The last living member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience was found dead in his hotel room in Portland, OR earlier today. Mitch Mitchell, along with bassist Noel Redding, played with Hendrix on albums such as "Axis: Bold As Love" and their debut, "Are You Experienced?". He beat the skins relentlessly behind Jimi and Noel as they stormed on to the American music scene at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 after gaining fame in England.... [continue]

A man and his message to the Mormon Church at Thursday's Prop 8 protest | Photo by Malingering No, not Peter Griffin, although I have to give it up to him for spouting the phrase that has run through my head more and more in recent months, “If gays want to get married and be miserable like the rest of us, I say we should let them.” Actually, I was referring to me, this... [continue]

Writer and legend, Ray Bradbury, will be speaking tonight at The Los Angeles Film School following a free screening of the film Chrysalis, adapted from one of his works. Mr. Bradbury was fully involved in the production of this film, from each draft to the visual effects. Here's the synopsis from the official website. In the future: The world is ravaged, a third world war has left our planet in a state of decay.... [continue]

The Angels have been dating a mysterious figure known as World Champion off and on over the last 5 years or so. It hasn't reached the serious level yet, but they've flirted with the possibility of going all the way. There's always been competition, because quite honestly, World Champion is a slut. She's always willing to go with whoever is offering the most bang at the time. This year she's had her eye on... [continue]

The average labor length for a third child is about 5 hours. That's how long it took the Angels to squeeze out a win in Game 3 of the ALDS last night in Boston. It was their first postseason win against the Red Sox in 11 straight attempts. The Halos avoid the sweep and now trail in the series 2-1. Powered by two monster home runs by catcher Mike Napoli in the 3rd and 5th... [continue]

It was my understanding that the team that wins a division is also supposed to be the same team that reports to work during the playoffs, not its evil and less talented twin (no offense to Minnesota). The Angels came into Friday night's game down 1-0 and in need of a win before hopping a plane out to Beantown for Sunday's possible series ending game. With the best record in the regular season behind... [continue]

It’s not that the Angels lacked offense in Game 1 Wednesday night in Anaheim, but like me at the end of every high school dance, they just couldn’t score. The Halos had 9 hits to Boston’s 8. However, their traditional small ball way of playing the game is not going to work against these guys…again. Hey, that’s why they went out and bagged Texiera from the Braves so they wouldn’t find themselves down a... [continue]

Riding the Red Line into Hollywood this morning a track from David Gilmour's On an Island made its way into my ears. As I sat there half asleep listening to the guitar hero uncharacteristically blow his sax, I picked up on the somber mood of the tune and attributed it to Richard Wright's majestic keyboard playing, so subtle yet so brilliant. The original Pink Floyd founder passed away from cancer today at his home in... [continue]

New Kids on the Block will be performing at Staples Center in October and November | AP photo by Bill Kostroun Everyday at 6:56pm I step off the Gold Line at the Highland Park station and see my wife waiting for me with our 2 year old son in the minivan, of course. The stress of the day washed away from a relaxing train ride from Hollywood, and there's nothing better than to see... [continue]

Joe Greene and the Heavy Steppers will be on hand performing at this Saturday's fundraiser | Photo courtesy their myspace page The nation is two months away from selecting a new leader bean, as Homer would say, which of course means it's rally time. No, it's not the bottom of the ninth with Manny up and runners on the pads, and the monkey hasn't made it's way up the 5 from Anaheim. It's political... [continue]

The solid bronze legend of punk at Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Photo by Carrie Meathrell/LAist Gabba Gabba Hey! If you're not already wearing it, you should throw on that tattered CBGB shirt, and maybe the stinky leather jacket and head down to the city's most beloved final resting place. To honor and celebrate the life and contributions of John William Cummings (known to the universe as Johnny Ramone) to the world of music and... [continue]

The corner of Sunset and Cahuenga in Hollywood was officially renamed Larry King Square by the City of Los Angeles yesterday. City Council President Eric Garcetti introduced the 74 year old broadcast journalist and talk show host after honoring him with accolades of his accomplishments in his field. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his professional journalism career. On hand were several members of the CNN staff who did not need to travel far... [continue]

LASD, both human and dog, are watching you this summer | Photo by Cody Fogh/LAist It's been about a month since the loyal LAist readers sounded off on the meaning of "Metroquette" and its various rules and recommendations. We heard opinions from those transplanted from more mass transit friendly cities, and also from long time Metro riders here in Los Angeles. With the unstoppable surge in fuel prices and summer here, we have seen... [continue]

George Carlin once said that "anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac." Obviously, George lived here in LA. Almost his entire professional career was based here in the city of dreams, where he made his come true while influencing, inspiring, irritating, and entertaining so many different lives. People passed his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the corner of Vine and Selma and... [continue]

Photo by malingering via flickr Has it really been a year since the last Go Skateboarding Day? Well, the world will ride again this Saturday, June 21 at the Venice Skatepark. I'm not sure what events are being planned in the Arctic Circle, but here in LA there's stuff to do. What better way to cool off than a shirtless glide through Venice Beach on your board? Plus, you'd be saving gas! If that's... [continue]

The city of Anaheim's challenge to have the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim remove their northern neighbors local from their name will have to wait until the pennant race heats up even more. The hearing has been postponed until September 11. No reason was given for the delay except that they had "good cause" to sit on it for the summer. At this rate, the Angels may not find out if they must change... [continue]

Hey, did you hear something about gas prices being really high? There was something on the news and a little blurb on the inter-web the other day. So what can you do for dear ol' dad this Sunday that won't burn up your wallet and set your pants on fire like a liar, liar? Well, you can keep the car in the garage, jump on the Metrolink, and head down to Anaheim to see... [continue]

Notice I didn't write "Governator." It's important to start off on the right foot here, meaning the correct one, not the opposite of left. Anyway, as a former substitute teacher in the nation's second largest school district, a parent, and a concerned Angeleno, I would like to pose a simple question to you. What the fuck are you doing? Your plan to cut $350 million from the LAUSD budget is appauling, and you should... [continue]

It's not going to stop, Los Angeles. The price to drive your horseless carriage will continue to rise as we approach the summer and demand increases. You might want to rethink that weekend trip to Vegas. The tank may take more out of your pocket than the craps table. The real loss is in the day-to-day hump otherwise known as your commute. You may have noticed a slight decrease in the amount of traffic on... [continue]

With the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers (ahhhhhhh, that's nice) on hold for a week and the Blue Crew in the Big Apple taking on the Metropolitans, there's free stuff in Anaheim this weekend at Angel Stadium. The Angels (32-23) take on the Toronto Blue Jays (30-26) tonight through Sunday afternoon. Every Friday night home game ends with Big Bang fireworks which feel pretty damn close, especially if you're up in the nose bleeds.... [continue]