Memories Of The San Fernando Valley Part 18 - Driving Around & Telling Stories

[@Wild1995]

You are so lucky. As a teen in the 80s we all wanted to live and grow up here. From the sounds of Valley Girl, the movie Fast Times, and the cutting edge metal music.....we dreamt about living here as a kid. You lived that dream. I lived in a suburb of Pittsburgh and we didnt even get MTV until 1986!

[@spuriousemissions]

Grew up in North Hollywood (which is actually in SFV) cable was not available in NOHO until 1986. Had to go to my buddy's house in Burbank to watch MTV.

[@DWINC]

Hey……you’re lucky. I grew up in The Netherlands 😉

[@fmminformation]

Same. But, Philadelphia.

[@80sLife]

Thank you. I am very lucky to grow up where I did. We lived in North Hollywood and had ONTV or SELECT TV. Can't remember which. Then when we moved to Reseda we got Mtv

[@keithwolfe2707]

Omg, you basically just told my story, all the way down to the Pittsburgh suburb?? 😏

[@syanhc]

I have a request from me and my family. We are British and from 1979 to 1983 we lived on Whitsett Avenue near Oxnard Street. We used to go to Dale’s Jr on the corner. I used to go to Monlux Elementary school. Our apartment block was 5920. If you are ever in that area, we would to see it now. We follow your videos all the time. My parents are in their 70s and we miss our time in LA. We moved back to the UK in 1983. Anyway, keep up the great videos. Our favorite time was driving through Laurel Canyon, passing Pepperdine University and heading to Paradise Cove beach off Malibu. Best days ever….

[@peymang]

Ah yes. Dale's Jr. Forgot about that one. Good times

[@haroutsatelyan127]

Dales is still open

[@DalV]

growing up in CA during the 80s I've been very nostalgic lately. Been loving these videos. Thank you!

[@leticiabromley6013]

I visited the Valley during childhood and teenagehood up to my thirties. My relatives lived in Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Northridge, I'm thinking Van Nuys at one point.. I am from New England so one can imagine how cool it was, particularly for an East Coast teenager in the 70's.. one big memory was seeing the Wells Fargo bank on Ventura Blvd..at night it lit up neon pink. Probably longg gone. It was at the corner of Gaviota and Ventura Blvd. This was in '72. These videos are gems of memories -- thanks 👍👍👍

[@omidfilms]

I remember that homeless guy who lived that that Ralph’s parking lot for years and always played the flute.

[@namelessjedi2242]

I love hearing personal stories associated with places. You’re the only one who can relate them, so thanks for sharing.

[@80sLife]

Thank you so much

[@backtothefiliminglocation5057]

The FedEx at Topanga and Ventura used to be a normal Blockbuster. The Rite Aid recently closed. I heard it closed due to too much theft. Funny to see Rachel Dracht in the blockbuster commercial. Great video as always! Love memories of the SFV!

[@estebancruz6194]

Funny I saw her back to back in 2 videos in the last hour 😅 In a Spanish channel where they were talking about the Australian break dancer & they show her skit & this one.

[@kenfrank2730]

I completely forgot that Black Bear used to be a Bob's Big Boy. That brings back memories. I liked going to Bob's just for the hot fudge cake, yum!

[@mannyc215]

Love to hear how the 80’s were back then especially in the Valley….

[@80sLife]

Awesome. Thank you for watching

[@notedrockhistorian4382]

Wow, part 18. In Reseda, besides Reseda and Birmingham High Schools was a third, Cleveland High. That is where I graduated in 1973. On Ventura Blvd. there is a Ralphs in Encino, near Balboa, I think. I worked behind that seafood counter 1988-89. Very busy. Victory and Topanga Theatres is where I saw Sinister Seymour (a late night old horror movie host pre-dating Elvira.) in person for a showing of Night of The Living Dead. You are also close to LA Pierce College here. I attended there 1973-76. Just remembered: I returned to the Valley in 1980 and actually went into that Health Food Store on Ventura Blvd. you see in The "Valley Girl" movie. While I am in there a group of hard core Valley Girls came in. Dressed like they walked out of a GoGos video. People who live in other parts of the country have to realize the Valley Girls were extremely attractive. I was 25 at the time. Total sensory overload living in the Valley at that time.

