Where The Streets Have No Name

Back in the mid 80's while sitting at my desk overlooking Hollywood a report came on the news about a mob gathering downtown for what was rumored to be a free U2 concert. The band was filming their video for the recent release of "Where The Streets Have No Name" on the roof of a downtown high rise but somehow word leaked they were performing live. Unprepared for the gathering crowd, the LA police department was outnumbered and were concerned a riot might ensue once everyone realized no concert had been planned. When the band members of U2 noticed what was going on they actually performed a free concert at the request of authorities and thirty minutes later the crowd disbanded without incident. Every time I hear the song I recall that memory and naturally think the lyrics are referring to Los Angeles.

However, the other day a report came on television where Bono reportedly acknowledged the song was about the small desert community, Joshua Tree, in Southern California. It made sense as the album containing the song was titled The Joshua Tree. I played the song shortly after hearing that news.

The city's aflood
And our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled in dust
I'll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name

I searched the internet for a reference to Bono's acknowledgement and soon found out there are many places claiming to be where the streets have no name: Ireland, North Africa, Los Angeles and even Victorville. Victorville? C'mon. I was disappointed that I couldn't retrieve any information regarding Joshua Tree being the actual PLACE where the streets had no name. I thought it would really make a great blog entry. So I settled for second place and took a drive up there the other day to revisit the slightly quirky village of Joshua Tree.

After passing The Joshua Tree Spiritual Retreat Center and The Institute of Mentalphysics I knew I had hit town. The Hi Desert Cultural Center was in the process of having it's façade redone and The Red Arrow Gallery had relocated since my last visit. Several guys were painting the giant arrow that remained affixed to the side of the building. I passed on stopping to take photographs opting to continue on to The Art Queen.

However, much to my disappointment, The Art Queen was no longer in business. I found the new home of The Red Arrow Gallery but it was closed. This would not be a trip where a new artist would be discovered. I parked the car and snuck around back of the building that once housed The Art Queen Gallery only to find a little green cubicle that was no more than 5 ft by 10ft. It too was closed but proudly displayed the name, "World Famous Crochet Museum".... Another miss. So far my trip was not producing the odd surprise I had hoped.

I drove down the alley behind The Joshua Tree Saloon to discover a tiny little dome with a for sale sign on it. It was quite clever and apparently the owner was hocking it as pre-fab housing. They even had a website where you could order a little dome of your own, www.VillageDome.com. It was amusing but funny as it may seem, it didn't seem unusual for Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree is home to numerous artists - painters, writers, musicians, sculptors and more. These creative types mingle about in this conservative township with veterans and survivalists. The balance between liberal and conservative is actually quite amazing. Recent economic hard ships may have taken its toll on the little town as the number of shops and eateries isn't quite up to what it once was but I have no doubt Joshua Tree will always retain its distinct character. And by the way, when is The Joshua Tree Music Festival?  Soon I think