Although we now date LATOS from August 28, 1961 our “roots” go back even further. As most of us know, the American Theatre Organ Society (first named the American Association of Theatre Organ Enthusiasts) was formed in the Richard Simonton home in Toluca Lake on February 8, 1955. The historic photograph of the 31 who attended that meeting shows that organists Gordon Kibbee, Ramona Gerhard Sutton, “Tiny” James and Buddy Cole were among the founders, along with many notable theatre organ enthusiasts such as Judd Walton, Richard Vaughn, Bud Wittenburg, Harvey Heck and Mel Doner. At that meeting Richard Simonton was elected ATOE President with Judd Walton Vice President and Paul Pease Secretary-Treasurer. Volume 1, Number 1 of “The Tibia” (which became “Theatre Organ” in 1959) was published in the fall of 1955. The magazine appeared quarterly (as compared with the bimonthly schedule of today’s “Theatre Organ” along with the monthly “ATOS International News” edited by LATOS Honorary Lifetime Member Tom B’hend.) On November 26, 1956 at 8:00 pm and organizational meeting of Los Angeles area ATOE members was held in the Lorin Whitney Studio on Glenoaks Blvd in Glendale. Featured artist at the 4/24 Robert Morton was none other than LATOS Honorary Lifetime Member George Wright. Two hundred and sixty seven attended and present in the audience, along with organists Kibbee and Gerhard, were Jesse Crawford and Eddie Dunstedter. Our Chapter was formed that night. At the second meeting on December 10th, again at the Whitney Studio, fifty attended and elected Dr. Howard Stocker President, Joe Kearns Vice President, Bob Nichols Secretary and Harvey Heck Treasurer. LA-ATOE was given Chapter Charter #3. The Eastern Massachusetts Chapter is #1 and Delaware Valley is #2 and our neighbors in Nor-Cal hold Charter #4. It was decided chapter meetings would be held about every two months and, thanks to Lorin Whitney’s kindness, LA-ATOS could use his studio and world famous Robert Morton. As a foot note we should add that all the top organists of the 50’s and 60’s recorded on that wonderful instrument: Jesse Crawford, Gordon Kibbee, Don Baker, Leonard MacClain and Ann Leaf, to name just a few. When Mr. Whitney retired, the organ and studio were sold and while the building (somewhat altered) remains; however, the organ was removed and at last word remains in storage.