Sausalito’s Colorful & Musical History

Mary, Mary, quite contrary. How does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells And pretty maids all in a row (Written by Rufus Thomas and performed by Grateful Dead).

Walking my dog through the early morning Sausalito fog is a romp into rock history. There are no bus tours or guides, only tie-dyed shirts on laundry lines, Grateful Dead bumper stickers and aging hippies wearing leather and fringed jackets circa 1969. While time has passed, the vibe remains the same, with classic rock and blues created and nurtured by Sausalito’s musical heritage still playing as if it was the Summer of Love.

Sausalito’s music history is a walk of fame littered with musical superstars, some still alive, others long gone. This small California coastal village’s influence extends beyond Otis Redding’s Dock of the Bay and includes many greats—Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Joan Baez, Sly Stone, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder and John Fogerty, to name a few.

The Record Plant, one of Sausalito’s best kept secrets and simply referred to as The Plant by insiders, has a storied past beginning with its opening party on October 29, 1972 when John Lennon and Yoko Ono attended dressed as trees. The music was serious. In 1976 Fleetwood Mac spent almost a year at The Plant writing and recording Rumors. As late as 1985 John Fogerty’s recorded his “Centerfield” hit. Local lore claims The Plant receives some credit for producing five of the top 50 best-selling albums ever.

Sadly, The Plant was shut down and attempts to rekindle its musical spirit have been unsuccessful. However, it is worth the pilgrimage to this musical shrine located at 2200 Bridgeway Street (across from the San Francisco Bay Area Model) when in the ‘hood.