New York Dolls (and friends) in front of the world famous Whisky a Go Go, 1970s
In January of 1964, the Whisky a Go Go opened its doors at 8901 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and ever since the music venue and club has played host to quite literally nearly every notable band, ever. From AC/DC to The Weirdos, you’d be hard pressed to find a band that didn’t grace the stage of Lemmy Kilmister’s home away from home.
Shows by The Doors and The Byrds advertised on the Whisky a Go Go marquee, 1966
Plasmatics and California punk trio The Alley Cats, Whisky a Go Go marquee, 1980s
Johnny Rivers, 1964
While there is certainly no shortage of video footage and photographs of bands ripping it up at the Whisky throughout the decades, today I thought it would be cool to share images of the club’s “world-famous” marquee advertising upcoming shows from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The snapshots are fun time capsules—and who knows, maybe a few of our Dangerous Minds readers were even at some of these legendary gigs? I’ll just say this: I don’t think I’ve ever seen Johnny Thunders look happier than he was when he and the rest of the New York Dolls were photographed outside the Whisky (pictured at the top of this post) while the band’s name adorned the marquee. Good times.
The Runaways in front of the Whisky a Go Go marquee, late 1970s
South African trumpet player Hugh Masekela on the Whisky a Go Go marquee, mid-1960s
Cream and Things to Come on the Whisky a Go Go marquee, 1966
The Motels and The Kats, early 80s
Mötley Crüe (along with LA metal pioneers, Stormer), Whisky a Go Go, early 1980s
Metallica, Sarge, Stormer and the Greg Leon Invasion share the bill on the Whisky a Go Go marquee, early 1980s
Brooklyn jazz funk band, Mandrill on the marquee at the Whisky a Go Go, early 1970s
The Weirdos, Flyboy and Dinettes on the Whisky a Go Go marquee, late 70s, early 80s
Super obscure Google-resistant rockin’ teen combo “The Group” performing at the Whisky a Go Go, 1967. The group isn’t great, but the footage is incredible.
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Punish or be damned: LA punk legends The Screamers live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1979