Elmer Valentine
June 16, 1923 – December 3, 2008
Elmer Valentine played a critical role in the growth of popular music in the Los Angeles area by co-founding the legendary Sunset Strip clubs, the Whiskey a Go Go and the Roxy. Born and raised in Chicago where he worked on the police force, Valentine transplanted to the L.A. area in 1960. In 1964, Valentine and three partners opened the Whiskey which would help define the west coast rock scene of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Acts like the Doors, the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield played some of their earliest gigs there during the ’60s, while the likes of Great White, Motley Crue and Guns ‘n Roses did the same during the ’80s. And of course, there were countless others between and since. In 1966, he and investers that included Lou Adler, opened the Roxy (and later, the infamous Rainbow Bar & Grill next door). Like the Whiskey, the Roxy hosted its own share of legendary early shows. That list includes Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Warren Zevon, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Frank Zappa. The Roxy’s small upstairs bar, On The Rox was also the site of some of rock music’s most notorious incidents. In the mid ’70s, it played host to John Lennon’s infamous “lost weekend” gatherings with Keith Moon, Harry Nilsson, and Alice Cooper. And in March of 1982, it was reportedly the last place John Belushi over-indulged before calling it a night and dying of an overdose in his hotel room. Elmer Valentine sold his share of the Whiskey during the ’90s, but held on to his share of the Roxy and Rainbow until he passed away at the age of 80.
I shall always remember Elmer as a very shy and gallant gentleman — in spite of his rough Chicago background and self deprecating humor! In the ’60’s I was always at his club 5 nights a week along with the other Sunset Strip regulars. After Mario persuaded me to audition for one of two go-go dancer positions for a new Whisky-A-Go-Go to open near San Francisco with The Byrds, and after 100 girls had competed — I was chosen as one of the two! But as I was on probation for having been a runaway at 16, I had to have permission from the court of the L.A. County in order to leave town. Elmer then told me that since he was an ex-cop, he could help me. I didn’t believe him! Well, I ended going back to my last facility and spent the night, went to court the next day, and Elmer got my probation dismissed!
Alas, all of The Byrds, the other dancer and I were all under 21 years of age, so we never ended up opening the new club. But this is one episode in my life that I will never forget and he is one colorful character I will always remember fondly.
If there is a memorial planned, I would like someone to get in touch with me at: shibumi54@yahoo.com