The Byrds play Ciro’s nightclub, galvanizing a new scene on the Sunset Strip. In June, their folk-rock version of Bob Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man” will spend a week at the top of the charts.
The Beach Boys’ “California Girls,” a last gasp of the L.A. surf-pop sound, reaches Number Three.
The Mamas and the Papas reach Number Four with “California Dreamin’.”
The Buffalo Springfield climb to Number Seven with Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth,” a song inspired by a police-disrupted protest march on the Sunset Strip in the fall of 1966.
Having recruited Gram Parsons, the Byrds go country with Sweetheart of the Rodeo, recorded in Nashville.
Poco, a band formed by former Buffalo Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina, makes its debut at the Troubadour.
Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash move into “Our House” on Laurel Canyon’s Lookout Mountain Road.
The eponymous debut album by Crosby, Stills and Nash is released and quickly goes gold.
David Geffen establishes Asylum Records. The first artist signed to the label is Jackson Browne. The label’s roster eventually will grow to include Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, J.D. Souther and numerous other Los Angeles musicians.
Joni Mitchell’s Ladies of the Canyon, featuring “Big Yellow Taxi,” enters the Top 30 on the Billboard album chart.
Don Henley arrives in L.A. from Texas. He will soon join Glenn Frey in Linda Ronstadt’s backing band.
Carole King’s Tapestry, produced by Lou Adler, spends the first of fifteen weeks at the top of the album chart.
Lenny Waronker becomes head of A&R at Warner-Reprise Records. His upcoming projects include his boyhood friend Randy Newman’s album Sail Away.
Little Feat releases the classic album Sailin’ Shoes.
The Eagles chalk up the first of many hits with “Take It Easy.” The song reaches Number Twelve. Three months later, “Witchy Woman” will do even better -- Number Nine.
Warner Bros. pays $7 million for David Geffen’s Asylum label. The label is merged with Elektra Records, with Geffen remaining in charge.
Gram Parsons dies of a drug overdose in Joshua Tree, California.
Linda Ronstadt reaches Number One with the single “You’re No Good” and the album Heart like a Wheel.
Tom Waits records Nighthawks at the Diner at the Record Plant and at Wally Heider Recording Studios.
The Eagles’ Hotel California spends the first of a total of eight weeks at Number One.
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours begins its reign at Number One on the albums chart.
Randy Newman scores a hit single with “Short People,” which sits at Number Two for three weeks.
Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” reaches Number 21 on the singles chart.
Two months after releasing his solo album Thanks, I’ll Eat It Here, Little Feat’s Lowell George dies of a heart attack in Arlington, Virginia.
