Oral history interview with Gregory Koehler conducted by Claytee D. White on May 15, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Koehler begins talking about his family, early life, and occupation. He explains the line of jobs he has had, his history with firefighting, and how he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. Koehler then recalls how he had attended the Route 91 Festival concert and the events that unfolded during the shooting. He describes what he saw, felt, and how he tried to help the people who were shot. Lastly, he talks about the aftermath of the event and the struggles he had gone through.
The Beauty Bar sits at 517 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 517 Fremont St Sign owner: Darin Feinstein and Corey Harrison (From Pawn Stars) Sign details: Building originally constructed in 1988 for a retail store. The Beauty Bar franchise was founded in 2004 in New York City. The bar in Las Vegas used to be owned by Paul Devitt, but in 2014 is when Darin and Corey bought it and did some renovations. During the day they offer manicures/pedicures while serving cocktails, but at night function as a bar and concert venue with cool retro 1950s/60s salon style chairs and colors. Sign condition: 3-4 During the day the sign looks faded and rusted over. At night the light does not beam as if it is a new sign either. Sign form: Cabinet mounted to building Sign-specific description: On the building there is a white oval shaped plastic sign saying Beauty Bar. Right above the doors there is a Salon of Beauty in channeled white block type letters. Both signs illuminate pink. Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit sign Sign - media: Steel and plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Backlit sign in plastic Sign environment: Located in the Fremont Street East District surrounded by other bars and restaurants. Sign - date of redesign/move: c. 2014 Sign - thematic influences: The bubbly pink backlit sign almost is the same shape as a painters pallet, so it shows an artsy theme since some consider doing hair and manicures as artwork as well Sign - artistic significance: The "Salon of beauty" letters each have their illumination contained due to the metal channeling for each letter. The sign does have a retro aspect with their sign not looking totally brand new which extenuates the theme of an old beauty salon that you would see in the 50s or 60s. Survey - research locations: Beauty Bar Website, accessor's office Survey - research notes: Paul Devitt, the previous owner, actually started the chain of Beauty Bars in New York in 1995. He still has a part in the ownership in the other location he opened in N.Y., L.A., San Francisco and Chicago. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-08-14 Sign keywords: Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Neon; Fascia; Cabinet; Building-front design
Ron Textor grew up in Kirksvile, MO shortly after moved to Flint. MI; father was a doctor and mother a school teacher; started piano lessons at 5 and trombone at 8; attended classes at the Stan Kenton clinics at Michigan State University; National Stage Band Camp at Cleveland at the Western Reserve University; started own band at age 14 in Flint, MI; graduated high school in 1965; went to Central Michigan University graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's in music; 1972 released from the army and joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra under Buddy DeFranco; trumpet player Tom Snelson — Phantom of the Opera; The Airmen of Note; Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra; recording at RCA Victor in Tokyo; 50 weeks a year of one-nighters; St Regis Roof in New York City; book by George Simon on Glenn Miller; Medina Ballroom; traveling by bus; rehearsal with Frank Sinatra; master's degree from Central Michigan; taught college at Michigan, Central, and Alma College; Mott Community College; moved to Wisconsin and taught at Mount Scenario College in the late 70 s; General Motors; Genesee County Fine Arts Council; CETA; Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival; 1981 Montreux Switzerland Jazz Festival; North Sea Jazz Festival at the Hague in Holland; move to Las Vegas 1981.