The Legendary Whisky-A-Go-Go

The Whisky-A-Go-Go on Sunset Boulevard opened on January 11, 1964.  The famous Whisky-A-Go-Go was the place to be in rock's infancy.  Johnny Rivers has the Whisky to thank for his career.  He wasn't a traditional artist in the sense that most of his records were recorded live at the Whisky-A-Go-Go where he often was the resident act.

Rivers was the first star to come out of the club.  The tradition of having a girl in a mini-skirt above the crowd dancing in a cage started fairly early.  The Whisky nearly always had two to three bands playing on a given night, but sometimes they weren't billed.  Local bands would try to get on as the opening act and often they would use that as a springboard to fame.

Here is just a small sampling of the acts who played at the Whisky in the late 60's and early 70's: Rascals                                                                Jimi Hendrix Grass Roots                                                        Cream Beau Brummels                                                    Jackie Wilson Gentrys                                                                Them Buffalo Springfield                                                Youngbloods Doors                                                                  Animals Johnny Rivers                                                       Steppenwolf Turtles                                                                  Hollies Chamber Brothers                                                Linda Ronstadt Jefferson Airplane                                                 Golden Earring Outsiders                                                              Fleetwood Mac Iron Butterfly                                                        James Gang Smoky Robinson & the Miracles                           Bread Little Anthony & the Imperials                               Grand Funk Railroad Gladys Knight & the Pips                                       Kinks Temptations                                                           Boz Scaggs Four Tops                                                              Beach Boys Little Richard                                                         War Ventures                                                                Bob Seger Led Zeppelin                                                         Steve Miller Band Chicago Transit Authority                                       Alice Cooper Blood, Sweat & Tears                                            Traffic Spencer Davis Group                                             Canned Heat Three Dog Night                                                     Lynyrd Skynyrd Aerosmith                                                               Steely Dan Bachman-Turner Overdrive                                     Foghat Stevie Wonder                                                        Looking Glass Little Feat                                                               Spirit Labelle                                                                   Ten Years After Black Sabbath                                                        Yes Ted Nugent                                                            Uriah Heap Allman Brothers Band                                             Blues Image The Who                                                                Neil Diamond

The Whisky continued to host live acts, although these days there are simply thousands of other venues for groups to play at.  In the 70's groups such as the Runaways, Quiet Riot, Van Halen, the Ramones, Blondie, Elvis Costello and the Police played at the club.

Once the first wave of punk rock stars petered out, the famous Whisky began to have hard times and closed its doors in 1982.  But it reopened in 1986 as a place that could be rented by bands.  However, most of the booths disappeared and patrons were required to stand throughout the performances.  Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Motley Crue and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played at the Whisky in the 80's.  When the grunge-rock style took over in the 90's, the Whisky was the site for Soundgarden, Nirvana, and others.

The club is still open on the Sunset Strip with music nightly.