Lou Adler: A Music Giant

LOU ADLER is a music giant behind the scenes. He started his career writing songs with Herb Alpert, but the partnership split up because Alpert wanted to sing. That was in the late fifties. From there, Lou became the first independent producer on the West Coast. He churned out hit after hit by the surf-singing-duo Jan and Dean until Jan's accident, which might have him paralysed for life. He then met up with Johnny Rivers who, although he never got off the ground in England, had hit after hit produced by Lou. It was at those sessions that the definitive West Coast rhythm section first came together. Joe Osborne on bass and Hal Blaine on drums and often featured Glen Campbell on guitar on many of their sessions.