LA Rocks: A rock 'n' roll history of Los Angeles

Print |

Click here for 1950s–1970s
Los Angeles was at the center of several of the most notable sounds of the 80s: heavy metal and glam rock. In the early part of the decade, LA clubs such as the Roxy Theatre helped launch metal bands such as Mötley Crüe and Van Halen. In the late '80s, several soon-to-be-famous metal groups, including Guns N' Roses, Warrant and Poison, gained their footing in Hollywood's dynamic club scene.


Although an underground rap and hip hop scene was germinating in Los Angeles throughout the late '80s, it wasn't until N.W.A. released their notorious album Straight Outta Compton in 1988 that West Coast rappers were widely celebrated as worthy peers — and sometimes rivals — of established New York performers. Along with LA rappers such as 2Pac, Ice T and Snoop Dogg, N.W.A. members Ice Cube, Eazy-E and Dr. Dre went on to release some of the most popular albums of the genre and the decade.

The '90s also saw a number of female musicians in various genres rise out of LA, including pop stars Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and Alanis Morrisette; grunge rockers L7 and Hole; and No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani.

And, several new clubs in the 90s — including the Viper Room and Conga Room — added even more depth to LA's long list of live-music venues.


Los Angeles became a hotbed for all forms of rock 'n' roll in the new millennium with a diverse roster of rock bands including Rilo Kiley, Eagles of Death Metal, Audioslave, HEALTH, The Warlocks and Black Eyed Peas. Vintage venues like The Troubadour rocked audiences of a whole new generation, and newer clubs such as Spaceland, House of Blues, The Music Box and The Echo continued to cement LA's status as a rock 'n' roll capital.

Follow us on:

SEARCH

• accommodations
• activities
• arts & culture
• dining
• nightlife
• shopping
• transportation
• visitor resources