Whisky-A-Go-Go

The Sunset Strip Whisky-A-Go-Go opened on January 16, 1964 and was founded by Elmer Valentine, Phil Tanzini, Shelly Davis, and attorney Theodore... more

by Bill Jonas

Title

Whisky-A-Go-Go

Artist

Bill Jonas

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

The Sunset Strip Whisky-A-Go-Go opened on January 16, 1964 and was founded by Elmer Valentine, Phil Tanzini, Shelly Davis, and attorney Theodore Flier.

The Whisky played an important role in many musical careers, especially for bands based in Southern California. The Byrds, Alice Cooper, Buffalo Springfield, Smokestack Lightning and Love were regulars, and The Doors were the house band for a while—until the debut of the "Oedipal section" of "The End" got them fired. Van Morrison's band Them had a two-week residency in June 1966, with The Doors as the opening act. On the last night they all jammed together on "Gloria". Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention got their record contract based on a performance at the Whisky. Metallica bassist Cliff Burton was recruited by the band after they watched him play a show there.

During the early 1990s, the Whisky hosted a number of Seattle-based musicians who would be a part of the grunge movement, including Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Melvins, Fitz of Depression and 7 Year Bitch. Hole, who was based in Los Angeles, also performed at the club multiple times in 1991 and 1992, and tracks recorded from a February 12, 1992 concert appear on their EP, Ask For It (1995).

Uploaded

June 11th, 2014