All about the Whisky a Go Go club: history of creation, best performances and the end of an era

L.A. club life has always been known for its freedomIt was a street with a relaxed vibe and music that most of the American population disliked for being too loud and boisterous. Despite this, the street Sunset Strip has become legendary for all lovers of real rock'n'roll: it is home to one of the first and most dangerous clubs in the United States. "Whisky a Go Go" has become not only an almost cult place for all admirers of heavy music, but also a haven for some "loud" bands. How the history of the legendary Californian club began, what kind of memorable The moments happened throughout the existence of "Whisky" and what now is a swaggering Los Angeles den of rockers, read in the article.

French inspiration

The first semblance of clubs in the sense of modernity appeared in France, where in the late 40's one entrepreneur opened an institution "Whisky à Gogo."In addition, the small space allowed people to take their drinks to go. In addition, the small space allowed people to tightly to fill the hall, music for which was played by special machines with records. The vinyl, which had just come into use, was moved by girls who became prototypical dancers go-go.

In America, the same place appeared in 1958 in Chicago, founded by Frenchman Jacques Vivien. He gave his establishment the name "Whisky a Go Go". Only 6 years later, a club with the same name opened in Los Angeles on the Sunset Strip on the site of an old bank building. Despite the fact that "Whisky" was listed as a disco venue without live music, the club was opened by the 60s rock'n'roll star with his performance Johnny RiversIn between sets, a girl in a fringed skirt and white boots spun records. The dancing hall worker appeared to the audience as a participant in Rivers' show, and from this coincidence the concept was born. go-go girls in club life in the United States.

The club's fame reached music lovers for Rivers' songs from his live album recorded at the establishment, as well as a composition by the band The Miracles "Going to a Go-Go"recorded in 1966.

The place where your favourite idols got their start. 

In the mid 60's, Whisky a Go Go became home to many psychedelic and rock legends. Musicians who literally lived in the club were. The Doorswho played sometimes two sets in the evenings - so much so that the audience loved the atmosphere of their music. But the band became popular in Whisky not only because of their fantastic lyrics or sound, but also because of their daring music. experiments Jim Morrison. Much of the unconventionality of their performances lay in the frontman's dependence on substances under which he could fall off the stage or do other hilarious things to the audience during the concert.

In the late summer of 1966, the group in last performs at the Whisky for the first time. The first set was held without the vocalist, and by the second set they find Morrison, who has already taken illegal substances, and bring him to the club. During the performance of the song. "The End." The singer unexpectedly started improvising and mentioning his family problems. After that, the collective sacked from the establishment.

The club caught not only the musicians' failed performances, but also their conventional pastime. For example, one of the owners of Whisky a Go Go, Mario Malleri, once met in the establishment Janis Joplin - one of the greatest white blues singers in rock history. The Whisky resident mentioned in an interview that the image of a burnt-out hippie girl with a husky voice and a slightly lewd demeanour was why many of Joplin's acquaintances loved her so much. While Mario and Janis were sitting at a table that evening, a waitress came over to ask the singer what she would be drinking. The singer's choice was Southern Comfort, and the club employee brought the musician a glass with a drink and ice. Janice outraged and demanded that I bring whole bottle; this is how he remembered the singer before her death the next day, according to Malieri.

Many British musicians were performing for the first time as a main performers in the area at the Whisky Bar, including The Kinks, The Who, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music and Oasis. The bar was the centre of the emergence new rock movements in the late 1970s and often represented the localised bands such as The Germs, who recorded their first album there, The Runaways, Mötley Crüe and Van Halen, and was also the venue for the early performances by the Ramones, the Misfits, Blondie and others.

Cultural impact

Over time, the club began to gain more popularity with rock bands that were followers of the legends who performed at Whisky a Go Go. Sunset was the place to start. Mötley Crüeformed in the early 80s. Despite the fact that the club had fallen into oblivion for a while after the decline punk rock in 1982, the Whisky reopened in 1986. The venue was now free to all musicians wishing to play for listeners in a club where o old The only reminder of the building's structure was the cages of go-go dancers around the perimeter of the hall. "Whisky a Go Go" was an empty hall where the audience stood throughout the concert. This was the atmosphere in which the legendary Mötley Crüe started.

The parties organised by the members of the group are remembered by all the inhabitants of the most noisy street of the city for their recklessnessand the close proximity of Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil to their favourite leisure spot contributed to this. The bassist has mentioned in many interviews what it was like grandiose and how long their after-parties were. The musicians not only performed at the club almost every night, but also filmed their music video for the song here "Kickstart My Heart".

Hard rockers held their first concerts at the Whisky Guns N' Roses. The young band, formed in 1985, ascended to the stage of the club already with a claim to world success. Mostly in "Whisky a Go Go" the band performed in the first In this short period the audience was able to hear the future legendary compositions. In August 1986, the band presented to the public several Sweet Child O' Mine, Mr Brownstone and Ain't Going Down.

In the early 1990s, the Whisky Club played host to several bands from Seattle that would later be called the "the fathers of grunge."Soundgarden, Nirvana, The Melvins and 7 Year Bitch. Despite more than fifty years of history, the club is still a important part of the rock 'n' roll era on the Sunset Strip.

Whisky a Go Go isn't the same anymore

Today, the club only opens its doors virtually: since 2016, Whisky has had an official channel on smart TV, where you can watch all the live performances of musicians who have ever presented their songs there. Despite the digitalisation of the entire history of the bar, a dip in the physically into the atmosphere of the 70s and 80s will not be possible, as nowadays the club no longer serves as a place for young bands to play, but, inscribed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Whisky a Go Go" now has not so much the meaning of an establishment with booze and good music, but also of a cultishness and values for fans and admirers of the work of bands that started in the bar at different times in the 20th century.