Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band were at the Troubadour October 31 and November 1, 1969. The shows were recorded for a live album “In Concert The Troubadour, 1969” released in January 1970. In March 1970 the band was in Germany on a tour of U.S. military bases, and you can read about that with this post.
There are photos from the Bitter End they performed at in 1969 below, and there’s a few audios of the songs from the live Troubadour concert. There’s also the “Easy To Be Free” film at the end of this page and the Rick Nelson “Behind the Music” video.
Audios (scroll down) of Troubadour concert:
- “Come On In”
- “Hello Mary Lou, Goodbye Heart”
- “I’m Walkin'”
An article in ‘On the Records’ titled “Ricky Nelson…Not Just A Teenage Idol” mentions Rick forming the Stone Canyon Band with Randy Meisner:
“Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band, focused on that Country Rock sound, even adding steel guitar. They were on the Top 40 chart in January of 1970 with the Bob Dylan song ‘She Belongs To Me’, and had a well-reviewed album, ‘In Concert At The Troubadour’. The band included Randy Meisner, who went on to become one of the founding members of Eagles.”
ontherecords.net
In this short segment of an interview that took place at KBSG FM radio in Tacoma, WA on May 12, 1988, Joe Michaels, the interviewer, asks Randy about his time with Rick Nelson.
The entire interview with Randy, Gene Clark, and Rick Roberts can be seen on the Podcasts and interviews page.
Vinyl album front and back covers



Randy Meisner, Pat Shanahan (drums), Rick Nelson, Allen Kemp, and Tom Brumley
Inside of the album gatefold cover – Rick Nelson at the Troubadour


Front & back of remastered 2-CD set with 30 bonus tracks released 2011


Stone Canyon Band publicity photos

Randy Meisner, Rick Nelson, Allen Kemp, Tom Brumley, and Pat Shanahan





Randy Meisner, Pat Shanahan, Rick Nelson, Allen Kemp
The front of the Troubadour (located in West Hollywood) c1967
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images


From the book “Rick Nelson Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer”

From the book “Rick Nelson Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer”

Record World magazine – Mar. 21, 1981
Excerpt from interview with Rick Nelson

From the book “Ricky Nelson Idol For A Generation”
The Stone Canyon Band’s debut at the Troubadour was on April 1, 1969. This was a few months prior to the band’s live recording there in October 1969.
Ad for the Troubadour appearances of April 1-6, 1969


Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band at the Troubadour recording the live “In Concert” album – Oct. 1969
Photos from the book “Desperados: The Roots of Country Rock” by John Einarson

Randy Meisner, Rick Nelson, Pat Shanahan (on drums), Allen Kemp, and Tom Brumley

Randy Meisner, Rick Nelson, Allen Kemp, and Tom Brumley

The first appearance was in April, 1969
“Sharing the bill is Steve Martin, the young comedian who was at the Troubadour last summer with Poco.”

LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Oct. 31, 1969

The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) – Oct. 16, 1987

Billboard magazine full-page ad – Feb. 7, 1970
Live at the Troubadour
“Come On In” live at the Troubadour
“Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart” live at the Troubadour
“I’m Walkin'” live at the Troubadour
Rick’s house on Zorada Drive that Randy Meisner bought soon after he joined the Eagles




The Bitter End nightclub in New York City – 1969


I love that comment on JD’s about the longhaired base player sharing the spotlight. You found some pictures I had not seen before. Great post!
I wonder if Randy knew about that comment. LOL