10 Most Classic Album Covers Ever. Los Angeles Locations Then & Now. Tour.

Top Ten Classic Rock Album Covers. Secret locations in LA, Hollywood, Laurel Canyon. Tour Rock and Pop's most best iconic live locations where these ten classic record covers were photographed. The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and more with Rock Essentials With Tim host Tim P.
Proceeds from this video go to: Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Greater Los Angeles. If you would like to donate go to bbbsla.org/
Cover Photos:
Sweet: Hipgnosis
The Doors: Henry Diltz
Todd Rundgren: James Lowe
The Carpenters: Jim McCrary
Michael Jackson; Michael Salisbury, Steve Harvey
The Rolling Stones; Guy Webster
The Minutemen; Dirk Vandenberg
Elliott Smith; August DeWilde
Jackson Browne; Bob Seidermann
Additional Photos:
Gardner Campbell, Seth Roth, Chris Elgart, Kevin Scherer, John Soeder, Constantina Trainwreck, Nada Parus
All Music by: Tim P.
I reserve the right to be on occasion, full of it.

[@sweetjimmyt]

The Sweet are so criminally underrated. I used to DJ records, and "AC/DC" was always in the stack.

[@RockessentialTim]

Couldn't agree more. Even their older more bubblegum stuff is really, really rocking. And talk about criminally unerrated, how come Mick Tucker isn't in the GOAT drummer conversations? Thanks for the cool comment. Cheers.

[@grantr5417]

​@@RockessentialTimAfter a friend came back from a visit to Poland, he told me of this band. I bought a 45 of Fox on the Run here in Canada. Then I found a copy of this Desolation Boulevard at a local record store, but when I played it, the version of fox was different. I realized I actually bought an import version of the album! No ballroom blitz, but an awesome cover of the man with the golden arm.

[@RockessentialTim]

@@grantr5417 Interesting. I think the North American version of the album was more of a greatest hits record than the British one. Like you said, same pic though

[@garyserdoz6915]

Without a doubt. Desolation Boulevard is the first album I ever bought. They get labeled as "bubblegum and glam", but they have some absolute hard rocking tunes such as 'Action', 'Set Me Free', 'Hard Times', 'Windy City', etc. Listen to the start of 'Hellraiser" and tell me that Motley Crue didn't steal it for 'Kickstart My Heart'. Nikki Sixx was a HUGE Sweet fan.

[@maxinecrawford2269]

Brian Connolly my all time favourite teenage crush! ❤ what a band! I'm from the UK and they were amazing in the 70s 🙌

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

That Jackson wall is fascinating.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Hi Tim i aways look forward to each installment of your wonderful L.A. travelogues thank you sir

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thank you!

[@martharunstheworld]

Great mentioning the Minutemen!!! Mike Watt is an incredible musician! Love this episode!

[@RockessentialTim]

Mike Watt is certainly worth mentioning! (and double nickels is one of my fave all-time album covers)

[@thomasgreenan8617]

Love the turtles. (Not those turtles.)

[@RockessentialTim]

They were like little dogs coming up for a treat. Cool.

[@john_from_eastcoast.]

Hey you're back!! I grew up in Hollywood back in the mid 70s and 80s! This is an awesome video! 👍👍

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks. It was a fantastic place to be young at, right?

[@thomasrobinson182]

MIA: The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man (Griffith Park), Notorious Byrd Brothers (stone house in Topanga, also used for Linda Ronstadt's 'Hand Sown...Home Grown), (Untitled) at the Griffith Park Observatory.

[@Porsche996driver]

Had to go back and listen to the Minutemen and Corona from that album, what a classic. I grew up in Long Beach but couldn’t get up to LA enough ha, memories.

[@RockessentialTim]

You can't listen to them without instantly being transported to Pedro. My wife and I lived near Ximeno in LB for a short time when we first got together over forty years ago!

[@rogbrown1458]

Legendary Rock Stars and Legendary Album covers.!!!!. Great informative video.Thanks!. Rog.Pacific Sunset Records.( LA).

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Rog!

[@BreyerWhite]

your channel is a treasure. thank you.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much!

[@carterfam3ball280]

Hey Tim! Love what you're doing. I'd love to take a Laurel Canyon walk with you if I ever get back to LA. You dig the same stuff I do. Thank you!

