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 documentaries are about the people and the music that changed the 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. In this case about Laurel Canyon in the 60’s. 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 pictures added to the vibe. I had never heard of Henry Diltz, yet I had seen and loved his work. 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 been employed by Jimi Hendrix, The Monkees, Joni Mitchell, the Mama’s and the Papa’s, Buffalo Springfield, and the Doors. Also my work was on hundreds of album covers. Wow what a resume.
Henry Diltz lived among the creative community in Laurel Canyon in the 60s and is more than qualified to guide a tour through the southern California rock scene of the time. Anyone that loves the music and the times will enjoy Legends of the Canyon – Classic Artists.