The Go-Go's Notebook

2011 August 28 Austin TX

2011-08-31T12:53:00.001-07:00

28 August 2011

The Paramount Theatre

713 Congress Street

Austin, TX

Temperature: 112 day!/96 night!

ON THE GO

We drove from Dallas to Austin. Must say this 4 hour drive along Texas Interstate 35 makes Interstate 5 look pretty exciting.

Keeping a lookout for somewhere to stop and eat. Bein' from California, I've never seen to one of these before. How could I have missed a Cracker Barrel all these years?

Busy place full of stuff hanging from the ceiling and walls. Big people enjoying big portions.

Everything sure is bigger in Texas!

ARRIVAL IN GO- TOWN

Austin is hot! Hot! Hot! Record heat of 112 degrees. Feeling lightheaded. Fortunately our hotel is gorgeous and so, so cool - but no pool! Ugh!#*@%

GO VENUE

The Paramount Theatre is located downtown Austin. Built in 1915 - it was originally called the Majestic Theatre. The classical revival style building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Paramount has a capacity of 1,200 in fixed seating. The theater presents plays, comedy, music, dance and children's programs.

It is really gorgeous inside.

GO BUS GO!

THE GO BEFORE THE SHOW

The VIP Meet & Greet was before the show at the State Theater located next door.

HOW IT GOES

Full house. Lots of Kathy Valentine fans - all giving her a big hometown welcome!

Same set list. Again, no Beatnik Beat.

Sound was fabulous. Everyone was in great form.

Theater management would not allow any photographs. Every time a took one I would get scolded.

Charlotte made a point to thank the fabulous and dedicated roadies and crew members who helped make the tour such a success. They all came on stage and took a bow. The band all came forward to give them a hug. Charlotte then dedicated the next song they played to them: Our Lips Are Sealed to them!

Peer and Paul on stage and doing the Cool Jerk!

This time Gina introduced the band the the aide of a hand puppet. Her skill as puppet master and ventriloquist is incredible. (Couldn't get any pictures because of all the camera nazis lurking about.)

Kathy's daughter was on stage for the encore and dancing to Head Over Heals!

TIME TO GO

Last show of the tour. All bitter sweet - don't want it to end. The Ladies Gone Wild tour was a HUGE success! Ladies - take a well deserved bow. xoxo +++

Next year?

Austin Chronical article
Can't Stop the World
The Go-Go's 'Beauty and the Beat' turns 30
BY RAOUL HERNANDEZ, FRI., AUG. 19, 2011

OUT TAKES +++

Where the locals cool off! Barton Springs is always a 68 degrees!

Ahhhh! As promised, a cool 68 degrees!

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

------------------------

2011 August 26 Dallas- HOB

2011-08-31T12:52:00.002-07:00

26 August 2011

House of Blues

White Swan Building

2200 N. Lamar Street

Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 978-2583

Temperature rising!

Temperature: 105 day/92 night

The House of Blues Dallas opened in 2007 in the historic White Swan Building. In 1920 this building had housed the White Swan Coffee processing plant.

The Dallas House of Blues is two stories and has a capacity of 1,625 people. The first floor is general admission and the second floor has fixed seating.

ON THE GO

We flew from Denver to Dallas. This place is Hot! Hot! Hot!

Glad the hotel had a cool, cool pool. Met up with fellow Go-Go fans there.

Aaahhh!

Cool places!

THE GO BEFORE THE SHOW

The Meet & Greet was upstairs - before the show. I estimate there were about 50 people. Same directions from road manager Art: Only one item to be autographed. No exceptions. One photo each. No candid photos, keep the line moving.

Getting Our Go-tographs!

GO TIME - 9:00 p.m.

HOW IT GOES

Similar set list as before.

Ricky from Liverpool doing the Cool Jerk!

Gina introduces the band.

OUT TAKES +++

The grassy knoll +++

Flying horses +++

Uptown trolley +++

Downtown shopping +++

--------------------------------

2011 August 24 Denver

2011-08-31T12:50:00.000-07:00

24 August 2011

The Ogden Theatre

935 East Colfax Avenue

Denver CO

(303) 832-1872

Temperature: 98 day/86 night

Things are starting to warm up fast.

The Ogden Theatre was built in 1917. It is located in the City Park West neighborhood of east Denver.

The Ogden has changed hands many times and has many renovations. Today it is primarily a general admission music venue with a bar in the front lobby. There is very limited seating in the upper balcony level. The Ogden Theatre has a capacity of 1,650.

The beautiful, old theater and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

GO BUS GO!

GO TIME - 9:00 P.M.

HOW IT GOES

The show was packed. Lots of adoring fans. However - it was very warm inside!

Gina had to come to the mic and ask the management to turn on the air conditioning! (dropping several F-bombs to help make her point!) Make no mistake - she was dying there behind the drums. We were doing little better in the audience standing under a big fan.

The set list was similar to the tour with a little adjustment. They switched things around a bit. They did not play Beatnik Beat. Gina was over heated and not feeling up to it. But they played Has the Whole World Lost Its Head!

Jane was proud of her new silver doc martins courtecy of Fashion Nation.

Set List

Vacation

Tonight

How Much More

Get Up and Go

Mad About Your

Lust To Love

Mother's Little Helper

Automatic

Fading Fast

Cool Jerk

Cool Places

This Town

Has The Whole World Lost It's Head

Our Lips are Sealed

Skidmarks on My Heart

Fun With Ropes

Head Over Heals

Unforgiven

Gina introducing the band!

They did two (2) encores! This was the only time they played 2 encores on the tour!

1st encore

Fun With Ropes

Head Over Heals

2nd encore

Unforgiven

TIME TO GO

AFTER SHOW WITH THE GO'S

GETTING OUR GO-TOGRAPHS

OUT TAKES ++

----------------------------

2011 August 23 Aspen CO

2011-08-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

23 August 2011 - Tuesday

The Belly Up Bar

450 S. Galena St

Aspen, CO 81611

9:00 p.m. opening band - Girl in a Coma

10:00 p.m. The Go-Go's

Temperature - 75 day/40 night

ON THE GO

Flew from Burbank to Denver. Rented a car and drove to Aspen. So happy my honey came with me! Share the Joy!

Cute little elk-lings on the way to Aspen.

Aspen is truly gorgeous!

Maroon Bells (over 14,000 ft)

Go Bus!

Checked out the venue ---

The Belly Up is a great little venue in the heart of Aspen. It has a capacity of only 450 - this was a rare opportunity to see the Go-Go's play in a small club.

The Belly Up is a general admission venue with limited seating. There is a small floor up front, a reserved seating area in the mid tier section and another general admission area in back in the bar area.

Opening band - Girl in a Coma - 9:00 p.m.

HOW IT GOES

The Go-Go's went on at 10:00 p.m.

The girls strutted out to a recording of Foreigner's Hot Blooded!

To the crowds delight, they opened the show with rollicking rendition of Vacation!

They all commented on how cool it was to play in such a small club again. All very up close and personal. Just like in the old days.

Gina introduces the band!

Set List

Vaction

This Town

How Much More

Get Up and Go!

Mad About You

Lust To Love

Mother's Little Helper

Automatic

Fading Fast

Cool Places

This Town

Unforgiven

Our Lips Are Sealed

Skidmarks On My Heart

We Got the Beat

Fun With Ropes

Head Over Heals

OUT TAKES

-----------------------

2011 August 16 San Francisco

2011-08-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

16 August 2011

San Francisco, CA

The Fillmore Auditorium

1805 Geary Boulevard

Tuesday, 8:00

ON THE GO - Drove up to San Francisco Monday afternoon. Smooth sailing up the 5 - did my utmost to stay awake for the long haul.

Was so excited to spend three days in the most beautiful city in the USA!

After checking-in to my favorite green hotel we checked out some favorite attractions and eateries.

THE GET GO - The Fillmore Auditorium

Finally get to see my favorite band play in my favorite San Francisco music venue - for years a stalwart in the Bay Area music scene.

