Rock N Roll

You've probably seen Del Casher, sporting a yachtsman's cap as he cruises around town in his fire-engine-red sedan, and never given him a second look. But the 73-year-old musician, who operates a sound studio on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, is one of the most critical secret weapons in America's pop music arsenal. His credits alone are mind-boggling. “In the 1960's, I did the Hollywood music business from A to Z,” Casher said with a mischievous grin. “Played lead guitar on Gene Autry's 'Melody Ranch' TV show in the morning, and at night, Frank Zappa would hire me to sit in with the Mothers of Invention at the Whisky A Go-Go.” Casher, who arrived here from his native Indiana circa 1961, also anchored popular trio the Three Suns, was regularly featured as a soloist on “The Lawrence Welk Show,” worked as in-demand studio session player with everyone from Phil Spector to Frank Sinatra, and appeared alongside Elvis Presley in 1964's “Roustabout.” Second only to Les Paul in terms of both musical skill and technical innovation, Casher developed the portable tape delay Ecco-Fonic system, the Fender Electronic Echo Chamber and, most significantly, was the first guitarist to use and record with the wah-wah pedal, a revolutionary sound effect that altered the tone and course of rock 'n' roll.

Janine Marnien What started as a student organization at USC has morphed into a 21-year-old performing group that has played such venues as the Sydney Opera House, the opening of the Kodak Theatre and -- on Saturday -- the Norris Auditorium on the campus of Flintridge Prep. Bringing its "Sing, Swing, Rock 'n' Roll" concert to the foothills, Rock Theatre combines rock 'n' roll numbers and stages them in musical theater pieces, said Greg Holford, the group's director, founder and La Canada Flintridge resident.

GLENDALE — They registered for a class called jazz band, but what they got was rock 'n' roll. "To play jazz, you have to be more disciplined," said Alberto Armas, 17, a senior at Hoover High School. "But pretty much anybody can play rock 'n' roll." Seven bands from Hoover's rock 'n' roll class played original music and covers Friday night to nearly 100 friends, family and fans at the school's intimate Black Box Theater. Usually the performers are music lovers learning to play their instruments, but on Friday night they were rock stars.

Chicano rockabilly singer Chan Romero may not have enjoyed the flash-bang success of Richie Valens, but his role as an artistic trailblazer is equally significant. Romero, who will make a rare appearance here next Friday, is a key figure in Latin rock history, maintaining a chain of cultural custody and context that allowed emerging colleagues Chris Montez, Question Mark & the Mysterians, Thee Midniters, Cannibal & the Headhunters, Santana and Los Lobos to establish themselves as influential rock 'n' roll forces.

Bagpiper John McLean Allan is perpetuating traditions of his Scottish heritage while entertaining crowds with his unique mix of Celtic and rock 'n' roll music. His band, Stand Easy, performs songs he writes, as well as traditional Celtic music for Scottish games and festivals throughout California. The next stop on their performance schedule is at the Orange County Celtic Festival on Nov. 18. Allan's original songs are in the traditional Celtic style but played by rock 'n' roll instruments, he said.

Joyce Rudolph LA CRESCENTA -- Square dance lessons for beginners are being offered from 8 to 9:45 p.m. beginning Thursday, Sept 7, at the La Crescenta Women's Club, 4004 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta. All types of songs are used in square dancing today from the classics to popular music of the '40s and early '50 to fast beat rock 'n' roll tunes to the Beach Boys and recent country western releases. Couples and singles are welcome. The cost is $5 per person.

Darleene Barrientos Two stages, eight bands and hundreds of music-loving teens -- and their parents -- will rock out at the 11th annual Hooverstock today. The high school's renowned jazz orchestra will play a three-hour set in the school's auditorium, while the school's Little Theater will feature several Hoover student bands, such as Altered Level of Consciousness the Glitch and the Crimson Heads. The annual, end-of-the-year music event is a fundraiser that benefits the jazz program.

The 1950s-inspired band Sha Na Na has just the right song prepared for its appearance at the 13th annual Cruise Night Car Show and Street Party: "The Cat in the P.T. Cruiser," the first cut on the band's new CD. The band will share the stage with several other classic rock 'n' roll bands at the outdoor soiree, planned for 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 15 on Brand Boulevard. Jocko Marcellino, Sha Na Na's drummer and singer, produced the album and wrote half of the songs, both music and lyrics.

Joyce Rudolph Resident joins Rock Theatre in summer concert performance GLENDALE -- Ricky Crunelle of Glendale will appear in the Rock Theatre Summer Concert at 8 tonight at the Ivar Theatre, 1605 N. Ivar Ave., Hollywood. Performances feature pop, rock 'n' roll, swing and musical theater. Tickets are from $10 to $15. For reservations, call 768-2037 or 246-7787. Square dance club begins new session GLENDALE -- The Glendale Bachelors 'N' Bachelorettes international, a square dance and round dance club, starts its beginners class from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.

It’s been 40 years since Sha Na Na first started rockin’ and rollin’ after they got their big break opening for Jimi Hendrix at the Woodstock Festival. The ’50s-style band went on to co-star in the film “Grease” as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Then they landed their own television show broadcast over NBC affiliates in Burbank and in worldwide syndication from 1977 to 1981. They will be celebrating their anniversary with two shows this week in Glendale.