[@80sLife]

Ha. Can't believe I forgot Cleveland. My cousins went there

[@kenfrank2730]

Nice to hear that someone else remembers Seymour. I watched him on tv, he was a fun character. In 1973 Seymour visited Reseda High, where I attended. He was in the auditorium as a host during a horror movie.

[@bobdroll6381]

These spots seem like "memories" to us all because we all grew up watching them on TV and in movies, or at least locales very much like them.

[@themauriciobunch2442]

Dude, I love your stories!!!!

[@80sLife]

Thank you! 🙂

[@ltcolumbo9708]

Wow..UNION SUB? How many years back is that? I live there behind it for 23 years and it was a Flower shop then. It went away without any fanfare..took me months to realises it was gone..now an auto office. How much you learn from this videos!

[@80sLife]

So you didn't even know about the sub shop? Glad to spread the info

[@hangtimedangjang]

YES. I love these "memories of" vids!

[@80sLife]

Thank you!!

[@zillsburyy1]

some things you never forget

[@80sLife]

It's true

[@mikejohnsonCHG]

The Crucial Mohawk had all the elements. The two outlaw orange side bars likely influenced Keith Flint of Prodigy. And it most definitely did not suck! Thank you Mr. Crucial. Love hearing the stories and it’s funny what we remember. 🕶✌️🌟📼📀

[@80sLife]

Haha thank you!!

[@frankbarrett3344]

I grew up across Ventura Blvd from Ralph's and Crespie but now live in Arkansas. I love your videos.

[@80sLife]

Thank you so much

[@RinkyRoo2021]

I went to high school in SFV from 96 to 2000 ,the Valley seems the same but also very very different, I will say though my favorite time was always November it would be cooler and the trees would be changing ,I hated the June gloom though or when the rains came.

[@Mammmmo]

Ha! Graduated Crespi in ‘98, still staying in the Valley. Great channel. 🤙🏽

[@curthudspeth1910]

Love your videos so many memories. I lived there in 60to 87 I miss the valley and the way it was so many great times. It was a totally different world. We were so lucky to have experienced it. Keep the awesome videos coming. Have a great day everybody 😎

[@electroluxia]

3:02 -- love that triple 'hawk. Awesome.

[@migzo3375]

AWESOME AS USUAL!!! GREAT VIDEO! THANKS FOR ALL THE NOSTALGIA. MOST AREAS YOU MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO I HUNG OUT WITH FRIENDS AT.🤩🤩😎😎😎

[@v2vroth]

Thanks Kurt yet another great video thanks for sharing!

[@80sLife]

My pleasure. Thank you

[@jazminsanchez8046]

Ahhhh nice to see your in the neighborhood! Woodland Hills! 🙌😍

[@mmurph2686]

I refereed a game or thirty inside that Crespi gym. Also delivered Weber's bread to the Ralphs across the street, right around the time of your Hootenanny. I brought them an an entire truck of bread following the Northridge earthquake in '94.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

326 likes and ZERO dislikes on a 3,400-view video? Looks like your viewers understand the amount of effort and passion you pour into your work here. Well deserved, Kurt! 👌

[@80sLife]

Thank you so much. I really do have some great viewers. Im Very lucky

[@joseyeastwood]

That rebar story literally made my jaw drop to the ground.

[@80sLife]

I still think about it every time I'm in that area.

[@treasury2586]

Thanks for another great valley video ❤

[@80sLife]

My pleasure. Thank you

[@tonytone5856]

I love your stories.especially the rebar story .

