This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
From schoolteacher to local music king in Orange County
A long journey from student music lover to professional performer is traced through Joe and Herb’s rise. Joe, a former teacher in Kern and Orange counties, formed Joe and Herb, then split to pursue solo band work. They played top venues, with Joe gaining fame for his singing and instrumental skills as he shifted from teaching to full-time music. The piece also notes organ jams at a Costa Mesa venue and a double tragedy as Brown twins Herman and Hank die within two months, Hank from a heart attack and Herman in China.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlie
Joe
Western Reserve University
Cleveland
Weed Patch
California
Kern County
Orange County
Wilshire
Fullerton
Westminster High School
Florence Bayless
Bakersfield
Florence
Herb Payson
New England Conservatory of Music
Boston
Joe and
Herb
Newporter Inn
Golden Sails
Holiday Inn
Anaheim
Feliciano’s
Pamela
Junior Martin
Atlantic Ave
South Street
Thomas
Ralph Bohannon
Steve Reiich
Steve
Janie
Ralph
Les Czimber
G Sails
Edgewater
Continental Hyatt House
Sunset Blvd
Holl
Dean Martin
Leonard Barr
Dean
Les
Rodeway Inn
Bristol St
Costa Mesa
Brown Twins
Long Beach
Herman
Hank Brown
Hank
China
Vegas Room
Hillside Club
Tobo's
Pump Room
Tobo’s
Davenport's