I just remember the media basically putting it like this: _"Phoenix died from heroin overdose inside the club bathroom then ran/stumbled outside to collapse on the sidewalk._ Depp packed up and fled to France into it all blew over.
I was in recovery in the 90's in L.A . and someone at my sober living home put me on the list to go past the velvet rope at the Viper Room a few times. The partying people were doing didn't phase me at all. I went on Monday's for 80's night bands and wet shower ladies on stage! I also met Scott Ian from Anthrax and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top was there one night and the D.J. played Tush. Those were some fun times! I'm sober today, too!
In the late nineties I bought a membership for Monday nights. It got you free entry and two free drinks. You never knew who was going to perform and it had a cool vibe of anything could happen. I saw Ryan Adams, Steven Stills, Johnny Cash and a lot more. It was a great time and a very cool nightclub.
@@leonabrawne200 I don’t remember. But I do remember it have having a hootenanny type vibe. Musicians in the crowd would regularly go up on stage and play. Another legendary nightclub not too far away was Largo on Fairfax. Or The Mint on Pico Boulevard.
As a native who grew up in the Hollywood hills and played The Central many times back in the day, this is the FIRST TH-cam video when talking about the history of that property that actually got it right. I don't know why other vlog channels are so lazy about doing the proper research. This one was spot on. Now they didn't mention some of the most notrious hotels and night clubs but that's not what this video was about. This video is 100 percent accurate.
@@noelio67 You can look them up. Sunset Strip {West Hollywood) had some crazy hot spots back in the day. That whole side of town ...from what i heard was run by the mob and the history goes way way back.
I used to live two blocks away from the Viper Room and went inside one night. Its just a small hole in wall dive bar but every time I walked by it I would think this sidewalk is where River Phoenix's life ended and two blocks to the east is where Sal Mineo's life ended.
When they filmed My Own Private Idaho in Portland River would get his heroin from a local dealer named Scottie. Apparently Keanu was with him when a friend of mine met them but I don't think Keanu did any.
@@danschulte113 I lived in so Cal all my life grew up in a small rural town of Redlands in the middle of an orange grove and moved to L.A. after collage to work in gov't, came out of the closet and got a side gig that became a full-time career working for art and antique dealer in Beverly Hills who had many rich and famous clients. I'm retired now but its surreal when I reflect back. One of my clients was a blonde B movie actress with a studio contract who they studios used to escort gay actors like Rock Hudson to public events. She told me on the morning of the day James Dean died in a car accident he drove by the studio and asked her if she wanted to drive up north with him in his Porsche but she had another commitment and the rest is history..
@@danschulte113 I agree and believe the inside stories she told me while she was working for Universal Studios 100% because even though there's no shortage of fake people in Hollywood dropping names and making up BS stories to impress people Lori wasn't one of them. You talk to her for 5 minutes and you know she's the real thing just sharing her experiences not trying to impress anyone. I haven't talked her in many years but this conversation made me Google her name Lori Nelson, unfortunately she died in August, 2020. Another documentary thats an absolutely amazing story is Scotty the secrets of Hollywood. I can relate to it because I came to Hollywood from a small town and somehow doors opened for me into a world of wealth and opulence I still have a hard time wrapping my head around. Despite the situations I found myself in I always remained grounded and never compromised my principles or moral integrity. In the short run that may have seemed like a mistake but in the long run it certainly paid off on many levels.
Viper Room was a bar with alcohol served and folks consuming substances. Unfortunately, things can happen at bars where there are booze and drugs. It was historical in a lot of ways in that 90's LA scene with rockers hanging out there and playing music sometimes.
I played at the Viper Room many times back in the 90s. When I lived in LA, I met a lot of movie stars there. It was one of the two clubs on the Sunset Strip that had Jazz bands playing. The other club was the House of Blues.
