Laurel Canyon

[TheLoony]

So there's a show about the music created there coming out soon on some network I forget. It's gonna be all unicorns and rainbows, I'd expect.

I came across this a while back and had it bookmarked for discussion so here's my chance. There's a book, Weird Scenes Inside The Canyon that supposedly paints a vastly different picture and I wondered if it was all BS or if there's some merit to it. I have no idea.

https://doukhobor666.wordpress.com/2...de-the-canyon/

What we learn from Weird Scenes is that not only were the movers of the 60’s musical revolution mysteriously concentrated in the very exclusive Laurel Canyon area, but what bound all of them were three common threads dangling against the backdrop of one highly curious phenomenon.

Family connections to the military or intelligence community
Connections to the occult
A long chain of mysterious deaths and brutal murders
Laurel Canyon was home to a top secret military intelligence film studio whose presence and purpose remain largely unknown to this day
All of the information presented runs completely contrary to the mythology of the Peace and Love 60’s counterculture. In fact, McGowan’s work doesn’t just cast doubt on the idea of an organic social and cultural phenomenon, it detonates the very foundations of the popular myth. At the core of the book are simple but mind blowingly provocative questions:

What if the counterculture revolution was engineered?

What if these artists were working in concert with the military intelligence establishment to mainstream rock culture and decadence?

What if the goal was sabotaging both the antiwar Left and hastening the break down of the social order?

[JKL2000]

Did you see Echo in the Canyon? I'm not sure exactly what it is, but Fernando from Dave Kerzner's band is in it, as is Jakob Dylan.

[rapidfirerob]

It will be on Epix.

[TheLoony]

The doc looks alright. About what I expected. Maybe someday I'll get my hands on the book and see what the dudes all about.

[Vic333]

Echo in the Canyon was fun. Made me play some Byrds for awhile.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[AncientChord]

I grew up in Los Angeles and Laurel Canyon was certainly the major hang-out spot for the hippie crowd and the rock music musicians. It lured all kinds of musicians from all over America and beyond. One of my favorites records from the era was John Mayall's Blues From Laurel Canyon. It was like a nest of musicians than gave birth to many of the greatest American rock bands of the time. The 60'a are almost a blur to me now, what happened in musical terms in Los Angeles from about 1965 to 1970 truly was unique and magical. I'll have to check out this doc. Thanks for the head's up.

[the winter tree]

I was also a big fan of Mayall's Blues From Laurel Canyon . I haven't heard it in years, my beat up old used vinyl copy disappeared years ago. I will have to check it out on Youtube.

[Plasmatopia]

I came across this a while back and had it bookmarked for discussion so here's my chance. There's a book, Weird Scenes Inside The Canyon that supposedly paints a vastly different picture and I wondered if it was all BS or if there's some merit to it. I have no idea.

I have no idea either, but I caught a clip from this interview and this guy says similar things about the whole Helter Skelter thing undermining the '60s counterculture. Supposedly Charles Manson may have been subjected to the MK Ultra program:

[AncientChord]

Well I watched the first part of Laurel Canyon yesterday, and was very impressed. The director did a great job, and the interviews by those that are still with us, and some not, were enlightening. The film really does make you go back in time to an era that will never transpire again. And spending time on some of the biggest and most influential bands of the L.A. music scene of the time is great. However, one key band, so far is missing in action. That band was Spirit. The first four albums by the band are psychedelic classics, especially the fourth, Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus. This album is a masterpiece. Not only a psychedelic masterpiece, but no doubt a definitive proto-prog album. This L.A. band was a big part of the local exploding music scene, but never made to huge success, and are highly underrated. I sure hope they are at least mentioned in the second part of this series.

[mnprogger]

watched the 1st episode on Sunday night with my wife. Better than the Jakob Dylan documentary from last year, but I suppose for my and my wife's money, there still wasn't enough about The Monkees.

We'll see if this Sunday's 2nd part will include more.

[AncientChord]

I watched part 2 yesterday, and my favorite band of the era Spirit was not mentioned. I'm not surprised. Otherwise IMO this film is the best about this unique musical time in Los Angeles. I give it a bitter-sweet

[Firth]

I watched part 2 yesterday, and my favorite band of the era Spirit was not mentioned. I'm not surprised. Otherwise IMO this film is the best about this unique musical time in Los Angeles. I give it a bitter-sweet

Agreed, after reading the Wiki on Spirit I learned about the inside connections to the Laurel Canyon members. In August 1967, the record producer Lou Adler (known for his work with The Mamas & the Papas) signed them. In 1970, Spirit started working on their fourth LP Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. On the recommendation of Neil Young, the band chose frequent Young collaborator David Briggs as the producer.

Spirit was too progressive relative to the Laurel Canyon motif. They aren’t members of the RARHOF, but deserve to be.

https://youtu.be/r7KlFT2Lwjc

[Firth]

The quality of the images and the audio was very good.

[Camelogue]

I remember Christy Canyon.

[moecurlythanu]

^

[interbellum]

Belgium TV will air the series starting tomorrow.

[Rarebird]

Belgium TV will air the series starting tomorrow.

I'm going to record it and watch it later, because it's broadcasted past my bedtime.

[interbellum]

I'm going to record it and watch it later, because it's broadcasted past my bedtime.

Me too; next Thursday part 2.

[BobM]

I think it was Steven Stills who said "If you gave Joni an idea for a song, she could go away for an hour and come back with the best song you every heard."

Incredible praise from such a prodigious songwriter as Stills. That culture pushed everyone in it to step up for the sake of music. New York had a similar (but different) culture, as does Nashville and other music towns. Great seeing the history and atmosphere preserved for those of us who love what came from it.

[TheLoony]

Found the interview with Dave McGowan.