However, in mid 1977 - more and more clubs to open up to local punk bands to play. A major break-through was when the Whisky and the Starwood changed their booking policy. Elmer Valentine (one of the Whisky's owners) was anxious to bring in more business. He hired San Francisco transplant Michell Myer to handle the day-to-day booking. She had a keen eye and ear for talent.
Michelle Myer w/ Stiv
For 2 1/2 years Michelle Myer was one of L.A.'s biggest rock booster. She personally handled the day to day booking for the Whisky and Starwood. She would also go on to book bands for Madame Wong's east and west.
Any band who wanted to play at these clubs had to first go through her.
She had a reputation for being tough as nails, but had great natural instincts for talent.
2008 photo:tlc
Michelle also became a sort of den mother to many of the young aspiring rockers passing through town. She would often chaperon out of town band members and help guide them in the right direction. Michelle brought in the best acts. Other clubs started to take notice of who she would book and then try to book them too. This helped other venues open their doors to punk music.
In 1977 it was primarily the Whisky and Starwood who booked the local unsigned bands.
source: Flipside
source: Flipside
source: Flipside
June 1977 from Slash Magazine
and Kim Fowley presents...
Many bands did not want to have to associate with Kim Fowley in order to play the Whisky. He was a sleaze ball to be avoided at all cost. Just ask Joan Jett.
So - they did produced their own DIY shindigs.
Larchmont Hall
Now
2008 photo:tlc
August 18 1977 - the Masque club opens
The Masque opened in a basement of a building off Hollywood Boulevard. Now the punk music kids have a place of their own. This was a big deal.
September 23, 1977
Whisky A Go Go
Debut of X, opened for the Runaways
September 23, 1977
Hollywood Palladium Fashion Show
Punk Rock Fashion Show billed as “a New Wave of Sound and Style”
Blondie played, Devo, the Avengers, the Weirdos. The Germs.
Of course, backstage was Pleasant and Hellin Killer.
The show - all in all - was pretty much a disaster, through the line up sounded great.Photo: LAPL photo data base
October 4- 6, 1977
Whisky A Go Go
The Zippers, the Germs and the Dickies
October 15, 1977
Masque
Screamers and Dils
In the audience were: Pleasant Gehman, Claude (Kick Boy) Bessy of
Flipside fanzine, Peter Urban of the Nerves, The Zeros, Kid Congo (Brian Tristan), Billy Zoom of X. Also in the audience was Jane Wiedlin
Other end of year highlights..
source: Flipside
October 21, 1977
Larchmont Hall
Slash Magazine benefit Concert #2
X, Dils and Avengers
photo: Punk Turns 30
Source: Flipside
Oct 1977 and Feb 1978
On a dark note - During this time, the notorious Hillside Stranglers embarked on the murder binge of kidnapping, torturing and killing ten girls. One of these was last seen at the Masque.
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