We have the House of Blues in New Orleans. I saw Breaking Benjamin there and some other punk rock band 2 decades ago. I don't remember who was playing but I remember crowd surfing 😅
There are weirder clubs in Los Angeles that are opened after hours when all the clubs and bars close for the evening. Places where you can buy cocaine and ecstasy from from the bartenders as well as alcohol that famous people would go to after hours. I remember going to a place underneath the 10 freeway that was a nondescript large abandoned white building but you look in the parking lot there are Testarossa, Ferraris, Maseratis, Porsches, and Rolls Royce. It had a few open rooms and you can see people, people from the entertainment business like producers and script writers passing a glass pipe around smoking crack cocaine. These are places that people go to after the Viper Room closes for the night.
A buddy of mine ran an after hours spot on Alvarado St near Sunset Blvd…. Called The Alvarado House. He also ran one in China Town. It’s exactly like you said. Always a non descript looking building, but as soon as you walk through the front door and security checkpoint, it opens up into a legit club with a full bar and several djs and rooms. People openly doing drugs. The party usually ends around 7-8 in the morning.
@@meinmann River Phoenix a popular star and rising huge star at the time (he was filming interview with a vampire at the time opposite Tom Cruise but because of his overdose Brad Pitt got the part) but his life and acting career ended in front of the viper room. Before your time I guess.
“Forever River” A peaceful river flows from the start Twenty-three days And twenty-three nights apart The clear water calm Turning into rushing rapids Tearing you up before you get out But like a phoenix from the ashes He will rise A beautiful spirit Haunting striking eyes A room full of vipers A venom so strong Taken away In the hollow morning songs This river treasure Like a shooting star Lights up the night sky And just for a moment Shines brighter than all the other stars Seemingly gone forever But never forgotten. R.I.P. River Phoenix
So beautiful, i love this poem about River. i love him so much, he will always be missed. Thank you for sharing this, i just ordered your poetry book so I can keep the poem always. rip River 🖤🤍🖤
The late 80's and 90's when a bar was actually a Bar night club. Those days are gone. Never to be seen again. Thank God I was able to grow up on the best of years for drinking!
Excellent information here, and very well done by the individual who put this together! Love to hear historical stories and wonderful photos shown as well.
Pretty much cherrypicked..the Viper was and is not really celeb packed most of the time and definitely not with socialite camera hogs like Kim Kardashian. Audiences varied with the genre of the band playing on a particular night.
I was and am still huge River Phoenix fan. I have was in all his fan clubs as a kid and into my teens. I loved him and had planned as a child to marry him one day lol But after my graduation from high school I was driving and heard the news he passed away and was so upset I pulled over and cried for an hour. I have never been a super fan for anyone else since. There was something special about River. He was an amazing, unique human being who had been through a lot during his short life. I still feel as much love for him as I did when he was alive. I know Johnny was devastated when this happened. I think it began the beginning of the end of him wanting to keep the Viper Room. Johnny and River are alot alike in many ways. I would say if there is a celebrity I love as much as River it would be Johnny Depp.
I was working as a flight attendant in first class from Miami to San Jose Costa Rica with River Phoenix as my passenger very shortly before his tragic death. He had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal and when I delivered it to him he started grilling me about the ingredients and preservatives stating that he just couldn’t put any poison into his body. Weeks later he lay dead on the sidewalk from putting poison in his body. Go figure.
@@ThatWeirdPlaceInYT That's not at all what happened. You don't drink coke and/or heroin. Where in the world did you get this garbage?? Rivers drug addiction was WELL documented.
As a musician I’ve heard of tons of bands that go to perform a label showcase at this venue. It’s what makes or breaks them as a band. There’s a lot of silly shit that happens here, like an underground alternative economy. Drugs, trafficking, things like that. It makes me not want to be involved in the music industry at all. The further I’ve gone, the more I hate it.
Haven't thought about the Viper Room in awhile. It was super hyped in my mind and I remember being slightly underwhelmed even though it was a cool little spot.
It's really sad how many indulge too much in the drug world where it destroys their life. My daughter's best friend ODed on heroin after going through rehab. People just want to feel good and escape their traumas but often backfires on them
I’ve been there. The reality doesn’t match the hype . The cover was outrageous and once in you are met with one of the smallest clubs I’ve ever seen. The stage is about the size of a king size bed , drinks are expensive and the place is overcrowded. For some reason Ed Begley Jr. was on stage when I was there. I did however dance with one of the girls from the show “Head of the Class”, so I have that going for me.
