The Demise of McArthur Park?

[argentus]

I used to work at what is now called City National Plaza and would take a bus down Wilshire to where I lived in West Hollywood off La Cienega.   Often stopped at MacArthur Park to play.   Back then -- 1978 or so -- it was safe to be there almost any time of night, and it wasn't filled with druggies, or at least not dangerous druggies.   Back then, it was one of many places of gathering of folk to do whatever felt good.   There were frequent important cultural speakers.   

I remember hearing Julian Bond speak at MacArthur Park in '79 or '80.  At the time, I'd never heard of him, but saw a flyer on the bus.   Since then, I've read all of his works that I could lay my hands on -- more than 20.   It was a place of political and cultural gathering.   

I saw Donna Summer perform MacArthur Park at the Hollywood Bowl in 1978.   I was so in love with her.  Or perhaps the center of my attraction was lower than my heart.  Later on in the concert, she slid up and down the mic stand and most of the men and women nearly lost their shit, myself included.   I consider her version to be more....  *cough* enticing, no disrespect to Richard Harris.