Gene Autry: 1957 to 1969
Stan Paregien, Editor
1957 to 1969
This was "home" to Gene & Ina Mae for many years.
It was located up Laurel Canyon in North Hollywood.
In June of 1958 some of the giants in the Western movie industry appeared together on an NBC-TV special titled "The Western". Gene did his part right from his own Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita (formerly called Newhall), CA. It was the first and only time he appeared "on screen" with fellow Western legend John Wayne. The show also included interviews with director John Ford and actors Gabby Hayes, James Arness, Walter Brennan, Gary Cooper and James Garner.
1960
He became the majority owner of the Angels on Dec. 7, 1960. He is shown with Reggie Jackson when Jackson was signed to play for the Angels (Formerly "Los Angeles" Angels and now the "Anaheim Angels".
1962
In 1962 a brush fire raged through the San Gabriel Mountains and burned much of the Melody Ranch movie location. And with it went many of Gene's personal momentos and other collections.
In 1966 Gene's baseball team moved into their new stadium in the city of Anaheim. 1966
1969
Gene Autry was elected in 1969 to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The plaque read: "Gene Autry--America's great singing cowboy paved the way for others with his Western songs on radio and in the movies, where he set box office records. He was among the first country and Western performers to win world-wide acclaim. Born a cowboy, he overcame very adversity to move to the top of his field, always lending dignity to the industry. Best known as an artist and actor, he also was an accomplished writer."
Even heroes get older.
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