[@80sLife]

Thank you! That one will always stay with me

[@BIGDAVE5352]

The jails are great in the valley too! You should check them out and report n them! I’ve been locked up all over Southern California back in the day. Great memories. Every time I would get out of the joint craving In-N-Out.

[@cartelplug8183]

Van nuys jail sucks every time I end up there I don’t come back to my valley for years smh 🤦‍♂️

[@Lalofelix73]

I know all those spots thanks for sharing

[@biscuit4christ]

Another great video! Like the hair!😁

[@80sLife]

Haha. Thank you. It was out of control

[@Heka41]

Cool stories Kurt, yeah man, that rebar could have been nasty. . .Sheesh

[@80sLife]

Thank you!! Yeah. I got lucky on that one

[@abovethefirehouse]

The Tarzana Square in the 90's I used to get movie laser disc from a store there.

[@fredhannum4015]

The sign behind you; Roy's / Flemming's always reminds me of the Don Knotts movie "The Reluctant Astronaut" from the 60's his characters name- Roy Flemming!

[@nemesisut8793]

Great stories thank you...

[@timdaugherty5921]

I really enjoy these!!

[@80sLife]

I'm glad. Thank you!!

[@davescopies2346]

I went to Taft back in the mid 70's great time & place to grow up

[@WorldReserveCurrency]

I'll never forget when my friend and I ditched school at Canoga Park H.S. one day. We had to go around and pass through the parking lot at Topanga Mall to get to our usual spot at Carl's Jr. When my friend all of a sudden had a stomach ache and had to take a dump in a bush probably in a lane divider. I walked around the lot to find scraps of toilet paper for him which I balled up and threw it at him. lmao.... oh... high school.

[@LoneWolfed]

Topanga canyon? Heard that mentioned on Chips before.😉

[@80sLife]

Definitely

[@gggarcia7071]

Always great vids!!!

[@80sLife]

Thank you

[@ericmedina7798]

Kurt I’m always very impressed with your vids! Would say this is my favourite channel!!

[@80sLife]

That really means so much to me. Thank you!!

[@MH-dd3wn]

I painted John Stamos's house in the early 90's on Mulholland Dr. before he sold it. While moving his gym equipment around, I found Kirk Cameron's ID card.

[@80sLife]

Haha. Is this true? So did I have the right house?

[@MH-dd3wn]

@@80sLife hey Kurt, love your channel. Yes, it's true, he was getting ready to sell and move into his new home.

[@1sikgolf]

Every time I watch one of your valley videos, its crazy to think how parallel our lives were. Half my family graduated from crespi and Louisville. I went to our lady grace across street from crespi up until 7th grade. I heard the same rumor's about the Stamos house, never got confirmation either. The shopping center on topanga you were at was our hang out for a long time, at the Starbucks right there. And where bobs was, I believe was a coco's or carrows also, my grandparents took me there ALOT. WAY back in the day, I think it was a Marie calendars, my aunt worked there in her teens. I need to dig up my old photos and send some your way for the videos!

[@ceelos4979]

Tommy’s!!!!! Love that place

[@staytuned7026]

Did you ever go to western bagel ? I remember always going there as a kid with my mom to get fresh bagels these videos are great so many memories I grew up more in the north hills area

[@MisterMister5893]

Hey buddy, you should do a pamplet or PDF guide of all the famous places. An interactive PDF of places one can pull up and visit when they're visiting LA.

[@80sLife]

That would be cool. Maybe something I can look into for the future

[@jeffwright2664]

That Rite-Aid on the corner of Topanga and Ventura just closed last month.

[@80sLife]

Oh wow. What a bummer

[@sonicspectrumradio]

Thanks for the great vids. Crespi Class of 1984 btw.

[@80sLife]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@AdamOMcMurphy]

You always have great stuff! I particularly loved this video as I have lived both in the neighborhood behind Crespi AND across from Louisville. And that RiteAid on Topanga and Ventura only just closed in June 2022, due to "high crime".

