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Canyon of Dreams: The Magic and the Music of Laurel Canyon Reviewed By Dr. Welsey Britton of Bookpleasures.com
- By Dr. Wesley Britton
- Published December 20, 2010
- Biographies & Memoirs
Dr. Wesley Britton
Reviewer Dr. Wesley Britton: Dr. Britton is the author of four non-fiction books on espionage in literature and the media. Starting in fall 2015, his new six-book science fiction series, The Beta-Earth Chronicles, debuted via BearManor Media.
In 2018, Britton self-published the seventh book in the Chronicles, Alpha Tales 2044, a collection of short stories, many of which first appeared at a number of online venues.
For seven years, he was co-host of online radio’s Dave White Presents where he contributed interviews with a host of entertainment insiders. Before his retirement in 2016, Dr. Britton taught English at Harrisburg Area Community College. Learn more about Dr. Britton at his WEBSITE
View all articles by Dr. Wesley Britton
Author: Harvey Kubernik
Publisher: Sterling;
ISBN-10: 1402765894: ISBN-13: 978-1402765896
Click Here To Purchase Canyon of Dreams: The Magic and the Music of Laurel Canyon
Popular music has many capital cities. Nashville has country, Memphis and Chicago the blues, “Swinging London” the British Invasion. But few sites can claim to be the cultural vortex that was Laurel Canyon during the ‘60s and ‘70s. It’s been the subject of myth and legend for decades and deservedly so.
Such a monumental crossroads deserves monumental appreciation, and that’s what Harvey Kubernik has done with his hefty Canyon of Dreams, a vibrant exploration of the musicians and eras that sprouted deep roots in what became a Hollywood suburb. Before 1964, creative folks were around, mostly performers of what was dubbed “West Coast Jazz.” Then came the Beatles who inspired a tidal wave of talent centered in Laurel Canyon including the likes of the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Mamas and Papas, the Doors, the Turtles, the Monkees, Frank Zappa, the Association, and Three Dog Night. Some of these stars were more or less natives; others were imports like British Islanders such as Donovan, John Mayall, and Eric Burdon. These were but the names of those who earned popular acclaim; lesser known but influential performers also included Van Dyke Parks, Bobby Womack, Arthur Lee of Love, and Sky Saxon and The Seeds. And that was only the first wave. “Flower Power” came and went to be replaced with Little Feat, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, stills, Nash and Young, Jackson Browne, the Eagles, and Carole King. Even when the heyday was over, Laurel Canyon was the breeding ground for Guns and Roses and performers like Bill Mumy.
To tell this story, Harvey Kubernik wove together interviews with those who were there—Danny Hutton, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Mickey Dolenz, Michelle Phillips and those who were part of the scene like photographer Henry Diltz and producer Lou Adler. All describe a vivid and evolving portrait of the clubs where reputations were made and the homes where bands met, formed, and rehearsed. During the 1960s, the mutually supportive enclave partied together, played together, and picked up new influences from each other. in Canyon of Dreams, many veterans describe the watershed moments that demonstrated the fast changes that happened to their community—the riots on the Sunset Strip that ended hippie innocence, the Manson murders that brought dark paranoia into the mix, and the earthquake of 1971 that chased many denizens from their idyllic havens. Then came cocaine and a new musical environment—the times had indeed a’changed.
It’s an epic story, and Harvey Kubernik should be credited with assembling a massive tapestry of the times, places, and people. Virtually everyone involved recalls their experiences with affection and awe, and the only sad notes are for those who left the scene too soon—Mama Cass, Danny Whitten, Jim Morrison, Gram Parsons and Clarence White, among others. Canyon of Dreams is warm, dense, rich, and important. It’s one of the most essential histories of rock ever written, and it’s captivating, human, an poignant to boot. And the story is far from over . . .
Click Here To Purchase Canyon of Dreams: The Magic and the Music of Laurel Canyon
Listen To Dr.Wes Britton’s audio interview with author Harvey Kubernik for the “Dave White Presents” radio program posted HERE