If you pick up any book about music in the 1960s or 70s, there is a more than likely chance that one venue will be mentioned more than any other, and that is The Whisky A Go Go. In the summer of 1964 The Whisky opened its doors, eventually becoming a legendary mecca for the Los Angeles area music scene. Recently Patrick and I went to see The Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger, and what a night it was! Despite having a massive migraine (hence no photos of me) we had an absolutely amazing time, and I was thankful for our reserved balcony seats that my dad had gifted us.

Three men, Mario Maglieri, Elmer Valentine, and Phil Tanzini turned a former bank, built in 1923, into The Whisky, dropping the “e” due to Los Angeles laws forbidding clubs to have alcohol in the name. The inside today is very much as it was back in the 60s, bare bones, with a small stage high off the floor and tucked into a corner, curved red leather booths against one wall, and a small L-shaped balcony above. Its reputation as a historic landmark has not made it posh by any means. The one thing that is missing? The suspended DJ booth that would give birth to another 60s icon.

The first concert was Johnny Rivers, and in doing research it appears debatable who was the first female DJ was at The Whisky, but The Whisky’s site says it was Joanie Labine, who danced in the clear suspended booth while spinning records, becoming the first go-go girl. Soon other dancers would join her in cages, often with fringe outfits and knee-high boots.

At a 500 person capacity, the cramped, dark venue has been described “a cauldron of sweat and energy” as it kept up with the various waves of counter culture over the decades. Folk and country-esque bands such as The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, gave way to harder rock and psychedelia such as The Kinks, Janis Joplin, The Mothers of Invention, The Who, Cream, Led Zeppelin, and later punk and metal, such as The Runaways, Mötley Crüe The Ramones, The Misfits, Blondie, Metallica and Nirvana, just to name a few. Gram Parsons, one of my favorite musicians, performed at The Whisky during his time with The Flying Burrito Brothers. Promoting their first album, Gilded Palace of Sin, they had to first endure their opener, a very drunk Van Morrison, whose antics caused the band to go on an hour late. While the list of legendary acts have performed at The Whisky is long, it is best known for The Doors, who were the house band, performing from May 23 through August 21, 1966. Which is why being there to see Robber Krieger was just so magical.

The Whisky has endured through the years, and continues to be a place people flock to. In 2019 it was given landmark status by West Hollywood’s Historic Preservation Commission, helping to ensure its legacy.

Of course a legendary location has also been immortalized on the big and small screen, including The Graduate, The Doors (of course), Roadie, Night at the Roxbury, The Mod Squad, and more recently Daisy Jones and the Six.

As we exited, I turned around to try and get a photo of the Whisky lit up at night with Kieger’s name in lights, as it wasn’t quite dark yet when we entered, but the marquee was already changed for the next show!

Rock out at a show at The Whisky A Go Go at 8901 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. For upcoming shows and tickets, please visit their website.

Want to visit more of Gram’s old haunts? Check out Gram Parsons’ Southern California, a guide to still standing locations Gram visited!

What’s Nearby?

The Charlie Hotel

Chateau Marmont

Greystone Mansion

Song-Word Art House

Sources
Epting, Chris. “Whiskey a Go Go: The First Real American Discothéque.” West Hollywood, 28 December 2022.
Ferguson, Kevin. “Whisky A Go Go At 50: A Look At The Iconic Venue’s Past, Present And Future.” LAist, 17 January 2014.
“History” Whisky A Go Go.
Liebman, Lisa. “Inside the Legend of the Whisky A Go Go.” Architectural Digest, 14 March 2023.
Meyer, David N. Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music. Villard, 2007. Print.