A notorious nightclub and live rock venue on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood. The Starwood was active in the mid-to-late 1970s and was a key venue bridging the glam, hard rock, and early punk scenes in L.A. It was known for wild nights and for the criminal exploits of its owner, Eddie Nash, as much as for the music.
The Starwood was legendary as an incubator for hard rock and metal on the Sunset Strip and one of the only mainstream clubs to also book punk. Van Halen rose to prominence with regular gigs at The Starwood in 1976–77. Motley Crüe played their first live show at the Starwood in April 1981, just before it closed. Punk bands like X, the Germs, the Runaways, The Go-Go's also played there thanks to booker David Forest's adventurous booking in 1978–79. August 1977 – Elvis Costello's first U.S. showcase. 1978 – The Germs infamously get banned after setting off a riot. Late '70s – Quiet Riot (with Randy Rhoads) is a house band. 1980 – Metallica's members (pre-Metallica) hang out at Starwood shows that inspire them. Earned reputation for decadent, lawless parties – fitting given owner's underworld ties. Essentially the end of the classic Whisky era and the start of the '80s metal explosion, all in one venue.
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We're collecting stories from musicians who performed at The Starwood