Rose Marie in Van Nuys CA

Rose Marie's house is shown on the Google map below. Back in the 1960's my parents used to run into Rose Marie at the store. Usually Food Giant/Food King at Sherman Way and Sepulveda. We lived on Sherman Way and on Haskell Ave during these times as shown by the black dots.

Seems like I recall they also saw her at Alphy's Restaurant which was between the market and Hi-Lo Drugstore.

Tom Petty Rock 'n Roll Legend

My good friend Gary was one of the Firemen who responded to the arson fire at Tom's Encino house. I used to live right around the corner from Sound City Studios in Van Nuys where Tom & the Heartbreakers recorded many of the records. I used to drive friends up onto the parking lot above and behind the studio.

Music & Memories

Radio Rat and I have been talking about music and memories lately. The world does not need two more old coots reminiscing about the old days. But the recent death of Roger Moore reminded me of some very good memories from 40 years ago. A specific song was on my mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-c8aAntWA

The movie and song were released 40 years ago this July.

We were talking about songs and how they remind us of a place, a time and or a person. In each of our minds there are songs that belong to specific people in our lives. This James Bond song is a special song for me and belongs to the special person in my past and wonderful memories. It is also a reminder of the immaturity of youth that fails to hold on to the best ones.

Dearden's Van Nuys Closing

Saw this on Facebook today:

 

Dearden's which used to be Adray's and before that Butler Brothers Department store where I had my first job as did a couple of friends. Wish I could get back there before they close. I hope the building stays.  Radio Rat, Phone Rat and myself were last there 11 years ago on what we called our 'Wonder Years Tour". 

Here is a link to the article

http://www.dailynews.com/business/20170601/deardens-furniture-store-to-close-all-8-southern-california-stores-taking-with-it-420-jobs

I have an iTunes playlist for my times at Butler Brothers and it is playing now as I write. Songs as a reminder of a time, a place and friends and girlfriends. I was actually just thinking about a post about music and memories and this comes along.

Here is a musical reminder for me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2sCqIYI_WA

Van Nuys Blvd. Blog

A neat Tumblr page on Van Nuys Blvd.

http://vannuysblvd.tumblr.com/archive

Another Van Nuys Link:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/412923859569850467/

And a link to the wonderful and important work of Roger McCloskey

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/richard-mccloskey.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=404554

Sir Roger Moore

Sad to hear the news that Sir Roger Moore passed away. My first recollections of Sir Roger are from watching the TV show "The Saint" with my Dad. We both liked the show quite a bit. And of course years later he became James Bond in the movies. Like most fans I saw all twelve of his Bond movies. I guess my favorite s "The Spy Who Loved Me"

All the talk about James Bond in the wake of Sir Roger's death reminded me of a Valley memory from the 1960's. I forget the year now but it was during the Sean Connery era. A car dealer, I think it was on Van Nuys Blvd but I am not sure, had the Aston Martin from the movie Goldfinger. I haven't checked but there might have been more than one used for the movie. Either way it was a Bond car.

My Dad and I always went to see the latest James Bond picture. Along with the Matt Helm series with Dean Martin and James Coburn in the Flynn Series.

I remember I got a James Bond briefcase for Christmas one year. Along with 007 powder and cologne. I wish I still had those. Somewhere I have a picture of me with the briefcase gun. But I still have the memories.

I read that Sir Roger said his career after Bond was not as successful as Sean Connery's. He said Connery was a better actor. He sells himself short. Moore was fun to watch, entertaining and a decent actor. Be it a TV show or a film, he helped take you away from the world for a few hours. That is a great service and contribution. I wish more actors would realize this and just act and not try to save the world. I have one Moore movie and it is not a Bond picture but Moore in "Sherlock Holmes in new York". I think I will go watch it now. RIP