[@chriskeyes7485]

Another great job Kurt

[@80sLife]

Thank you!

[@pauldaniels2019]

I graduated Crespi in the '70s. . .the Ralphs was even there then.

[@danielgallegos8869]

Awesome 👍🏻👍🏻

[@80sLife]

Thank you!!

[@CASmithHorror]

This is my hood! 😎

[@w3stern49]

Home sweet home

[@cartelplug8183]

Your from the 818?

[@whoami7721]

Reminds me of growing up over in Whittier, in the San Gabriel Valley. So much of our old youth hangouts are gone or have changed. Whittwood Mall is now just a glorified strip mall. Blockbuster Video further down Whittier Boulevard is now an auto parts store. The Warehouse record shop is now a paint and home improvement store. The only cool thing is that Lovell's Records in Uptown on Greenleaf Avenue still exists, propped up by the vinyl trend. There's also Uptown 2000, a little shop packed to the gills with punk and metal t-shirts and other stuff. The movie theater is still there, too! We had a Bob's Big Boy on Painter Avenue in Whittier. It's now a restaurant called California Grille and is pretty popular. I like the tri-hawk you had back in the day. My punk statement was never that hardcore: just a crew cut, boots, and maybe an Exploited or Ramones shirt. A black leather jacket if the weather called for it. Dickies or Levi's to complete the outfit. What was the name of your band? My band "Tin Foil" played some backyard parties and we recorded an EP. We sounded like a cross between Black Sabbath and Minor Threat.

[@rspister]

Hamburger Hamlet was in that strip mall at Topanga and Ventura. Solley’s too.

[@Mpg-gh5fq]

The Black Bear Diner was also a Coco's between the time that it was Bob's Big Boy and now. I'm disappointed that many of the Coco's, Carrow's, and Marie Callender's restaurants have closed.

[@danielgcooper54]

The Black Bear Diner still looks like Bob’s, including the sign.

[@80sLife]

Yep. I think it was also a cocos before Black bear

[@Vinjerrylee]

Wow u rolled the window down with a window crank!...what year and what kinda car is that?

[@TwoWay-xX]

Hell yeah !

[@80sLife]

Thank you for watching

[@louvega7570]

Tommy’s! At the end lol

[@80sLife]

Yep 🙂

[@mattman7341]

Any of your music anywhere to hear?

[@TimLindsay]

Rachel Dratch from SNL in the Blockbuster music commercial...

[@electroluxia]

9:50 - Is that Rachel Dratch ? ...

[@Twobarpsi]

That hole with rebar story was very scary! You might not have survived!

[@val13c59]

Can you do a video on Canoga Park. I lived there for a few years. Never had problems living there. But it seems to get a bad rap.

[@Jasemtl]

How long has the kosher butcher shop been there ? (In between bob’s big boy and the pizza place)

[@80sLife]

Not sure. But a lot of the shops in there where around back in the 80s. There is also a deli in there that I'm pretty sure was around when I was a kid.

[@geerad7237]

Do filming locations for the movie Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. That'd be awesome.

[@80sLife]

That's a great one

[@justmadd369]

do they still have Zody's out there

[@80sLife]

Nah. Long gone

[@cartelplug8183]

Zodys came out in the movie blood in blood out back in the early 90s

[@ryangillum115]

Kurt, curious to know if you ever got into any fights in the Valley?

[@80sLife]

I tried to stay out of trouble. Had a lot of really close calls

[@ryangillum115]

@@80sLife I can imagine, seems like you avoided everything well.

[@BellaAndGiGi]

Can you do one of south sacramento like the florin mall N stuff like that YouKnowWhatiMean?

[@SurflinerBoy455]

Head to the frys electronics in Burbank which is a famous one until 2020 and It was featured in Jordan Peeles nope

[@timothya.olmeda7299]

Cool landmark, pitiful store.

