from the early 1900s. Pneumonia was the official cause of death but it was more likely a broken heart. Ignace Jan Paderwski, musical genius, patriot …
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