Harmonica George Born:  August 10, 1914 Died:  February 21, 1953

About The Artist William George Mlagenovich was born in Los Angeles, CA to parents Martin and Mary (Martizia) Mlagenovich. Later, he became known as "Harmonica George." Around May of 1949, Harmonica George was appearing at the Saddle Club at 7306 South Vermont n Los Angeles. Jesse Ashlock's Band was the headline performer. Also appearing was KXLA announcer, Texas Tiny (all 642 pounds of him). Marion Elduayen was the owner of the club and Al Harvey was manager. He married the former Julia Ross (B: July 22, 1924 - D: October 3, 1986) on December 1, 1942. But tragedy struck in the late hours of February 21, 1953. George was driving apparently to Ventura with a female passenger. News accounts he may have been confused by a road sign and his car went into the wrong lane and ended up in a head-on crash. All four people involved were killed. Police took blood alcohol tests at the scene; George and his passenger tests indicated they had been drinking. The two passengers in the other car (a husband and wife) had not been drinking. George was survived by his wife, Julia and a son (George, Jr.) and daughter (Carol-Ann). Credits & Sources Los Angeles After Dark; W. B. Granger; April 28, 1949; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles After Dark; W. B. Granger; May 5, 1949; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles After Dark; W. B. Granger; May 12, 1949; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles After Dark; W. B. Granger; May 19, 1949; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles After Dark; W. B. Granger; May 26, 1949; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles After Dark; W. B. Granger; November 3, 1949; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA 'Wrong Road' Car Kills Four; February 26, 1953; The Southwest Wave; Los Angeles, CA Husband Identifies Auto Wreck Victim; February 25, 1953; Ventura County Star-Free Press; Ventura, CA Crash Victim Unidentified; Feburary 23, 1953; Ventura County Star-Free Press; Ventura, CA Ventura Couple Among Victims; Bob Holt; Feburary 21, 1953; Ventura County Star-Free Press; Ventura, CA Auto Crash Near Oxnard Kills 4; February 22, 1953; Daily News; Los Angeles, CA Four Die in Crash On Ventura Highway; February 22, 1953; The San Bernardino COunty SUn; San Bernardino, CA 'Wrong Way' Car Crash Kills Four - Mistake in Entering Freeway Blamed for Head-On Colision; The Los Angeles Times; Los Angelses, CA 4 Killed in Collision; February 22, 1953; San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, CA Obituary: George Mlagenovich; February 27, 1953; The Tidings; Los Angeles, CA

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