Photojournals

Another one bites the dust: Hard Rock Café and its memorabilia

2010-03-19T23:57:31Z

There are very few known details about the closing of the Hard Rock Café downtown. Manager Kim Templeton deferred answering questions to a public relations firm. That firm would not answer phone calls.

According to a Sacramento Bee article, it will close March 27, but is that before or after the private event listed the same day on the Hard Rock website as "Morgan's Bat Mitzvah?"

One thing is for sure. With the Hard Rock closing, Sacramento is losing several important things: a restaurant, a music venue, a 36-foot guitar with neon highlights and a small museum chock full of Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia. Not to mention an employer.

The following is a photo essay depicting some of Hard Rock's historical artifacts.

The first four photos are part of a small collection from local band Tesla. Pictured: Troy Luccketta's kick drum.

Caption: BRIAN WHEAT, TESLA. At a time when Rock & Roll consisted of makeup, strange hairdos, and elaborate costumes, Tesla were always about being comfortable. Simple blue-jeans, t-shirts and pure rock. With over 14 million albums sold, Tesla is Sacramento's finest. This bass was custom built for Tesla bass player Brian Wheat. It's known as the Shredded Wheat Bass. That was Brian's nickname in the early '90s. This bass was used on the Tesla 1991/1992 tour.

Caption: FRANK HANNON, TESLA. "This guitar has been used throughout my career in Tesla and specifically to record the hit single 'What You Give.' This guitar is featured in the video for 'What You Give' and has been in many live performances including 'Hanging with MTV' and the 'Psychotic Supper' tour of 1992. This guitar is also featured in the video solo of 'Love Song' from the 'Times Makin' Changes' DVD." - Frank Hannon.

Caption: TOMMY SKEOCH, TESLA. "Hey, what's up? Tommy Skeoch from Tesla Here. I put this guitar together when I was about 20 years old. It's a Kramer Voyager body with a Kramer Berreta neck. I used it a lot on our first record and many other recordings! I've also used this guitar at countless rock shows! I did the artwork on it too. ...Hard Rock forever!" - Tommy Skeoch.

Caption: BILL HALEY. 1959 swamp brown Guild guitar was used and signed by Bill Haley. Given to a former employee of Haley's "Essex" record company in Chester, Pa., Bill Haley signed the guitar just seven months prior to Bill Haley's death.

Caption: ELVIS PRESLEY. Orange "TCB" bodyguard's jacket with "TCB" patch on lapel worn by bodyguard Sonny West. West became a member of the Memphis Mafia (Elvis' bodyguards) when he was introduced to the King by his cousin Robert "Red" West - also a Presley bodyguard.

Caption: JANIS JOPLIN. Janis had a major part in defining the role of women in rock. Her wailing voice and amazing stage presence was truly a blessing in the late '60s. This is her silk shaw that she owned and loved in the '60s.

Caption: TONY IOMMI, BLACK SABBATH. Tony Iommi and Jimmy Page are debatably the only two guitarists that can take full credit for pioneering the sound of heavy metal. This guitar was used by Tony in performances and recordings.

Caption: PETE TOWNSHEND, THE WHO. Heavily influenced by the Beach Boys and Motown, The Who was one of the key groups in the British Invasion. Pete was known to be a very active guitarist from his wild windmills to his demolishing of guitars. This guitar is one of the famous numbered series of guitars used by Pete.

Caption: NIKKI SIXX, MOTLEY CRUE. 1986 custom Harley Davidson Softail. This motorcycle appeared on the cover of their 1987 album "Girls Girls Girls," but has since been repainted.

Caption: FREDDY MERCURY, QUEEN. Never really taken seriously by critics, Queen was taken seriously by fans being one of the most popular groups, especially in England. These red vinyl pants with black tie belt were worn by Freddie during Queen's 1980 European tour. They were featured on the cover of the program for that tour and signed on the back of the left leg by Freddie.

This vintage Fender Jaguar was owned by Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Photo Essay: St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento

2010-03-18T23:05:15Z

Sacramento usually sees large crowds on Second Saturday. But Wednesday, it looked more like Dublin as thousands of green-clad Sacramentans attended block parties, drank green beer and celebrated everything even remotely Irish.

