Mixed Media

“THE L.A. MUSICAL HISTORY TOUR”

By Art Fein

*** 1/2

Faber and Faber ($13.95)

Pick your favorite L.A.-connected rock star, and odds are you’ll find in this amusing little book where he or she lived, ate, died and/or is buried. A random opening turned up consecutive entries for Joan Jett’s first Hollywood apartment, the hotel where Janis Joplin died and the Joshua Tree site where pals of Gram Parsons attempted to cremate the singer’s body. That Joshua Tree is noted for this and not for its U2 connection is a tip-off to Fein’s rich historical perspective. Also in this anecdote-filled tour: the new-wave crash pad Disgraceland, a list of area high schools and their (in)famous rock alums, and two (count ‘em, two) Dead Man’s Curves.