Janet Jackson turns 59: a look back
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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
End of an era for county music in Bakersfield: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace closes
The Crystal Palace, a music and dining joint in Bakersfield launched by Buck Owens — which hosted just about every country music star in America over the years — has abruptly shut its doors. The closure of the temple of country music, an important piece of San Joaquin Valley history, prompted an outpouring of grief from fans across the country — along with desperate pleas to stars such as Dwight Yoakam, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift, who all played there, to save the day by buying the place. 'This is so sad,' one person wrote on the Crystal Palace Instagram, tagging Dwight Yoakam and Garth Brooks and pleading with them to 'keep the Crystal Palace open!' Jim Shaw, director of the Buck Owens Private Foundation, which has owned the Crystal Palace since Owens' death in 2006, said the closure, which was announced Monday, has 'been coming for a while, and I've dreaded seeing it happen.' Shaw said the pandemic, along with a slowing economy and the increasingly tight margins for the restaurant business, all combined to make it 'a tough business.' Plus, he added, members of the Owens family involved in the business 'are in their mid- to late 70s. We've done what we can.' Shaw himself, who is a keyboard player and a former leader of Owen's band the Buckaroos, is 78. He's been with Owens since he left Fresno State to join the band in the 1970s. By that point, Owens had already changed country music — and Bakersfield. A child of the Dust Bowl, Owens was born in Texas and spent much of his childhood in Arizona before popping up in Bakersfield's nascent music club scene. He brought a twangy sound to country ballads, and by the 1950s and 1960s, that sound had turned his city into a western rival to Nashville. Some of his hits included 'Together Again,' 'Crying Time,' 'Love's Gonna Live Here,' 'I've Got a Tiger by the Tail' and 'Under Your Spell Again.' It also included 'Streets of Bakersfield,' which became a late-career hit with Yoakam and included these lyrics: 'How many of you that sit and judged me ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?' The 'Bakersfield Sound' was further cemented by another one-time member of Owens' band, Merle Haggard, who played with the Buckaroos briefly in the 1960s. In 1996, Owens opened the Crystal Palace, an all-in-one restaurant, concert venue and museum of the star's life, located at 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. Though it has fewer than 600 seats, famous country music stars made regular pilgrimages. Shaw said he is trying to avoid heartbreak by focusing on 'the fact that we had an incredible 28 years. Pretty much anybody in country music played here … Taylor Swift, and Garth Brooks, and Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Brad Paisley.' Brooks, he noted, famously proposed to his wife Trisha Yearwood there in 2005. Swift played the stage at the age of 16, he said, accompanied to Bakersfield by her mother. And Yoakam played the palace too many times to count. 'I loved him,' Yoakam told The Times in 2007, shortly after Owens' death, noting that their relationship was 'part friend, part sibling, and a whole lot surrogate parent.' The Buck Owens Foundation listed the building for sale last year. While there was plenty of 'tire kickers,' Shaw noted, there have been no takers. The website noted that the Crystal Palace is joining other small country music venues that are struggling with the new economics of the music business, which favor large arenas. 'The plight for legendary, midsized country music venues continues to worsen.' Fans who are hoping that a music lover with deep pockets will swoop in and save the place can find both despair and inspiration in Owens' lyrics. He did, after all, warn in 'The Heartaches Have Just Started' that 'when you see the backdoor swinging, you'll know I've run out of hope.' But he also famously promised that 'love's gonna live here again.'
