I was bored late last night so I created a quick recording. I did it all on the computer. I did not use any tape decks, mixers or other tools. I used Audacity, Mixpad and Natural Reader. I used a total of 9 tracks. Natural Reader is great for the voice. I altered the pitch with Audacity. I have done a few of these in the past for Halloween and Christmas. I'm not ready for Christmas yet.

Valerio Elementary School

Photos courtesy of e-mail from Tom Cluster. Thank you for your contribution.

Carey "Al" Wilson Jr.

Dec. 19, 1926 to April 16, 1981

My hero, my role model and my father

Van Nuys Demolay Memorial

 Not pictured - Gary Russell & Doug Drew (Canoga Park DeMolay)

Jeff Coleman 1974

These are all I know of and I hope it remains a short list. We remember all of them and the great times we had. If anyone has names or additional pictures please let us know. I have only included my chapter of Van Nuys since that is what I know best.

Old Family Friends

My Dad Al Wilson worked for Flying Tiger Freight Line. One of his fellow employees and family friend was Tom Kroll. Here is a picture of Tom Kroll, Nancy Wilson, Al Wilson and Terri Kroll on Dec 25, 1970 at our apartment on Haskell Ave.

Here is a picture of Al Wilson with Henry and Elsa Carlson in 1962 in our apartment on Sherman Way

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