So, a dump truck decided to crash the party—literally—at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood last Friday (May 9). Apparently, it was hauling sand, because why not add a gritty plot twist? After playing bumper cars with five vehicles and a powerline (1:45 p.m., peak drama hour), it plowed into the venue. Cue the blackout: local businesses lost power, and Sunset Blvd and Clark Street turned into a parking lot. The LASD shrugged, “Power’s out, crews are on it,” like they’ve seen this movie before.
RIP to Friday’s gigs: BOY HITS CAR, BAREFOOT IN THE BATHROOM, and GEARHEART got ghosted by a truck. Maybe the driver just really hates rock?
Now, let’s pour one out for the Whisky’s glory days. Opened in 1964, this joint launched everyone from LED ZEPPELIN (before they were gods) to MÖTLEY CRÜE (before the eyeliner budget exploded). Fun fact: THE DOORS got fired as house band for being… well, THE DOORS. VAN HALEN allegedly once set a piano on fire there—classic. Oh, and THE TURTLES lost their bassist Chip Douglas mid-“Happy Together” because THE MONKEES swooped in like, “Hey, wanna produce us?” (He came back later, no hard feelings.)
Shoutout to Frank Zappa’s THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION, who scored a record deal after a Whisky gig, and METALLICA’s Cliff Burton, who got recruited mid-TRAUMA set. CHICAGO? They were just chilling as house band until Jimi Hendrix walked in and said, “You. Tour with me. Now.”
Anyway, bands still fight to play here. It’s like rock ‘n’ roll Mecca, but with more spilled beer. Check out these vids for a taste of the chaos:
