Rodney Alcala's Killer Photographs

The Dating Game Killer

In 1979, Serial Rodney Alcala was convicted of the murder of Robin Samsoe- an 8 year old from California.  However prior to his conviction, he had a recorded history of murder and violence dating back to 1969. Between the dates of 1969 and 1979, Alcala managed to travel between New York and California, posing as a photographer and even a camp counselor, between which he managed to commit and be convicted of five murders. 

However it was his appearance on the dating game in 1978, which seemed to be the eeriest of his appearances. Even winning the 'bachelorette' at the end of the show, authorities and people alike seemed to be completely ignorant to his serial killer seedy remarks and over glazed smile. However that's probably dating game culture... 

oily hair, glazed smile.. if I wasn't mistaken, this guy  could totally radiate serial killer potential

what's even creepier about this particular serial killer, was his photography. Leaked a few years ago online shortly before his death sentence, Alcala seemed to have some mad skills in the 'pointy clicky' section. 

Phantom of the Paradise 1974

Phantom of the Paradise was a cult film directed by Brian de Palma. The film follows an aspiring songrwiter (Winslow Leach) who's music is picked up by Swan, a well known music producer. Ecstatic with the musical attention Swan pays Leach, he becomes obsessed with the idea. Only to learn that Swan has taken full credit for all his musical works and has completely dismissed the credit of Leach. Through a series of events, Leach's face becomes disfigured and he soon finds himself held as a prisoner in the middle of Swan's Musical Factory, where he is forced to create musical hits that are performed by  popstar after popstar, churned out by Swan.
The musical is a combination of Phantom of the Opera, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Faust, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. It is described as a rock and roll musical, parodying almost all music genres of the 70s decade from glam rock to country. The music was all written by Paul Williams and there are a few recordings of him performing the songs on the soundtrack. I'm obsessed!

Pamela Des Barres

Pamela Des Barres is one of my most favourite people ever, I've been meaning to do a post on her even before this blog was started, however I felt completely inadequate both in my flattery and writing skills to portray her wonderfullness as best I could. (See, I love her so much I can't even put together sentences!)

So who is this inspirational lady I speak of so highly? 

Pamela Des Barres was born in California in the early 50s. She grew up as a doting 60s teen, first dedicated to Jesus that later developed into Elvis and The Beatles. Pamela's obsession with Paul Mccartney of The Beatles soon became a driving force which distinguished her love of Rock and Roll from her peers. Through the Beatles, she became infatuated with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. In her books (of both I own) 'I'm With the Band' and 'Let's Spend the Night Together' she describes her first memories as a groupie. Stalking Mick Jagger's hotel room and lying in the bushes of his garden to merely catch a glimpse of some roadies. However, these small infatuations with rock stars and the music soon blossomed into her creating her own band called the GTO's. A group of hippie-girls hell-bent on creating small poetry reflecting teenage memories, banging on instruments and singing as out of tune as possible. It is of these girls that I completely admire, and makes me wish I had my own group of bubbling feathered friends. Miss P soon became a regular babysitter for Frank Zappa's children, whilst still following the careers of her most idolised rock stars. Her romantic encounters include: Jimmy Page, Jim Morrison, Micheal Des Barres, Jimi Hendrix and Chris Hillman

If there was any style icon I would have, it would be groupies from the 70s and Pamela Des Barres and the GTO's would be number ONE. 

Here are some of my favourite Miss P and the GTO's images 

(apologies for not crediting my sources.. I've forgotten where i found everything. However I can vouch that a few were scans from GTO's Album, Rolling Stone's issues of Groupies... and collecting from various other bloggy sources)

Sorry did i forget to mention Kate Hudson's character in Almost Famous was loosely based off of her?

The day of the first

April 1st -
As I lay in my bed listening to my brand new Jethro Tull record, whilst admiring it's pristine packaging on the feet of my bed, I can not resist the feeling of being completely content with everything.

Today I felt confident walking in my 70's inspired mini red dress from Top Shop, black suade Top End kind of peasant shoes and my rainbow tights down Paddington with a resume filled with my false accomplishments. Ready to job hunt 'HURRAH! Jobs!'
All of a sudden I became slightly side-tracked as to the reason why exactly I was job hunting, and gave into temptation to visit a little record shop on the corner of Crown Street Sydney.

The record shop was slightly hidden, with stacks of old records lining the walls of the tiny shop that resembled a mangy old 90s brothel. A 30-something looking man sat the counter sorting through records and drinking beer, my automatic thoughts were 'Small 15-something-girl in a mangy old record shop populated by only one other over 30-something man'
The  neurotic part of my brain developed by my Jewish mother's over-protectiveness clicked and I automatically felt threatened and was hesitant to stay in the shop. 'Look around, browse briefly then LEAVE ALEXA!'
However, my curious side got the better of me and I caught the eye of a beautiful stack of $10 records dating back to 1970. 'Just a peek' I thought to myself

bad. Idea.
10 minutes later, I was still sorting through the stack of records determined to find a record that was not by ABBA. Alas! It was as if the heavens opened up and a beam of sun lit up an unsuspecting Jethro Tull record. 'I FOUND IT' I cried! Well, I thought in my head, I wouldn't cry in real life about that, I'm not that dramatic.

Truth of the matter, I was happy to find the record. I think the side of me that was relieved to find something that wasn't ABBA was more prominent than the side of me that actually liked Jethro Tull. I had heard of them, and knew that they played kind of folky-acoustic music. I was just so happy to finally find a record I could buy!
I hesitantly walked up to the counter, gave in the record and couldn't resist sparking conversation with the shop-keeper, he seemed like he would like the conversation anyway. We conversed for a small time, and the more we talked, the more I felt as though I was in a scene of High Fidelity.
With my new record in my arms, I happily skipped out of the shop. Job Well Done.
.. now to actually find a job...