Chicano rockabilly singer Chan Romero may not have enjoyed the flash-bang success of Richie Valens, but his role as an artistic trailblazer is equally significant. Romero, who will make a rare appearance here next Friday, is a key figure in Latin rock history, maintaining a chain of cultural custody and context that allowed emerging colleagues Chris Montez, Question Mark & the Mysterians, Thee Midniters, Cannibal & the Headhunters, Santana and Los Lobos to establish themselves as influential rock 'n' roll forces.

Readers of the print edition of our papers in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and La Cañada may have noticed some changes in Marquee, the arts and features section from Times Community News. In recent weeks, we've built on our coverage of music, theater, film, food and more, adding some exciting new contributors to the mix, including our highly regarded film critic Andy Klein. And on the first Sunday of every month, Marquee appears as an expanded stand-alone section. This past weekend, Marquee was all about music, with compelling stories on rock, jazz, classical and more.

You've probably seen Del Casher, sporting a yachtsman's cap as he cruises around town in his fire-engine-red sedan, and never given him a second look. But the 73-year-old musician, who operates a sound studio on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, is one of the most critical secret weapons in America's pop music arsenal. His credits alone are mind-boggling. “In the 1960's, I did the Hollywood music business from A to Z,” Casher said with a mischievous grin. “Played lead guitar on Gene Autry's 'Melody Ranch' TV show in the morning, and at night, Frank Zappa would hire me to sit in with the Mothers of Invention at the Whisky A Go-Go.” Casher, who arrived here from his native Indiana circa 1961, also anchored popular trio the Three Suns, was regularly featured as a soloist on “The Lawrence Welk Show,” worked as in-demand studio session player with everyone from Phil Spector to Frank Sinatra, and appeared alongside Elvis Presley in 1964's “Roustabout.” Second only to Les Paul in terms of both musical skill and technical innovation, Casher developed the portable tape delay Ecco-Fonic system, the Fender Electronic Echo Chamber and, most significantly, was the first guitarist to use and record with the wah-wah pedal, a revolutionary sound effect that altered the tone and course of rock 'n' roll.

Emily Valentine might have gone to La Cañada Elementary and La Cañada High, but that doesn't mean she's your average resident of the 91011. With years of touring in a punk band, appearances on “American Idol” and “The Voice,” and yes, lots of tattoos, Valentine is already moving full steam ahead in her attempts to take over the music industry, even if she's living with her mom in quiet La Cañada Flintridge. Valentine said she doesn't mind living at home while she gears up for the next phase in her career, which kicks off when she plays her debut solo show Sept.

Haight-Ashbury, rock ’n’ roll and mind-altering drugs gave rise to an unusual burst of creativity that married type designs, images and explosive color on esoteric psychedelic posters. Artists embedded in the San Francisco hippie culture designed pulsating patterns and animated text to promote integrated music, free love and LSD. David Edward Byrd jumped into this scene in Manhattan around 1968 and was catalyzed by the West Coast movement. He designed graphic art posters for rock ’n’ roll icons and events, Broadway plays, movies and TV. He shadowed the entertainment industry for decades as its link to the public with images that reached out and grabbed the viewer by the eyeballs to drag them in and ignite imaginations.

It’s been 40 years since Sha Na Na first started rockin’ and rollin’ after they got their big break opening for Jimi Hendrix at the Woodstock Festival. The ’50s-style band went on to co-star in the film “Grease” as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Then they landed their own television show broadcast over NBC affiliates in Burbank and in worldwide syndication from 1977 to 1981. They will be celebrating their anniversary with two shows this week in Glendale.

Warm weather, classic cars, and local rockers Misplaced Priorities brought out hundreds of locals to Music in the Park this past Sunday. The free concert series had an added bonus this week, featuring a classic car show. ?Oh man, I just love these old cars,? said Jim Gibbons of Pasadena, pointing at a 1967 Cobra Mustang. ?They just don?t make them like that anymore!? Some came for the cars, while others came for the music. Misplaced Priorities is a classic rock band from La Cañada, featuring Mandy Boesche, Jeanne Nortao, Frank Dvoracek, Steve Stathatos, Rich Myers, Craig Windsor and Tom Reynolds.

The joint was jumpin? on Saturday night at the clubhouse and it wasn?t Fats Waller doing it, it was John Carro John Carro , playing a mean Elvis Presley. The gals at the La Crescenta Woman?s Club sure know how to pick talent. And their ?Viva Fiesta Night? was no exception. Who cares if their metaphors were mixed ? Elvis songs in the midst of Mexican serapes, sombreros and sangria ? the evening was a blast! At this rate, these gals will easily have the money raised to restore their clubhouse in time for their 100th anniversary in two years.

The things that inspired Karl Preusser as a child are musically making their way back into his adult life. Two weeks ago, the Burbank composer completed the score for “Audie & the Wolf,” a horror, comedy and romance film that will premiere on Aug. 14 in the 2008 Downtown Film Festival — Los Angeles. Preusser, a former Glendale resident, composed the score in a 1970s rock ’n’ roll style in the tradition of “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” he said.

Organizers are looking to enhance the entertainment already scheduled for the city of Burbank's Fourth of July celebration after city officials announced Saturday the fireworks show was canceled because of fire danger. The entertainment team is seeking an alternative patriotic enhancement to replace the fireworks show, said Garth Nelson, the city's deputy director-recreation services. "Our goal is to present the best Fourth of July show for families to celebrate the holiday — that's our commitment," he said.