Though New York City and London may come to mind as the epicenters of rock n' roll throughout the '80s, neither could compare to what was going on in Los Angeles — specifically, the clubs on the Sunset Strip. Whether it was Bad Brains playing at Whisky a Go Go, Alx Rose and Slash playing at The Roxy, or Black Flag taking the stage at the Starwood, the SoCal locale defined rock music as we know it.
From goth rockers to sold-out shows, here are 11 photos of LA's sunset strip in the 1980s.
1
I’m With The Band
“My bf backstage at the Whisky a Go Go, 1986 - he was the singer in a popular Sunset Strip '80s hair metal band.”
2
Going For a Drive
Palm Trees line the road of the iconic street.
3
Goth Gurus
“Nick Cave & Lydia Lunch at the Roxy in Los Angeles 1983.”
4
Hot n' Hairy
"My boyfriend was in a Sunset Strip hair metal band in the '80s. This is him (on the left) with his guitar player in Hollywood in 1985.”
5
Another Brick in the Wall
“1/24/1980: A billboard was put up on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles advertising Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’. Every day a brick was put up until the entire space was covered.”
6
Rocking Out
“Black Flag at the Starwood, 1980.”
7
Kitty’s Got Claws
“Headbanger’s Ball host Riki Rachtman & lead singer Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat at their co-owned club, the Cathouse, 1986.”
8
Goth Rock
“45 Grave, Whisky a Go Go, 1981.”
9
SoCal Icons
“Axl Rose and Slash - The Roxy, March 28, 1986.”
10
Rocker Girl
“Susanna Hoffs at Whiskey A Go Go. 1982.”
11
Bad Brains, Cool Photo
“Henry Rollins and HR backstage after a Bad Brains show - Whisky a Go Go, Hollywood, August 1982 (Photo by Glen E. Friedman).”
