The Sunset Strip

In the summer of 1978 an older friend of mine said to me:
“Can you make yourself look older?”

“Of course I can! Why?” I responded.

“Wanna come to work with me tonight? There’s a band you might like to see. But there’s rules and you gotta promise you won’t break ’em.” Lloyd (not his real name) said.

The Rules

1. Do Not Accept A Drink From Anyone
2. Do Not Let Anyone Touch You
3. Do Not Let Anyone Kiss You
4. Do Not Leave The Club With ANYONE
5. Do Not Take Drugs
6. Drink Water Only You Order
7. Go Rock Out

I was 11 years old and thus began my introduction to seeing bands perform live. Lloyd worked at The Starwood on Santa Monica Boulevard in what is now West Hollywood, California.

I’ll share my memories following Lloyd’s rules discovering The Anti-Club, The Troubadour, The Whiskey, The Roxy, The Rainbow, The Scream and countless other backyard shenanigans. I was the sober fly on the wall enjoying the view.