The following is a photo essay, depicting some of the Wednesday evening festivities. The first seven photos are from the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party.

Outside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party on L Street, this dog dressed for the occasion in a green sweater. The party drew thousands of people to the 1500s block of L Street.

Kings mascot Slamson showed up to the block party on stilts and showed off his shamrock-covered blazer. He was a crowd pleaser, and he even sat down for an interview with Sacramento Press' own Sonny Mayugba. Slamson mimed and nodded while answering mostly yes or no questions.

Kings player Jon Brockman (left) speaks with Mayugba (right) during an interview. Mayugba interviewed a number of people throughout the day for a live stream of the event, which can be watched here.

Green beads, hats and Guinness were everywhere inside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party. A headband, sticker and glittery hat made this pair of party-goers stand out.

A sea of green fills the 1500 block of L Street.

San Diego band The Silent Comedy played a set of folk-influenced rock, with a fiddle providing an Irish pub-style twist to the set.

Guinness was the preferred drink for many.

Streets of London Pub threw its own party, turning its parking lot into a beer garden.

Though not an Irish Pub, hundreds visited Streets of London to eat Irish food like shepherd's pie and corn beef and cabbage while celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the makeshift beer garden.

Hangar 17 was so full of people, its crowd spilled onto the patio area.

A crowd gathered on the 1400 block of R Street as R15, Venue, Shady Lady and Burgers and Brew all participated in the R Street Block Party.

Searchlights outside Venue illuminated the sky and the large crowd outside the R Street Block Party.

Local band Blvd Park played a mini-set outside the Shady Lady.

Photos: Tết Festival and Little Saigon celebration

2010-02-17T01:05:23Z

Sunday was the Lunar New Year for several Asian cultures, including the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese New Year celebration, Tết, began Saturday morning in a parking lot on the corner of Stockton Boulevard and Fowler Avenue. It started with the City of Sacramento's ribbon cutting ceremony for Little Saigon. This was followed by a New Year parade proceeding south down Stockton Boulevard to Florin Road, where participants viewed the County of Sacramento's ribbon cutting ceremony and participated in the Tết Festival. The following is a photo journal of the weekend's events and festivities. For more photographs and information, please read this article on the festival and celebration.

Councilman Kevin McCarty, who was instrumental in the creation of Little Saigon, talks to the crowd. Foreground: Vietnam War Veterans wearing maroon Berets.

State Assemblyman Dave Jones supports Little Saigon, congratulates the crowd of nearly 300 people.

Dancers dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothing.

Councilmen Rob Fong and McCarty, State Assemblyman Dave Jones, State Senator Darrell Steinberg and SMUD Board Director Nancy Bui all help cut a ribbon in celebration of a 1.5-mile stretch of Stockton Boulevard being named Little Saigon. White doves (left, bottom) are released into the air simultaneously.

Lion Dancers entertain onlookers and lead the parade down Stockton Boulevard.

A CHP Officer makes sure traffic is blocked along Stockton Boulevard as the parade marches toward Florin Road.

Bright balloons and a large Little Saigon sign are carried by Little Saigon committee members and women in Vietnamese dresses.

County Supervisor Jimmie Yee speaks to a crowd at the County of Sacramento ribbon cutting ceremony for Little Saigon.

Kim Quang Lion Dance Troupe performs at the Tết Festival in front of hundreds. Deafening firecrackers and drums accompany the performance.

Food vendors are a big part of the Tết Festival.

Food included bún (rice noodle), bánh mì (sandwich), phở (soup), papaya salad, egg rolls (pictured) and skewers.

A carnival area included rides, midway games and a large slide.

Velocab tour: a photojournal

2009-08-22T02:00:52Z

If you live in the Midtown or Downtown areas, you've likely seen a polka-dotted cycle rickshaw around town lately. Chances are it was a Velocab, a part-engine, part-human-powered vehicle that serves as a taxi for one to three people.

In a recent Sacramento Press article, Velocab owner Marc Christensen mentioned several historic spots accessible by a short bike ride. The following is a photo essay that captures a glimpse of what one might view on one of these rides, which takes less than two hours:

Pictured: a Velocab, a zero-emissions taxi.

Above: The Sacramento Press began its Velocab tour near the Amtrak station. It proceeded underneath the highway and into Old Sacramento.

