Writer and radio producer
Peter Gilstrap is a writer, radio producer, screenwriter and former Zamboni driver living in Los Angeles. His work has appeared on NPR, KCRW, KQED, KPCC, and in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Salon and Variety. He’s won two PRNDI awards. He plays bass and sings.
A visit to RFK's family home in Pasadena A man from Pasadena, Sirhan Sirhan, was arrested and convicted of the killing of Robert F. Kennedy. Sirhan is still in prison. The house he grew up in, his family home in Pasadena, is still there. It’s occupied by his last living relative. Reporter Peter Gilstrap went to visit.
Johnny Tried: The Ballad of Glen Sherley When Johnny Cash played his iconic concert at Folsom Prison he covered the song of one very talented inmate. Johnny pulled some strings, plucked Glen Sherley from prison and brought him out on the road. Did this turn of fortune wind up helping or hurting the formerly unknown songwriter?
Psychedelic Misery A cinematographer's bad trip coincides with the death of the '60s. [EXPLICIT LANGUAGE]
'70s porn stars gather to remember the good old days Last month, porn stars of the 1970s had a reunion. They reminisced about when police came to bust up the sets, when paychecks were stacks of cash, and when fans pretended not to recognize you on the street. Amber Lynn started her porn career in 1983 and is still in demand. (Photo by Peter Gilstrap)
How the McRib became a cult holiday favorite A Santa Clarita woman became obsessed with the McRib. She lobbied to have it reinstated at her local Mcdonald’s.
The Beach Boys, Goats and the 'Pet Sounds' Cover Fifty years ago, the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds, a collection of groundbreaking songs that redefined pop music for an entire generation. In the decades since, critics and fans have analyzed every single aspect of the album’s thirteen songs. But the album’s genius was hardly represented by its cover. It’s just a hokey, semi-staged-looking snapshot of the band standing in a petting zoo, feeding goats. How is it that one of the greatest pop albums of all time also has one of the dumbest covers? Journalist Peter Gilstrap spoke with members of the Beach Boys about their remembrances of the photo shoot. Photo Credit: Capitol Photo Archives
Gov. Jerry Brown: California and China will fight climate change together President Donald Trump reportedly wants the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and he’s expected to announce a decision soon. California Governor Jerry Brown heads to China to strengthen climate and clean energy ties.
Trump says goodbye Paris Accord: What does it mean for U.S. and the planet? President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, the landmark international agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Trump was to renegotiate a new deal, but will that happen?
How do Trump supporters feel about the Paris Accord? Globally and around the U.S., there are strong opinions whether or not the Paris Climate Accord is a good idea. The American exit is either a horrifying abdication of American leadership or a forceful and long overdue statement about U.S. sovereignty.
Why did Jared Kushner want a back channel with Russians? News broke Friday that President Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, tried setting up a back channel between the Trump transition team and the Russian government. What are the consequences for Kushner, President Trump, and the investigation into Russian meddling?