Library Rock's Backpages

Louise Criscione

Louise Criscione

Louise Criscione was born in June of 1946, and lived her entire life in the Los Angeles area.

In February of 1965, though only 18 years of age, Louise obtained a job at the newly-formed Beat Publications. She wrote a weekly column, entitled "On The Beat", about the rock music scene at the time. She interviewed Sonny & Cher, Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, and Marianne Faithfull, to name a few. She attended press conferences held by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they visited Los Angeles to perform. Louise met many of the English groups popularized by the British Invasion such as the Yardbirds and the Fortunes. She established friendships with the likes of the Turtles, the Association, and the Rascals.

When Beat Publications closed its doors in 1968, Louise chose not to pursue a career in journalism. She worked for many years as a Paralegal, and then as an administrative assistant.

Louise passed away in May of 1999 at the age of 52.

Richard Riegel on Louise

72 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

Herman's Hermits, Petula Clark: On the Beat

Column by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 31 March 1965

PETULA CLARK really "tore up" the Ed Sullivan audience Sunday night. This girl sure swings; she even had the sedate adult audience clapping their hands ...

Talent Immigration Dispute Continues

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 19 May 1965

IT APPEARS that the Government is not giving in after all, and is still making it plenty rough on British acts trying to get into ...

Petula Clark: Backstage Report: Pet Clark A Hit At Party

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 26 May 1965

ONE OF THE record world's most popular attractions is the meet-the-press party for a performer whose records are bursting through the charts. ...

The Byrds, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Rolling Stones: The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, Paul Revere & The Raiders: Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA

Live Review by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 2 June 1965

STONES SHOW WAS REALLY A ROCKER ...

The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Jackie DeShannon, Johnny Cash, The Kingsmen, P.J. Proby: The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, P.J. Proby et al: Freedom From Hunger Benefit, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 23 June 1965

Most Fantastic Show Ever! ...

P.J. Proby Inspires Heated Emotions

Report and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 30 June 1965

'l Love Him' Sobs Teen – Others Want Him Banned ...

Ian Whitcomb: Meet English Singer Ian Whitcomb

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 7 July 1965

Beat Takes You For Chat At Tower Records Setting ...

Marianne Faithfull: Fairy Tales Can Come True — Look at Marianne Faithfull

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 31 July 1965

WELL HERE we go again. This time we're off to an exclusive interview with a girl who looks like a refugee from a fairy tale ...

Chad & Jeremy: Chad Eyes Future Career During Split With Jeremy

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 21 August 1965

BECAUSE THE recording duo of Chad & Jeremy are currently performing separate functions, many unfounded rumors have been traveling the record circuit. ...

The Lovin' Spoonful: Spoonfuls Get Taste of Life… If You Believe In Magic

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 28 August 1965

IT IS REALLY rather hard to believe. Things like this just don't happen – do they? The four unusual boys who perform collectively as the ...

The Turtles: Turtles Race With Success, Uncle Sam Waits At Crossing

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 28 August 1965

THERE IS AN unfortunate situation which reoccurs much too often in the recording business. A group or an individual makes a record and it's a ...

The Animals, The Rolling Stones: English Artists Find 'Soul' Music Is More Than Skin Deep

Report and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 4 September 1965

THE SOUL of today's music, the place "where it's at" is rhythm and blues. The type of music, this "soul", has been around the U.S. ...

The Rolling Stones, Sonny & Cher: Eskimo Boots: The Stars And Kooky Garb: Do Clothes Make The Man?

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 11 September 1965

DO CLOTHES really make the man? Are they that important? Or are they merely for decoration? ...

The Beatles: A Beatles Press Conference — What's It Like?

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 25 September 1965

LET'S GO SEE... with Louise Criscione ...

We Five Thank Bob Dylan For Bringing Folk Feel To Pop

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 2 October 1965

THEY ACTUALLY live on a houseboat which is anchored somewhere off Northern California. They're classified as a folk group, their hit record, 'You Were On ...