San Francisco Chronicle
04-08-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dead & Company ends Grateful Dead's 60th with sunshine and a soaring send-off
For the first time all weekend, the fog lifted. Beneath bright blue skies, Dead & Company took the stage for the final night of their sold-out, three-day run at Golden Gate Park, closing out San Francisco's centerpiece celebration of the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary. Tens of thousands of Deadheads once again packed the Polo Field on Sunday, Aug. 3, many believing this could be the band's final performance. The concerts featured completely different setlists each night and a rotating cast of surprise guests, including Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson (performing as Johnny Blue Skies) and Trey Anastasio. Sunday's first set opened with a buoyant cover of Sam Cooke's 'Good Times,' followed by a seamless 'China Cat Sunflower' into 'I Know You Rider.' A funk-driven 'Shakedown Street' got the crowd moving, complete with teases of Phish's 'Ghost' and The Commodores' 'Brick House,' before closing on a high-energy 'Deal.' The second set opened with 'Scarlet Begonias,' with Anastasio joining in and staying on for a blazing 'Fire on the Mountain.' Grahame Lesh took the stage with his father's iconic bass, 'Big Brown,' during 'Broken Arrow,' and returned later for 'Cumberland Blues.' The improvisational 'Drums' and 'Space' segment carried the crowd into deep sonic territory, with a jazz-tinged nod to 'My Funny Valentine.' From there, the mood turned reflective on 'Standing on the Moon,' before surging through Mayer-led versions of 'Sugaree' and 'Sugar Magnolia.' 'The band is hot and the vibe is right,' said Paul Codespoti of St. Louis, a longtime fan who's seen the Grateful Dead 165 times and Dead & Company 100. All weekend, San Francisco leaned into the celebration. The concert series served as the anchor for a larger tribute that will continue into the fall, with Dead-themed art exhibitions, tribute concerts, panel talks, and special events. More than 400 Grateful Dead banners adorned city lampposts. Across San Francisco — particularly the Sunset, Richmond and Haight-Ashbury neighborhoods — Deadheads added color and commerce to the streets. City officials reported a 50% spike in hotel bookings between July 31 and Aug. 3 — a surge they believe could top the $31 million in economic impact generated by the band's 2023 visit to Oracle Park. Silvia Koros, who turns 60 next month — the same age as the band — attended all 21 Dead & Company shows this summer, beginning with their Las Vegas residency. 'If you miss one show, that will be the one where they play the song you've been waiting to hear,' she said. For her, that song was 'Rubin and Cherise,' which hasn't been played live since 1991. 'I'd give my eyeteeth to hear that song,' she said. Though it never came, Koros found joy in 'China Cat Sunflower,' which she dedicated to her late cat, Georges. She had brought 3,000 custom-made stickers featuring Georges inside the Steal Your Face logo. By Sunday night, only 100 remained. 'I love this community,' she said. 'Every night is unique,' said Rachel Whitley, who first saw the band with friends from Rhinebeck High School in the early '90s. 'If you miss a night, it's not the full experience.' She noted that the band had opened 'Playing in the Band' on Friday but never finished it — a signature move that keeps fans guessing. 'We might get the second part tonight.' By day three, many attendees recognized one another. Rudy Voit, who flew in from Chicago for all three shows, said he was there for as much the community as the music. For some, that connection meant as much as the music. 'I knew the trip was worth it the first night when Grahame Lesh brought out his dad's bass for 'Box of Rain,'' Codespoti said. 'That's when I really connected to the music — and once I get there, I stay there.' By the second set, the sun gave way to a glowing half moon. As the final notes of 'Touch of Grey' echoed across the Polo Field, fans swayed together and took one last look at a stage that may never host this band again. By then, whether it was truly the end didn't matter. What mattered was that they were there. And this time, the sun was out Dead & Company – Golden Gate Park Setlist (Aug. 3, 2025) Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary Show – Sunday, Aug. 3 Set 1 'Good Times' (Sam Cooke cover) 'China Cat Sunflower' (Grateful Dead cover) 'I Know You Rider' (traditional cover) 'They Love Each Other' (Jerry Garcia cover) 'Shakedown Street' (Grateful Dead cover with teases of 'Ghost' and The Commodores' 'Brick House') 'Deal' (Jerry Garcia cover) Set 2 'Scarlet Begonias' (Grateful Dead cover with Trey Anastasio and teases of 'Manteca' and 'Good Lovin'') 'Fire on the Mountain' (Grateful Dead cover with Trey Anastasio) 'Broken Arrow' (Robbie Robertson cover with Grahame Lesh playing Phil Lesh's bass 'Big Brown') 'Hell in a Bucket' (Grateful Dead cover) 'Cumberland Blues' (Grateful Dead cover with Grahame Lesh) 'Drums' 'Space' (with elements of 'My Funny Valentine') 'Standing on the Moon' (Grateful Dead cover) 'Sugaree' (Jerry Garcia cover) 'Sugar Magnolia' (Grateful Dead cover) 'Touch of Grey' (Grateful Dead cover)
