1976 – My First Trip To L.A.

Despite the smog, everything was sunny clean, even the streets. Smiling faces made eye contact on sidewalks without swearing or ‘fuck you fingers’ flying. Friendly namedropping salespeople, secreting their headshots, all had something ‘in development,’ a script, record deal, a callback. Fame analogous to cash, the foundation of the fragile value structure. Unlike New York, if you were rich in L.A. it didn’t mean shit unless you knew someone famous.

After a lifetime in New York, Los Angeles was culture shock. In the song “California Freeway Goin’ South” I’d later write:

Never been out of New York City

But I heard a lot about the coast

Flying on in to L.A. Airport

Got myself a lethal dose

Step out into the California weather

Funny you can taste the air

Fog on the freeway

They say is getting better

But my eyes get red when I stare