If you close your eyes and let the right song wash over you, you're suddenly there — winding roads, canyon air, and the unmistakable California sound that shaped a generation. Laurel Canyon became hallowed ground for rock music in the 1960s and '70s. Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, the Byrds, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles — artists who lived and wrote there and created a body of work that still rocks.
Kirkwood audiences don't have to travel far to relive that canyon experience. Rockin' Chair, a 13-piece St. Louis band devoted to that sound, has become a fixture at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. In 2026, the band partnered on a concert series inside the Strauss Black Box Theatre, each show dedicated to a different Laurel Canyon artist or album. The series continues this summer with a tribute to the Eagles' Hotel California on July 18th at 7:30 PM, and Linda Ronstadt on July 19th at 3:00 PM.
From Reunion to Tradition
Rockin' Chair wasn't supposed to last more than one night. In 2009, the members of Mesa — a 1970s regional band — reunited after 35 years to revisit songs from their past. "It was supposed to be a one-time event," recalled founding member Myles Kelly. Their debut was a charity event with just 45 minutes of material. The response led them to recruit friends, grow the lineup, and build an identity around the California sound they'd loved since the '70s. "We decided to focus on that Laurel Canyon sound rather than compete in the broader Classic Rock genre," Myles said.
A Sound Built on Roots
Reproducing the Laurel Canyon catalog — spanning folk, rock, country, and pop — demands versatility. Lead guitarist Chuck Wade brings six or seven guitars to every show. Multi-instrumentalist Jerry Turnbow, "the secret weapon," covers guitar, mandolin, banjo, Dobro, pedal steel, lap steel, and harmonica. Several other members double on instruments as well.
Still, Myles is clear about what drives it all: "At the end of the day, Laurel Canyon is all about the vocals." Lead vocalists Jim Keefe and Colleen Bunten, backed by rich ensemble harmonies, give the band the depth to convincingly pull off the iconic voices of CSN and the Eagles.
Finding a Home in Kirkwood
Seven shows in 2026 reflect how deep the band's connection to Kirkwood runs. "The reception from Kirkwood residents and surrounding communities has been amazing. It has become our favorite venue in the St. Louis area," Myles said. Come to the concert expecting to hear both beloved classics and deeper cuts. "There is a large catalog from Laurel Canyon, and we try to choose the best songs, but also some tracks our audience may not know — songs that are a great representation of the sound."
Rockin' Chair: Laurel Canyon Series, Saturday, July 18, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm. For more information, visit thekpac.org/events