Buzz Feed
31-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
These 30 Products May Be Unexciting, Ordinary, Or Just Plain Mundane — But Somehow They're Still Life Changing
A pack of surprisingly absorbent Swedish dishcloths — the ultimate substitute for those endless rolls of single-use paper towels. They can absorb up to 20 times their weight in liquid; plus they're fast-drying (which helps prevent odors), machine washable, and can be reused over and over! Monday Haircare dry shampoo perfect for those chaotic mornings when washing your hair just isn't an option. It absorbs oil while giving your locks a sneaky keratin boost, ensuring they stay smooth and frizz-free. And! It leaves your mane with a delightful gardenia scent. Beauty enthusiasts are buzzing about it being a wallet-friendly alternative to brands like Batiste, Living Proof, and Amika — so you can finally stop splurging. A cult-fave Panoxyl foaming wash formulated with 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest over-the-counter concentration you can buy. It's also antimicrobial, which means it's fighting off the bacteria that causes acne in the first place and preventing new breakouts from forming. A tube of Nerdwax that'll add just the right amount of grip whenever the bridge of your nose decides it wants to cosplay as a slip-n-slide for your sunglasses. This wax stick makes sure your specs stay put whether you're running to catch a bus, nodding along in a meeting, and everything in between. A pack of SweatBlock antiperspirant wipes if you find yourself wiping away beads of sweat the moment you step outside. With these convenient bad boys, you can make it through the day feeling fresh and dry. An oscillating tower fan that's apparently so good, one reviewer crowned it "THE GLACIER." This fan has six different speeds and can blow cool air up to 30 feet away. Plus, it comes with four modes to choose from, so you can customize the breeze just how you like it, and reviewers rave about how incredibly quiet it is. No more annoying fan noise while you're trying to relax or sleep! A reviewer-beloved veggie chopper so you can fly through making dinner because (in my opinion) prepping produce is the most time-consuming part. This handy gadget allows you to chop, slice, and julienne your veggies in record time. This chopper also features a built-in storage container to prevent messy countertops. A pair of reusable silicone nipple covers because the last thing we want is you in the chilly conference room recreating Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction during that big presentation. These little lifesavers last up to 12 hours (perfect for bra-free days), offer ultra-discreet coverage, and are totally waterproof. Drizzilicious mini rice cakes that are so delicious, I literally have bags throughout my house *and* in my car. These delightful bites are vegan, gluten-free, and crafted with plant-based ingredients like chia, quinoa, and flax. They have a satisfying crunch that's somehow soft, and a sweetness that hits just right without going overboard. The Pink Stuff's new "Sqeezy" set taking their legendary cleaning paste to new heights with the help of a versatile cleaning sponge. The stubborn layer of grease on your pans from last night's dinner — gone! The mildew on your shower walls that's been mocking your scrubbing efforts for weeks — history! The Pink Stuff is so good at its job, reviewers have called it everything from "a miracle" to "witchcraft." A set of ingenious double shower curtain hooks so you never have to struggle with those old-school "pop off" ones ever again. These hook rings are an absolute game changer, allowing you to take your shower curtain and liner on and off with ease. These'll help smooth out at least one wrinkle in the fabric of adult responsibilities! (Like seriously, where were these when I was in college?) A set of breathable bamboo bed sheets in case you enjoy snuggling all night with your S.O. but do *not* enjoy feeling like you're sleeping on a bed of coals because your partner is a human heater. This soft, moisture-wicking material will prevent sweaty nights so you can still have a good night's sleep without waking up in a puddle of sweat in the morning. And a set of two cooling pillows so you can enjoy the same blissful sleep that you got on vacation at that luxurious resort. This super soft pillow holds its shape with memory foam, and no matter if you're a side sleeper or a back sleeper, it'll provide the comfort you need to be knocked out in minutes. A manual flossing toothbrush with special bristles to clean in between your teeth and get out all those popcorn kernels and sesame seeds from your everything bagel, leaving you feeling like you just left the dentist. And if you have sensitive teeth, no worries, because reviewers say these bristles are super soft. An oral rinse so you can eat garlic and onions to your heart's content and no one will