Laurel Canyon Folk Rock

Zip Code 90046 - Code for Creativity

Benedict Canyon,Trabuco Canyon,Brea Canyon,Mandeville Canyon,Topanga Canyon,Carbon Canyon. . How many canyons of Southern California can you name? The one that was a crucible for musical creativity in the late 1960s is Laurel Canyon LA. Laurel Canyon is part of the Hollywood Hills which are part of the Santa Monica Mountains. In 1947, prior to the arrival of the hipsters, Laurel Canyon contained a covert movie studio. (Covert in the sense of being run for the military.)

This neighborhood ranked second to Haight Ashbury as the center for the flower-power hippie culture. A bulk of the innovators in folk rock lived or visited the canyon. This was a place with a bohemian flavor, characterized by twisting streets, fantastic views,the smell of eucalyptus, and bungalows where musicians and song writers would drop in to jam and to party.

This area diminished in importance when Disco came in. A tradition of more recent years is the annual ritual of the Community Photograph taken at the Country Market. At one time, the legendary Jim Morrison of the Doors lived behind the store on Rothdell Trail. The hangout at the time of the residents was the Troubadour.

Catch the seven minute NPR Podcast audio on the link list of this presentation!