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

I remember when Sweet released their album. You couldn't turn on the radio without hearing Fox on the run. Which looking back now was not such a bad thing. Sad that the Viper Room is going away. I'm sure what they build there will be gosh awful ugly but you can't stop "progress". Rock on Tim.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks. One of my all time favorite albums.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

@@RockessentialTim I've always wondered if the Morrison Hotel building was still there. And now I know. Thanks Tim for answering something that I maybe the only person who was wondering about that.

[@Mandrake591]

I always enjoy your shows, thank you!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@thecoolestdad]

Thanks again Tim for another great video.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks my man, appreciated!

[@presidentlesh6284]

Tim once again another great episode!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thank you Mr President.

[@stevem5685]

Good stuff, love the Todd house visit.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks Steve.

[@toddj9548]

Fast becoming my favorite channel. Great work!

[@rockessentialswithtim710]

Love it. Thanks!

[@Joseph_Greco]

Awesome! You do brilliant work! The brick archway with Herb Alpert blew me away ...also the Late for the Sky house....fantastic stuff!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks. I have driven by that Herb location thousands of times and before making the vid never had any idea. I must say, it is one of the coolest apartment buildings in LA.

[@iamNO1UKN0]

Jackson Browne FOR EVERYMAN was shot at his grandfather's handbuilt house The Abbey San Encino in Highland Park. Jackson grew up there. 6211 Arroyo Glen St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

[@crosslink1493]

Interesting, I heard it was at the Mexican restaurant not too far from the Hancock Park house where the 'Late for the Sky' cover was photographed as the Browne's lived near it when Jackson was a young kid and it was a favorite restaurant; shot on the back patio when he was young, then an older Jackson superimposed on the graphic. Cheers.

[@dugaldhutchings404]

Brilliant Tim once again. I can't believe you found the section of brick wall from Off the Wall !

[@RockessentialTim]

I was completely stoked to have found it. Its pretty common knowledge now but I worked at the flower shop there during Valentines Day years ago and walked out that door upteen times and never had a clue!

[@PeterByker]

I always walk away from your videos DAZZLED. Your generosity and love for all things Rock&Roll is music to my soul. Cheers @Tim

[@RockessentialTim]

I love making them and your comment is very, very gratifying. Thank you!

[@henryfung6789]

I love these videos. They really take you down memory lane. The 50's 60's 70's and 80's were the golden eras.

[@unclerudy9797]

Thanks Tim ! Great Stuff as Always ! Peace ! Rudy

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks Rudy, peace to you too!

[@condor7810]

Great video Tim. Much appreciation for including the Minutemen's "Double Nickels on The Dime" album cover. The double album was recorded at a cost of just 1,100 U.S. Dollars. For those viewers not familiar with them, the Double Nickels album is an eclectic mix of rock, funk, jazz and experimental textures. Take a listen if you want an adventurous and rewarding musical experience.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks for the info. I got to see them play a few times and it was always great. And obviously I always thought that album cover was frickin' awesome. Raging full on!

[@condor7810]

@@RockessentialTim Sweet, yes, I also saw them live before D. Boon's tragic death in Dec. 1985.

[@jwwj30]

Thanks Tim for another awesome & interesting video about my favorite subject, music! I too spent hours checking out every detail on The Doors & The Rolling Stones LP covers. I knew the Morrison Hotel photo was taken in Los Angeles, but always thought the High Tide & Green Grass photo was in England someplace. Very cool, thank you so much for the rock trivia.

[@RockessentialTim]

A real stunner that I didn't include was the Simon & Garfunkel Sounds Of Silence Album Cover where they're wearing coats and scarves and walking up the dirt road and looking back at the camera. It was shot at the same Beverly Hills Park as High Tide & Green Grass!

[@dvanmartin9842]

Great video, Tim.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks my man!

[@victorhawkins3461]

Tim, quite simply, you ROCK! I cannot believe you got inside TR's Astral Dr. rental house. I can't tell you how many hours I spent -- when I first moved to L.A. in 1991 -- sitting in my car in front of that house, listening to Something/Anything? on cassette. (Yes, I was/am an "ubergeek," and it was a 1988 Honda Civic, since you asked...) The former flower shop across from what was then CBS Television City...killer! Aw, hell...all of it! Thanks for all your work. But did you have to plant the "Teaberry Shuffle" earworm in my head???

[@RockessentialTim]

The house was for sale and I told them I'd like a look. If you were a kid they would have sent you packing so its one of the perks of being an oldster. I'll take it!