The Rolling Stones: We Go To The Rolling Stones' Secret Record Date

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 2 October 1965

THE ROLLING Stones were in the U.S. for just two short days. They flew all the way over here to cut some tracks at the ...

The Yardbirds: Yardbirds Wail!

Report and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 9 October 1965

Britishers Play For BEAT At A Party ...

The Lettermen: Lettermen Relate Secret Of Success

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 16 October 1965

Top Pop Group For Five Years ...

Freddy Cannon Success is Simple: He Stays Himself

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 23 October 1965

A TORNADO OF talent just hit our offices in the person of one Mr. Freddy Cannon! Freddy is a phenomenon of our times because he ...

The Red Roosters: Red Roosters Not Chicken

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 13 November 1965

THEY'RE CALLED the Red Roosters but they don't look much like chickens. They look like just any other five guys except for one thing – ...

The Beau Brummels: Beau Brummels Blackballed?

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 27 November 1965

THE BEAU Brummels' press agent says that they "penetrate". And so they did – they penetrated right into The BEAT offices the other night. They ...

Dusty Springfield: Life + Laughs = Dusty Springfield

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 27 November 1965

DUSTY SPRINGFIELD'S voice came over the house phone: "Why don't you come on up to my manager's room? I'll be up in a few minutes. ...

Donovan, Petula Clark: Fun, Work Behind The Cameras At Filming of 2nd T.A.M.I. Show

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 25 December 1965

A COUPLE OF weeks ago The BEAT took you behind the scenes of a recording session to show you that it was not so easy ...

Lou Christie: Gypsy Helps Lou Make Hit Discs

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 8 January 1966

LOU CHRISTIE strolled into The BEAT offices today and completely charmed the entire female portion of our staff. He's an absolute gas, a guy you ...

Mel Carter: Swingin' Mel Carter Setting New Goals

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 15 January 1966

WHEN HIS heart sings it really sings. His name is Mel Carter and he is one of the few remaining ballad singers who continues to ...

The Kingsmen: Kingsmen Need Perry Mason

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 5 February 1966

WHENEVER THE Kingsmen are mentioned, one automatically thinks of 'Louie, Louie' – right? Well, The BEAT staff used to think that way too but as ...

The Rascals: Young Rascals Pick Appropriate Name

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 12 February 1966

BECAUSE THEY were over three hours late for the interview and because they hadn't even bothered to phone and explain that they would be late, ...

Chris Montez Back

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 19 February 1966

Once Topped Bill Over The Beatles ...

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs: Minus Beard And Turbans, Sam & Pharoahs Host Press

Report and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 26 February 1966

HOLLYWOOD – Press conferences for pop artists are getting to be a welcome habit around here. Of course, press conferences have been going on for ...

The Hollies: Pop Is Comin' Up Hollies

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 26 February 1966

IF YOU 'Look Through Any Window' you probably won't find a Holly lurking inside but if you try a pop television show, a concert (of ...

The Beatles, Paul McCartney: Now Only Beatle Left — What Will Happen To Paul?

Comment by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 12 March 1966

AND NOW there is only one — unmarried Beatle, that is. What will become of Paul McCartney now that he is the sole eligible (?) ...

Herb Alpert: The Million Dollar Trumpet

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 19 March 1966

THEY SAY that in order to make a lasting name for yourself in the music business you've got to come up with something which is ...

Herb Alpert, The Byrds, Gene Clark, Marvin Gaye, Herman's Hermits, The Rascals, The Righteous Brothers: On the Beat

Column by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 26 March 1966

SAD NEWS for Byrd lovers — Gene Clark is suffering from "nervous strain" and has been advised by doctors not to undertake any further personal ...

Frank Sinatra, Herb Alpert, James Brown, Roger Miller, Tom Jones: Stars Turn Out For Grammys: Standing Ovation For Herb Alpert

Report by Louise Criscione, Carol Deck, KRLA Beat, 9 April 1966

HOLLYWOOD: In the finest tradition of glittering Hollywood premieres and openings, the Eighth Annual Grammy Awards were presented in the International Ballroom of the Beverly ...

The Association: Vietnam: War!

