Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
These days, when musicians want to get the word out about new albums or concerts, they head to Twitter, Facebook or send an email update.
But before social media was around, there was a different, more visual method: the billboard.
The Sunset Strip was home to hundreds of hand-painted billboards advertising bands, new albums and concerts.
While they were considered ads, one young photographer saw them as much more. Robert Landau was a teen when he began to take pictures of billboards promoting the Beatles, the Doors, Bruce Springsteen, Donna Summer and so many more.
A new exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center titled "Rock and Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip," showcases his work.
Alex talked to Robert Landau, along with painter Enrique Vidal about the era when the painted billboard was the king of the Sunset Strip.