11 Photos Of LA’s Sunset Strip In The 1980s

Carly Tennes Published 01/03/2025 in wow

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.

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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.”

Courtesy of lauralately on Reddit
2. Going For a Drive
Palm Trees line the road of the iconic street.

Courtesy of -Appleaday- on Reddit
3. Goth Gurus
“Nick Cave & Lydia Lunch at the Roxy in Los Angeles 1983.”

Courtesy of mickeyslim
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.”

Courtesy of lauralately on Reddit
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.”

Courtesy of gregornot on Reddit
6. Rocking Out
“Black Flag at the Starwood, 1980.”

Courtesy of ryuundo on Reddit
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.”

Courtesy of RandomRexiness on Reddit
8. Goth Rock
“45 Grave, Whisky a Go Go, 1981.”

Courtesy of So_Do_You_Like_Stuff on Reddit
9. SoCal Icons
“Axl Rose and Slash - The Roxy, March 28, 1986.”

Courtesy of SSAUS on Reddit
10. Rocker Girl
“Susanna Hoffs at Whiskey A Go Go. 1982.”

Courtesy of toasterstrewdal on Reddit
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).”

Courtesy of Glen W. Friedman

1. I’m With The Band
Courtesy of lauralately on Reddit

“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
Courtesy of -Appleaday- on Reddit

Palm Trees line the road of the iconic street.
3. Goth Gurus
Courtesy of mickeyslim

“Nick Cave & Lydia Lunch at the Roxy in Los Angeles 1983.”
4. Hot n' Hairy
Courtesy of lauralately on Reddit

"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
Courtesy of gregornot on Reddit

“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
Courtesy of ryuundo on Reddit

“Black Flag at the Starwood, 1980.”
7. Kitty’s Got Claws
Courtesy of RandomRexiness on Reddit

“Headbanger’s Ball host Riki Rachtman & lead singer Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat at their co-owned club, the Cathouse, 1986.”
8. Goth Rock
Courtesy of So_Do_You_Like_Stuff on Reddit

“45 Grave, Whisky a Go Go, 1981.”
9. SoCal Icons
Courtesy of SSAUS on Reddit

“Axl Rose and Slash - The Roxy, March 28, 1986.”
10. Rocker Girl
Courtesy of toasterstrewdal on Reddit

“Susanna Hoffs at Whiskey A Go Go. 1982.”
11. Bad Brains, Cool Photo
Courtesy of Glen W. Friedman

“Henry Rollins and HR backstage after a Bad Brains show - Whisky a Go Go, Hollywood, August 1982 (Photo by Glen E. Friedman).”