KARLA BONOFF

Born and raised in Southern California, Karla Bonoff was a songwriter by the age of fifteen. She and her sister Lisa were writing songs and playing as a duo titled “The Daughters of Chester P” named after their father, Dr. Chester Paul Bonoff. She had already fallen in love with the guitar and studied with Frank Hamilton of the famous folk group, The Weavers. By 16, Karla and her sister Lisa auditioned for Elektra Records. An 11-song demo [recorded by Doors’ engineer Bruce Botnick] was recorded but no deal came of this first effort.

Karla’s sister became a teacher of history and religion, but Karla’s passion was always music. She became friends with other singer-songwriters and musicians [in the ’60s] who were creating their own unique sound. She talks about lining up at the legendary Troubadour at noon on Mondays to get a slot in the famous Monday night Troubadour “hoot,” which was a breaking ground for many artists who went on to great success. She says, “It was an amazing time. Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Elton John were around the Troubadour in those days.” There were some other writer-singers who became friends of Karla’s, and eventually, they decided to put a band together. They were Kenny Edwards, (who had started the Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt and Bobby Kimmel), Wendy Waldman, and Andrew Gold. Something powerful in their combined sound drew them together.

Thus the band Bryndle was born – one of the early songwriter groups, even before the Eagles. The band made an album for A&M, but it was never released. They were, unfortunately, a bit ahead of their time. Speaking of the A&M project, Karla says, “They didn’t release it. I think they didn’t really know quite what to make of it. This was right before Crosby, Stills and Nash, and before Fleetwood Mac. We were these two girls and two guys… the closest thing they could compare us to was the Mamas and the Papas. They actually had Lou Adler [producer for the Mamas and Papas] produce a single to try to make us like that. In the next few years, had we stayed together, I think we could have done well.” A single, with Karla singing lead, was released from those sessions, but failed to forward the band’s career. “It was a hit in Santa Maria [California],” Karla remembers. Bryndle broke up, but it launched four very illustrious careers. Kenny and Andrew joined Linda Ronstadt’s band, and through that connection, Ronstadt was to hear a demo of hers. Karla recalled playing a tape of “Lose Again” for her. “Hey, you know that’s real good,” Bonoff remembers Ronstadt saying, “What else have you got?” On Linda’s “Hasten Down the Wind” album [released in 1976], there were three Bonoff songs: “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me,” “If He’s Ever Near” and “Lose Again.”

Current Date/Time of Show: October 1, 2021 at 8:00PM
Previous Date(s) of Show: July 24, 2020, May 9, 2021

Refunds for advance purchase tickets will not be available (unless show is canceled or rescheduled). Credit will be offered if any ticketed patrons self-identifies at least 2 hours prior to doors opening (by emailing/calling the box office) as having Covid-19 symptoms or being recently exposed to Covid-19.

Unvaccinated patrons are required to wear facemasks at all times while at the Odeum. Odeum event staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated and required to wear facemasks. All patrons are encouraged to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing while in the lobbies and common areas. Patrons displaying symptoms of Covid-19 will not be permitted to attend the event. No refunds or credits will be processed on site.

Tickets to this event include an additional $5 Historic Restoration Fee which assists in restorations and repairs of the Greenwich Odeum. When purchasing tickets online, an additional $2 convenience fee per transaction will be applied. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.