Rare Photos Of Los Angeles Rock Bands, 1978-1989

Anthony Kiedis and Flea by James Ruebsamen – 1989

Thanks to the Los Angeles Public Library for sharing with us photos from the LA music scene 1978 to 1989. The collection features Black Flag, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Minutemen, the Go-Go’s, Van Halen, Motley Crüe, Jane’s Addiction and more.

Los Angeles has always enjoyed a tremendous amount of diversity, both culturally and geographically. In the 1980s, these varied ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds combined with the environmental influences of the beach, suburbs, or inner-city created an astoundingly unique and memorable period for popular music with L.A. at the epicenter.

Culled from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Herald Examiner photo archive and the Gary Leonard Collection, LAPL and Photo Friends present a glimpse into a decade that produced scores of hit singles, showcased strikingly diverse genres and generated tremendous excitement. The exhibit From Pop to the Pit: LAPL Photo Collection Celebrates the Los Angeles Music Scene, 1978-1989 and companion catalog relive an extraordinary time in music history with rarely seen images of the bands that helped define the era.

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Go Go’s by Anne Knudsen – 1981

Greg Ginn and Henry Rollins by Bob Brown – 1984

Perry Farrell, Jane’s Addiction by Lucy Snowe – 1989

Demonstrating for Quiet Riot, by Ken Papaleo – 1979

Circle Jerks show by Gary Leonard – 1981

The Plugz by Gary Leonard – 1986

Dream Syndicate by Dean Musgrove – 1982

Mötley Crüe by Leonard, Gary, – 1983

Social Distortion by Chris Gulker – 1983

Minutemen by James Ruebsamen – 1983

The Bangles by Michael Edwards – 1983

Blasters show by Michael Edwards – 1983

Eddie Van Halen by Paul Chinn – 1984

Cathay de Grande Nightclub by Gary Leonard – 1984

Three O’Clock by by Mike Mullen – 1989

Los Lobos by Leo Jarzomb – 1988

The Dickies by Todd Everett – 1989

Inger Lorre, The Nymphs, by Lucy Snowe – 1989

El Vez, “The Mexican Elvis” by Lucy Snowe – 1988