The Andaz West Hollywood may look like any other boutique hotel on the Sunset Strip, but if those walls could talk they would share some of history’s rowdiest rock ’n’ roll stories. Actually, the walls do talk in a manner… much of the hotel is decorated with photos and memorabilia like the shot of Robert Plant on the balcony. It was on that balcony that Plant is said to have shouted, “I am a golden God!” while overlooking the Sunset Strip (inspiring the scene from “Almost Famous”).
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Who drummer Keith Moon trashed rooms and tossed televisions from windows. A 1976 interview with Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy took place in Room 1012. The hotel lobby was a home base for countless rock groupies, who would hang around in hopes of hooking up with a star.
Little Richard lived at the hotel off and on during the 1980s and 1990s. And a poolside interview in the 1984 film “This Is Spinal Tap” was filmed on the rooftop. The films “Almost Famous,” “Rockstar” and “Crank” all feature the hotel.
Jim Morrison, a guest at the Riot House from 1970 into 1971, was moved to the back side of the hotel after dangling from the 10th floor window over Sunset Boulevard — causing a scene similar to the one in Oliver Stone’s biopic of the band. He was eventually evicted.
John Bonham rode his Harley Davidson inside of the hotel, racing down the hallways between suites. It’s been said that Page and Plant hosted massive orgies on their floors, sometimes booking up to six floors at a time. (With a $50,000 damage deposit, of course.)
Lemmy Kilmister wrote the song “Motorhead” at the Riot House, before forming his band of the same name.
Wouldn’t you love to spend a couple of days there and see Motley Crüe’s last show??? Sign up by Sunday night!
-Spencer