The Fillmore is located at the intersection of Fillmore Street and Geary Boulevard. It was a capacity of 1,199.

The Fillmore was made famous in the mid 1960's by rock promoter and impresario Bill Graham. It was ground zero for the San Francisco music scene happening here. The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Big Brother and the Holding Comany, Creedence Clearwater Revival and British acts such as the The Who, Pick Floyd and Cream all played here.

Very classy chandeliers!

The VIP treatment -

Lining up with about 60 other VIP'ers to get autographs (the upstairs mezzanine).

Saw lots of familiar faces while admiring lots of familiar band posters on the wall.

Then we all lined up again for pictures!

Checked out the cool artwork of the girls Beauty and the Beat album cover by mosaic artist Jason Mecier! (That would make a cool poster).

BEFORE IT GOES -

The opening act was Girl in a Coma from San Antonio Texas on Joan Jett's Blackheart Record label. The Mexican-American trio is made up of two sister and friend.

HOW IT GOES - The Go-Go's took the stage to Foreigner's Hot Blooded playing.

SET LIST

Vacation

This Town

How Much More

Get Up and Go!

Mad About You

Lust To Love

Mother's Little Helper

Automatic

Fading Fast

Cool Jerk

Cool Places

This Town

Unforgiven

Our Lips Are Sealed

Skidmarks on My Heart

We Got the Beat

Beatnik Beat

Fun With Ropes

Head Over Heals

We Got the Beat sing-along.

Gina introduces the band.

Jane dons her light flashing 'Dolly' wig.

Kathy introduces the best drummer in the universe!

Gina takes a bow.

Encore!

HIGH NOTE - The Fillmore traditions continues!

Being greeted by the official greater who say to each guest as they enter 'Welcome to the Fillmore!

Getting a show poster free of charge as we exit.

Getting a free apple from a tub position near the entrance.

--------------------------------

2011 August 11 - Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

2011-08-12T14:51:00.001-07:00

2011 August 2011

Go-Go's Get Their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Star Location

6650-56 Hollywood Blvd (SWC Hollywood & Cherokee)

(Across the street from Musso & Frank Grill)

11 :30 a.m.

On the Go

This location was easy. Just down the hill for me.

SWC of Hollywood and Cherokee

Hollywood Center Building

This historically significant corner is also right across the street from my favorite restaurant - Musso & Frank!

In the basement of the building was a dingy, dank underground basement club called theMasque. Back in 1978 - 1979 this was ground zero of Hollywood's emerging punk rock scene.

Access to the Masque was from the alley in back. It was here the young fledgling Go-Go's hung out, honed their chops and played their first show!

1978

How it Goes

I arrived for the ceremony at 10 a.m. My mistake. Should have got here way earlier to secure a place at the railing.

Everyone waited with quiet anticipation and excitement. Out of towners wondering the Boulevard were pleasantly surprised by the event about to take place. Storefront mannequins at Betty Page retro clothing store located in back of the star's location were decked out for the occasion.

Before the unveiling of the star - there was the obligatory preliminary introductions emceed by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler.

However - Events like this make one miss long time Hollywood honorary mayor Johnny Grant - RIP.

Each Go-Go (Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Gina Schock, Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine) took a turn at the microphone to express their appreciation.

Lead singer Belinda Carlisle gave a shout-out to the Go-Go's early manager Ginger Canzoneri - who was there for the ceremony.

Jane Wiedlin (who wore a blond Monroe-ish style wig, pearls and a '50's-ish Betty Paige dress for the occasion - reflected:

We loved the Hollywood Walk of Fame even then. In our wildest dreams, we could never have dreamed our little band would get a star on the Walk of Fame. The ac of the Go-Go's story could not be more of a fairy tale. From our humble origins on this spot to the giddy ride to stardom, culminating in a sold-out show at the Hollywood Bowl just a few blocks away - and now 30 years later to be honored with a star. Let's just say it's a story that proves that truth is really stranger than fiction.

Posing for pictures!

Unveiling the star!

Let's take a peek!

After ceremony ceremony.

Hugs and kisses from family and friends +0+0

Belinda's son and the GoGo's biggest booster - James Duke Mason

Autographs for the fans!

Magic bus

Their star next door neighbor to the west. Good company!

After ceremony party for family, VIP's and the fans who made it all possible - was at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where the Go-Go's also played one of their earliest shows way back when.

After ceremony party for us non-VIPs was down the block at the Velvet Margarita.

Thanks Jane for the invite!

Jane with her real hair ++
Gina & Jane

Me with my real hair.

++++++++++

2011 May 27 Las Vegas

2011-06-01T10:23:00.001-07:00

Las Vegas @ Mandalay Bay Beach

27 May 2011

Friday 8:00

On The Go!

I drove out from Los Angeles to Las Vegas Friday morning. Got an early start since it was the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Traffic started out light but it beefed up considerably as the drive progressed. 4 1/2 hours I arrived!

I arrived in Sin City around 1 p.m. and check into the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

The hotel gave me two complimentary Go-Go tickets as part of a promotional weekend rate. They also gave me two free drink tickets. Such a deal! But I didn't need the extra tickets since I had already purchased the Premium VIP ticket package. But I would use the drink tickets later.

What Happens in Vegas -

After checking in I checked out the hotel layout and the great outdoors. Gorgeous! Never stayed here before but must say they have a very impressive pool system. They've got a great wave pool, lazy river pool, three swimming pools - one with real beach sand! All this was appreciated since it was 95 degrees out that day. They had many cabanas and day beds for rent. Finding a free empty chaises lounges was a challenge. There was a nice open-air bar and grill and, of course, a beach-side casino.

The Stage at the Beach

Neat Meet & Greet

For the show I had purchased the premium VIP ticket - which included a Go-Go meet & greet - I was told to pick up a special VIP pass at the ticket booth at 7:30 on the night of the show.

The GoGo meet-up was to take place at 7:45, and don't be late. There were only a few other fans doing this meet-up (maybe 7 + -) - so that was nice. A hotel staffers took us to the Mandalay Bay Beach 'Snack Shack' - where the Go-Go's were hanging out before the show. Before we went inside a Go-Go helper guy (Art) told us how to behave ourselves once we go inside. While he did this, Kathy came outside and greeted us personally! - which was very cool of her. Art told us things like "no candid pictures, 'we could take only one photo each with them' , and 'they would sign only one thing from each of us' - and we should make it all happen quick.

Before show meet & greet place

Hot outside - but inside the Shack it was all very Go-Go cool. Us VIP fans got a big Go-Go welcome! The GoGos were all so warm and gracious. I just wanted to just give them one big group hug. We talked, we laughed, we cried like we were the best of friends. The Go's all signed the stuff we brought and took pictures with us.

As usual- in these types of situations - I was pretty tongue tied. I just wanted to thank them for all the great years they have given us fans and I thanked them for doing this summer tour. I begged them to never quit. After all, they are at the top of there game! So again - I'd like to ship boat-load of Thank Yous to all the Go-Go's.

How it Goes

I took my position in about a foot of water in front of the stage. I was thankful it was a warm night, though my feet were a bit wrinkly from being in the water so long. I chatted with some other familiar GoGo fans and we swapped old Go-Go stories. I shared my recently captured GoGo photo with from the Meet & Greet.

All us fans anxiously waited. This was the first show of their summer tour. We all had no clue what the set list was or what song would be first.

They GoGo's took the stage around 8:15. The joyous fans sang along, danced and splashed in the pool as a beach ball bounded overhead. They sounded brilliant - of course they would.

Set List

Vacation
Tonite
How Much More
Get Up and Go
Mad About You
Lust to Love
Mother's Little Helper
Automatic
Fading Fast
Skidmarks On My Heart
Fun With Ropes
Unforgiven
Cool Places
Head Over Heals
Get Got the Beat
Surfing & Spying/Beatnick Beat (mash-up)
This Town
Driving In My Car
Are Lips Are Sealed
30th Anniversary of Beauty and The Beat

High Note

Finally! after 2 1/2 years the Go-Go's are back! Thankful they are still together and still touring! Loved the Meet & Greet! Loved the set list. No boring opening band.

