What it looks like today
Former Location –
Frank Zappa lived in this house for a couple of years in the late 1960’s. He had to finally leave as it became more and more a “crash pad” for too many eccentrics.
Frank and his family moved to a more secluded home in the Hollywood Hills after leaving this home in 1968.
This home burned down in the early 80’s. Frank died on December 4, 1993 and is buried at the Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Private Residence
2401 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90046
When I was a kid my parents would drive our family by that house. It was very funky and seemed like the perfect Rock and Roll hangout…
I lived there in 1979
Yeah I remember this a lady named Fayna rented me the top apartment with my friend Westy.
It was the height of the Punk days and Westy died of a heroin overdose. There was this guy who named himself Robin Hood who lived in one of the Houdini caves across the street with his twin model red head girlfriend. Wow it was a long time ago and I think of this crazy time. I think that house was just full of memories.
I remember going to Zappa’s house from the Strip one night with a man named Kim and some friends. I remember there was a quiet party happening and I especially remember looking down from the patio deck to a deep ravine…Long time ago..
Could it be Kim Fowler?
There were no parties at the log cabin while Frank Zappa was in residence. You must have gone there either before or after Frank’s time, ie before May 1, 1968, or after September 6 1968. Or it was a different house.
I think it would have been Kim Fowler, but it’s a guess. Kim is not the most unusual name.
There were no parties at the log cabin while Frank Zappa lived there from May to end of August. You must have gone either before or after that time. I know because I was also living there and it was more like a monastery than a family home – eleven of us lived there, tip-toeing round Frank while he worked from the minute he got up to the minute he went to bed.
Kim Fowley?
Fania Pearson owned this property from the ’60’s to early ’90’s. At one time she also owned all four corners of Laurel Canyon — Lookout Mountain, the Houdini property and the famous “Cabin” that she rented out to various musicians including the Red Hot Chili Peppers. My Uncle Jonathan lived at the Cabin between 85 and 88. At one point the FBI raided the property looking for Fania’s niece “Angela Davis” who was not there at the time. I also remember Robin Hood and his son, Mark Hollywood Hatten, who later dated Anna Nicole Smith, both staying on the property.
As far as Harry Houdini goes, he stayed across the street at 2400 Laurel Canyon and Fania owned it as well as the cabin where Frank Zappa lived in the late 60’s. From what I’ve been told – which has been confirmed by several articles I’ve read – the mansion was the first place the Beatles ever dropped acid.
Fania was a very nice woman who had a kind soul. As a child I lived at the mansion and at the cabin, and remember getting into trouble by sneaking both sips of beer and peeks at half naked women. It was likely not the best place for a child to grow up, but I sure have some interesting memories.
Jason, you uncle Jonathan could not have lived at the cabin from 1985 to 1988 because it burnt down in 1981. You must be thinking of a different house. It is true that Fania owned the log cabin and rented it out.
I lived there she didn’t own it but managed it and she was bat shit crazy It was an amazing house GTOs had written all over the walls in the vault about Everyone and I mean everyone the caves and land were magical Rainbow Smith lived above me
Wild times I was 16/17 it was around 1970 /71
Terry, at least you got your facts right.
Do you remember how many rooms were in the basement. I don’t know if you’ve read my book but I describe the large area at the end of the basement which is where the Mothers of Invention rehearsed each night. My bedroom was at the front on the ground (1st floor) and furthest from the kitchen, which I repaired and decorated, painting the ceiling and walls clean white. (When I arrived there were huge holes in the walls with pipes showing through.) I wonder if you remember what state that room was in when you were there?
I remember Fonya’s Mansion in Laurel Canyon – I visited her in the Library with Jonathan V . I was living across the street with him around 1986 .
I also remember RobinHood and where his cave was , he drove an old limo . Mark was his son .
I was 17 and just came from NJ .
The Beatles dropped acid at 2850 Benedict canyon drive look it up it used to belong to zsa zsa gabor
Correction. Your uncle could not have lived at the log cabin between 85-88 because the log cabin burned down in 1981. Frank Zappa lived at the log cabin between May 1 1968 to September 5 1968. I know because I also lived there along with three of the Mothers of Invention, Christine Frka, the nanny, Pamela Zarubica (Suzy Creamcheese) and Calvin Schenkel. Gail, Frank’s wife, and their daughter Moon Unit was also there.