[@Cliffswanson]

Morrison Hotel is my fave of the bunch. Great vibe, that one. And Late For the Sky is one I could stare at for a long time too. Really great video, Tim. I got an education. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks. Up until just a few years ago the Morrison Hotel was fairly intact. I think they decided to redo that building and Covid came and the bottom fell out of the downtown commercial real estate market and it was left halfway done and boarded up.

[@Cliffswanson]

@@RockessentialTim Unfortunate.

[@jimz68]

Once again, Tim....Great Stuff !!! Bringing back some great memories ! Thanks.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@tominwpg]

Another fantastic piece, Tim. Thanks.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks again!

[@stevenpricela]

Thanks for mentioning the Minutemen!

[@RockessentialTim]

I got to see them play a couple times here in LA. And besides--that album cover is SO great!

[@garrygballard8914]

👏👏👏 interesting and fun as always. D Brother.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Gary!

[@ny2phillyholloway592]

You my friend are an amazing self respecting rocker!! your attention to detail is truly masterful. Loved this!!💖💯

[@RockessentialTim]

I still won't pay 15 bucks for a beer! Thanks much.

[@levistubbs8949]

Glad l caught this, really made my day, great video 👍

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Levi.

[@andrew.l.5493]

I am always excited when I see something new from you Tim. Always an excellent watch. Thanks for your work.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much my friend.

[@BeliaLastes]

I had The Sweet Desolation Boulevard on vinyl back when I was 13 , I'm 54 now and wish I still had the original copy, those were good memories listening to that album 😊❤⚡🎤🎸🎻🥁🎹

[@RockessentialTim]

Streaming just isn't the same experience, right?

[@stevewhitman1729]

Tim - you never disappoint!! Thanks for showing us these amazing locations!!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@edjuillard4054]

Another Brilliant Entry!! ❤Thank You For The Joy You Bring Us With The History and Your Wit.

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure!!

[@sadielampduo3762]

Loved it very much , wish we could be there .👍👍👍

[@RockessentialTim]

You guys keep rockin wherever you are!

[@rickshearer]

Excellent topic and "coverage" !

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on.

[@LJScott]

I used to live off Beverly Blvd and walked down that alley countless times completely unaware. That’s awesome

[@RockessentialTim]

I worked at Crossley flowers one Valentine's day in the late 80's and went in and out that door 30 times and never new it either!

[@SoCal-ch7zy]

Awesome list, Tim. 👍 I would like to add the cover of *Wish You Were Here* to the list, which was taken at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right you are and I would have included it if they didn't have the iron fist of security guarding the gate. Needless to say they wouldn't let me in.

[@jamesftoland]

Great episode. Worth waiting for. You never fail to impress, Tim.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@robertlear2712]

I’m 75 and I bought High Tide and Green Grass when it came out. Fabulous album. I always thought the lake on the cover was from England.

[@RockessentialTim]

Until actually researching for the video a couple months ago, I thought it was in England too!

[@thewurm9177]

Great post Tim! Brings back many memories of my life in LA. Thanks much!

[@RockessentialTim]

Always my pleasure. Thanks!

[@robertdiehl1281]

Always very happy to see these videos drop. SoCal lesson in history and the arts. Another very cool video.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@robertowolfo2128]

I had the la sweet album. Way cool. Great episode.

[@judih.8754]

Another great one Tim!

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@judih.8754]

@@RockessentialTim keep them coming!!

[@PerfDayToday]

Epic.. as always..

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on.

[@tednelson996]

LOVE your videos Tim you need to make more .And make them longer .

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much!

[@angusmcmahan5437]

Excellent research and information. Color me impressed!

[@samanthab1923]

Hotel California was the Beverly Hills Hotel shot just before sunset

[@user-np1ri5ei2p]

OUTSTANDING INFO. VERY WELL PRESENTED. THANK YOU.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@abesouth3805]

Always good is Tim

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much!

[@chacod.hastiin3775]

Now I know, the Sweet album cover location. I love love that Desolation Blvd. Album, every last song. Cranking No You Don't to 10 and hearing the drums is always a must. Cool video.

[@RockessentialTim]

I'll say it again. Why isn't Mick Tucker in the GOAT Drummer convo?

[@TheInterGalacticFederation]

03:09 Would love to see a collab with Henry Diltz - imagine a walking (or driving) tour of Laurel Canyon locations! This was another well-researched video thanks Tim.

[@RockessentialTim]

Love to but I don't know him or anybody that does. Great idea though.

