The myth of the perfect Southern California beach life with surfing, easy living, and few responsibilities exploded through the late 1950's, specifically through music.
This detailed and well researched book explains why, which bands made the era iconic (Mama's and the Papa's, Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, etc), and why the music is still popular today.
There can be some dryer parts to the book, but overall, it's a great read for anyone who loves pop culture music history.

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

TWO-CENT TUESDAY

Below are a few (somewhat) brief $.02 opinions about books I've read or listened to recently but don't have the opportunity to review in full. Many of these titles I enjoyed as much or more than those that got the full court press. I hope you'll consider one or two for your own TBR stack if they strike your fancy whether they struck mine or not.

Hollywood Eden, Joel Selvin

A look back at the music of Southern California in the Fifties and Sixties and the beginnings of such groups as Jan & Dean and The Beach Boys and single artists Nancy Sinatra and (forewarned) Phil Spector. This was music I listened to as a kid, so I was excited to be transported back to those days. This book is well-written (and well-reviewed) and obviously diligently researched, but for me it suffered a bit for that. Rather than soaked in the feeling of the times, I felt distracted by the minutiae, like how many credits someone was taking in junior college. I started out reading and ended up listening to the audio, but never really connected.

Then again, the thing I found most interesting was a historical fact I didn't know--That the elder Nancy Sinatra not only had her own abortion during a time she and Frank were separated, but also arranged for "Little" Nancy to have one. I was really surprised and proud of "Big" Nancy for this. Granted, I'm sure being white and rich played into it, but they were also in the public eye, which you would think would play the opposite way. In any event, I was happy to learn this fact and now have a great respect for Nancy Sr. (This is too short a review to wonder why Mrs. Sinatra is "Big" Nancy, while son Frank got to be a Junior, but there you have it.)

Hollywood Eden offers an insider's look at the California rock 'n' roll scene before most of America knew much about California at all. Joel Selvin offers an insider's look at the industry and at some of the idols of the era, from Nancy Sinatra and Jan and Dean to the Beach Boys to the Mamas and the Papas. It's an interesting read for the most part, but sometimes there is so much namedropping you need a scorecard to keep track of the players.

Of course we all know the greatest of the greats, but some of these pioneers aren't well known to those of us too young to have been there. It's a good read for a certain audience but a maybe a bit much for the general reader, who might want to skim a bit or check out the very thorough index.

I wanted to read the book based on the title - thinking it was about movies since I am a big cinema buff. Instead it was about "homegrown" California artists and producers and I frankly couldn't put it down! I was familiar with most of the artists mentioned but not all. Author Joel Selvin does a meticulous job of researching personal and professional lives of the many artists including their high school days. Even though I have read a lot about the Beach Boys, I felt like I learned new information here. He expertly weaves in information about Jan and Dean, Nancy Sinatra, Tommy Sands, the Mama and the Papas, Phil Spector, Lou Adler, and many more! The information he shared was so interesting to me, I actually highlighted many of his sources so I can read more!

A very enjoyable read!

From Dawn to Dusk of the 1960s, Hollywood Eden details the stories of famous California beach bands like Jan and Dean and The Mamas and the Papas. It includes their optimistic beginnings through their worst moments. Not exactly California Dreamin’ by the end.

Hollywood Eden is a well-researched look back at the start of California Rock and Roll. If you are a fan, you will enjoy this easy-going look behind the scenes. 4 stars!

Thanks to House of Anansi Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

"Hollywood Eden" is the story of the Los Angeles music scene in the early 1960's, with a focus on so-called "surf music." Key players in this story include Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, The Mama's and the Papa's, The Byrds and Lou Adler. The story begins in earnest in the late 1950's and ends slightly after the release of The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" album, just as they are recording "Good Vibrations" and what would become the "Smile" recordings. Selvin does a fantastic job of identifying the magnificent number of players involved in this scene (and there are A LOT) while shedding the most light on those players whose work has survived the test of time. He explains in great detail the burgeoning and often localized music business of Los Angeles and how so many bands were able to form and achieve regional success so quickly. This era of the music industry is sometimes overlooked as it occurred shortly after the British Invasion and right before the Psychedelic movement so it's great to have a book that focuses solely on this brief yet productive period of time.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. 'Hollywood Eden' tells the unique story of the 'surf sound' that evolved out of California in the late fifties and early sixties. Author Joel Selvin introduces us to a group of musically-inclined kids who attend University High School. Names like Phil Spector, Jan (Berry) and Dean (Torrance), as well as Nancy Sinatra were all part of that musical scene. Selvin even tells us about Kathy Kohner who was the real 'Gidget'. He also goes on to discuss The Beach Boys, The Mamas and The Papas, and many more. It wasn't all fun in the sun, however. The Beach Boys had a cantankerous father to contend with; Jan started out with a partner named Arnie and when Arnie left, Dean stepped in, but when asked to change his name to 'Arnie', he refused. The Mamas and The Papas were originally a threesome--John and Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty. They needed a ride to their audition with recording executive Nik Venet. Cass Elliott had a car so she drove them there and Venet decided that the trio should be a quartet. There were setbacks, struggles, and a lot of hard work, but the music we have all come to love was worth it. Classics like 'Little Old Lady from Pasadena', 'Fun, Fun, Fun', and 'California Dreamin'' still resonate, but the stories behind the songs are even more fascinating. Selvin covered a lot of people and sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was who. He also ended the book quite abruptly. I would have liked to have known what ultimately happened to the key players. Nonetheless, this is a great read for baby boomers or anyone interested in music history. Oh and one more thing, if you are anything like me, give yourself some extra time to get through the book. I kept stopping so I could visit YouTube and listen to the music. You just can't keep a good song down!

