21 Boozy Photos of LA's Legendary Whisky a Go Go Through the 1960's, 70's, 80's & 90's

Carly Tennes Published 10/09/2024 in wow

Since first opening its doors on the Sunset Strip in 1959, Whisky a Go Go has cemented itself as a cornerstone of rock history. Boasting a laundry list of storied performers — The Doors, The Stooges, Otis Redding — and serving as a launchpad for now-iconic acts like The Runaways, Cream, and Roxy Music, the legendary venue has long served as the Los Angeles heart of rock n' roll.

From Debbie Harry rocking out onstage to Led Zeppelin's iconic set, here are 21 boozy photos of LA's legendary Whisky a Go Go.

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1.
“Hanging at the ‘Whisky a Go Go’ nightclub in West Hollywood (1975).”
2.
“January 15, 1964 Los Angeles, California Opening night at the Whisky a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip. The Whisky was the first live music venue to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Johnny Rivers released an album of the shows the following month.”
3.
“Jim Morrison singing with Van Morrison at Whisky a Go Go, 1966.”
4.
“January 2, 1969 Los Angeles, California Led Zeppelin played the Whisky a Go-Go on the second week of their first U.S. tour. Alice Cooper, a little-known local band, opened the show. Jimmy Page became sick with the flu causing the band to cancel the second of the three L.A. shows.”
5.
“Iggy Pop, James Williamson, and Patti Smith at Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, November 1974.”
6.
“Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers backstage at the Whisky a Go Go in 1977.”
7.
“Henry Rollins and HR, backstage at the Whisky a Go Go after a Bad Brains show, August 1982.” 
8.
“Joanie Labine, the first female DJ and sound mixer at the Famous Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood (1964).”
9.
“Susanna Hoffs at Whiskey A Go Go. 1982.”
10.
“The Doors at Whisky a Go Go in 1966.”
11.
“45 Grave, Whisky a Go Go, 1981.”
12.
“Ramones at the Whisky A Go Go. October 21 1977.”
13.
“Go-Go dancer at the Whisky A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. 1965.”
14.
“Maxwell Smart and James Bond discuss spy craft at the Whisky A Go Go (1965).”
15.
“Van Halen performs at the Whisky a Go Go, 1977.”
16.
“LA music scene at the Whisky A Go Go, 1969.”
17.
“Otis Redding, Whisky A Go-Go. Los Angeles. 1966.”
18.
“The Runaways at The Whisky A Go Go | 70’s.”
19.
“Debbie Harry at the Whisky a Go-Go (1977).”
20.
“My bf backstage at the Whisky a Go Go, 1986 - he was the singer in a popular Sunset Strip '80s hair metal band.”
21.
“Debbie Harry at the Whisky a Go Go (1977).”

1.
“Hanging at the ‘Whisky a Go Go’ nightclub in West Hollywood (1975).”
2.
“January 15, 1964 Los Angeles, California Opening night at the Whisky a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip. The Whisky was the first live music venue to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Johnny Rivers released an album of the shows the following month.”
3.
“Jim Morrison singing with Van Morrison at Whisky a Go Go, 1966.”
4.
“January 2, 1969 Los Angeles, California Led Zeppelin played the Whisky a Go-Go on the second week of their first U.S. tour. Alice Cooper, a little-known local band, opened the show. Jimmy Page became sick with the flu causing the band to cancel the second of the three L.A. shows.”
5.
“Iggy Pop, James Williamson, and Patti Smith at Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, November 1974.”
6.
“Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers backstage at the Whisky a Go Go in 1977.”
7.
“Henry Rollins and HR, backstage at the Whisky a Go Go after a Bad Brains show, August 1982.” 
8.
“Joanie Labine, the first female DJ and sound mixer at the Famous Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood (1964).”
9.
“Susanna Hoffs at Whiskey A Go Go. 1982.”
10.
“The Doors at Whisky a Go Go in 1966.”
11.
“45 Grave, Whisky a Go Go, 1981.”
12.
“Ramones at the Whisky A Go Go. October 21 1977.”
13.
“Go-Go dancer at the Whisky A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. 1965.”
14.
“Maxwell Smart and James Bond discuss spy craft at the Whisky A Go Go (1965).”
15.
“Van Halen performs at the Whisky a Go Go, 1977.”
16.
“LA music scene at the Whisky A Go Go, 1969.”
17.
“Otis Redding, Whisky A Go-Go. Los Angeles. 1966.”
18.
“The Runaways at The Whisky A Go Go | 70’s.”
19.
“Debbie Harry at the Whisky a Go-Go (1977).”
20.
“My bf backstage at the Whisky a Go Go, 1986 - he was the singer in a popular Sunset Strip '80s hair metal band.”
21.
“Debbie Harry at the Whisky a Go Go (1977).”