[@TheInterGalacticFederation]

​@@RockessentialTim Maybe ask one of the galleries where he has done an exhibition such as the Woody Guthrie Center

[@Vinylrebel72]

Im a massive Herb Alpert fan, saw him live last month , own all his vinyl….tee shirts, cds, thank you for that, if I’m ever in LA, Ill make sure to stop by there and stand where he stood and take a picture.

[@RockessentialTim]

He's still going strong. Amazing. BTW: That building has one of the coolest courtyards of any in LA.

[@Vinylrebel72]

@@RockessentialTim Oh nice!! Yeah he was dancing on stage and he was so funny, we had a great time! His wife Lani Hall was amazing. She sings so beautifully.

[@OriginalCaliKitty]

I'm amazed that you can find these places, like showing where one tiny piece of a landscape jigsaw puzzle belongs. Glam bands weren't my thing, but I loved that Sweet album! A little trivia re The Carpenters, because I went to junior high and high school with Karen. We were in the same grade but I never had any classes with her, other than that she was in the marching band and I was on the drill team. She was the second-best drummer at Downey High (a kid named Frankie Chavez was the best - he'd been playing Vegas with his family since he was little) and she never sang a note in the talent show. None of us knew she could sing! Even more trivial trivia: she and her brother built a couple apartment buildings in Downey as an investment and called them "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You." I moved to the westside but my parents drove me by them one time, because we thought it was funny. (I doubt I'd want to live in the Close to You Apartments.) They're long now now (Karen, my parents, the apartments... as my Dad used to say, Tempus is fugiting.)

[@RockessentialTim]

That is an absolutely amazing story and I'm so glad you shared it. Imagine having a voice like that and keeping it to yourself. Good thing Richard knew it! Thanks!

[@richardsisk1770]

Another excellent segment! Thank you!!

[@jongibson2205]

Well done, Tim. That iconic gatefold photo of Todd Rundgren has been my favorite album image for more than 50 years now. And it is truly remarkable how much movie and television screen time that little reservoir in Franklin Canyon has received over the decades....

[@RockessentialTim]

I love the Todd pic the most too. Interestingly it was the photo taken by a non photographer, James Lowe, who not only was Todd's engineer but he played in The Electric Prunes.

[@bayareasparky9180]

Great stuff Tim! Thanks for all you do!!!

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure, thanks!

[@garyjackson7926]

Love ALL your videos Tim! Keep them coming.

[@haydndavies2475]

Being English i love afternoon tea and a slice of cake. Your videos are right up there with my favourite English pastime. All the best from across the pond.👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@RockessentialTim]

Haydn, how ya'll doing?

[@haydndavies2475]

@@RockessentialTim fine my man just back from another jaunt in cyprus. Keep these coming. It's a musical education we all love.👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@adriancork]

Another great video Tim. Love the eclectic mix of artists you’ve chosen. The “Off the Wall” location surprised me most. Astonished there’s no reference to it there. Keep up the great work, love what you do.

[@RockessentialTim]

There is actually an old, faded mural at the entrance to the alley but the true location is that now-painted brick wall. My guess is its painted cuz it tends to pick up a lot of graffiti.

[@aarond23]

Another good video if you do a volume 2, Jackson Browne 'Pretender' album is him crossing a street in downtown LA but I don't recall which intersection

[@marcusstephenson9120]

1st time watcher, really enjoyed the video. Love the concept of this video, now to your back catalogue.

[@RockessentialTim]

I'm glad you liked it. Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[@markgettemeyer1145]

Absolutely loved this~

[@RockessentialTim]

[@birdman1112]

Thanks Tim. As always, good stuff.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thank you!

[@diannecarpenter7718]

I enjoyed this video. 🎤🎸🎤🎹🥁

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks.

[@carolplante]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@hansutrecht6555]

As always, great vlog! ❤ Thanks and keep’m coming Tim!

[@RockessentialTim]

Always!

[@nickyanulis1852]

As always, great video Tim!

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@bodeans59]

Big smile here finally knowing where that iconic Todd Rundgren photo was taken! I have that inside album cover of Todd's S/A in a picture frame

[@RockessentialTim]

Its a really great shot and the only one of the bunch taken by an amateur photographer.

[@kevinhensley4643]

Absolutely amazing, Thank you

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@raelit1]

Thank you....another beautiful video....Great

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@logangraybill6977]

The Chevy parked out front of Jackson’s house was Glenn Frey’s. Glenn gifted Jackson the car - its name was Gladys.