Low Note

The stage was kinda high up, so not able to get too close. Wished Gina could have talked to the audience a bit. Looked like Jane had a bit of a cold. Hope you feel better. Actually, there were no low notes.

Show Memorabilia and Take Away

May Notes

2011-05-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

May 25, 2011

Go-Go's perform We Got the Beat on ABC's Dancing with the Stars Season Finale!

Click here for video!

"Absolutely fabulous performance!"

Five big cheers all 'round!

Some fun photos from the video!

May 19, 2011

Go-Go's Win Fan Vote to Perform ABC's Dancing with the Stars Season Finale!

TOUR TO KICK OFF
WITH NEWLY ADDED LAS VEGAS SHOW

EVENTS MARK BEGINNING OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAT'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

May 18, (LOS ANGELES, CA) – The Go-Go’s are thrilled to announce today they will be performing on Dancing with the Stars’ season finale, airing Tuesday, May 24 (9:00-11:00pm, ET) on ABC. DWTS will be the band’s first television performance together in over five years and kicks off a spectacular summer of events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the the Go-Go’s debut, history-making album, Beauty and the Beat.

Fans of Dancing with the Stars have spoken by overwhelmingly voting for the Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” as their Macy's “Design a Dance” segment song of choice. For the first time in the show’s twelve seasons, “Design A Dance” will be included in the finale and the Go-Go’s will be on hand to perform the fans’ song pick live.

The Go-Go’s also announce today the addition of a tour kick-off party to be held in Las Vegas, NV at The Beach at Mandalay Bay on May 27, 2011. The Mandalay Bay show launches Ladies Gone Wild, a summer-long national tour that includes a performance onGood Morning America on June 3, broadcast live from Rumsey Playfield in NYC’s Central Park as part of GMA’s summer concert series. For complete tour dates and information on tickets, VIP packages and band meet and greets, visit www.gogos.com.
source: rock-n-load

May 9, 2011

The Gibson Video Interview: Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's

To view video (part one) click here

To view (part two) click here

May 5, 2011

Visit Kathy Valentine's very cool web site! www.kathyvalentine.com

9/5/2008 St. Louis MO

photo by me

May 4, 2011

Reuter's Time Square Display

The Go-Go's Beauty and the Beat 30th Anniversary Edition Available May 17

May 4, 2011

The Go-Go's AREN'T Calling it Quits, New Music May Be Coming Soon! perezhilton.com

excerpt from post

--- Phew! We feel like we dodged a bullet.

We would have been so sad if they were done! You guys have the right attitude - we'd LOVE to hear some new music, even if it's just a single! ---

---It's about time we had some Go-Go back in our life!

May 2, 2011

Interview with Jane Wiedlin for Billboard. (YouTube video) Jane & The Dead Elvi at Chiller Theater, New York by GTrustChannel, Jane Wiedlin.com

May 3, 2011

Go-Go's Will Have New Music Coming says Guitarist. Billboard.com
by Gary Graff.

Excerpt from article:

Weidlin tells Billboard.com "We've talked about it for years. It's one of those ongoing conversatons. I was thinking about how few records we actually have made in our 33 years and about how few records we actually have made in our 33 years and how we could be doing a lot better. Because the Go-Go's isn't a full-time band anymore and the fact we've scattered over the whoe world, it makes it really hard to commit to things like making records...

Wiedlin adds that bandmates Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine have, in fact, written a new song "that is good, and if we get our act together to learn it, we might perform it in concert." -----
-----
"Sometimes it's amazing fun, and it's always magical when we play live together. And sometimes we are just such a pain in the ass to each other, like, we all get on each other's nerves because we've all known each other for so long. Basically it's a five-way marriage that's gone on for 33 years - and will keep going if I have anything to say about it."

2011 Capitol/I.R.S. Press Release

2011-04-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2011

PR Newswire, New York. Anonymous. Source: Capitol/I.R.S.

The Go-Go's 1981 landmark debut, Beauty and the Beat, remastered and expanded for 30th anniversary edition to be released May 17th by Capitol/I.R.S.; 2 CDs & two digital collections feature exclusive, previously unreleased concert recordings; remastered original album to be reissued on pink vinyl; the Go-Go's Ladies Gone Wild cross the U.S. this summer.

Excerpt from article:

Hollywood, Calif., The Go-Go's double platinum debut album, Beauty and the Beat. Beauty and the Beat was the Go-Go's debut album, released in 1981 by I.R.S. Records. The album hit #1 on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart, and was the first album to top the charts by an all-female band that wrote and performed its own songs. The album's singles, 'Our Lips Are Sealed' and 'We Got the Beat' also charted in several countries, fueling album sales of more than two million in the U.S. alone. Beauty and the Beat is considered on the the decade's defining albums and it is on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of Al Time.

The Go-Go's will hit the road this summer on their Ladies Gone Wild tour, a national U.S. trek with the legendary Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin and Kathy Valentine. The tour will include a very special Los Angeles homecoming show at the Greek Theater on August 17, Belinda's birthday. An exclusive VIP package will be available in most tour markets for fans to meet and band and purchase limited edition merchandise. In August, the Go-Go's will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Last summer the Go-Go's had scheduled a farewell tour which was subsequently canceled when guitarist Jane Wiedlin required surgery after suffering injury to her knees in a hiking fall. During the band's time off, they decided they were not quite ready to hand up their instruments and set to work preparing for this summer's 30th Anniversary spectacular Ladies Gone Wild.

Their story truly is a punk version of the American Dream. They came, they saw and they conquered the charts and airwaves with their kicky kitsch and sparking California appeal, five feisty role models for future generations of ready-to-rock girls. From their current status as superstars who pioneered a genre, the Go-Go's preside over an amazing three-decade reign as high priestesses of pop.

Today, the Go-Go's live show continue to deliver every bit of the raw energy of their now-legendary punk beginnings, tempered with the wisdom of three decades of pop perfection. Don't miss the celebration and a chance to go wild with the ladies of the Go-Go's.

The Go-Go's: Beauty and the Beat 2 CD; digital collection.

Disc 1 (original album, remastered)

1. Our Lips Are Sealed
2. How Much More
3. Tonite
4. Lust To Love
5. This Town
6. We Got the Beat
7. Fading Fast
8. Automatic
9. You Can't Walk in Your Sleep
10 Skidmarks On Your Heart
11. Can't Stop the World

Disc 2 (Live at the Metro in Boston, 1981 - All tracks previously unreleased)

1. Skidmarks On Your Heart
2. How Much More
3. Tonite
4. Fading Fast
5. London Boys
6. Cool Jerk
7. Automatic
8. Lust To Love
9. Can't Stop the World
10. This Town
11. You Can't Walk in Your Sleep
12. Our Lips Are Sealed
13. Let's Have a Party
14. We Got the Beat
15. Surfing and Spying
16. (Remember) Walking in the Sand
17. Vacation

The Go-Go's: Beauty and the Beat (Digtal Collection 2)

1. Our Lips are Sealed
2. How Much More
3. Tonite
4. Lust to Love
5.This Town
6. We Got the Beat
7. Fading Fast
8. Automatic
9. You Can't Walk In Your Sleep
10. Skidmarks On My Heart
11. Can't Stop The World
12. Skidmarks On My Heart (live)
13. Can't Stop The Worlk (live)
14. Our Lips Are Sealed (live)
15. Let's Have a Party (live)
16. We Got the Beat (live)

The Go-Go's 2011 Ladies Gone Wild Tour

May

29 Hershey, PA Hershey Theater

June

1 Morristown, NJ Community Theater at Mayo Center Center for the Performing Arts
3 New York, NY Irving Plaza
4 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
5 Mashantucket CT MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
7 Westbury, NY Theater at Westbury
9 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
10 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap for the Performing Arts
11 Orlando, FL Universal Studios Florida Music Plaza Stage
14 Apple Valley, MN Zoo Amphitheater
16 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theater
17 Highland Park, IL Ravinia Festival
18 Kettering, OH Fraze Pavilion for the Performing Arts

August

12 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
13 Portland, OR Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre
14 Seattle, WA Woodland Park Zoo
16 San Francisco The Fillmore
17 Los Angeles The Greek Theater
20 Temecula, CA Pechanga Resort & Casino
23 Aspen, CO Belly Up
24 Denver, CO Ogden Theater
26 Dallas, TX House of Blues
27 Houston, TX House of Blues
28 Austin, TX Paramount Theater

2011 April Web Notes

2011-04-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

April 27, 2011

San Francisco Citizen: OMG, The Go-Go's are Back and They're Going to Play the Fillmore August 16, 2011.

