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Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon : Laurel Canyon, Covert Ops and the Dark Heart of the Hippy Dream by David McGowan (2014, Trade Paperback)
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ISBN: 9781909394124. Condition Guide. Item Availability.
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherHeadpress
ISBN-101909394122
ISBN-139781909394124
eBay Product ID (ePID)172349250
Product Key Features
Book TitleWeird Scenes inside the Canyon : Laurel Canyon, Covert Ops and the Dark Heart of the Hippy Dream
Number of Pages320 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2014
TopicMurder / General, Sociology / General, Composers & Musicians, Popular Culture, General, Customs & Traditions
IllustratorYes
GenreMusic, True Crime, Social Science, Biography & Autobiography
AuthorDavid Mcgowan
FormatTrade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height0.5 in
Item Weight14.7 Oz
Item Length8 in
Item Width5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
Dewey Edition23
Reviews"David McGowan is among the smartest and funniest researcher/writers in our intrepid Alternative Media." -Revolutionary, "David McGowan is among the smartest and funniest researcher/writers in our intrepid Alternative Media." -- Revolutionary
Dewey Decimal306.10979494
SynopsisAs a native Angeleno who was born in 1960 and came of age in the 1970s, the music produced by the artists who populate this book provided the soundtrack to my youth, so it is a subject matter that is close to my heart. But what really set the hook was discovering, early on in my research, that there were a number of aspects of the Laurel Canyon scene that didn't really seem to fit in with the prevailing image of a hippie utopia that was ostensibly all about peace and love. Having grown up right alongside this scene, I was shocked to learn that I didn't even know that it had existed at all! And after asking around, I discovered that no one else that I know in this city did either. After the passage of nearly 50 years, it seemed that this was a story that was long overdue for greater exposure. Even more overdue, it seemed to me, was an expose of some of the hidden truths of Laurel Canyon. Though a few books exploring the scene have popped up over the last several years, all of them have a certain sameness to them, with the same stories told in much the same way. I felt it was time to tell a different version of the story -- the one that can be found hiding in the details that are usually left out or glossed over., As a native Angeleno who was born in 1960 and came of age in the 1970s, the music produced by the artists who populate this book provided the soundtrack to my youth, so it is a subject matter that is close to my heart. But what really set the hook was discovering, early on in my research, that there were a number of aspects of the Laurel Canyon scene that didn't really seem to fit in with the prevailing image of a hippie utopia that was ostensibly all about peace and love.Having grown up right alongside this scene, I was shocked to learn that I didn't even know that it had existed at all! And after asking around, I discovered that no one else that I know in this city did either. After the passage of nearly 50 years, it seemed that this was a story that was long overdue for greater exposure.Even more overdue, it seemed to me, was an expose of some of the hidden truths of Laurel Canyon. Though a few books exploring the scene have popped up over the last several years, all of them have a certain sameness to them, with the same stories told in much the same way. I felt it was time to tell a different version of the story the one that can be found hiding in the details that are usually left out or glossed over., Laurel Canyon in the '60s and early '70s was a magical place where musicians gathered to create much of the soundtrack to those times. The Doors, the Beach Boys, Frank Zappa, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and more lived and jammed together here. But the scene had a dark side. Many didn't make it out alive, and many of those deaths remain shrouded in mystery. Far more integrated into the scene than most would like to admit was Charles Manson and his infamous Family. It also seems these colourful characters all coexisted alongside a covert military installation., As a native Angeleno who was born in 1960 and came of age in the 1970s, the music produced by the artists who populate this book provided the soundtrack to my youth, so it is a subject matter that is close to my heart. But what really set the hook was discovering, early on in my research, that there were a number of aspects of the Laurel Canyon scene that didn't really seem to fit in with the prevailing image of a hippie utopia that was ostensibly all about peace and love. Having grown up right alongside this scene, I was shocked to learn that I didn't even know that it had existed at all And after asking around, I discovered that no one else that I know in this city did either. After the passage of nearly 50 years, it seemed that this was a story that was long overdue for greater exposure. Even more overdue, it seemed to me, was an expose of some of the hidden truths of Laurel Canyon. Though a few books exploring the scene have popped up over the last several years, all of them have a certain sameness to them, with the same stories told in much the same way. I felt it was time to tell a different version of the story - the one that can be found hiding in the details that are usually left out or glossed over.
