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Hotel California: LA from the Byrds to the Eagles

Documentary looking at the music and mythology of a golden era in Californian culture, telling how LA become the hub of the American music industry by the end of the 1970s.

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 1970s and the biggest selling album of all time.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Fri 8 Jul 201123:20
BBC Four

Clips

See all clips from Hotel California: LA from the Byrds to the Eagles(5)

Music Played

  • Eagles

    Hotel California

  • Crosby, Nash & Young

    Suite Judy Blue Eyes

  • Joni Mitchell

    Woodstock

  • The Byrds

    Mr Tambourine Man

  • The Byrds

    So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star

  • Stephen Stills

    You Can't Catch Me

  • Neil Young

    Out On The Weekend

  • Buffalo Springfield

    Hot Dusty Roads

  • Buffalo Springfield

    For What It's Worth

  • Judy Collins

    Both Sides Now

  • Joni Mitchell

    Night In The City

  • The Hollies

    Just One Look

  • Crosby, Stills & Nash

    Marrakesh Express

  • Crosby, Stills & Nash

    You Don't Have To Cry

  • Crosby, Stills & Nash

    Our House

  • Neil Young

    Cinnamon Girl

  • Crosby, Nash & Young

    Suite Judy Blue Eyes

  • Crosby, Stills & Nash

    Guinnevere

  • Neil Young

    The Loner

  • Neil Young

    Roll Another Number For The Road

  • Joni Mitchell

    Woodstock

  • Neil Young

    Revolution Blues

  • Ry Cooder

    Powis Square

  • Joni Mitchell

    All I Want

  • Joni Mitchell

    Blue

  • Neil Young

    Heart Of Gold

  • Neil Young

    Tonight's The Night

  • Neil Young

    After The Goldrush

  • James Taylor

    Something In The Way She Moves

  • James Taylor

    Sweet Baby James

  • James Taylor

    Fire And Rain

  • Carole King

    So Far Away

  • Jackson Browne

    Jamaica Say You Will

  • Jackson Browne

    These Days

  • Jackson Browne

    Doctor My Eyes

  • J.D. Souther

    How Long

  • Little Feat

    Forty Four Blues

  • The Flying Burrito Brothers

    Hot Burrito No.1

  • Linda Ronstadt

    Willin'

  • Eagles

    Early Bird

  • The Eagles - Witchy Woman

  • Eagles

    Take It Easy

  • J.D. Souther

    Doolin Dalton

  • Eagles

    Outlaw Man

  • Eagles

    Desperado

  • Eagles

    Life In The Fast Lane

  • Crosby, Nash & Young

    Teach Your Children

  • Jackson Browne

    Cocaine

  • Eagles

    Hotel California

  • Neil Young

    Hey Hey My My

Credits

ProducerHolly Murray
ProducerMark Cooper

Broadcasts