The roots of 60s California rock and roll and how they shaped the times. Many of these bands are an influence on modern alternative, punk, emo and it’s rarely acknowledged.

Utterly fascinating tale about the California roots of rock & roll. Fast moving and intelligently put together, this tale is a wonderful addition to the musical roots that fueled our airwaves. The single high school class of one California town changed the face of American music. Very well done.

I remember these days chiefly through it's music and the wonderful musicians who wrote and played it. I can recall all the little drama's that played out in the music industry, but had forgotten quite a few and Mr. Selvin writes about others I'd never heard of or have forgotten. California was the land of dreams, Utopia to many of us growing up elsewhere. We dreamed of getting to the coast! Of course, we all grew up and realized a lot was hype. There was an ugly underbelly to the PR. Still it was a fun time; good memories.
Well researched and entertaining read. Pairs nicely with Rock Me On the Water by Ronald Brownstein and Epix two-part doc Laurel Canyon
It's been a depressing, anxious year, so these three were wonderful distractions while staying at home. Love this book! Kudos Joel Selvin!
For fans of the era, these would make a really fine gift for the holidays!

If you grew up listening to the music of the early to mid-1960s -- the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, the Byrds, the Mama's and the Papa's, Jan and Dean, etc. -- this book will be impossible to put down. Selvin weaves together the stories of these artists and others who created the musical mythology of teen life in southern California. Behind the exuberance of the music lurks sadness and tragedy, which makes "Hollywood Eden" such an affecting read.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s kind of like playing 7 degrees of Kevin Bacon with recording artists and the music business in Southern California in the early sixties. Centering on Jan and Dean and Brian Wilson and spreading out form there this a fascinating look at the now surf music and California pop music grr from the ethos of a particular time and place. Selvin writes smoothly and he real knows his stuff. The inside stuff never fails to entertain. Recommended.

Joel Selvin has done several books on extensive musical histories and legacys. In this, he goes to the very roots of popular music. Much of the book focuses on Jan and Dean and their influences and influencers, as well as the genre of music they initiated. Their sound, along with producers Terry Melcher and Phil Spector, became the sound that is the Beach Boys, most specifically the genius of Brian Wilson. It goes to the germ of the Surfing Music, Car Music and all the songs written for the sun, surf, and freewheeling southern California lifestyle of the late 50s. So well researched and containing many anecdotes and personal stories from the musicians own lives. Required reading for musicologists.

The sun, the surf and the sounds of California glisten in this wonderful book by Joel Selvin.
It is the dawn of the sixties. At University High School, the halls are filled with the sun-bronzed, privileged students that would mold and create the California dream. Jan Barry and Dean Torrence, Nancy Sinatra, future Beach Boy members and Kathy Kohner (the real-life inspiration for Gidget) live in an idyll world of sand, surfing, hot rods, drag racing and making music. Joel Selvin reveals the determination and desires of these trend setters as well as the bravado of the men behind the recordings; Lou Adler, Herb Albert and John Philips.
For some, the glory days would be short lived. The spirit and strong willed drive of Jan Barry would have ‘surf music’ triumphs and personal tragedies. Brian Wilson’s musical genius would suffer under the criticism and mental cruelty of his father and Barry Keenan (close friend of Dean Torrence) would master mind the kidnapping of Frank Sinatra, Jr.
Selvin reaches Into the depths of the violence, intrigue, arguments and dramatic moments of this one time wonderland. His writing is captivating and leaves the reader with an appreciation for the sizzling days of the golden California dream.
Highly Recommended with thanks to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press fir an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

A very detailed account of the Los Angeles music scene in the late 50 and early 60’s with a particular focus on the graduates of University High School, ranging from Jan & Dean to Phil Spector.
This book was heavy going for the first half with an avalanche of names and little overall perspective. The book gained more traction with an increased focus on the Beach Boys in the second half.
This is not necessarily a book for the casual reader—it’s questionable how much that reader will care about songs that didn’t chart very high. And it helps if the reader is interested in Jan & Dean or the names of session musicians who played on minor hits.
But the book does give a real feel for Southern California at the time and offers real insight into how the music industry ran st that time.