[@RockessentialTim]

Wow! I think I've seen Glenn in a photo with it.

[@mikereardon6644]

What about Crosby, Stills and Nash album cover taken on the porch of the old Venice house…. It was torn down a couple of days after the shoot… they went back to re-shoot when Diltz realized that the guys were sitting in the wrong order. Unfortunately, the house was gone!

[@geraldrustick7966]

This is a cool one Tim can’t wait to see pt 2 and pt 3 😀

[@RockessentialTim]

Uh oh, now I'm worried!

[@MegaMulehead]

Great job! It was awesome to go back in time!

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@marktaft6467]

thanks so much Tim for sharing this with me , much appreciated , Cheers from Ontario Canada ✌️🇺🇸✌️🇨🇦✌️

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Mark. Go Spitfires!

[@unclerudy9797]

Great Stuff as Always Tim ! Thanks for Posting ! Hope all is Well ! Peace, Rudy

[@RockessentialTim]

At my age you take the bad with the good and say thanks! Hope you are well. tim.

[@biegebythesea6775]

great idea for an episode!

[@grokeffer6226]

Interesting stuff!!! 👍👍👍

[@celebratingtheclassicswithearl]

Great job brother man 🎼 Thank You for sharing.

[@RockessentialTim]

Always a pleasure, thanks.

[@chriskostecki8777]

It's great to have past musical memories (one of mine being Musicians Institute 1982) , but your music retrospective show makes me think I have eidetic musical memory , in a good way , every time !!! Chris Canada , Just an observation

[@RockessentialTim]

You learn something new everyday and I say that cuz I had to look up eidetic.

[@chriskostecki8777]

@@RockessentialTim You and I both friend . Just an observation

[@ednieto05]

Very cool video! Great stuff! Thank you!

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure to make it, thanks!

[@jjchopper02]

Your vids are the best Tim ! Love them.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks 👍

[@wendyhamm9722]

Talk about a deep dive! I would never have recognized these places today. So many changes.

[@RockessentialTim]

So true. A couple were tough to find.

[@roam4fun853]

Good stuff!

[@mbtadhl]

Great vid..thank you !!

[@RockessentialTim]

Glad you liked it!

[@brentgardner5103]

Is this Christmas day? Woke up this morning and found this wonderful gift! Great video!! Thanks for all of your hard work, Tim!!😁😁😁

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

I dig this video man !

[@trysometruth]

Wow another Solid Gold hit video in which I once again learned _so much._

[@RockessentialTim]

As always, thanks for your ever kind and gratifying words!

[@glengamble526]

Cool stuff-thanks, man!

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@travisw6378]

very cool video, thanks!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thank you!

[@tong3552]

Tim, sometimes you look so similar to Graham Nash. Might as well call you his twin haha!

[@RockessentialTim]

If only I sang like him...

[@redneckraconteur]

Awesome video! I appreciate all the research that must've taken. Subscribed!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks and thanks for the sub. Much Appreciated!

[@tarrtruck2869]

Man I gotta tell ya, you always bring these rock and roll nuggets to life with your videos. You're a great storyteller and you always bring the goods. Love the channel and I can't wait for the next one. Keep them coming!

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much!

[@freightdawg6762]

Outstanding Tim, i could watch 10hours of that Great vid

[@RockessentialTim]

Don't know if even I could talk that long! Thanks much for the cool comment.

[@freightdawg6762]

@@RockessentialTim your vids are fantastic Brother

[@terryballard4674]

great video! I'm still looking forward to your Creedence one. The Willy and the Poorboys album cover would be fun to find that street. And the Cosmo's Factory one, probably in a warehouse. It would be interesting to know how you research all this stff! Keep up the great work!

[@RockessentialTim]

Haven't gotten up there yet but in researching, the Willy location has all been torn down abut the Cosmo's Factory still exists. Waiting for some decent weather before I go up there.

[@williamneillgross3926]

That was great, man! Nothing could be more LA than showing the reality behind the image. Imagination is like a coloring book; a passageway to a courtyard becomes a location somewhere south of the border or a loading dock becomes Broadway. But then you get the literalism of "Desolation Blvd" and literalism topped with cleverness of "Now and Then". I am surprised nobody has created a destination hotel out of the old Morrison Hotel. I think the Minuteman cover is interesting for its detail but also because of the way the band ended (with the death of the lead singer in a car crash). Thanks for this excellent outing.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks for the cool comment!