April 27, 2011

Undercover News: The Go-Go's Beauty and the Beat to be Reissued
by Paul Cashmire

April 26, 2011

Digital Journal: The Go-Go's are Back on Tour
by KJ Mullins

April 2011

95.5 WPLJ - New York Radio
ABC News Radio
Go-Go's to Release 30th Anniversary Edition of Beauty & the Beat, Lauch Summer Tour

March 28, 2011

Bust.com - The Go-Go's On Tour!
by Kristina Uriegas-Reyes

2011 April Press Notes

2011-04-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

April 5, 2011

Animalistic Lineup at the Zoo Startribune.com (Minneapolis Star Tribune) by Chris Riemenschneider

Excerpt from the article:

Add Los Lobos, Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken" and the ‘Ladies Gone Wild Tour’ by the Go-Go’s to all the critters, including the Monkees, appearing at this year's Music in the Zoo series.While concerts by the Monkees and Florence & the Machine were previously announced, most of the shows in the Minnesota Zoo's 19th annual outdoor concert series were revealed Monday. Joining the Monkees' July 1-2 gigs on the reunion circuit were the Go-Go’s for the season's opening show June 14, plus Boyz II Men Aug. 18. In the way-back flashback department comes the so-called Hippiefest on Aug. 21 with Dave Mason (of Traffic), Rick Derringer, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) and Felix Cavalieri of the Rascals, while jazzmen David Sanborn, George Duke and Marcus Miller will land together Aug. 8.

April 14, 2011

Band Still Go-Going Strong The Daily News Lebanon, PA (Anonymous)

Excerpt from article:

Hershey Theatre has announced that the Go-Go's will kick off their national tour in Hershey on Sunday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m.Tickets for this show are $120, which includes a meet-and-greet; $65, $60 and $45 (processing fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre box office. They can be charged by phone at 534-3405 and online at www.HersheyTheatre.com.

Thirty years after the release of Beauty and the Beat, their double-platinum debut album that featured such smash hits as "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat," the Go-Go's and their fans are preparing for a slew of 30th-anniversary activities for the summer of 2011 and beyond.

Kicking off the festivities will be Ladies Gone Wild a national U.S. tour with the band's members: Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin and Kathy Valentine.
This summer will also see the release of a deluxe edition of Beauty and the Beat,available May 17 from EMI, including a limited edition on hot-pink vinyl. The deluxe edition includes a bonus audio CD that features previously unreleased music from a 1981 live show.

In 1981, the Go-Go's delivered Beauty and the Beat hot on the heels of their debut U.S. single, "Our Lips Are Sealed." The album hit No. 1, the first by an all-female band that wrote and performed their own songs to make it to the top of the Billboard charts.

Today, the Go-Go's live show continues to deliver the raw energy of their now-legendary punk beginnings, tempered with the wisdom of three decades of pop perfection, according to one critic.
For more information about the Go-Go's visit their website at www.GoGos.com

April 28, 2011

Single Tickets for Music in the Zoo Shows Available Monday

Anonymous. Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Saint Paul, Minn

Excerpt from article:

Single tickets for the bulk of the shows in this summer's Music in the Zoo series - from the Go-Go's to Gaelic Storm - will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday through Ticketmaster. Mow in its 19th season, Music in the Zoo features rain-or-shine sows in the Minnesota Zoo's out door Weesner Family Amphitheatre.

Minnesota Zoo Amphitheatre tickets Saint Paul, MN.

-------------------------------

2011 (March/April) Web Notes

2011-04-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

New Publicity Photo

March 16, 2011

Jane Wiedlin: 'When the Go-Go's Started, We Were Terrible Musicians' Ultimate Guitar.com

March 27, 2011

New Go-Go web site !!! www.gogos.com

March 31, 3011

PerezHilton announces upcoming Go-Go's tour

April 6, 2011

Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion Power Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Open May 13, 2011 - February 26, 2012 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum: Floors 5 & 6

April 11, 2011

Valentine Hoppin' Mad after latest Go-Go's snub by Rock Hall Austin 360.com by Michael Corcoran

April 13, 2011

Why the Go-Go's Matter in Rock History. The Ben Franklin Follies by Sheree

April 18, 2011

Martha Quinn Presents Interview with Kathy Valentine

April 22, 2011

The Rock Hall address that GoGo's Problem. Scene Magazine: CleveScene.com by Michael Galluci

April 25, 2011

Spinning Platters interview with Jane Wiedlin

April 26, 011

Gary Leonard: Selling Out @ 60. LA Weekly Slideshows

------------------------------

2011 Feb - March Press Notes

2011-04-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

February 17, 2011

Go-Go's Singer still Got the Beat Daily News Tweed Heads
N.W.W. (Australian Provincial Newspaper) Anonymous

Excerpt from article:

BELINDA Carlisle is a Grammy Award-nominated American singer and best-selling author and she's bringing her music to audiences on the Tweed and Gold Coast tomorrow night.
Carlisle gained worldwide recognition as the lead vocalist of the most successful all-female band, The Go-Go's, who made history as the first all-female music group to write their own songs and play their own instruments to top the Billboard charts. As part of The Go-Go's, Carlisle sold more than seven million albums with such hits as Our Lips Are Sealed, We Got the Beat, Vacation, Head Over Heels, Can't Stop the World and many others.
She later went on to a successful solo career that spawned hits such as Mad About You, Summer Rain, I Get Weak, Leave a Light On and Heaven is a Place On Earth, which topped the charts internationally.
Her autobiography, Lips Unsealed, reached number 27 on the New York Times Bestseller List.
And now Carlisle is touring Australia.
Her first venture into music was as the drummer for the LA punk band The Germs, under the name Dottie Danger. It didn't last long and so she left and joined The Go-Go's. After the initial break-up of The Go-Go's in 1985, Belinda picked herself up, dusted herself off and embarked upon a solo career. Her first solo album, Belinda, was released in 1986 and it was also that year she married Morgan Mason, son of the British actor James Mason.
Carlisle flaunted her glamorous image on the cover of her second album 1987's Heaven on Earth, her second solo album. Critics and fans noticed that not only was her image more glamorous than during her time with The Go-Go's, but also her solo music was more polished.
The new sound was certainly due in part to producer Rick Nowels, who had previously worked with Stevie Nicks and would later work with Madonna among many others.

March 10, 2011

Girl Scouts of the USA and Roland Corporation U.S. Launch National ‘Girls Rock!’ Initiative to Empower Girls Through Music Anonymous. PR Newswire. New York

Excerpt from article:

The Go-Go's and Former Girl Scout and Disney Star Shelby Spalione Give New Generation the Beat

LOS ANGELES, -- Roland Corporation U.S. and Girl Scouts of the USA have announced the launch of a national Girls Rock! initiative which includes workshops designed to inspire and empower girls through music. Girls Rock! Powered by Roland will reach thousands of Girl Scouts and their parents, delivering the message that you can have a "Better Life with Music." The fun, interactive curriculum co-developed by Roland and Girl Scouts of the USA aims to get girls pumped up about making music and music education. Girls Rock! is designed to provide girls ages 8-14 a hands-on experience playing popular music; an opportunity fewer girls are receiving due to school music budget cuts.