Photograph: The California State Railroad Museum is one of many museums in Old Sacramento. Others include the Sacramento History Museum, The Wells Fargo History Museum, The California Military Museum and the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum.

Foreground: in Old Sacramento toward the riverfront, signs for the California Steam Navigation Company and the Delta King in the foreground. Background: the Ziggurat Building in West Sacramento.

Pictured: An old Victorian-style house near 17th and Capitol.

Above: The State Capitol building shows Neoclassical-style architecture.

Photograph: the firefighters' memorial is one of the many memorials among the points of interest on the grounds outside the Capitol.

Above: Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, established around 1840.

Pictured: Velocab owner Marc Christensen lays in the shade, taking a break from pedaling and the summer heat.

Tours take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can be arranged by calling (916) 498-9980. A 90 to 120-minute tour costs $36 per cab and a one-hour tour costs $28 per cab.

Photographs credit Jonathan Mendick and Greg Majewski

Anvil drop by the Crest

2009-05-05T06:52:52Z

On Monday, May 4, metal band Anvil stopped by and played a short three-song set after a screening of Anvil! The Story of Anvil at the Crest Theatre.

The following is a photojournal of the special film and music event:

The colorful Crest Theatre marquis announced the event to passersby on K Street.

Drummer Robb Reiner took photos with fans. Almost all of the fans wore black to the screening, as those pictured show.

Singer and guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow (second from left) posed with a number of fans.

Crest Theatre Manager Sid Heberger annouced the film Anvil! The Story of Anvil, and mentioned that the band would be performing after the screening.

During Anvil's first ever visit to Sacramento, drummer Robb Reiner twirled a stick in the air while using his other hand to pound his 14-piece drumkit.

Anvil: Glenn Five (left), Steve "Lips" Kudlow (center), and Robb Reiner rocked a crowd of nearly 100 people who stayed for Anvil's short set after the screening. After the show, Glenn Five mentioned to fans that the band would be back to Sacramento to play a full set.

Candlelight vigil for local journalist: a photojournal

2009-04-29T06:23:03Z

Sacramento Press already published a story on the tragedy of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested by North Korean officials. A candlelight vigil in their honor was held Tuesday night from 7 to 8 p.m.

According to the program passed out during the rally "U.S. officials are in contact with Swedish diplomats in North Korea. However, Swedish negotiations for the Americans' release have not yet been confirmed."

The following is a photojournal of the vigil:

Around 7 p.m. the ceremony commenced with the signing of a poster for good wishes to the Lee and Ling families.

Del Campo High School Principal Ms. Vera Vaccaro welcomed the nearly 300 gatherers mostly consisting of students, retired teachers, and friends of the Lings from their graduating classes of 1991 and 1994.

Foreground: candle. Background: a number of major media outlets such as KCRA 3, KXTV 10, KXTL 40 recorded video of the vigil.

A candle-light walk proceeded down Dewey Dr. toward the front entrance of Del Campo High school.

Students took homemade signs into the streets to show their support for Ling and Lee, and to help raise awareness of their situation.

After 8 p.m., the poster full of messages wishing the best for the Ling and Lee families was taken off the wall. *Note: All of the above photographs courtesy Jim Jordan, except this last one which I, Jonathan Mendick, took.

Tent city demolition: a photojournal

2009-04-17T04:43:03Z

The following is a photojournal including photos and observations from the removal of Tent City on April 16 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. :

Around 100 inmates on 5 busses were transported from Sacramento County Sheriff's Work Project to help clean up Tent City.

Some helpers piled remaining large objects that were left behind from Tent City dwellers who had already left. Smaller items were put into trash bags.

Foreground: large bulldozers with pinching claws attached transported the aforementioned piles onto dump trucks. Background: a cargo train passes by.

Foreground: a police officer in a city truck picked up some items of value which were supposedly taken into storage. Background: items remaining to be transported cover the ground.

Once a larger community, these residents are all that are left. Smaller tented communities were prevalent in other nearby areas. (*Note the circular item on the antenna is a sunspot, due to shooting the photo in the sun's direction)

Foreground: one of many similar, personal, makeshift rickshaws used by Tent City dwellers to transport valuable belongings to nearby campsites or elsewhere. Background: bulldozer.