A&M, SOLAR, GEFFEN RECORDS & WEHO
Talks and walks through Hollywood and West Hollywood music biz history
Spending time in Los Angeles this summer has me in a nostalgic mood. So I’ve been revisiting sites of recorded music history in a town that was long the epicenter of the business in the 20th century. I’m not sure what would be labeled the center now (maybe Nashville?). Not even sure any such thing can exist in the digital world. But Hollywood and West Hollywood have strong claims to being the hub from the 1970s into the age of Napster with several quasi independent labels building distinctive rosters until they were gobbled up or strip minded by the major labels.
Solar (Sound of Los Angeles) was a vibrant R&B label that had hit artists and developed a slew of top notch producer-writers. Geffen was a ‘90s rock powerhouse. A&M recorded a wide range of styles and represented a high standard of quality. As a bonus video I did a walk up the Sunset Strip, pointing out a few of the restaurants that were hangouts for musicians and other entertainment figures.
If you like these videos please check out my Follow the Sound playlist on YouTube which contains more brief video essays from LA as well as New York and Miami.