Brando Skyhorse on his tortured Echo Park upbringing, band Harbor Party pays tribute to Yacht Rock, and Kevin and Russ cook the perfect hamburger
Listen
• 1:26
A listener sends in a great recording of fireworks from his North Long Beach rooftop.
Listen
• 13:49
Epic in the most literal sense possible: Zamperini's life plays out like a grandiose American hero's tale. Louis Zamperini is a living legend you probably have never heard of, but you've seen his name everywhere. Listen to the on-air version by clicking on the first icon, listen to the whole Olympic Panel by clicking on the second!
Listen
• 6:54
Dictector Paul Mazursky died Monday. He was 84. Here is Off-Ramp contributor R.H. Greene's appreciation of Mazursky, filed in 2011.
Listen
• 7:58
Off-Ramp contributor CJ Greenspon profiles Disney's first black animator, Floyd Norman, who also helped create 'Fat Albert.'
Listen
• 11:37
As AnimeExpo descends on LA, Roland Kelts talks about how shifting demographics in Japan are leading to a change in how anime and manga are developed and marketed.
Listen
• 4:57
Landon Beard, Harbor Party's lead singer, says yacht rock (The Doobies and Eagles, Steely Dan) may seem fluffy, but the tunes are complex and surprisingly difficult to play.
Listen
• 21:06
Brando Skyhorse, author of "The Madonnas of Echo Park," talks with John Rabe about his new memoir, "Take This Man," which details his often-awful upbringing in Echo Park.
Listen
• 3:18
July 1 of this year marks the 10th anniversary of actor Marlon Brando’s death. Here are a few things to surprise you about this master thespian.
Listen
• 5:40
Baez is performing July 3 at the Greek Theatre in Los Feliz and in anticipation of her show, Off-Ramp producer Kevin Ferguson got her on the phone.
Listen
• 3:51
As the finance guy collated papers, I asked, "Do you know the difference between freedom and liberty?" He looked at me like I'd said I had a bomb under my shirt.
Listen
• 13:02
John Rabe talks with new NPR President Jarl Mohn, who has been a top radio DJ, a guiding force at MTV and VH1, and now promises to raise the kind of money NPR deserves.
Listen
• 5:58
The L.A. Times' Russ Parsons says that while convivial and a summer favorite, the grill is too uneven and prone to flare-ups. Use a cast iron skillet or griddle.
Listen
• 6:44
The race riots critics said “Do the Right Thing” would cause never materialized. It took the real world, a viral video, and the Rodney King beating to make Spike Lee's prophecy come true.