Laurel Canyon and Hotel California books?

I finished Laurel Canyon over the weekend. Not a bad guilty pleasure. Not especially well written but it's a name droppers delight. I live in L.A. so all the references ring true. What's interesting is the way the author gives some perspective to the goings on of thirty years ago. While never losing sight of the glorious music that was created in those moments he also sheds eerie light on the darker issues and motivations that began tearing at the illusion of peace and love and happiness. The Manson murder spree in particular hit the canyon especially hard. Everyone started locking their doors for the first time.

He also maintains that the huge out-pouring of creativity in a short time was matched if not surpassed by the massive ambition and egos that resided in the canyon. From Zappa to Stephen Stills and David Crosby (also Frey & Henley) to joni Mitchell to Mama Cass, these hills and canyons were filled with talented alpha dogs who had a difficulat time reconciling their sudden success with the hand to mouth existence of many of their followers. It kind of runs out of steam two thirds of the way in but it makes for a good gossipy read.

Neil Gader

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