I guess i’m one of the lucky few to have truely been blessed in my life to have grown up in the canyon. I miss you Mr. Bird and living across the street from Houdini’s Estate. I remember going to Frank Zappa’s Cave an listening to Alexander Bizentine play drums. It sure was wild. I still remember Fania an Bernie an the girls. My mother Was Rock’nRobin which as Mario the awesome an aww inspiring owner of the Whiskey knows helped shape the face of music in the canyon in the late 70’s an early 80’s. Thank you God for allowing this now 38yr old kid to be so lucky to have lived a life so filled with love at 1402 Laurel Canyon Rd. Love and Respect to all the fore said peoples so much. Thank you all for such an amazing life guys. You never know our paths may one day cross again.
Born in Hollywood, 59, and grew up in the canyon. Friends and I would drink, drop acid and play in the subterranean remains of Houdini’s castle late at night. Worked for Jan Dean as a caretaker when I was a teenager and spent a few good days in Frank’s cabin…those were “Strange Days”, but good days.
I wonder why so many people refer to the log cabin as Frank’s cabin? He lived there for only four months from May 1 1968 to September 5 1968.
And there were no parties and big events while he was there. It was quiet, like a monastery, except from 6 – 10pm every evening when the Mothers of Invention rehearsed in the basement.
It’s amazing…especially with Dave McGowan’s blog”the mostly true story of Laurel Canyon”…He places Frank at the center of what he describes as a major psychologic operation to spread flower power and hippy culture…
Frank was there for a twinkling of time…just the summer and he was gone….but some people.
I remember Jonathan, Mark, Fania, and of course Robin Hood (oh my god, who could forget Robin Hood). But I’ don’t remember you Jason. Are you trying to say that you are the kid with red hair whose mom was Vicki Voelker? if so, her son’s name was not Jason. It was something else. I hate to come across as rude, but there’s an alarmingly high percentage of people who lie about living at the estate. And I think you are probably just another one.
I lived with Jonathan V around 1986 when his sister Vicky moved into the Canyon house – She had a daughter named Erin and a younger son. They both had red hair – nice kids how could I forget .
So glad you have put the record straight here. Now to tackle the others. I do have a question. I see the plot where the log cabin was situated is up for sale for around $1.5 million. I presume your mother no longer owns the plot or the Byrd House.
I’m sure you remember my mother Robin and Dad Eugene and myself EugeneSun and my sister Chelsea Moon. I’m glad to see the real info on the house my mom died so didn’t have it all! Just the amazing and great memories of growing up there! Much Respect and may much Peace find you Nial Laprell you were apart of my childhood as was your MOM helping to shape me into who I am today and yes that’s me #xyz_equals_3d
So good to hear from you Eugenesun! Please let me know how to contact you. I would love to talk tou you about your mom. She was an amazing person!
Yes, Nial Laprell I would truly enjoy that email me at xyzequals3d@gmail.com I’ll email ya my phone number !!!
I lived with Jonathan V around 1986 when his sister Vicky moved into the Canyon house – She had a daughter named Erin and a younger son. They both had red hair – nice kids how could I forget .
I remember going to crazy parties at this house in the 80’s….82, 83? Mark Hanau lived there and had fun rock and roll parties!
Anyone else remember? There was a room called, “The Dungeon” downstairs. He had a few other people renting rooms at the house.
I visited Frank when he lived right off Laurel Canyon on Lookout Mountain Rd. I was in Laurel Canyon from 1965-1967. What a very nice person he was. Down to Earth and friendly. Only thing I question is why in the world he thought Kim Fowley and I should be married. Never could figure that one out. Wow what a memory. I lived way up on Lookout Mountain Rd.
I’m confused about the log cabin with the tree house that Zappa lived in for about 6 months in the canyon. Of course I’ve heard so many different stories about the cabin and who visited, lived and partied there. I sure miss those days though I never lived in the canyon and my memory fades more and more each year.
I saw a YT video that said Lady Gaga bought Franks house but I can’t reconcile that house/compound with the log cabin. I think the place she purchased is on Woodrow Wilson and the cabin was on LCB. Does that sound right?
Thanks in advance to anyone that would care to respond. I loved reading all of this.
Yes, Gaga bought the Woodrow Wilson Drive property in 2016, not the LCB one. (Which couldn’t be sold, since the Log Cabin burned down in 1981).
In 2021 Gaga sold the WWD house to Lizzy Jagger, daughter of Mick Jagger.