Errol (and his pet monkey) left a big impression on the kid who lived near him on Mulholland Drive. One he never forgot. Like Errol, he died far too young, but, in his day, this boy grew into the man Jackson Browne called “The Orson Welles of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and Bonnie Raitt declared the best singer/songwriter/guitarist in the world. Lowell George – son of the famous “Furrier to the Stars”, who had a chinchilla ranch right by Mulholland Farm. Member of the Mothers of Invention & Leader of Little Feat, he played also with Harry Nilsson, Frank Zappa, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Christopher Cross, Robert Palmer, Randy Newman and other legends from the 70’s. Here’s an account of his connection to Errol and a video of him on Midnight Special.
— Tim
Gentleman Tim
May 28, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Nice concise summary of Lowell George’s life & career, including reference to his neighbor Errol, family friend W.C. Fields, and why he was called “the Orson welles of Rock ‘n’ Roll:
uniquecarsandparts.com…
To me, the lyrics of his song “Times Loves a Hero” feels like it could have been influenced his apparent admiration of Errol. Even the cover of the album could be a metaphoric Errol up at his castle on Mulholland, looking down on Tinsel Town.
[img]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000002KGV.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg[/img]
books.google.com…
ILIKEFLYNN
May 29, 2014 at 9:03 pm
Very interesting post. Thank you for posting it.–A.R.
Gentleman Tim
May 29, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Thanks, A.R. My pleasure. I came across the Ben Fong-Torres article linked above while looking into who named Dan Duryea’s former estate down the road as from Errol’s old place, “Sirocco”. Haven’t yet figured that out yet but this may even be more interesting! Lowell George was a pretty influential musician in his day. Very cool his connection to Errol! Wonder where that chinchilla bedspread is today!?
I love, too, the description of what Errol’s “low traffic” neighborhood. I don’t imagine Errol ever fell for that water balloon ambush! He was no dummy!!
twinarchers
July 26, 2015 at 6:24 pm
so many connections to Flynn and his family with my other interests. I am pretty sure that Rory used to date the Drummer for Yes, Alan White.
Gentleman Tim
July 26, 2015 at 7:23 pm
No doubt about it, twinarchers, Rory is a stunning talent, looker, personality and muse. Drummers, among many others, certainly recognized that. Alan White, in the first photo below, played with Lennon and Clapton, too. I believe on the Imagine album, and one of my all time favorites, Instant Karma.
One of the Hall of Fame drummers in the second photo said Rory was an extraordinary dancer also, the best he ever saw at Whiskey a Go Go, where he played with the legendary house band. That’s quite a stellar compliment! … Rory is something! Got her Dad’s DNA, tons of talent and great looks.
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