The Troubadour 1962 - 1976

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Doug Weston's Troubadour9081 Santa Monica Blvd.West Hollywood, CA

The Troubadour is a musical landmark. It is truly one of the most legendary clubs in Los Angeles, if not the nation.
In 1957 Doug Weston opened a small coffee house located 364 N. La Cienega Boulevard. It was located next door to the Coronet Theater. It was originally called the Troubadour Cafe-Theatre. The small club primarily presented literary readings and small theater.


In 1961, the small 65 seat playhouse/club/coffee house outgrew it's space and relocated to 9083 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood - just east of Doheny Drive. Initially it continued to present plays.
1961
The new Troubadour Cafe-Theatre had 350 seats and a stage larger than the Whisky A Go Go.
The Troubadour soon became a country and folk music showcase. It would occasionally present blues bands and stand-up comedians.Doug Weston insisted that performers sign a contract that required them to play several consecutive nights. This usually resulted in a one, two or three week commitment from performers. New acts often had to commit to return to the club for another run of shows if asked.
The roster of performers who played the Troubadour between 1962 and 1976 include:
1962

The Smothers Brothers Christy Minstrels

1963

Jimmy Rodgers *Hoyt Axton (Greenback Dollar guy) Josh White The Journey Men

* Hoyt Axton had a hit with song Green Back Dollar. He would become a regular Troubadour performer over the years.1964

Hoyt Axton (a frequent Troubadour performer) Modern Folk Quartet The Men Glenn Yarborough of the Limeliters

In 1964, excellent Dana Tana's restaurant opened next door to the Troubadour (9071 Santa Monica Boulevard). 2008 photo: tlc1965

Odetta The Dillards Judy Henske Rod McKuen

1966

The Association (the 1st rock n' roll oriented band to play at the Troubadour) Buffy Sainte-Marie Judy Collins Smothers Brothers Joe and Eddie Muddy Waters Odetta Nitty Gritty Dirt Band John Denver

1967

Hoyt Axton Chad Mitchell Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Sunshine Company Canned Heat Paul Butterfield Blues Band

1968

Hoyt AxtonArlo GuthrieJudy GuthrieRichie HavensGlenn YarboroughJoni MitchellJudy CollinsRod McKuenGordon LightfootSunshine CompanyPat PaulsenBuffy Sainte-Marie

1969

Richard Pryor Neil Young Rick Nelson Dion Bobby Darin Joni Mitchell Laura Nyro Brewer and Shipley Poco Steve Martin Mason Williams James Taylor Linda Ronstadt Jackson Brown Neil Diamond Country Joe and the Fish Tiny Tim Flying Burrito Brothers Dillards

1970

Randy Newman Paul Butterfield Dion Van Morrison Linda Rondstadt John Hartford Glen Campbell Tiny Tim Dillards *Elton John Rick Nelson Bill Medley John Philips Gordon Lightfoot John Denver Kris Kristofferson James Taylor Waylon Jennings Cat Stevens

*Elton John made his USA debut at the Troubadour in 1970. He returned here in 1979 for 10 sold out shows.

1971

Tim Harden Don McLean Seals and Crofts Melanie Cat Stevens Carly Simon Kris Kristofferson Hoyt Axton Janis Ian Johnny Rivers John Denver Randy Newman Billy Preston John Prine Helen Reddy Cheech and Chong Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

1972

Rita CoolidgeDon McLean Jackson Browne Bobby Goldsboro Glen Campbell Billy Preston Canned Heat

1973

Captain Beefheart Hoyt Axton Paul Butterfield Van Morrison Jim Croce Bonnie Raitt Anne Murray Dr Hook Elton John

1973

1973 was a tough year for the Troubadour.
The new Roxy Theater opened up at 9007 Sunset Boulevard.The Roxy was large and plush. It offered performers a more flexible booking policy. It had strong record industry connections and support.

In 1973, the economy was in a slump. Record companies had to cut cost. They no longer put money up front for bands to play small clubs. The record industry and promoters focused on more established performers that could fill large arenas.There was the emergence of the Rock Super Stars (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull and the Who). It was much more lucrative for promoters to staged large rock spectacles.
Doug Weston found it increasingly difficult to secure top level talent without record label support.
The Troubadour had an large overhead (50 regular employees). Also, the Troubadour was having problems with the fire department. The club had to cutback it's seating capacity from 350 to 300.
There were disagreements with record companies over financial support of acts and advertising policies. Several times Weston closed the club for restructuring. The days of the six night a week shows were over. There was a chance the club could operated on a short week similar to the Roxy.

1979 photo: Dean Musgrove/Herald-Examiner Collection
1974

Hoyt Axton Rick Springfield Harry Chapin Leo Sayer Etta James Dan Hicks Bill Withers Kenny Rankin Jimmy Buffett Roger McGuinn

1975

Neil Sedaka Miles Davis Commander Cody Berry Manilow Melissa Manchester Spanky and Our Gang Herbie Hancock Elton John returns for benefit concert

1976 Roger Miller Tom Wait Steve Miller J.D. Souther Country Joe McDonald The Staple Singers Al Jarreau Leslie Gore
Over the years the conditions of the club deteriorated. The dressing rooms were cramped.In the late '70's and '80's it started to showcased the more popular new wave and heavy metal bands.
Doug Weston was suffering from failing health and asked his friend and partner Eddie Karayan to take over running the venue.
Doug Weston died in 1998. Karayan continues to operated the club. ----------------------------------