Issue: Spring 2018

Why I Love Hollywood

Steve Tyrell

My first taste of Hollywood came in 1970 when I was invited to attend the Academy Awards. For a kid from Houston trying to make it in the music business, this was a big deal! I was living in New York at the time, working alongside Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Their iconic song, “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was nominated for (and won) Best Original Song. It was sung by my life-long buddy from Houston, B.J. Thomas, who I signed to the label I worked for at the time, Scepter Records.  He was asked to perform on the Oscar telecast, so B.J. and I flew out for the ceremony and we were seated right next to Raquel Welch! It was Hollywood, just like I pictured it!

Steve Tyrell
Photo by Julie Soeffer.

A few years later, I’d move to the west coast. My office was on the famed Sunset Blvd., right across the street from The Source, where I’d go for lunch daily. Those days and those establishments are long gone, but I still have a big place in my heart for Hollywood.

My favorite place to go, not only to perform, but to hear great music is Catalina’s Jazz Club. Catalina is a friend and she keeps jazz music alive in Los Angeles. After my gigs, I love to head over to Rao’s for authentic, drop-dead delicious New York Italian food. Hollywood is my go-to town for music and meatballs! What more could an Italian guy from Houston want? 

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell, with over four decades of experience in the music business, has achieved great success as an artist, producer, songwriter, music supervisor and performer. He also hosts the popular Steve Tyrell Show 5pm-8pm weeknights on KKJZ radio. DH