know. This mouthwash helps control bad breath for 24 hours and doesn't burn like Listerine. And just between you and me, it's so good, it's worth the morning swish dance. A fast-acting, refillable hidden fly trap that not only catches house flies, fruit flies, moths, and gnats but does it all with a little light magic — luring those pesky bugs from up to 400 feet away so you don't have to waste time and money scattering traps all throughout your home. The sticky side is cleverly hidden on the back, so you won't have to face a gross bug graveyard every time you turn on the lights. A weekly meal planner you can use to streamline grocery shopping, slash bills, and save a ton of time. It's like having a culinary wingman, especially for those days when you just can't deal with the mental gymnastics of meal planning. The Car Seat Key designed to take the struggle out of buckling and unbuckling car seats, saving your freshly manicured nails one click at a time. Plus, it hooks right onto your keychain, so it's always there when you need it. A set of family-friendly pastel "unbreakable" deep plates so practical, they basically pay for themselves. Made of wheat straw fiber, these lightweight plates won't break when you (or a kid) accidentally drop them, and they have a thickened bottom that's anti-slip. They're durable enough for the dishwasher and will survive *all* of your moves, and they come in the cutest colors that'll make every meal feel special! A pair of compression gloves to bring some relief to your sore, aching hands after a long day of typing reports. These gloves are breathable so you won't have to worry about your hands getting sweaty after using them for an extended period of time. Medicube's "Zero Pore" Pads that might just seem like another step to add to your skincare routine, but trust me when I say they're something you didn't know you needed. These dual-textured pads contain lactic acid and salicylic acid, and they're designed to help control excess sebum while exfoliating dead skin, refining pores, and keeping your glow game strong. ✨ A clever Pikk-it tool created to reach into your vacuum rollers and remove all those stubborn hair clumps that are stealing your vac's mojo (and suction). Reviewers also use this to remove hair and lint from the bristles of their hairbrushes! A set of Snug Plugs if you're tired of your hair dryer plug constantly slipping out of the bathroom outlet. These nifty little contraptions are designed to create a secure and snug fit between outlets and plugs, ensuring they stay exactly where you want them. A six-pack of XL wool dryer balls you can throw in with your laundry to speed up the drying time — and prevent you from restarting the cycle for a second, third, or (if you have an old dryer like me 😭) fourth time. They also prevent your clothes from coming out covered in that annoying fuzz or dealing with little static shocks when you touch something. Plus, they naturally fluff and soften items, so you can wrap yourself in that cozy sweater or those plush towels straight out of the dryer! A pack of anti-slip pads to save your ~sole~ from the embarrassment of slipping and sliding in public when you strap on your new heels for the first time. The grippy, adhesive pads stick onto the bottom of your shoes for added stability, and the discreet design will keep everyone's eyes on your fabulous new pumps (instead of wondering whether you stepped in something). A quick-drying mesh bath toy storage bag parents can't stop raving about because it makes bathtime cleanup a breeze. It works like a net, letting you scoop up all the toys from the bathwater. Hang it to dry afterward, and your little one's toys will be ready for the next splashy adventure. A pack of headrest hooks to bring organizational bliss to the otherwise chaotic domain that is your car. These little gems can hold everything from your purse to those grocery bags that always seem to topple over, leaving a free-for-all of rolling onions and lemons on the floor. These are also perfect for the kiddos' backpacks and sports bags! A pack of teeth-friendly silicone pouch lids, your sidekick in the battle against messy mealtimes. This little gizmo is equipped with a genius flow-control valve that ensures your eager little self-feeder can dive into their food without turning it into a playful yet messy art project on you, the table, the chair, and themselves. A small but mighty portable air compressor ready to save you (and your flat tire) when in a pinch. This gadget will get the air pumped back up in about a minute, and it features real-time pressure monitoring so you don't have to guess if you've got enough in your tires. Added bonus: It has its own built-in LED light, so you can see what you're doing if this unfortunate turn of events happens at night. A memory foam seat cushion designed with orthopedic gel to spare your lower back and sciatica from those long hours glued to your work chair. This seat cushion promotes correct posture, giving more support to the lower back and making it a little more enjoyable to sit for extended periods of time.
