Organizing a Tour of Los Angeles’s Music History

Whether it’s the legendary Sunset Strip or the multitude of venues that host new and upcoming artists, Los Angeles makes and breaks musician’s careers, and a trip to this cultural hotspot should be on your list. So, what do you need to plan for the whole trip?

Well, there are many variables in L.A. Many venues have their individual rules, and you’ve to prepare for everything that might happen. For example, you mightn’t want to give the huge ice cream parlor a miss while, going to the next concert venue, and so, preparing for everything is something you have to do. Here are a few tips to smooth over the edges.

1. Choose transport

Los Angeles might be a city of Angels, but, in the hot sweltering heat, it seems more suited to the devil. Add to it the traffic snarls and the many venues in the nooks and crevices of this city, and you’d wish for a hundred maps in your face always. So, if you’re traveling with your class or colleagues, we’d recommend getting some professional help. Private LA charter tour bus rental is a great way for you to find time to interact with people, and yet, navigate through the city.

Another option is, of course, to drive the bus yourself. If you wish to do so, remember to keep the route maps handy, and divide up work between everyone so, that you can get the best out of the trip.

2. Best of the best

Now, you have to visit some of the places in LA for a music history tour, here, are some pointers.

1. Sunset Strip – The place that has seen Bowie and Led Zepp performing in their glory days, and given rise to acts like Motley Crew and Guns n Roses. Even now, you would find famous musicians hanging out at the bars on this strip, where they learned the ropes of the business.
2. The RockWalk – ZZTop and Iron Maiden have their stars on the walk of fame here. The honorees here range from hard rock legends Van Halen, to post-punk rockers The Cure, so, you won’t be starved for some great sights.
3. Grammy Museum – The newly opened Grammy Museum holds some of the pages from the history of music. From Ray Orbison to the inimitable Dolly Parton, you’ll be hard pressed to find any part of music that’s not represented here.

3. Exploring the unknown

Los Angeles is also filled with obscure music venues in every corner. These are places where your knowledge of the city would come in handy. Now, if you have an experienced driver half the job is done, otherwise, just keep an eye out for these places.

1. United Recording Studios – Ever wondered where Frank Sinatra made his mark post – 1960’s. This is where the later meteoric rise of the singer started, The Beach Boys and other legendary groups have crafted their trademark sounds here.
2. Rainbow Bar and Grill – From Megadeth to Motorhead, this was the mecca of rock musicians back in the day. Today it lives on off that spirit, and you won’t be hard-pressed to find legendary musicians getting their beers at this joint.
3. Highland Gardens Hotel – What Rainbow Bar and Grill was for hard rock, this hotel was for the 60’s giants. Everyone from Hendrix to Alice Cooper has partied here. Room number 105 is immortalized after Janis Joplin, who never did make it out alive from there

The Discover Los Angeles website offers pretty great options for you to explore these lesser known spaces.

4. Book Ahead

Look, LA is a busy town, and more often than not it doesn’t have any time for tourists. So, you must book ahead of time so that you get a chance to visit the most iconic of places without any problems. Remember, to check out the various listings, and plan out the entire trip according to your bookings and you’ll be set.