The Go-Go's, the original groundbreaking all-female rock band, are showing support by lending their mega-hit "We Got the Beat" to the curriculum. Charlotte Caffey, Go-Go's guitarist who wrote "We Got the Beat" will be on hand at the Los Angeles launch on March 19. Caffey says, "This year will mark the 30th anniversary of Beauty and the Beat. As a female musician and songwriter and mother of a 16-year-old daughter myself, I love that the Girl Scouts and Roland have partnered to bring girls across the country access to making music. The Go-Go's are thrilled to be a part of the next generation of girls 'getting their beat!'" Former Girl Scout and Disney star Shelby Spalione, previous lead singer of the all-girl teen rock band KSM, inspired by the Go-Gos, will be on hand at each of the workshop locations to sing "We Got the Beat" with the Rockin' Roland Girls Band, to talk to the girls, and inspire them to learn to make their own music and follow their dreams. Spalione, 17, who opened for the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato last year as lead singer of KSM, is currently working on a solo project.

At each workshop, after Spalione and the Rockin' Roland Girls Band performance, girls will then be lead into break-out sessions featuring activities utilizing Roland's Lucina AX-09 Shoulder Synthesizer, HD-1 V-Drums(R) Lite, Rock Band 3, an interactive instrument display, and karaoke station. The curriculum is based on the latest Girl Scout leadership journey: It's Your Story---Tell It!, which uses a storytelling theme in fun and relevant ways to help girls understand themselves and their potential. Building a strong sense of self is an underlying goal of the series, which was made possible by a generous grant from Dove. Roland will also conduct "Better Life with Music" sessions for interested parents and troop leaders, presenting the latest research and information regarding the benefits of music education in the lives of their children.

The Girls Rock! workshop launch will take place in Los Angeles (Girl Scouts of Greater LA) on March 19th, with subsequent workshops in Miami (Girl Scouts Council of Tropical Florida on April 30); Minneapolis (Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys on May 7); Chicago (Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana on May 14) and New York City (Girl Scouts of Greater New York City on May 21). Girl Scouts chapters will offer the workshop in their respective areas on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We know that music is an important part of social and academic development for girls, and that through music we learn to express ourselves and our views," said Chris Bristol, President, Roland Corporation U.S. "Not only does learning to play an instrument boost self-esteem, confidence and a sense of accomplishment, it also generates cognitive development in ways not reached by any other discipline. We're thrilled to partner with Girl Scouts to produce quality workshops that expose girls to the opportunities making music can provide."

"Girl Scouts of the USA believes that girls develop self-esteem through taking action," said Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA. "Most girls have the desire to play music. Research indicates that the action of making music is a key factor in healthy social and academic development, increasing self-esteem and developing skills needed by the 21st century workforce. We look forward to working with Roland to bring important music making opportunities directly to girls, equipping them with tools necessary to discover, connect, and take action - three keys to leadership and the cornerstone of Girl Scouts of the USA's core values."

Post-workshop tools will be available at RolandUS.com so that chapters across the country can access and re-create Girls Rock! in their own communities. Roland will serve as a liaison between local Girl Scout chapters connecting music retailers and teachers to help provide access to instruments and instruction.

--------------------

2011 Ladies Gone Wild Tour!

2011-04-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

(Additional dates may be added!)

Map of the May 29 -June 18 2011

Leg of the Tour

(Additional dates may be added!)

Map of the August 12 - 28 2011

Leg of the Tour

East Coast Tour Dates (so far)

05/29/11

Hershey Theatre
15 East Caracas Avenue
Hershey, PA 17033-1412
(717) 534-3405
hersheytheatre.com

05/31/11

Calvin Theatre and Performing Arts Center

19 King Street

Northampton, MA

Calvin Theatre tickets

06/01/11

Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts

100 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 539-8008
mayoarts.org

06/03/11

Irving Plaza
17 Irving Pl # 1
New York, NY 10003-2392
(212) 777-6800

Livenation.com

06/04/11

House of Blues
801 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401-7509
(609) 236-2583
houseofblues.com

ticketmaster.com

06/05/11

MGM GRAND AT Foxwoods

39 Norwich-Westerly Road

Preston CT 06365

(866) 646-0050

mgmatfoxwoods.com

ticketmaster.com

06/07/11

Westbury Theater

960 Brush Hollow Road
Westbury, NY 11590-1718
(516) 334-0800

livenation.com

06/09/11

Bank of America Pavilion

290 Northern Avenue # 2
Boston, MA 02210-2066
(617) 728-1600
livenation.com

06/10/11

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
1645 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 255-1900
wolftrap.org

06/11/11

Universal Orlando Resort

6000 Universal Blvd

Orlando, Florida 32819

(407)363-8000

universalorlando.com

06/14/11

Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(952) 431-9200
mnzoo.com

06 /16/11

DTE Energy Music Theatre
7774 Sashabaw Road
Clarkston, MI 48348
(248) 377-0100
theatreclarkson.com

06/17/11

Ravinia Park
418 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, IL 60035-5031
(847) 266-5100
ravinia.org

06/18/11

Fraze Pavilion
695 Lincoln Park Boulevard
Dayton, OH 45429-3411

(Kettering)
(937) 296-3300
fraze.com

ticketmaster.com

*********************

West Coast Tour Dates (so far)

08/12/11

Commodore Ballroom Vancouver

868 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K3
(604) 739-4550

livenation.com

08/13/11

Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre

50 Portland, Oregon

Oregonzoo.org

08/14/11

Woodland Park Zoo

750 N. 50th Street

Seattle, WA 98103

www.zoo.org/

08/16/11

The Fillmore

1805 Gearly Boulevard, San Francisco

livenation.com

08/17/11

The Greek Theatre

2700 North Vermont Avenue

Los Angeles, CA (323) 665-5857

greektheatre.com

08/20/11

Pechanga Resort & Casino

Temecula, CA

pechanga.com

08/23/11

Belly Up

450 S. Galena Street

Aspen, Colorado 81611

08/24/11

Ogden Theatre

935 E. Colfax Ave

Denver, CO 80218

ogdentheater.net

08/26/11

House of Blues - Dallas

2200 N. Lamar Street

Dallas, TX

(214) 978-BLUE

houseofblues/dallas

08/27/11

House of Blues - Houston

1204 Caroline Street
Houston, TX 77002
(888) 402-5837
houseofblues/houston

08/28/11

Paramount Theatre

713 N. Contress Avenue

Austin, TX 78701

(512) 472-5470

austintheatre.org/paramount

-------------------

Teen-on-the-Street Dining Requirements

2011-01-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

I wanna go to cool places with you...but pay as little as possible.

Eateries for L.A.'s punk rockers had three main requirements:

1) It had to be in an accessible location, close to the clubs and with a good atmosphere.
2) It should be open long hours (24/7 if possible), offer fast service and be staffed by employees of the I’ve see it all school.
3) And - most importantly - it must provide inexpensive, substantial food that taste good, and doesn’t make you sick.

Almost everyone preferred simple foods like tacos or hamburgers, whether from a sit-down establishment or an outdoor stand.

The favorite cheap eateries in the late 1970's included:

Danny’s ‘Oki Dogs’ on Santa Monica Blvd.
El Coyote on Beverly Blvd.
Dukes Coffee Shop at the Tropicana on Santa Monica Blvd.
Canter's Deli on Fairfax Av.
Denny's on Sunset Blvd.

------------------------------------

The Troubadour 1962 - 1976

2011-01-10T14:01:00.001-08:00

Doug Weston's Troubadour

9081 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA

The Troubadour is a musical landmark. It is truly one of the most legendary clubs in Los Angeles, if not the nation.

In 1957 Doug Weston opened a small coffee house located 364 N. La Cienega Boulevard. It was located next door to the Coronet Theater. It was originally called the Troubadour Cafe-Theatre. The small club primarily presented literary readings and small theater.

