Author Archives: Bob Lee

Recommended Rock Reads Of 2024

Hollywood Dream – The  Thunderclap Newman Story by Mark Ian Wilkerson (Third Man Press, available October 1). This is an exhaustively researched history of a band whose actual lifespan was stunningly brief, while creating ripples that reverberate to this day. Who … Continue reading

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Concern Foundation’s 49th Annual Block Party Is A Sizzling Summer Evening

Dulan’s plating funky banana pudding at the Concern Foundation Block Party. All photos by Bob Lee for the LA Beat. A hot ticket in LA for forty-nine years, The Concern Foundation’s Annual Block Party took over the Paramount Studios backlot … Continue reading

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Two Great Gigs Next Week: Stephen Merritt and Chaka Khan

Next week will bring two special events to our summer venues of the Hollywood Hills, you should get tickets now to avoid being left out in the heat. On Wednesday July 24, Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields will perform … Continue reading

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LA Phil and Deaf West Theater Bring Beethoven’s Fidelio To Deaf & Hearing Audiences This Week

This Thursday and Friday, Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic will be collaborating with Deaf West Theater and Venezuela’s Coro de Manos Blancas (White Hands Choir) on a semi-staged production of Beethoven’s opera Fidelio. This production, which premiered to raves … Continue reading

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Eno Plays LA? Almost – His AI Assisted Documentary Screens At The Alex

To the best of my knowledge, Brian Eno has appeared in person in LA just a couple of times; at the Roxy Music debut American tour when it hit the Whisky in 1972, and for a lecture he gave at … Continue reading

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La Traviata at LA Opera – The Lady Has Been Paid In Full

Rachel Willis-Sorenson as Violetta Valery in the LA Opera production of La Traviata. Photo by Cory Weaver, used with permission.  In the current LA Opera production of La Traviata, relocated here from San Francisco, things are presented with a highly … Continue reading

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LA Opera’s La Traviata Premieres This Weekend – Don’t Miss Rachel Willis-Sorenson

Rachel Willis-Sorenson in the LA Opera production of La Traviata. Photo by Cory Weaver for the LA Opera, used with permission. This weekend sees the LA premiere of a new production of Verdi’s classic opera La Traviata. The miraculous Rachel … Continue reading

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Beat Recommends: Rozz Williams Tribute at Hollywood Forever Cemetery This Friday

Fans of Christian Death, Shadow Project and all manner of dark, pounding music are referred to this rare performance at the most appropriate venue of all time for a Rozz Williams tribute. Those fortunate souls in attendance at this event … Continue reading

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Beat Recommends – Voivod, Prong, Hirax at the Fonda This Sunday

Montreal’s Voivod are one of the most singular creations under the banner of metal. Born during the early 80s thrash explosion, they quickly evolved into a frighteningly capable outfit with blatant progressive rock tendencies and a lead singer who didn’t … Continue reading

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Otoboke Beaver at the Observatory

All photos by Bob Lee for the Los Angeles Beat. Even if they don’t claim to be fully punk, the existence and widespread popularity of Kyoto band Otoboke Beaver is proof that punk’s not dead. Although theirs is an extreme … Continue reading

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