Lou Adler, accomplished music industry career and producer of hit songs, albums, and films, talks about The Roxy's 50th anniversary, his early days in the music industry, the music scene in LA in the 1960s, directing films like 'Up in Smoke,' and working with talented songwriters. They also discuss famous comedians who performed at the Roxy and Comedy Store.
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Quick takeaways
Cheech and Chong revolutionized comedy records with their unique style and effects, creating a visual experience through their albums.
Lou Adler worked with Sam Cooke, John Phillips, and Carole King, producing timeless hits that have stood the test of time.
The Roxy Theatre, founded by Lou Adler, became a legendary music venue in LA, hosting iconic performances and solidifying its reputation as a cultural hot spot.
Deep dives
The Success of Cheech and Chong Records
Cheech and Chong's records revolutionized comedy records with their unique style and effects, making them more engaging and playable. By adding sound effects and creating a visual experience through their comedy albums, they made the listener feel like they were watching a movie. Their records were a huge success, utilizing FM radio stations and clever marketing strategies like advertising on buses and bus benches.
Working with Sam Cooke, John Phillips, and Carole King
Lou Adler had the privilege of working with three incredibly talented songwriters, Sam Cooke, John Phillips, and Carole King, all of whom had a significant impact on the music industry. Each of them brought their own magic and unique style to their music, producing timeless hits that have stood the test of time.
The Legendary Roxy Theatre
Lou Adler's involvement with the Roxy Theatre was a defining chapter in his career. He was hands-on and actively involved in booking and managing the venue, making it the epicenter of music in Los Angeles. The Roxy hosted iconic performances from legendary artists, including Bob Marley, Genesis, and many others, introducing them to the American audience and solidifying the venue's reputation as a cultural hot spot.
The Roxy: A Decade of Music and Madness
The Roxy was a legendary music venue in LA that hosted a wide range of acts and became a major hub for the music scene in the 1970s. It was founded by Lou Adler and Elmer Valentine, two music industry insiders who wanted to create a space that treated musicians right and provided them with top-notch facilities and sound systems. The Roxy featured performances from iconic artists such as The Rolling Stones, Guns N' Roses, James Addiction, and more. It also served as a platform for groundbreaking events like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was a huge success and later became a cult classic film.
Monterey Pop Festival and the Music Industry Shift
Lou Adler played a significant role in the music industry during the 1960s, particularly with the Monterey Pop Festival. The festival, held in 1967 and organized by Adler and others, showcased a wide range of artists from various genres and became a pivotal moment that signaled a shift in the music landscape. Legendary musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Otis Redding performed at the festival, captivating audiences with their groundbreaking performances. The success of Monterey Pop and the emergence of folk rock and other genres in the 1960s contributed to the transformation of the music industry and paved the way for future iconic events like Woodstock.
Lou Adler’s career in the music industry is one of the most accomplished in history, writing and producing hit songs and albums for the likes of Jan and Dean, Sam Cooke, the Mamas and the Papas, Carole King and many more. But he also was a producer of films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the director of Cheech and Chong’s Up In Smoke. On top of all that, he opened The Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip, the club that launched many careers, which Lou talks about with Marc on the occasion of The Roxy’s 50th anniversary.