Legends of the Canyon – Classic Artists DVD takes us on a time machine ride to the 60s. Image Entertainment brings us yet another in their series of great rock music documentaries. This film as were the others was directed by Jon Brewer. These films are historical records about the lives and the music that shaped our world. In Legends we are introduced to a man that participated in and recorded one of the most important times in the world’s history. The subject this time is mid 60s Laurel Canyon. Henry Diltz was asked to narrate this film.
I was familier with Annie Leibovitz, who wasn’t. If you grew up California in the 60′s and followed the local rock scene you read Rolling Stone and you saw Annie’s photos. I was familliar with Jim Marshall. I was not into photography, not consciously. I was into the music. The photographs added to the sound. Henry Diltz I was not familiar with although I had unkowingly seen has work often. I miss a lot but I am trying to get better.
Henry did not start out as a photographer but as a musician in a group called Modern Folk Quartet. With no training in photography and a cheap camera he took the picture for a Loving
Spoonful album cover. Open up Mr Diltz’s resume and you would read something like this:
I was the official photographer of Woodstock. I was employed as photographer for the Montery and Miami Jazz and Pop music Festivals. I was the official photographer for Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. I have done photo essays on Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Buffalo Springfield, The Mama’s and the Papa’s, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, etc, etc, etc. Also my work was on hundreds of album covers. That is a great resume.
Henry Diltz was part of the southern California community in Laurel Canyon that had such an impact on the music of the 60s. Anyone that loves the music and the times will enjoy Legends of the Canyon – Classic Artists.