In 1961, the small 65 seat playhouse/club/coffee house outgrew it's space and relocated to

9083 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood - just east of Doheny Drive.

Initially it continued to present plays.

1961

The new Troubadour Cafe-Theatre had 350 seats and a stage larger than the Whisky A Go Go.

The Troubadour soon became a country and folk music showcase. It would occasionally present blues bands and stand-up comedians.

Doug Weston insisted that performers sign a contract that required them to play several consecutive nights. This usually resulted in a one, two or three week commitment from performers. New acts often had to commit to return to the club for another run of shows if asked.

The roster of performers who played the Troubadour between 1962 and 1976 include:

1962

The Smothers Brothers
Christy Minstrels

1963

Jimmy Rodgers
*Hoyt Axton (Greenback Dollar guy)
Josh White
The Journey Men

* Hoyt Axton had a hit with song Green Back Dollar. He would become a regular Troubadour performer over the years.

1964

Hoyt Axton (a frequent Troubadour performer)
Modern Folk Quartet
The Men
Glenn Yarborough of the Limeliters

In 1964, excellent Dana Tana's restaurant opened next door to the Troubadour (9071 Santa Monica Boulevard).

2008 photo: tlc

1965

Odetta
The Dillards
Judy Henske
Rod McKuen

1966

The Association (the 1st rock n' roll oriented band to play at the Troubadour)
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Judy Collins
Smothers Brothers
Joe and Eddie
Muddy Waters
Odetta
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
John Denver

1967

Hoyt Axton
Chad Mitchell
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Sunshine Company
Canned Heat
Paul Butterfield Blues Band

1968

Hoyt Axton
Arlo Guthrie
Judy Guthrie
Richie Havens
Glenn Yarborough
Joni Mitchell
Judy Collins
Rod McKuen
Gordon Lightfoot
Sunshine Company
Pat Paulsen
Buffy Sainte-Marie

1969

Richard Pryor
Neil Young
Rick Nelson
Dion
Bobby Darin
Joni Mitchell
Laura Nyro
Brewer and Shipley
Poco
Steve Martin
Mason Williams
James Taylor
Linda Ronstadt
Jackson Brown
Neil Diamond
Country Joe and the Fish
Tiny Tim
Flying Burrito Brothers
Dillards

1970

Randy Newman
Paul Butterfield
Dion
Van Morrison
Linda Rondstadt
John Hartford
Glen Campbell
Tiny Tim
Dillards
*Elton John
Rick Nelson
Bill Medley
John Philips
Gordon Lightfoot
John Denver
Kris Kristofferson
James Taylor
Waylon Jennings
Cat Stevens

*Elton John made his USA debut at the Troubadour in 1970. He returned here in 1979 for 10 sold out shows.

1971

Tim Harden
Don McLean
Seals and Crofts
Melanie
Cat Stevens
Carly Simon
Kris Kristofferson
Hoyt Axton
Janis Ian
Johnny Rivers
John Denver
Randy Newman
Billy Preston
John Prine
Helen Reddy
Cheech and Chong
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

1972

Rita Coolidge
Don McLean
Jackson Browne
Bobby Goldsboro
Glen Campbell
Billy Preston
Canned Heat

1973

Captain Beefheart
Hoyt Axton
Paul Butterfield
Van Morrison
Jim Croce
Bonnie Raitt
Anne Murray
Dr Hook
Elton John

1973

1973 was a tough year for the Troubadour.

The new Roxy Theater opened up at 9007 Sunset Boulevard.
The Roxy was large and plush. It offered performers a more flexible booking policy. It had strong record industry connections and support.

In 1973, the economy was in a slump. Record companies had to cut cost. They no longer put money up front for bands to play small clubs. The record industry and promoters focused on more established performers that could fill large arenas.
There was the emergence of the Rock Super Stars (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull and the Who). It was much more lucrative for promoters to staged large rock spectacles.

Doug Weston found it increasingly difficult to secure top level talent without record label support.

The Troubadour had an large overhead (50 regular employees).
Also, the Troubadour was having problems with the fire department. The club had to cutback it's seating capacity from 350 to 300.

There were disagreements with record companies over financial support of acts and advertising policies. Several times Weston closed the club for restructuring.
The days of the six night a week shows were over. There was a chance the club could operated on a short week similar to the Roxy.

1979 photo: Dean Musgrove/Herald-Examiner Collection

1974

Hoyt Axton
Rick Springfield
Harry Chapin
Leo Sayer
Etta James
Dan Hicks
Bill Withers
Kenny Rankin
Jimmy Buffett
Roger McGuinn

1975

Neil Sedaka
Miles Davis
Commander Cody
Berry Manilow
Melissa Manchester
Spanky and Our Gang
Herbie Hancock
Elton John returns for benefit concert

1976

Roger Miller

Tom Wait

Steve Miller

J.D. Souther

Country Joe McDonald

The Staple Singers

Al Jarreau

Leslie Gore

Over the years the conditions of the club deteriorated. The dressing rooms were cramped.

In the late '70's and '80's it started to showcased the more popular new wave and heavy metal bands.

Doug Weston was suffering from failing health and asked his friend and partner Eddie Karayan to take over running the venue.

Doug Weston died in 1998. Karayan continues to operated the club.

----------------------------------

Whisky a Go-Go 1970 - 1979

2011-01-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

8901 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood

Owner: Elmer Valentine
No Age Limit
Dancing
Complete Dinner

By the time 1970 rolled 'round the Whisky a Go-Go was firmly established as the most important rock 'n' roll club in town. This was the club where many great '60's bands had played including: the Doors, Buffalo Springfield, Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, the Kinks, The Who and Led Zeppelin. Aspiring young musicians from all over the world flocked to the Whisky's doors hoping some of it's magic would rub off on them. It had it's own scene going on of rock star wannabes, talent scouts, fans and groupies.

Throughout the 1960's the music industry migrated from the east coast to the west. By 1970 most of the major record labels were headquartered in and around Hollywood.

However the music had changed. Rock 'n' roll had splintered into many different genres.

In L. A. there emerged a softer country-rock sound, singer-songwriters such as the Eagles and Jackson Browne. Other genres included easy listening, folk rock, progressive rock and southern rock. The airways were inundated with mindless disco and funk music, and a more urban R & B sound. Later the decade would produce big hair and heavy metal bands.

Most noticeably both the performers and the consumers of music were older. Music was no longer the inner sanctum of rebellious teenagers. The grown-ups had taken over.

The '70's also witnessed the staging of rock concerts in large, impersonal sports arenas and stadiums. All the while, small local clubs struggled to survive. The small club scene was all but gone.

Between 1970 and 1973 there was a plethora of high quality bands that played the Whisky.

1970 (sample of shows)

Love January 1 - 4
Fleetwood Mac January 7 - 11
Chicago January 14 - 18
B.B. King January 19, 20 & 21
The Allman Bros January 21 - 25
Chamber Bros January 28
John Mayall February 25 - 28
Goden Earring March 4 - 8
Savoy Brown March 16 - 18
Iron Butterfly March 24
Gary Puckett & Union Gap March 25-29
Sha Na Na April 1 - 5
Mafred Mann April 8 - 12
Billy Preston, Flash Cadillac April 15 - 19
Argent April 22 - 26
Linda Ronstaadt April 29 - May 3
Elvin Bishop May 6 - 10

Georgie Fame May 11 - 17
BB King May 18 - 20
Buddy Miles June 17 - 21
Kinks July 3 - 5
Mott the Hoople July 6 - 7
Fleetwood Mac August 12 - 16
Little Richard August 17 - 23
John Mayall September 2 - 5
Johnny Rivers July 29 - August 1
Fleetwood Mac August 12 - 16
Little Richard August 17 - 23
Barry McGuire, Flamin Groovies August 26 - 30
Buddy Miles Sept 6 - 8
The Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros September 16 - 19
Ronnie Milsap October 1 - 4
Boz Scaggs, Bush October 6 - 11
Mungo Jerry October 19 - 20
The Beach Boys, Flame November 4 - 7
Black Sabbath November 11 - 15
Canned Heat November 25 - 29
Flying Burrito Bros, Fanny December 30 - January 3 1971

1971 (sample of shows)

Blues Image January 13 -17
Allman Bros January 31
B. B. King February 8 - 11
Fleetwood Mac February 15 - 18 (cancelled)
Wishbone Ash March 5 - 7
Fanny March 16
Sugarloaf, Fanny March 17
John Mayall March 22 - 23
Elvin Bishop, Tower of Power March 24 - 28
Sha Na Na, Fanny March 29 - 30
J. Giels Blues Band March 31 - April 4
Black Oak Arkansas April 6
Uriah Heep April 7 - 11
Beach Boys, Flash April 12 - 13
Ted Nugent April 21
Fanny April 26 - 27
Humble Pie, Jo Jo Gunne May 4 - 8

A house fire closed the Whisky for about 6 weeks in May and June 1971.

