One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Whisky a Go-Go Named 'Greatest Rock Venue Of All Time'
Photo by Tim McGarry via Flickr
Photo by Tim McGarry via Flickr
Last week, LA's famed Whisky a Go-Go topped the list of The 10 Greatest Rock Venues of All Time published by Gibson Guitars. Dominating rock venue history in the esteemed company of The Fillmore, CBGB, The Cavern Club, Apollo Theater, and Max's Kansas City, the Whisky a Go-Go, opened in 1964 as part of a national club franchise.
For a short time, the club carried-on with caged go-go dancers shimmying to records between sets and countless purveyors of psychedelic nuggets holding court Where The Action Is. For decades, The Whisky stage was home to pre-legendary artists The Doors, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix The Beach Boys, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Johnny Rivers, Cream, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns n Roses and hundreds of other musicians.
But this begs the question... What are The 10 Best Rock Venues Of All Time in Los Angeles. Al's Bar? Hollywood Bowl? The Roxy? Spaceland RIP? What do you say, rockers?
(Good lookin' out reader Torr for sending us the tip on the Gibson list.)
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
