Whisky a Go-Go founder Elmer Valentine dead at 85
By David Mirsky
The Doors were original “house band” at Elmer’s Whisky
HOLLYWOOD(RushPRnews/Hollywood Today) 12/12/07 — Los Angeles Rock and Roll legend, Elmer Valentine – whose Whisky a Go-go club helped break bands from The Doors to Ramones to Nirvana passed away December 3rd at the age of 85 from heart failure. Valentine had been ill for the past few years, living in retirement in Studio City.
Coming from a colorful past as a Chicago policeman, Valentine moved west to Los Angeles and decided to open PJ’s, a nightclub along with some partners. After a couple of years, Valentine sold his interest in PJ’s.
Valentine was responsible for creating the birth of Rock and Roll on the Sunset Strip by opening the Whisky a Go-Go (the club’s own spelling) on Sunset and Clark Street in the 1960’s, where acts such as the Doors and Love got their starts. The Mamas and the Papas, the Kinks, Dylan, Hendrix…just about anyone who was anyone would stop by to hear the local bands or to perform, there was always something going on at the Whisky. It was also the birthplace of “go go dancers†in Los Angeles, which became a staple of the Whisky. Soon, clubs every where had caged, mini-skirt clad beauties dancing for the crowds for hours at a time.
Along with other partners, Valentine was also involved with other clubs such as The Rainbow and The Roxy, also on Sunset Blvd, where they continue to cater to the music industry and to fans alike.
Valentine is survived by his daughter Kim, and grandson, Cameron.