Comment by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 16 April 1966

THERE IS A war going on in Vietnam and whether the United States has officially declared war or not – it is there, it's happening. ...

The Beau Brummels: 'That's The Way We Want It'

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 23 April 1966

HOLLYWOOD: Unlike last summer there are no female hikers along Benedict Canyon Drive. No long bangs – no bell bottoms – no police cars. You ...

Petula Clark: BEAT Exclusive: Petula Clark Wants To Stay

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 7 May 1966

PETULA CLARK has been called The First Lady of Pop and she must be because ever since 'Downtown' she has had only hit after hit, ...

The Shadows Of Knight: Shadows Of Knight Win 'Gloria' Race

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 7 May 1966

THEY HAVE shut down Them with their recording of 'Gloria'. They're the first rock group to come out of Chicago and really make a sizable ...

The Mindbenders: Bending Your Mind

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 14 May 1966

A SPLIT IN a group usually results in pop disaster for someone. Wayne Fontana and the Mind-benders had one of the biggest smashes in the ...

The Righteous Brothers: 'Don't Ignore Us'

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 21 May 1966

THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS. The Brothers Righteous. Bobby and Bill. It doesn't really matter what you call them. People know who you're talking about anyway. ...

British Invasion Losing Its Power

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 28 May 1966

THE CIRCLE has been completed and the American artists are back to reigning on all of the music charts. Before the Beatles hit Stateside in ...

Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones: Keith Richard: The Ignored Stone

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 28 May 1966

WHY IS IT Keith Richard is the Stone who receives the least amount of publicity or fanfare? ...

Petula Clark: Cocoanut Grove, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 28 May 1966

KRLA Night At The Cocoanut Grove!!! ...

Captain Beefheart, The Remains: Too Many 'Diddy Wahs'

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 4 June 1966

ONE GROUP is from Boston and claims to be protesting the British influence on American music. The other group is from California and proudly declares ...

Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil: Creating Number One Singles, Mann-Style

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 11 June 1966

DID YOU EVER wonder how the Righteous Brothers came up with 'Soul And Inspiration', how Paul Revere and the Raiders came up with 'Kicks', or ...

Neil Diamond: A Look Inside A Rather 'Solitary Man'

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 18 June 1966

NEIL DIAMOND is real. And in the record business, that's unusual. In a world of phonies and "yes" men, a real person stands out like ...

The Troggs: Amid Controversy Troggs Break-Out

Report and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 2 July 1966

PROBABLY NEVER before has a totally unknown group caused the amount of comment and controversy (not to mention record sales) as the Troggs from England ...

The Rascals: The Young Rascals Inside a Phone Booth

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 2 July 1966

OUTSIDE IT'S cold. Very. This time of the year in New York always is. Inside the Phone Booth it's hot — Los Angeles during August. ...

Manfred Mann: Manfred Stand-Out: A Bloke Named Paul

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 16 July 1966

MANFRED MANN is a group but like most top groups they possess one member who stands out, who is immediately recognizable, who is "it." The ...

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs: Twentieth Century Pharaoh: A Texan Named Sam The Sham

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 23 July 1966

'WOOLY BULLY' and a beard. Turbans and sheet-like outfits. The whole thing seems like years ago but actually isn't. Since 'Wooly Bully' Sam The Sham ...

The Turtles Return!

Comment by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 13 August 1966

HOLLYWOOD: The hot, cigarette-stale air belched out of the Whiskey and onto the Strip. The sardine-like inside of the club drew its breath from the ...

Johnny Rivers: The Fine Art Of Disappearing On A Chair

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 27 August 1966

I'VE COME to the conclusion that Johnny Rivers divides his life between Whiskys, cutting "live" albums and serving in the Army Reserves. Which isn't an ...

Buffalo Springfield: Buffalo Herding Clancy

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 10 September 1966

NOWADAYS CLANCY can't even sing, but the Buffalo Springfield have made it. And that's rather amazing in itself. Not because 'Clancy' isn't a great record ...

