Los Angeles, a city synonymous with innovation and groundbreaking ideas, often brings to mind images of Hollywood glamour or tech startups. But beneath the surface, LA holds incredible, untold stories of individuals who truly rocked history. Just like your favorite classic rock anthems, these narratives are powerful, timeless, and deserve to be heard loud and clear. rockscapes.net delves into the heart of these untold tales, exploring the “LA Made” podcast series, a treasure trove of Californian ingenuity.
This isn’t your typical playlist; it’s a deep dive into the real-life dramas and triumphs that shaped our world. Forget the guitar riffs for a moment and tune into “LA Made,” a podcast that resonates with the same rebellious spirit and impactful energy as classic rock itself. Each season unearths narratives of bold Californian innovators, much like discovering a hidden gem from a classic rock band’s discography.
Season 3, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot,” strikes a chord with the themes of perseverance and unsung heroes often found in classic rock lyrics. It spotlights three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles during the turbulent 1960s. These men, much like the pioneers of classic rock, defied expectations and played a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in America’s race to space. Joanne Higgins, driven by stories from her godfather, Charlie Cheathem, a participant in the Apollo mission, recognized the missing verse in the historical song. She embarked on a mission to amplify the voices of these now 90-year-old engineers, ensuring their ingenuity and determination, previously overshadowed or misattributed, finally get their encore.
Season 2, “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes,” unravels the surprising origin story of Barbie, a cultural icon as enduring and recognizable as any classic rock logo. Hosted by Antonia Cereijido and M.G. Lord, author of “Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll,” this season is like an exclusive backstage pass. Listeners gain access to never-before-heard tapes featuring Barbie’s inventor, Ruth Handler, alongside her innovative team – wardrobe designers, sculptors, fabricators, and the marketing masterminds who propelled Barbie to global stardom. It’s a wild ride, revealing the unexpected journey of a doll that, like classic rock, has consistently reinvented itself while maintaining its iconic status.
Season 1, “LA Made: Blood, Sweat & Rockets,” explodes onto the scene like a powerful opening guitar chord, telling the hidden story of the “Suicide Squad” at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at CalTech. This fearless and ambitious crew, much like the early rock and roll pioneers, shaped our quest for outer space. Narrated by writer and aerospace enthusiast M.G. Lord, this 12-episode season uncovers the shocking origins of rocket science, revealing controversies, suspected espionage, explosions, and even a suspicious death. It’s a raw and unfiltered narrative, as gripping and intense as the most legendary rock epics.
Support for “LA Made,” much like fan support for classic rock, is crucial for keeping these vital stories alive. Gordon and Dona Crawford, believers in the power of quality journalism, and the Committee for Greater LA in partnership with the Weingart Foundation, have made this podcast possible, ensuring these narratives reach a wider audience.
“LA Made” isn’t just a podcast; it’s a journey through Californian history, uncovering the innovative spirit that resonates with the energy and timeless appeal of classic rock. Tune in and discover the untold stories that truly rocked our world.