Yes June 28
Rita Coolidge June 30 - July 4
Black Oak Arkansas July 14 - 17
War, Jimmy Witherspoon July 28 - 31
Elvin Bishop August 4 - 8
Quicksilver Messenger Service August 12 - 15
Buddy Miles August 16
Wishbone Ash August 25 - 28
Little Richard September 6 - 7
Black Oak Arkansas September 21 - 25
Buddy Miles September 26 - 27
Allman Bros October 2
Black Sabbath October 5
Edgar Winter October 6 - 10
Eric Burdon October 11
Rory Galllagher, Little Feat October 13 - 17
Yes, Ten Years After, May Wells November 3
Yes, Ten Years After November 4 - 7
Eric Burdon & Jimmy Witherspoon November 15
Fanny December 23 - January 2

1972 (sample of shows)

Arthur Lee January 6 - 7
Buddy Miles January 8
LaBelle, Allan Parker January 20 - 23
BB King January 24 - 25
Freddie King January 26 - 29
Uriah Heep February 2 - 6
Jo Jo Gunne February 10 - 13
Badfinger February 21 - 23
Spirit February 28
ZZ top, Home March 22 - 26
Nazareth April 5 - 8
White Trash April 10 - 11
Tower of Power, Atlanta Rhythm Section April 26 - 30
Little Feat May 3 - 7
Climax Blues Band May 10 - 13
Herbie Hancock May 21 - 23
Ronnie Milsap May 24 - 28
Fanny June 1 - 4
Flash Cadillac June 7 - 11
Michael Murphy June 21- 26
Earthquake July 5 - 8
John Mayall July 10
Arthur Lee July 16 - 18
Little Feat July 19 - 22
Looking Glass July 24 - 25
Flash Cadillac July 26 - 30
Flo and Eddie August 7
Redwing August 8 - 12
Buddy Miles August 13
Stevie Wonder, Little Feat August 31 - September 4
Freddie King, Silverhead September 6 - 10
Captain Beyond September 18 - 20

January 1973 the plush 500 seat Roxy opens up the street.

Rory Gallagher October 4 - 8
Lighthouse October 18 - 22
Dr. John October 25 - 28
Tower of Power November 8 - 12
Little Richard November 13 - 14
Manfred Mann November 29 - December 3
Steely Dan December 6 - 7
Buddy Miles, Steely Dan December 8 - 10
Johnny Nash December 13 - 17
Roxy Music December 19
Fanny, Elf (w/Ronnie James Dio) December 27 - 31

1973 - 1975 Economic Woes

In 1973- 1975 the United States was in a deep recession. Indeed - there was economic stagnation all over the western world. From 1973 to the end of 1974 the stock market lost 45% of its value (one of the worse stock market downturns in modern history). Adding to the malaise was: high inflation, high levels of unemployment, oil embargoes, soaring gas and energy prices and long lines at the pumps. There was continued unease from: Watergate, Vietnam, Middle East wars, white flight, city blight, high crime, bad clothes and bad music.

With economic tough times all-round audiences became more selective about which concerts they went out to see.

1973 - 1975 Whisky Woes

Until now - record companies had been (indirectly) subsidizing the Whisky's operating cost. Record companies (headquartered in New York) would often promote a band by sending them out to the west coast to play clubs like the Whisky. They would pay the band's air fare, expenses, hotels and advertising. Music industry executive would often fill the venue with their west coast friends and associates giving the band publicity and exposure. Indeed, Valentine paid performers very little and his club was successful.

However, this arrangement changed in the mid '70's when the financially strapped music industry frantically set out to cut cost. They no longer sent fledgling acts on the road to hone their chops in small clubs. It was more profitable for them to concentrate on already established acts. They staged concerts at large capacity venues such as the 18,000 seat Forum in Inglewood or the 55,000 seat Anaheim Stadium. Rock's super stars included Elton John, the Who, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones could easily sell out these arenas and guaranty lots of profits.

The Whisky and other small clubs struggled to survive. Less known bands were not attracting enough of an audience to make the club economically viable. Consequently, the once vibrant L. A. club scene was all but dead.

In September 1973 Elmer Valentine decided to joined forces with record executive Lou Adler, Elliot Roberts and Chuck Landis to open the Roxy theater down the street at 9009 W. Sunset Boulevard. Compared to the Whisky, the Roxy was large (500 seats), plush and state of the art. Here, the record industry would showcase their artist in a more comfortable venue. All shiny and new, it soon became the most prestigious club in Hollywood. The Whisky lost much of its luster after the Roxy opened.

1973 (sample of shows)

Bobby Womack January 24 - 28
Sparks January 29 - 30
Fanny Feb ?
Joe Walsh February 7 - 11
Flo & Eddie, Little Feat February 14 - 19
Weather Report February 21 - 24
Buddy Miles March 12 - 13
Silverhead March 14 - 18
Tower of Power March 2 - 4
Focus April 2 - 4
Steely Dan April 30 - May 1
Rory Gallagher May 9 - 13
Chamber Bros, Jimmy Rogers May 16 - 21
Muddy Waters May 23 - 27
Climax Blues Band May 30 - June 3
Iggy and the Stooges, Rufus June 20 - 24
Foghat June 25
Bachman Turner Overdrive July 11 - 15
Weather Report July 18 - 24
Robin Trower July 22 - 24
Charlie Daniels August 8 - 12
Bonnie Bramlet August 13 - 14
New York Dolls August 29 - September 3
Iggy and the Stooges September 15 - 17
Steely Dan September 27
Iggy and the Stooges October 17 - 21
Bachman Turner Overdrive October 24 - 28
Robin Trower October 29 - 31
Buddy Miles November 12 - 13
Average White Band, Climax Blues Band November 21 - 25
Aerosmith December 3, 4
Graham Central Station December 12 - 16
Average White Band December 19 - 23
Fanny, the Hollywood Stars December 26 - 31

1974 (sample of shows)

Joe Hicks January 9 - 13
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Graham Central Station January 23 - 27
Johnny Rivers February 11
Bobby Womack February 14 - 16
Silverhead February 20 - 24
Marty Balin February 27 - March 3
Sam the Sham March 6 - 10
Malo March 13 - 16
Delaney Bramlett March 20 - 24
Captain Beefheart April 3, 4
Kool and the Gang April 16 - 21
Suzi Quatro, Rufus April 29 - May 1
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band May 8 - 12
Lighthouse May 15 - 19
Sunbird, Silverstar May 27 - 28
Sutherland Bros, Quiver May 29 - June 2
Rick Springfield June 5 - 9
Ray Manzarek June 17 - 18
Rufus June 26 - 30
Rory Gallagher, Electric Flag August 5
Ian Lloyd & Stories August 24, 25
Dick Dale and his Deltones September 4 - 8
Isis September 11 - 15
Atlanta Rhythm Section October 2 - 6
Delaney Bramlett October 14 - 20
Patti Smith November 11, 12
Rush, Rory Gallagher November 27
Bloodstone December 13 - 15
Blue Cheer December 22 - 25
Stray Dog December 25 - 31

By January 1975 the Whisky teetered on closing down. Attendance has been poor. It presented few high quality attractions.

