Died On This Date (December 8, 1986) Hollywood Fats / Blues Guitarist; Played In The Blasters
themusicsover Hollywood Fats (Born Michael Mann)
May 17, 1954 – December 8, 1986
Hollywood Fats was a respected Los Angeles blues guitarist who began playing when he was just ten years old. As a side man, he played with the likes of Canned Heat, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Albert King. Fats also fronted his own band who released an album in 1979. In 1986, he joined the Blasters, replacing the recently departed Dave Alvin. Later that year, Hollywood Fats died of a heroin overdose at the age of 32.
Known around the Los Angeles blues scene as “Mama,” Laura Mae Gross was the owner of Babe and Ricky’s Inn which she opened on the storied Central Avenue in 1964. In no time, the club became a destination of local and traveling blues musicians alike. She hosted the likes of B.B. King,