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/ Oral History of Larry "the Hat" Lautzker

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Title
Oral History of Larry "the Hat" Lautzker
Contributing Institution
Mill Valley Public Library
Collection
Mill Valley History Online
Rights Information
Please contact the contributing institution for more information regarding the copyright status of this object.
Description
In this oral history, Mill Valley merchant and community events organizer Larry "the Hat" Lautzker recounts the story of his life and how he came to find his home in Mill Valley. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Larry came out to California on a LSD-fueled bus trip in 1970, and moved into the Good Earth Commune in the Haight-Ashbury district. Larry shares wild stories from this period, giving a detailed description of the Commune's resistance to the "redevelopment" of the neighborhood. In the mid-1970s, Larry moved over to Marin, working in the music business as a booking agent for local bands, and eventually producing big shows at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma. Larry recounts how he got into fashion in the mid-1980s, opening his first clothing store in San Rafael in 1986. A few years later, he moved his store Famous for Our Look--subsequently renamed Famous4--to Mill Valley, initially to a location on East Blithedale before settling in downtown at 96 Throckmorton. Larry describes how he became active in the community, revamping the Memorial Day Parade and establishing the notorious "Fashion Police," as well as his development of the Block Party. Larry concludes this oral history expressing how blessed he feels to be part of Mill Valley and his joy at giving back to the community.
Identifier
A0ED0D81-DA4D-47E2-B2F1-811546020693
2017.112.001
Subject
Bill Graham Presents
Block party
Crosby, David
Drug addiction
Famous for Our Look
Famous4
Fashion Police
Good Earth Commune
Haight-Ashbury redevelopment
Hicks, Dan
Horse Hill
I Love A Parade
Leis, Joe
Liberatore, Paul
Memorial Day Parade
Moe, Paul
MV history - Digital era (1990s)
Oral history - Local business
Oral history - Volunteerism, activism
Plaza
Poker
Season of the Witch
Serra, Tony
Steve & Kate's Camp
Waldeck, Cliff
Winterfest

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