Y&T: The most underrated rock band in the Bay Area
We knew something was wrong when our taxicab pulled into the driveway of the Arizona concert venue. Instead of a theater, bar or even an outdoor plaza, we approached a windowless bunker, with familiar...
View ArticleQ&A: Johnny Mathis remembers Christmas in San Francisco
When he picks up the phone, Johnny Mathis introduces himself as “John,” which was how he was known as a child at Emerson Elementary school in San Francisco, a teen at George Washington High and a young...
View ArticleOur SF: Meet the first hipster in San Francisco history …
The beginning of the Our San Francisco project coincided with the arrival of a game-changing piece of research software. A few weeks ago, librarian Bill Van Niekerken informed me that we had the power...
View ArticleJohnny Mathis (yes that Johnny Mathis) was an SF prep track star
When the name Johnny Mathis comes up in 2015, I think about shopping malls at Christmas, comfy slippers and the music. “Wonderful! Wonderful!” “Chances Are.” Family gathering around the fireplace...
View ArticleThe greatest rock concert in San Francisco history was …
I was expecting a huge number of “how could you forget …” e-mails after this week’s Our San Francisco feature about great rock concerts in the city’s history. I know from experience that whatever...
View ArticleQ&A: Chuck Prophet lays it on the line for City Hall 100th
After a longer than expected San Francisco Chronicle photo session at San Francisco City Hall – jockeying with several wedding photographers for the most picturesque locations – singer/songwriter Chuck...
View ArticleGrateful deb: When the Dead played a debutante ball in 1966
I’ve found some unexpected things in the seven or so years I’ve spent scouring the San Francisco Chronicle’s basement archive. I’m hoping Mitt Romney on the 1964 GOP convention floor, Dianne Feinstein...
View ArticleAmbush on Memory Lane: Michael Tilson Thomas, the early years
Ambush on Memory Lane! is our ongoing series where we find the earliest Chronicle photographs of Bay Area newsmakers, and post them with hindsight-aided analysis. This week’s subject: San Francisco...
View Article“Dr. Dre is Andre Young”: Covering the lawsuits of N.W.A.
I was 25 years old and woefully unqualified for my first job in Los Angeles. It’s likely City News Service of Los Angeles hired me because they were desperate – they had to send a full-time reporter to...
View ArticleSaluting the Aerosmith/Britney/NSYNC Super Bowl halftime show
There are certain musical arguments I’m reluctant to start. Not because I don’t wholeheartedly believe in them, but because I know that in a world of short attention spans and 140-character limits, I...
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