Teenagers, unhappy with what was being offered them at the Whisky, migrated instead to more high energy clubs like the Starwood on Santa Monica Boulevard or the under-21 dance club called the Sugar Shack in North Hollywood.

1975 (sample of shows)

El Chicano January 2 - 5
Tommy Bolin January 6, 7
Etta James January 9 - 12
Bobby Bland January 15 - 19
Charles Wright, Carl Carlton January 22 - 26
John Mayall January 27, 28
Tons of Joy January 30
Sly Johnson February 7 - 9
Clouds of Joy February 11
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel February 17, 18
Mandrill February 19
Thee Image March 5

In March of 1975 the Whisky closed down for remodeling. Valentine decided to quit staging live rock 'n' roll entertainment. When it reopened in May 1975 it presented low cost stage revues and cabarets.

El Grande Coca Cola May 28- August 1975
Cycle Sluts September - November 1975
Let My People Come November 26, 1975 - March 28 1976
The Amazing Adventures of the Doo Dah Gang July 15
I Heard That August 17 1976

November 1976

In 1976, there was a resurgence of a music scene in the Los Angeles.

Valentine noticed the emerging punk-rock scene in Los Angeles similar to that going on in New York, Boston and London. He was encouraged by the large number of local bands full of energy and swagger. This teen-on-the-street music was more invigorating than the smooth, over polished music being dished out on commercial radio. Valentine set out to make the Whisky the headquarters for this new music scene.

In November 1976, the Whisky reverted back to its original policy as a live entertainment rock 'n' roll club.

Local music producer/promoter Kim Fowley brought in bands he managed such as the Runaways, Venus and the Razorblades and the Quick. He and friend Rodney Bingenheimer presented youth oriented new wave type bands.

ELO November 8
Van Halen December 22

1977 - 1979 the Whisky was the punk venue-of-choice.

1977 (sample of shows)

The Quick, the Runaways January 1

Van Halen and Orange, Berlin Brats January 27 - 29
Blondie, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers February 9 - 12
The Ramones, Blondie February 16 - 20

The Tubes March 11 - April 8
Van Halen, Lee Michaels April 9 - 10
Television April 13 - 16
Blondie April 20 - 23
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers April 26, 27
The Babys April 28 - May 1
Steve Gibbons Band May 12
Van Halen, The Mumps May 26 - 29
Kim Fowley Presents New Wave w/ Rodney Bingenheimer MC'd: Zeros, Weirdos, the Screamers, Backstage Pass June 20 - 22
Mink Deville, Pop! July 7 - 10
Stephen Stills, Little Feat benefit concert July 13
Pat Travers, Michael Fennelly July 23, 24
The Dictators, the Nuns July 25
Weirdos, Zeros July 31
Widowmaker August 4
Ramones August 10
Tom Petty, Rubinoos August 12, 13
Dogs August 15
The Runaways without Cherie Curie, the Weirdos August 26, 27
AC/DC, Dogs August 30, 31
Dogs, Weasels September 7
Rex September 8
Weirdos, Germs, Bags September 18 4 - 7 pm
Weirdos, the Germs September 25 4 - 7 pm
Blondie September 29 - October 2
John Cougar, Jam October 7
The Jam October 8
Devo, the Weirdos October 13 - 15
Don Harrison October 19
Ramones October 28
Crime, Dils, Waxx November 6
Budgie November 12, 13
Elvis Costello, Backstage Pass November 19
Ramones December 2, 3 (cancelled)
Dickies, Nuns, Wildcats December 3
Motors, Michael Fennelly December 4 - 6
Eddie and the Hot Rods December 8 - 11
Talking Heads December 15 - 17
Dickies, Nuns, Wildcats December 23
Runaways December 26 - 29
Van Halen December 30 - 31

1978 (sample of shows)

Zippers, Nick Gilder January 4
Screamers, Rubber City Rebels January 5 - 7
Dogs, Weasels January 12 - 14
Dils, Avengers January 17 - 18
The Fast, Zeros, 20/20, Zippers, Nerves January 19 - 21
Wildcats January 31
Dickies, Wildcats February 2 - 4
Mechanics, Plugz February 7 - 8
The Quick February 9 - 11
Avengers, Controllers February 14, 15
Screamers, Deadbeat, F-Word February 16 - 19
Weasels, Cntrollers March 1 - 4
Black Randy & Metro Squad, Arthur J & Gold Cups, Controllers March 5 - 6
The Quick, Mumps March 9 - 11
Deadbeats, Eyes, Fear March 12 - 13
Zippers, Alley Cats, Furys March 19 - 21
Dickies, VOM March 22 - 23
Dickies, Eyes March 24 - 25
Mumps, The Know March 26, 27
Weirdos, The Bags, The Last March 29 - April 1
Pop!, Dogs, Breakaways April 11, 12
Screamers, Zeros April 13 - 15
The Zippers April 18
Dils, Alley Cats, X, Negative Trend May 1, 2
Avengers, Zeros, Arthur J & Gold Cups May 5
Avengers, Arthur J & Gold Cups, X May 6
Needles & Pins, Bates Motel May 8
Shock, Bags, Controllers May 9, 10
Boyfriends, The Last Hollywood Squares, 20/20 May 11 - 13
Cherie Currie, Mistress May 18 - 20
Lobotomy Magazine Night: the Germs, Bags, Middle Class May 23
The Pop, Alley Cats May 24 - 25
Black Randy, Mexican Randy the Go-Go's, Deadbeats, Plugz Fear May 26 - 28
Dickies, X May 29
The Runaways June 4
The Cramps, The Consumers June 6, 7
Weirdos, The Dils June 8
The Know June 15
David Johansen, Gary Valentine, the Know June 16, 17
Controllers, Plugz June 19
Alley Cats, Flesh Eaters, The Consumers June 21, 22
Nuns, Negative Trend, Sleepers, The Offs June 22 - 24
The Zippers June 27 - 28
Weirdos, Suicide Commandos, Controllers UXA June 30 - July 1, 2
Avengers, X July 7 - 8
The Pop, Deadbeats July 12 - 13
Lobotomy Magazine Weekend: Middle Class, Germs July 14 - 15
Scramers, Middle Class July 20 - 22
David Johansen, Pop! July 29
Alley Cats, Avengers August 4, 5
Dogs, Pop! August 10
The Bags, Dickies August 11
Dickies, Middle Class August 12
Rockabilly Rebels, The Furys August 25
The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo August 31 - September 9

Screamers September 7 - 9
The Heartbreakers, Pop! September 22 - 23
Dickies 1 year anniversary party w/ Go-Go's October 4
Bates Motel, The Zippers October 18 - 19
Dr. Demento and Roto the Wonder Band October 31
Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo November 3 & 4
The Weirdos, The Furys November 9 - 11
Weirdos November 11
Rockabilly Rebels December 22 - 23
The Runaways December 26
Ramones December 27
The Babys December 31

1979 (sample of shows)

Black Randy & the Metro Squad, the Go-Go's March 14
Ultravox March 15 - 17
999, Mick Smiley April 6, 7
Dickies, Gary Valentine April 13, 14
Roches June 13, 14
999, Rachel Sweet July 6, 7
Damned, Flyboys July 8
Code Blue, Phil Seyour July 17
The Damned July 8
The Pop! September 6-8
Quiet Riot September 21 - 22
The Beat October 28
Weirdos, Plugz, Gears November 11
Ian Gomm November 23, 24
Sham 69, Dead Kennedys December 7, 8
Michael Des Barres, The Eyes December 11
Weirdos, Silencers, Middle Class December 20

---------------------------