Troubadour › History


1957
	The Troubadour opens. September Lenny Bruce is arrested on obscenity charges.
1964
	After a gig by resident band The Men, Bob Dylan comes onstage for an impromptu "folk-twist" jam session - attended only by Troubadour staff. Shortly afterward, Dylan makes pop music history by switching from folk to folk-rock.
1965
	The Byrds, who met at a Monday open mic, perform their classic take on Dylan's "Tambourine Man" for the first time.
1966
	Buffalo Springfield make their live debut.
1968
	June 4 Joni Mitchell makes her Los Angeles debut. September Comedian Richard Pryor records his live debut album.
1969
	Poco, late from a Denver gig, arrive to find unknown comic Steve Martin doing their songs on banjo to a rapturous crowd. June Neil Young plays his debut solo show in LA. July James Taylor makes his solo debut. September 3 Tim Buckley records Live at the Troubadour 1969.
1970
	Neil Diamond releases Gold, an album recorded live at the Troubadour. Kris Kristofferson makes his Los Angeles debut opening for Linda Rondstadt. Cheech and Chong are discovered by Lou Adler at a Monday Hoot Night. Elton John makes his U.S. debut, introduced by Neil Diamond. October 3 Janis Joplin parties at the Troubadour and the next day is found dead at the Landmark Hotel from a heroin overdose. November 24-29 James Taylor plays "You've got a Friend" for the first time. He heard his piano player (as well as opening act) , Carole King, play it during during soundcheck and they decided to give it a try.
1971
	Tom Waits is discovered by rock manager Herb Cohen during an amateur night. Lori Lieberman writes the song "Killing Me Softly with His Song" inspired by a performance by Don McLean at the Troubadour. Waylon Jennings performs in the cult classic film Cisco Pike. April 6 Carly Simon, opening for Cat Stevens, meets James Taylor for the first time. They later marry.
1972
	Billy Joel is the opening act for Ballin' Jack. May 16-21 Randy Newman returns to the Troubadour for a six night run to perform his masterpiece album "Sail Away".
1973
	The Bryds reunite and launch tour with a Troubadour show. May Pointer Sisters make their debut performance.
1974
	March 12 John Lennon and Harry Nilsson are escorted out of the club for heckling the Smothers Brothers. August 25 Elton John plays benefit show to raise money for UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute. January 30 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band closed the hyped Columbia Records showcase week with a 90 minute set...that starts at 2 in the mornning!
1975
	January 17-19 Miles Davis records the album "Live at the Troubadour". November 6-8 Willie Nelson performs his new album "Red Headed Stranger" for a live radio broadcast. March Leonard Cohen, performing a five night stand, meets with Phil Spector and Bob Dylan between sets. The next year Leonard and Phil start work on their record "Death of a Ladies Man".
1978
	November The Knack, who were then unsigned, headline with special guests Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Stephen Stills, and Ray Manzarek.
1979
	The Eagles release "Sad Cafe" - a song written about the Troubadour. Rickie Lee Jones releases "Chuck E.'s in Love" - a song written about musician and former Troubadour employee, Chuck E. Weiss.
1982
	August 18 Metallica make their Los Angeles headline debut.
1984
	Hair-metal band Warrant play their debut show.
1985
	Guns N' Roses perform their debut show.
1991
	March 10 Pearl Jam, formerly Mookie Blaylock, perform for the first time under their new name.
1994
	November 9 Korn play their first Los Angeles show as the opening act for Corrosion of Conformity.
1995
	November 24-26 No Doubt perform record release shows for Tragic Kingdom.
1996
	System of a Down perform their first headline show. May 16 Elvis Costello and longtime collaborator Steve Nieve record "Live at The Troubadour" for a live 4 CD box set. September 10 Fiona Apple perfoms her first live U.S. gig.
1997
	June 13 Radiohead make their US live debut of OK Computer.
1998
	August 20 Shonen Knife make a surprise appearance at a gig by Joey Ramone & the Independents. The band is introduced onstage by Joey as "The Osaka Ramones."
1999
	February 14 Troubadour owner and founder, Doug Weston, passes away. May 22 Johnny Cash does one of his last performances with his wife June Carter Cash.
2001
	October 22-26 Joe Strummer plays his final LA shows. October 28 Starsailor make their Los Angeles debut. May 16-17 Record release shows for White Stripes' White Blood Cells.
2002
	March 7 David Grohl, playing as a drummer, makes his first live appearance with Queens of the Stone Age.
2003
	November Phantom Planet releases "Live at the Troubadour"
2004
	March 19 Franz Ferdinand performs their first LA show.
2005
	March 11 Coldplay perform a secret show, debuting five songs from their third album, X&Y.
2006
	The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs all perform record release shows for their respective new albums. December 13 Comedians of Comedy featuring Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifinakas, Sarah Silverman, & David Cross film their DVD "Live at the Troubadour". May 14 Red Hot Chili Peppers album release party. May 16-20 Rise Against play five sold out nights previewing their new record "The Sufferer & The Witness".