Larry `L.A.` Johnson, the film maker best known for his work with Neil Young, has died in Redwood City, California of a heart attack.
Larry kicked off his career in New York around the time of Martin Scorsese and Brian dePalma.In his early 20s, Larry worked on the Woodstock movie. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound for the film in 1971.
It was at Woodstock where he met Neil Young, who would go on to become a life-long friend and one of his closest buddies.
Their film collaborations began in 1971 when he produced Neil’s first film Journey Through The Past, only recently released on DVD as part of the Neil Young Archives that Larry also co-produced.
The longer term business relationship kicked off in 1978 when Larry and Neil teamed up again for ‘Rust Never Sleeps. They also made the black comedy ‘Human Highway’ around the same time.
Larry worked on every Neil Young production since then in their joint company Shakey Pictures.
The movies included ‘Solo Trans’, ‘Live From a Rusted-Out Garage’. ‘Weld’, ‘Year of the Horse’, ‘Neil Young Silver and Gold’, ‘Neil Young Red Rocks Live’, ‘Greendale’ and ‘CSNY: D??jà vu’.
Johnson also worked on The Band’s ‘The Last Waltz’, Joni Mitchell’s ‘Shadows and Light’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Rolling Thunder Review’.
The ‘Linc-Volt’ and ‘Neil Young Trunk Show’ movies are still to be released.
Having personally met Larry, had calls with him and various emails over the last few years over Neil Young’s various projects, I can say Larry was a giving person who was always ready with an answer whenever needed.
The Neil Young family including his band and manager Elliot Roberts must be devastated by the sudden and sad news. From myself personally and the Undercover crew, we are thinking of you all this week.
