The colorful exterior of the Troubadour in West Hollywood. | Sandi Hemmerlein
Built in 1946, the two-story building that’s housed the Troubadour live music venue since 1957 is probably best known as a legendary hotspot for early-career performances by the likes of such folk-rock titans as Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young. Elton John made his U.S. live debut there. It’s where future bandmates Don Henley and Glenn Frey met, later to form The Eagles. It’s also said to be where Janis Joplin partied the night away before fatally overdosing on heroin.