[@fmminformation]

I grew up in Philadelphia dreaming about growing up in L.A. Now, I live in L.A.

[@frankgranado7845]

John Stamos has the Disneyland D in his back yard. It's visible while driving on Moholland drive

[@h.xtred_]

Yo 80s life is there a possibility we could get a menace 2 society film location video?

[@80sLife]

Hopefully. It's one I've been wanting to do

[@mancaveveteran4975]

That Mohawk story should have ended with…..”….and he came out and saw 4 flat tires!” That would have been punk rock!

[@80sLife]

Yeah I was a weenie. Plus they were all hanging around his car.

[@Ned_Slanders]

That manhole cover probably isn’t there anymore because someone else tried it and wasn’t so lucky.

[@80sLife]

Man, I hope not

[@JonJon-us5tn]

Where do you live now Kurt?

[@MFBURNS7909]

I know you remember the 7 Up truck getting stolen in Valley Village in 98 😂

[@1sikgolf]

Bottles flying everywhere, was awesome!

[@MFBURNS7909]

@@1sikgolf I got 2 or 3 cans that didn't bust after he drove by my school across from Valley College. We were watching the chase in school. We saw he was about to drive by,we looked out the window n saw him 😂

[@1sikgolf]

@@MFBURNS7909 HAHAH thats gold!

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

Oh wow I forgot about Crespi High. Back in 88 or 89 they put us out of the playoffs. Our football team were undefeated went to Crespi for the 1st round and lost! Yes, Blockbuster Music was real corporate they took over Music Plus...

[@Stevelives13]

That hair tho. Mr T vs John Lydon.

[@80sLife]

Hahaha

[@USAVLOG.]

❤️

[@andreh7334]

Crespi Carmelite is a great donut (probably).

[@80sLife]

Haha

[@rawkusrex]

Tommy's!!!!!!

[@80sLife]

Absolutely

[@JeffAdairKTM530]

CRESPI for the WIN

[@BrainDamageComedy]

👍👍

[@snappybabby4646]

Your house was broke into, your Dad's car was backed into, you almost died jumping on a utility cover, plus many other incidents you've revealed in past vids. I'm seeing a theme here.

[@80sLife]

🤷‍♂️bad luck? Life is full of crazy stories

[@snappybabby4646]

@@80sLife Is that what they are: stories?

[@ashaer]

Topanga and Chase

[@danikeebler1662]

My brother went to Crespi. He hated it because it was an all boys school. The boys would act like boys....without girls to impress. Gross. The high school in Encino Man was Mssion College. My near fatal act was on a bridge( Victory Blvd over the wash) that was only meant for a train to pass by. The slats on the wooden bridge was just big enough to get a foot caught AND I am terrified of heights. We were up to no good on the bridge and off in the distance, we heard the horn blow. Ohhhhh nooo. Just like that movie. Stand By Me, we were ditching the train. Not a finer moment. A year later, my friends were driving and we used to back up Ventura Blvd for miles. We were jamming to Vanity 6. We were like soooo OMG bitchin'.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

All boys high school?! 😳 Jesus. I can hardly even imagine such a place existing...let alone actually attending it! Must have been an absolute nightmare for staff.

[@raimywinter2309]

🤘🏻🎱🤘🏻

[@M0Sesdef]

Somebody just got executed a few weeks ago at that Ralphs at Ventura/Topanga 😞

[@80sLife]

Oh wow how did I not hear about that. I just read the news article. Very sad

[@jzen1455]

Do you find yourself being one of the few people from your childhood who remained in the Valley?

[@KyleReeseCel2029]

He doesn't live there anymore just visits.

[@ClayMationNation]

Imagine if the guy who said your hair looked like crap randomly. watched this video.

[@80sLife]

That would be awesome!!

[@FIGNAS83]

I would've slashed the tires on the blue bug.

[@drakejdf]

3rd 😜

[@green285]

Donkey Kong > Dig Dug