Celebrating The Power of Music
As we think about African-American Heritage Month, we remember the places that brought people together, while working with crucial social issues like breaking down the barriers of segregation. Music has often done this in simple and powerful ways. In the history of Hollywood, one of the greatest examples of this is the Musicians Union Hall located at 817 Vine Street in Hollywood.
Views of the Musicians Union. The bottom left demonstrates the unique character defining features.
In March 2018, the Los Angeles City Council approved the addition of the Musicians Union Hall to the City’s Historic-Cultural Monument List.
The landmark status of the Musician’s Union Hall was first identified by SurveyLA and nominated by Hollywood Heritage. Completed in 1950, the Musicians Union of Hollywood was one of the final commissions of master architect Gordon B. Kaufmann before his death in 1949.
The amalgamation of Musicians Union Local 767 with Musicians Union Local 47 was a milestone in the desegregation of unions in Los Angeles. It was also an identified catalyst for the national desegregation of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Clockwise from Top Left: Ed Thigpen drum clinic; Plas Johnson from the Wrecking Crew on the saxophone; Earl Palmer member of the Wrecking Crew at the drums.
Group photo with James Bradley Jr., a child prodigy, who is standing on the drum kit floor tom drum.
The Musicians Union Hall qualified for Historic-Cultural Monument status on all fronts, something not always easy to achieve:
HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT criteria fulfilled:
1. It reflects or exemplifies “the broad cultural, political, economic, or social history of the nation, state, or community” as an excellent example of an entertainment industry-related union hall (purpose-built) in Hollywood and reflects the important role of trade unions in entertainment.
2. It is “a notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her age” and reflects the later career of master architect Gordon B. Kaufmann
3. It “embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural-type specimen, inherently valuable for the study of a period, style, or method of construction” as an excellent example of Corporate International institutional architecture from the postwar period
4. It “is identified with historic personages and important events in the main currents of national, state, or local history” as Local 47 was home to the foremost entertainers and studio musicians of the era (including The Wrecking Crew). In addition, the amalgamation of Local 767 with Local 47 was a milestone in the desegregation of unions in Los Angeles and the identified catalyst for national desegregation of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
CIVIL RIGHTS MILESTONE - SLIDES FROM THE NOMINATION PRESENTATION TO P.L.U.M.
(PLANNING & LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE)
We feel honored to be a part of this important designation and it embodies the kind of work we do here at Hollywood Heritage. Throughout the year we will continue to highlight HCM’s we feel are important to remember in Hollywood.
To learn more about the HCM process check out this link HERE.
And to see a list of all the current Historic-Cultural Monuments in Los Angeles check out this link HERE.