How to Explore the Rock and Roll History of Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a special place in the history of rock and roll. It is where some of the greatest bands formed, played, recorded and hung out. It has been immortalized in countless songs, videos and news stories. Not only did L.A. produce a number of prominent homegrown artists, it has also welcomed a variety of musicians from across the globe. Whether you're a visitor or a curious native, here are some tips on how to explore the rock and roll history of the City of Angels.
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Instructions
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Read some books or take some classes. You can roam around Los Angeles all you want, but you will never know the importance of a particular spot or intersection without knowing a little bit of background first. A lot of the places rock bands once frequented are now nondescript locations that can easily be missed. UCLA and community colleges in the area offer classes about the history of rock and roll; withj Los Angeles being such an entertainment capital, you will surely find the city and its bands referenced in the typical syllabus.
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Visit venues like the Coliseum, the Hollywood Bowl and the Rose Bowl, among other places where great rock concerts have been held. There are also smaller club venues, like the Troubadour and Whiskey A-Go-Go, which have played an important part in the musical history of Los Angeles by providing a platform for California bands or groups who were merely visiting.
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A you're becoming familiar with the bands and their music, you need to know where they committed that music to tape. The Capitol Records building is not only home to a legendary recording operation, but a historical location with a unique circular design. Warner Brothers Records is tucked away in Burbank, a stone's throw from Los Angeles. Geffen and MCA Records are also prominent landmarks in the city's musical history.
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Even in this era of the download, music connoisseurs flock to L.A.'s music stores to pick up new releases and stock up on vinyl records that were produced decades ago. Stores like Amoeba Records on Sunset Boulevard carry a wide range of music, from world to rock and roll. Their employees are highly knowledgeable about Los Angeles and the music the city has inspired. And they are very friendly and eager to share that knowledge.
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To fully immerse yourself in the musical history of Los Angeles, you must investigate the places where the bands spent their free time, from restaurants to coffee shops to bars. The Sunset Grill has always been a prominent hangout, and has even been used as the subject for a song by Don Henley.
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Also important is the feel of Los Angeles itself: how Sunset Boulevard curves, the glitter of Hollywood, and the historical mark left by the burial sites scattered all throughout the area. The history of rock and roll spans a vast timeline here, and some of its most important locations are now defunct, replaced by other. more mundane businesses. Visiting the site of a once-important record store or a hotel where music producers once stayed will truly give you a feel for the history of the place and the changes it has seen.
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