Post by TheWallsScreamedPoetry on May 12, 2005 10:55:15 GMT
My Love Affair With Los Angeles by Sue Jeffries from Walsall.
Sue recalls her 1997 trip in search of The Lizard King…….
The drive from downtown LA along Venice Boulevard does not prepare you for the sight at the end of the road…..VENICE BEACH.
Where it all began so many years ago with a chance reunion with an idealistic young poet and an enthusiastic keyboard player. Once the car is parked there is only one thing to do...take off your shoes and let the soft warm Venice sand ooze between your toes, walk down to the waters edge and dip the tootsies in the cold Pacific water.
Venice Beach. Then start dancing all the way down the road known as Ocean front Walk and free your mind of all known things.
Nothing prepares you for the next few hours...fire eaters, chainsaw jugglers, mime artists, dancers, puppeteers, musicians, roller skaters, skateboarders, bikers all mingle together with people out just for a good time (me). And everything is so right. The sun, the smiles, the laughter, the ambience...and Jim is everywhere. Everywhere on Venice Beach. On tee-shirts, posters, jackets, radios, walls, market stalls, shops and on peoples lips when they see an English Hippie with Jim's face all over her body.
People came up to me and asked about my tee-shirt and talked about Jim. They love him in Venice even though most of the kids were not even born when he was alive but they all love him. Venice Beach is the area between the ocean and the shops between Ocean Front Walk with a grassy area separating the two where you need to have eyes in the back of your head to avoid being killed by skaters, bikers and skateboarders.
The shops and stalls sell all sorts of stuff from dog hats to fake feeling fingers (you had to be there) from designer sunglasses to theatrical masks from tee-shirts to jewellery. But the best thing about Venice is the people, and the sand and the ocean and the sun and the memories. SUNSET BOULEVARD is never quite what you expect it to be. I didn't know really what to expect but I do know it's not what I got. I love Sunset Boulevard. Just the name conjures up a warm prickly feeling of anticipation and all the glamour of L.A., Hollywood and California is encompassed in those two words. Running for approximately 27 miles through Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and ending at Topanga Beach in Santa Monica (not as glamorous as it sounds) but the best bit is just before Beverly Hills where all The Doors hangouts are situated.
Driving along in the car (sorry 'cruising') I was looking out for all our landmarks when suddenly it was there…..The Whisky-A-Go-Go. You can't really miss it as it's bright PURPLE. It stands there in all its tacky glory towering majestically over the Strip defying any criticism. I loved it. The car was parked nearby (Sunday-no fees) and I walked ever so quietly over and touched the hallowed walls. It was easy to do as no one else was walking on the street and as the door was open I stepped inside and closed my eyes…imagining.
I spent five hours on Sunset just soaking up the atmosphere, picturing Jim strolling down this lovely place and visiting the clubs…Rainbow, Roxy and
Gazzari's which appear much the same as they must have looked in the 60s. also on Sunset is the old London Fog where the group played early on in their career. It is still a club with live music every night but now called The Central. As I walked along further I could feel the hairs on my neck prickle as a pale green building appeared before my eyes…The Chateau Marmont Hotel. I don't know why but this place more than any other has always been the ONE, the place I associate with Jim the one I wanted to see above all others. Perhaps its because he nearly died there, I can't explain it but suddenly 23 years and 6000 miles later here it was before me….begging me to come inside. So I did. It's beautiful, it's rich. It's sumptuous. And I knew why Jim had chosen to live here for his last few months in L.A. I passed a pleasant few minutes talking to a guy in a white outfit who worked there then felt the need to leave. The place was getting to me so I walked back to the Strip and allowed sunshine to dispel my gloom.
Further down Sunset Boulevard lies the Hyatt Hotel where Jim hung from the balcony until the cops were called but this one did not affect me as much as the lovely Chateau. Perhaps it's because the Hyatt is a typical chain hotel (quite posh) whereas the Chateau is like a romantic fairy castle rising above the Strip and dominating the area. Also it stands back from the road at the end of a winding flower-filled lane, whereas the Hyatt jumps out at you right on the sidewalk. I didn't want to leave Sunset Boulevard I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I was walking down this famous street but eventually I left but not before a sumptuous meal in one of its celebrated restraints though that was mainly to see the Strip lit up at night whereupon it takes on a totally different atmosphere. But I will always only see one thing on Sunset…the ghost of Jim Morrison.
SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD holds different Doors memories albeit just as poignant as Sunset. 1005 La Cienega Boulevard is better known to us fans as Alta Cienega Motel, which Jim used as a base for his time in L.A. It's a very unassuming place and took me ages to find but I can see why Jim chose to stay here as the rooms are quite sheltered from the road and prying eyes.
Just across the street is 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard…The Doors old office building. And what a funny looking building it is. I must say I was quite surprised how small it is just standing on its own next to a big space. It is now the Bienvenuto Café and very nice too. I couldn't resist it though so a pot of tea sitting outside the impressive wood panelled façade was a definite yes-yes and then I had to go inside just to have a nose around on pretence that I could not find the loo (restroom). It is immaculately decorated both inside and out and really it looks totally out of place. I don't know why but it was nice cup of tea anyway. I didn't feel as much nostalgia here as I did at the Chateau or Whisky but there was still some goose bumps rising off my suntanned arms as I looked up at the side stairs and pictured the boys posing outrageously for the camera. The magic number 8512 looms large at the front partly hidden by some flowers. A nice cosy place. What a way to earn a living. Further down Santa Monica is The Plams…Jim's regular watering hole….another door nothing else besides.
Further down still is the Troubadour another of Jim's falling down places.
It's a good job these bars were within walking distance of Alta Cienega. I enjoyed my half day strolling along Santa Monica Boulevard which is more pleasing to the eye than Sunset and less busy traffic wise. It couldn't be less busy people-wise because nobody NOBODY walks along these streets. All the trade for the few shops and many bars comes from passing cars and local offices. All the more space for sightseeing Brits. A totally different experience was lined up for the next day. Armed with a two dollar street map of L.A. an absolute must. I went off in search of Rothdell Trail and this love nest that Jim and Pam shared for a short time. It was easy to find….along Sunset Boulevard up Laurel Canyon Boulevard (which is only a narrow road) and suddenly THERE on the right loomed this large wooden construction which wouldn't have looked out of place in Psycho….8021 Rothdell Trail.
Sue recalls her 1997 trip in search of The Lizard King…….
The drive from downtown LA along Venice Boulevard does not prepare you for the sight at the end of the road…..VENICE BEACH.
Where it all began so many years ago with a chance reunion with an idealistic young poet and an enthusiastic keyboard player. Once the car is parked there is only one thing to do...take off your shoes and let the soft warm Venice sand ooze between your toes, walk down to the waters edge and dip the tootsies in the cold Pacific water.
Venice Beach. Then start dancing all the way down the road known as Ocean front Walk and free your mind of all known things.
Nothing prepares you for the next few hours...fire eaters, chainsaw jugglers, mime artists, dancers, puppeteers, musicians, roller skaters, skateboarders, bikers all mingle together with people out just for a good time (me). And everything is so right. The sun, the smiles, the laughter, the ambience...and Jim is everywhere. Everywhere on Venice Beach. On tee-shirts, posters, jackets, radios, walls, market stalls, shops and on peoples lips when they see an English Hippie with Jim's face all over her body.
People came up to me and asked about my tee-shirt and talked about Jim. They love him in Venice even though most of the kids were not even born when he was alive but they all love him. Venice Beach is the area between the ocean and the shops between Ocean Front Walk with a grassy area separating the two where you need to have eyes in the back of your head to avoid being killed by skaters, bikers and skateboarders.
The shops and stalls sell all sorts of stuff from dog hats to fake feeling fingers (you had to be there) from designer sunglasses to theatrical masks from tee-shirts to jewellery. But the best thing about Venice is the people, and the sand and the ocean and the sun and the memories. SUNSET BOULEVARD is never quite what you expect it to be. I didn't know really what to expect but I do know it's not what I got. I love Sunset Boulevard. Just the name conjures up a warm prickly feeling of anticipation and all the glamour of L.A., Hollywood and California is encompassed in those two words. Running for approximately 27 miles through Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and ending at Topanga Beach in Santa Monica (not as glamorous as it sounds) but the best bit is just before Beverly Hills where all The Doors hangouts are situated.