The Monkees: Mistaking The Four Monkees

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 10 September 1966

JUST PICTURE one very pretty princess who is about to become queen and one very jealous uncle who is determined to do her in before ...

The Beatles: Beatles Having A Love Affair

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 24 September 1966

I RATHER THINK the Beatles are currently enjoying a two-sided love affair with California. Even when the "Jesus-Lennon" controversy was enjoying its peak and the ...

Brian Hyland: 'Gassy' Go Around With Brian Hyland

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 8 October 1966

"IT'S A GAS!" ...

Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone: Herman To Fool Them And Leave Wax For An Acting Career

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 22 October 1966

FUNNY HOW someone comes along, walks into a scene he didn't make. Has a hit and hears that he'll never last 'cause he has no ...

Lou Rawls: Greatest Thing Since Black Pepper

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 5 November 1966

THEY CALL IT Blues but really it's a large spoonful of mother earth. All heaped up and occasionally spilling over. When it spills over it's ...

Neil Diamond's Searching for Tone

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 5 November 1966

THOSE WHO start young are more apt to make it since they've more time to profit from their errors. Such a person is Neil Diamond. ...

The Association: Association Set Tour, Book, Album And Movie

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 19 November 1966

IF THE totally insane idea ever runs through your head, even for a second, do yourself a favor and get rid of it. Fast. Because ...

The Monkees: Man-Made Monkees

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 19 November 1966

MOST GROUPS happen. The Monkees were made. If they weren't intentionally created, it is conceivable that they would not exist for it is highly unlikely ...

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels: The Soul Of Ryder

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 3 December 1966

MANY TRY but few white entertainers really succeed in singing the blues as they should be sung. The blues which come from deep inside seem ...

Lou Rawls: Royal Tahitian, Ontario CA

Live Review by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 7 December 1966

Rawls 'Live' At Tahitian Recalls 'Death' In Florida ...

Neil Diamond: Strictly In The Diamond Bag

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 14 January 1967

FOR ONE reason or another, most people tend to throw Neil Diamond into the "serious, loner, angry young man" bag. Which is something like terming ...

The Lovin' Spoonful: How Did Spoonful Become Left Out?

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 28 January 1967

THE LOVIN' Spoonful have taken over a large segment of pop music but except for their fans, hardly anyone was aware of the coup. 'Winchester ...

The Monkees: Monkees Amid Controlled Confusion

Report by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 11 February 1967

WHAT IS THIS, Knock The Monkees Year? Some sort of a giant conspiracy to destroy, devour and flush four people down the drain to wallow ...

The Lovin' Spoonful: Washing The Bad Medicine On Down

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 11 March 1967

FOR CENTURIES, mothers everywhere have given their children a spoon full of sugar and water to help the bad-tasting medicine go down. ...

Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone: The Kaleidoscope That Is Peter Noone

Profile by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 22 April 1967

HE'S ACTUALLY a kaleidoscope. Young, old, funny, serious. A businessman, a clown, an extremely competent actor. Formally known as Herman, he now prefers to be ...

Twiggy: A Mini-Everything

Profile and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 6 May 1967

NEW YORK – The world's most in-the-news model, Britain's seventeen year old Twiggy, arrived at Kennedy International Airport to a horde of newsmen and photographers ...

Rod McKuen: "Money Is Only Good To Buy Candy Bars"

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 17 June 1967

NESTLED ON the side of a hill in Hollywood is the home of an extremely talented, highly successful, completely unassuming man named Rod McKuen. A ...

The Smothers Brothers: Forcing The Establishment To Bend

Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 17 June 1967

WHILE THE love-ins, be-ins, chiquita stickers and protest marchers give the Establishment an inkling of what the younger generation thinks, feels and hopes to change, ...

The First Edition, Jefferson Airplane, Spanky & Our Gang: The Ladies Infiltrate Pop Music

Report and Interview by Louise Criscione, KRLA Beat, 4 April 1968

POP MUSIC is a male medium... owing, perhaps, to the long-held belief that females buy the large majority of records. But at last it appears ...

back to LIBRARY

COPYRIGHT NOTICE