Here’s a great L.A. story that begins,...

Here’s a great L.A. story that begins, of all places, in a tiny Oklahoma town called Pretty Water. That was the hometown of young Larry and Lorrie Collins before their parents brought the precocious sibs west in search of a big showbiz break. They found it: The innocent but frenetic rockabilly of the Collins Kids became a weekly feature on Tex Ritter’s “Town Hall Party” TV show from Compton, where the sibs played with stars like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. They got their own record deal and Lorrie even dated Ricky Nelson. “You know, our parents thought about taking us to Memphis or Nashville,” says Larry, now 63. “I’m glad they didn’t.” The Collins Kids, all grown up, play their first SoCal show in 15 years this Saturday in Anaheim with Deke Dickerson, Junior Watson and others. For details go to www.guitargeekfestival.com. . . . I’m not sure there has even been an L.A. band as incendiary as Jane’s Addiction, but tonight frontman Perry Farrell and Paul Green’s School of Rock All-Stars play the Roxy [(310) 276-2222] to raise money for the Salvation Army and recent wildfire victims. They promise to play Van Halen and Suicidal Tendencies, so count me in. . . . It was 141 years ago today that Carl Laemmle, the esteemed Universal Studios founder, was born in his native Germany. To celebrate, bring cake to your local picket line.

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-- Geoff.B[email protected]