Driving along in the car (sorry 'cruising') I was looking out for all our landmarks when suddenly it was there…..The Whisky-A-Go-Go. You can't really miss it as it's bright PURPLE. It stands there in all its tacky glory towering majestically over the Strip defying any criticism. I loved it. The car was parked nearby (Sunday-no fees) and I walked ever so quietly over and touched the hallowed walls. It was easy to do as no one else was walking on the street and as the door was open I stepped inside and closed my eyes…imagining.
I spent five hours on Sunset just soaking up the atmosphere, picturing Jim strolling down this lovely place and visiting the clubs…Rainbow, Roxy and
Gazzari's which appear much the same as they must have looked in the 60s. also on Sunset is the old London Fog where the group played early on in their career. It is still a club with live music every night but now called The Central. As I walked along further I could feel the hairs on my neck prickle as a pale green building appeared before my eyes…The Chateau Marmont Hotel. I don't know why but this place more than any other has always been the ONE, the place I associate with Jim the one I wanted to see above all others. Perhaps its because he nearly died there, I can't explain it but suddenly 23 years and 6000 miles later here it was before me….begging me to come inside. So I did. It's beautiful, it's rich. It's sumptuous. And I knew why Jim had chosen to live here for his last few months in L.A. I passed a pleasant few minutes talking to a guy in a white outfit who worked there then felt the need to leave. The place was getting to me so I walked back to the Strip and allowed sunshine to dispel my gloom.
Further down Sunset Boulevard lies the Hyatt Hotel where Jim hung from the balcony until the cops were called but this one did not affect me as much as the lovely Chateau. Perhaps it's because the Hyatt is a typical chain hotel (quite posh) whereas the Chateau is like a romantic fairy castle rising above the Strip and dominating the area. Also it stands back from the road at the end of a winding flower-filled lane, whereas the Hyatt jumps out at you right on the sidewalk. I didn't want to leave Sunset Boulevard I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I was walking down this famous street but eventually I left but not before a sumptuous meal in one of its celebrated restraints though that was mainly to see the Strip lit up at night whereupon it takes on a totally different atmosphere. But I will always only see one thing on Sunset…the ghost of Jim Morrison.
SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD holds different Doors memories albeit just as poignant as Sunset. 1005 La Cienega Boulevard is better known to us fans as Alta Cienega Motel, which Jim used as a base for his time in L.A. It's a very unassuming place and took me ages to find but I can see why Jim chose to stay here as the rooms are quite sheltered from the road and prying eyes.
Just across the street is 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard…The Doors old office building. And what a funny looking building it is. I must say I was quite surprised how small it is just standing on its own next to a big space. It is now the Bienvenuto Café and very nice too. I couldn't resist it though so a pot of tea sitting outside the impressive wood panelled façade was a definite yes-yes and then I had to go inside just to have a nose around on pretence that I could not find the loo (restroom). It is immaculately decorated both inside and out and really it looks totally out of place. I don't know why but it was nice cup of tea anyway. I didn't feel as much nostalgia here as I did at the Chateau or Whisky but there was still some goose bumps rising off my suntanned arms as I looked up at the side stairs and pictured the boys posing outrageously for the camera. The magic number 8512 looms large at the front partly hidden by some flowers. A nice cosy place. What a way to earn a living. Further down Santa Monica is The Plams…Jim's regular watering hole….another door nothing else besides.
Further down still is the Troubadour another of Jim's falling down places.
It's a good job these bars were within walking distance of Alta Cienega. I enjoyed my half day strolling along Santa Monica Boulevard which is more pleasing to the eye than Sunset and less busy traffic wise. It couldn't be less busy people-wise because nobody NOBODY walks along these streets. All the trade for the few shops and many bars comes from passing cars and local offices. All the more space for sightseeing Brits. A totally different experience was lined up for the next day. Armed with a two dollar street map of L.A. an absolute must. I went off in search of Rothdell Trail and this love nest that Jim and Pam shared for a short time. It was easy to find….along Sunset Boulevard up Laurel Canyon Boulevard (which is only a narrow road) and suddenly THERE on the right loomed this large wooden construction which wouldn't have looked out of place in Psycho….8021 Rothdell Trail.
