Opened in 1957 in West Hollywood, Doug Weston’s Troubadour became the epicenter of Los Angeles’s cultural scene and arguably one of the most important music venues in the world for its importance in breaking new acts.

It was on Troubadour’s stage in 1970, for example, that a 20-year-old Elton John became a household name. The moment was depicted in the star’s biopic ‘Rocketman.’

‘My whole life came alive that night, musically, emotionally... everything,' Elton John told The Los Angeles Times a few decades later.’ It was like everything I had been waiting for suddenly happened.... I could tell it was a magical night from the moment I stepped onstage.’

Over its many decades, Troubadour also played an important role in the careers of Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles, the Byrds, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Tom Waits, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, JD Souther, Nine Simone, Judy Collins, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Buffalo Springfield, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Metallica, Motley Crue, Foo Fighters, Ben Ivers, Dave Matthews and the White Stripes.

Additionally, it served as an important early comedy platform for Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and the Smothers Brothers.

Weston originally founded the club as a coffee house on La Cienega Boulevard in 1957. It moved to its current location at 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood in 1961.

Los Angeles Times music critic Robert Hilburn described Weston as ‘arguably the godfather of the Southern California singer-songwriter movement in the late '60s and early '70s.’

A charismatic impresario, 6'6" tall with long hair, Weston became known for the agreements he made with new artists, which stipulated that, after they became famous, they would return to the club to perform. In later years, Weston was no longer involved in running the club, but he retained ownership.

Admirably, this historic 500-capacity club has remained independent and is now owned by Christine Karayan and her father Ed Karayan, former business partner of Weston who died in 1999.

Still hallowed ground for music fans, it continues to be a destination for people who want to listen to live music in an intimate setting. 

Courtesy Bob Reiss.