Riot on the Sunset Strip

 I'm now working from home most days as my core peers are in San Francisco.  Doesn't make a lot of sense to go into the office and just sit on Zoom calls.  

It seems I've visited the Sunset Strip more often than in the last few years.   X at the Roxy, Los Lobos at the Whisky (with the Chris D and the Divine Horsemen opening for both).   Tonight going to see a friends band at the Viper Room. (where River Phoenix dropped dead on the Sidewalk).

The area became a mecca for nightclubs long ago as it was small region that wasn't incorporated into the City of Los Angeles.  It's now in its own City of West Hollywood.   When easy drives to Las Vegas lured clientele away, the clubs began to book rock acts for the younger folk who needed places to see bands play.  It became a mecca for counter culture.  

In 1966, the local business owners complained they were losing business due to the congestion.  As result, a 10PM curfew was put in place for all minors. This became the catalyst for the riots as youth refused to obey the curfew and the LAPD along with the LA County Sheriff responded the only way they knew how. 

Soon American International Pictures responded as they only knew how - an exploitation movie

So - in honor of that stretch of Sunset through West Hollywood, here's the soundtrack.  

Music Composed for the Original Soundtrack Riot on the Sunset Strip  (Tower 1967) 

Highlights are The Standells and The Chocolate Watchband.  Both bands appear performing in the film. Coincidently, both bands are on Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records and named after their iconic cylindrical building near Hollywood and Vine.