LC Classification NumberHN80
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Nov 05, 2017
Compelling arguments. More research is needed.
It's hard not to walk away from this book thinking the author might be on to something. Everyone who grew up during the '50s had family members who served in the military during WW2. What's highly unusual are all the connections to high ranking officials and military intelligence. The Admiral Morrison/Jim Morrison connection by itself should raise some eyebrows. There are all sorts of anecdotes and asides I've read over the years that make sense by viewing Jim as an agent. He used to tell drinking buddy Gene Vincent: "What's it like being a real rock n roll star?" As if to convey that he was a fraud. I also recall a story from Densmore's book where Jim mysteriously got out of the draft and wouldn't say how he did it! The guy was an enigma for sure. But if Morrison was some sort of lifetime actor (Atwill's term), I don't believe there's any evidence the other Doors were in on it. And contrary to some opinions, the Doors were talented musicians who did play on all of their albums. I believe the overall thesis of this book is true. Some of the details might be off. For example, with the exception of the first single (Mr. Tambourine Man, I Knew I'd Want You), the Byrds did play on their first album. However, I believe McGowan is correct in that the band was "cast" to be the first folk-rock group. There's nothing organic about how they came together. I recommend this book to anyone interested in popular music from the last 50 years. If there's one thing people like McGowan and Atwill have taught me it's to stop idolizing rock musicians. They are all weapons of the establishment, whether they know it or not.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Jun 22, 2021
Weird scenes is right!
Warning, you won't look at these musical 'heroes' or quite a number of the 'Peace and Brotherhood' crowd either in the same light ever again! Very well researched, discusses angles, relationships and events which have been wallpapered over for way too many years - I knew some of the players had tarnished lives, did not realize the extent. Wowzers. Fascinating read! RIP Dave....Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- May 10, 2017
Best read of the "new" millenium
Time well spent and best if you read it aloud. An alternative anti war history of the world's "greatest" empire at he height of her power. As a draft-age-kid I shuddered and weaved my way through these dark sci-fi drug induced times and met many of these potent power players in person in SF & LA. The author is keen eyed and his insights are spot on providing a whole new overview of my very personal experiences- A dark and true reliving of that time fifty years ago when we rose up to kill the occult beasts and were mostly suppressed by the moneyed few.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Nov 13, 2022
A compelling read. Approach with an open mind.
Not a dull moment in this book. The author painstakingly researched this and has presented the facts, without telling you what conclusions to draw. If you're interested in the music of the 1960's and 1970's and the people who made it, if you want to understand the culture that produced Charles Manson, if you're prepared to rethink much of what you thought you knew about that time period in the U.S. read this book.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- May 06, 2020
A great guilty pleasure read for the beach!
Talk about a WEIRD place in the '60's, uh that would be the Canyons of Los Angeles; Benedict-Topanga-Laurel. Talk about crazies....and druggies....and groupies and of course, rock stars. Well that's where they all hung out- in the canyons. Book is fun to read -from a far, but like living that life? Uh....never.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Sep 18, 2019
A rather bizarre Conspiracy theory.
A rather bizarre conspiracy theory claiming that the Rock Stars living in Laurel Canyon in the 60s were the children of "Them" ie CIA, Military operatives etc. Furthermore that many of them died young and under questionable circumstance. The Manson parts were the usual Healter Skelter rehash with a lot more info on his connections to various Rock Stars. I'm inclined to concur that it is not that well researched in that the Altamont account is way off and how do I know,I was there and saw the killing from 8 feet away. A very interesting read overall.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Nov 26, 2022
The title fits perfectly with the content.
This is an extremely informative book, a real eye opener to a time in more recent history and American culture. I am thoroughly enjoying this book. It's a good read and I recommend it to everyone looking for a more than thought provoking story telling of the time period.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Aug 18, 2024
An excellent read about the era and the ...
An excellent read about the era and the music. The dark side of the time is well covered and accurate. Great book which many more people should read.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Aug 02, 2023
Puts everything in perspective
An awesome history of what’s got to be the weirdest place on earth, Hollywood, California. Way too much strange things going on out there to be random acts, this book is fascinating!Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Nov 27, 2019
Compelling
Great book with some interesting and very valid points. It will really make you think about what lay behind the Music that defined a Generation.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
