Riot on Sunset Strip
By Dominic Priore
Jawbone Press
Book Soup, Sunset Strip
West Hollywood, CA
July 12, 2007
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Wouldn’t it be great if the study of History meant things like ‘who was the opening band for the Byrds the first time they played at the Whisky?’ or ‘Where did Sonny meet Cher?’ Well, we got a history book for you that will answer those questions and more.
Our friend Rodney Bingenheimer gave us the heads up. Noted Hollywood historian, Dominic Priore was reading from and signing his new book called “Riot on Sunset Strip” at our favorite indie book store: Book Soup. ‘Oh yeah, we gotta go’quoting the lyrics from “Louie Louie.”
Subtitled “Rock and Roll’s Last Stand in Hollywood” with an intro by the late Arthur Lee of Love, this book centers on the music of Southern California from the second half of the 60’s, connecting the dots between Surf, Drag, Flower Power, Folk Rock and Bubble Gum. Which is what Garage was called before it changed its name.
Book Soup is right across the street from what used to be Tower Records and sits in the heart of The Sunset Strip. When somebody cool writes a book they do a thing there. And Dominic is cool.
“Riot” is 265 pages of dense information with pictures on every page. The Appendix is names and addresses of not just the night clubs, but the restaurants, clothing boutiques, recording studios and hipster hang-outs. Nice size at 8 ½ by 11 ¾, it’s the perfect for a coffee table text book kept handy to settle arguments and bets. We love the maps. Jerry Lewis’ club was where Tower Video stood. Hey lady!
Priore read a few selected pages that related the music of post-Beatles LA to the social changes of the day; anti-war, civil rights, generation gap, etc. You know all that stuff people put down when they say ‘the 60s, man.’
Then we got to the good stuff, Priore interviewed Jim Lowe and Mark Tulin of the Electric Prunes and Michael Stuart Ware of Love. We were treated to some wonderful rock and roll stories. Like Jim Morrison dropping acid, getting naked and bothering Arthur Lee during rehearsals for Love. This was the start of their famous feud. And “I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night” was written as a Country Western tune. Dang!
Trivia question: Who had the first rock and roll billboard on Sunset Boulevard? The Doors. And he then pointed to where it had stood. Priore says his book is a tragedy. So much attention went to the San Francisco bands of the day. LA and the Sunset Strip got the short end of the joint. Priore does his homework and states a fine case for the LA scene and how it became an international center for music, recording and writing, fashion, movies, TV, cars, you name it, it was going on in LA.
The Electric Prunes gave testimony on the scene in Europe. They’ve played some dates over there. Spain is recycling the 60’s of LA. Pointing to the pictures in the book of the Go Go Dancers at the Whisky, “This is what Barcelona looks like today.”
Cultural note: The American Cinematheque is having a “Riot on Sunset Strip” film festival in September 14-16, if you happen to be in Hollywood. Film appearances by The Standells and the Chocolate Watchband are not to be missed. And more good news, there is also a bus tour in the making. Can I ride your Magic Bus?