Hotel California: LA from the Byrds to the Eagles

Synopsis

Documentary looking at the music and mythology of a golden era in Californian culture, and telling the story of how Los Angeles changed from a kooky backwater in the early 1960s to become the artistic and industrial hub of the American music industry by the end of the 1970s.

Alongside extensive and never before seen archive footage, the programme features comprehensive first-hand accounts of the key figures including musicians (David Crosby, Graham Nash, J. D. Souther, Bernie Leadon and Bonnie Raitt, music industry bosses (David Geffen, Jac Holzman, Ron Stone and Peter Asher) and legendary LA scenesters including Henry Diltz, Pamela Des Barres and Ned Doheny.

The film explores how the socially-conscious folk rock of young hippies with acoustic guitars was transformed into the coked-out stadium excess of the late '70s and the biggest selling album of all time.

Tracklist

1.   The Eagles — Hotel California

2. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — Suite Judy Blue Eyes

3. Joni Mitchell — Woodstock

4. The Byrds — Mr Tambourine Man

5. The Byrds — So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star

6. Stephen Stills — You Can't Catch Me

7. Neil Young — Out On The Weekend

8. Buffalo Springfield — Hot Dusty Roads

9. Buffalo Springfield — For What It's Worth

10. Judy Collins — Both Sides Now

11. Joni Mitchell — Night In The City

12. The Hollies — Just One Look

13. Crosby, Stills & Nash — Marrakesh Express

14. Crosby, Stills & Nash — You Don't Have To Cry

15. Crosby, Stills & Nash — Our House

16. Neil Young — Cinnamon Girl

17. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — Suite Judy Blue Eyes

18. Crosby, Stills & Nash — Guinnevere

19. Neil Young — The Loner

20. Neil Young — Roll Another Number For The Road

21. Joni Mitchell — Woodstock

22. Neil Young — Revolution Blues

23. Ry Cooder — Powis Square

24. Joni Mitchell — All I Want

25. Joni Mitchell — Blue

26. Neil Young — Heart Of Gold

27. Neil Young — Tonight's The Night

28. Neil Young — After The Goldrush

29. James Taylor — Something In The Way She Moves

30. James Taylor — Sweet Baby James

31. James Taylor — Fire And Rain

32. Carole King — So Far Away

33. Jackson Browne — Jamaica Say You Will

34. Jackson Browne — These Days

35. Jackson Browne — Doctor My Eyes

36. J.D. Souther — How Long

37. Little Feat — Forty Four Blues

38. The Flying Burrito Brothers — Hot Burrito No.1

39. Linda Ronstadt — Willin'

40. Eagles — Early Bird

41.   The Eagles — Witchy Woman

42. Eagles — Take It Easy

43. J.D. Souther — Doolin Dalton

44. Eagles — Outlaw Man

45. Eagles — Desperado

46. Eagles — Life In The Fast Lane

47. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — Teach Your Children

48. Jackson Browne — Cocaine

49.   The Eagles — Hotel California

50. Neil Young — Hey Hey My My

Credits

Producer

Holly Murray

Producer

Mark Cooper

Broadcasts

1. Sun 27 May 2007
   22:00
   BBC Four
2. Mon 28 May 2007
   01:30
   BBC Four
3. Sat 2 Jun 2007
   00:50
   BBC Four
4. Tue 1 Jan 2008
   01:35
   BBC Four
5. Sat 26 Jan 2008
   00:55
   BBC Four
6. Fri 2 May 2008
   22:05
   BBC Four
7. Sun 4 May 2008
   23:50
   BBC Four
8. Sat 1 Nov 2008
   00:30
   BBC Four
9. Sat 29 Nov 2008
   22:15
   BBC Two
10. Sun 16 Aug 2009
    01:05
    BBC Four