Since opening in 1957, the legendary Troubadour club in West Hollywood has helped launch some of contemporary music's most talented performers. Greats such as Elton John, James Taylor and Tom Waits performed there early in their careers, and it continues to be a destination for cutting-edge acts from around the world.
The Troubadour also remains a popular venue among serious music fans who enjoy listening to live music in an intimate and historically rich setting.
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
July
* James Taylor makes his solo debut.
September 3
* Tim Buckley records Live at the Troubadour 1969.
1970
* Kris Kristofferson makes his Los Angeles debut opening for Linda Rondstadt.
* Neil Diamond releases Gold, an album recorded live at the Troubadour.
* 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.
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
* During a James Taylor gig, Loudon Wainwright III throws up in the balcony after too many White Russians.
* Billy Joel is the opening act for Ballin' Jack.
1973
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.
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 receive their first ever standing ovation.
1984
* Hair-metal band Warrant play their debut show.
1985
* Guns N' Roses perform their debut show.
1987
November 25
* Warrant is banned from the Troubadour after a woman jumps onstage and simulates oral sex on the lead singer, Jani Lane.
1991
March 10
* Pearl Jam, formerly Mookie Blaylock, perform for the first time under their new name.
1995
November 24-26
* No Doubt perform record release shows for Tragic Kingdom.
1996
* System of a Down perform their first headline show.
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
May 14
* Red Hot Chili Peppers Record Release Party
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