It seems to be people who have only heard of rock, but not in it nor were there that write about rock history and they generally blow things out of proportion or get things wrong.
I once smoked a joint with two guys from Paris on the spot where River died. They knew that he died at the Viper Room, but they didn’t know the whole story, so I told them what I knew at the time. The Viper Room was slow that night, so we went to the Rainbow, which was packed. It was a pretty crazy night because one could hardly speak English and the other couldn’t really speak it at all. I couldn’t speak French, but luckily, I could speak Spanish and so could the guy who couldn’t speak any English. We were speaking three different languages and everywhere we went, people thought we were weird. Nope, just stoned! Lol
Myself and D. Rodman and our Newport Beach group of friends hung out there a number of times it was a shitshow but it was the vibe then...Thinking back it was so juvenile and narcissistic. Glad that chapter in my life is permanently closed. Stay healthy surf and skate if you can. But it's the little things that count. 🙏🏿🙌🏿🌊😊
I've been to the viper room and Rainbow club on Sunset and was offered drugs both times. Boy was that a blurry night! I felt like a drugged out rock star!
In Edinburgh it’s called the stand comedy club. The stuff that goes down when the doors close. It happens everywhere and I’m speaking from experience. It’s a sick world.
I’ve played here many many times, upstairs and downstairs. Great history, but most night mostly hype…still cool and in a central Hollywood location close to the whisky and the rainbow bar and grill. ROCK
I'm not sure about the official story, I'd like for people to watch the film Stretch, which has some scenes that denote the mentality of the L.A. elite. There is a great deal going on behind the scenes with these people, and I am not sure that River died in the way put forward. Corey Feldman, has been very vocal about the things that go on in Hollywood, could our lost brother have been so disgusted with the behaviour of this circle of friends that he was a target of being silenced by them? I'd ask you to look into the mindset of some of those around him, to find out why the Chilli Peppers, Henry Rollins and the Dixie Chicks were so involved in a murder case involving two young adults accurately convicted of sacrificial murder(true story). In the aforementioned film, you will see the level of craziness that these weirdos get up to, the potential of child sex rings and the 'in-crowd' practice of total hedonistic induction of their respective brains... Qanon is bullshit, but even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day. Take care of each other and feed the sparrows, you'll thank me later.
Yes 💯 why don't more people get this they are obsessed over these so called stars. They have no clue what really goes on. Also I agree about River the story told was a lie we know who was involved in that.
@@HaleyTylertoo There's that too he has a very shady past actually it goes beyond that. I don't want to say it here but anyone can really deep dive him and find out.
I think that was what I mentioned, forgot there was three. That was a satanic ritual? Personally I'm not surprised about it. This is my own experience with the 1990's mainstream counter culture, it's betrayal and superficial will for change. The first Lollapalooza tour was associated with the 'Rock the Vote' campaign, which to itself in hindsight was very dodgy because of the message. Everybody was motivated to vote, yet they didn't need to mention which candidate, so they didn't. I have a story about Bill Clinton who was attending the W.E.F. in Davos, my girlfriend who was a hostess there told me that he stepped on her foot and proceeded to grind his heel in a circular fashion into it. So the sexual deviant accusations about this man are probably totally correct. Btw, she was NOT at all politically minded, had no reason to lie....she was just a party animal. Clinton also, once elected cut social programs across the board and built more prisons and started the ball rolling to privatise them, creating the mess that's here today. Perry Ferrell's intention may have been good, but I was shocked to hear him talk recently about meeting Bill and being so happy with the opportunity...🤮
The movie with River phoenix and Ethan Hawke called “Explorers “ is a great movie from the 80s.If you haven’t seen it you should watch it,if you have kids watch it with them it’s a great movie for everyone.
Holy shit 😱😂 I don’t believe in coincidences so I don’t know what this is 🤣 just watched the video , I didn’t know about this until now, then I go back to Netflix, I’m watching The Lincoln Lawyer, and I hit resume. I’m at ep.5 and the scene is the guy telling his driver that Trevor doesn’t want a jury consultant… so he’s not hiring one. The next thing … he enters the Viper Room 😱😱😱
I had the opportunity to go to LA and made it my priority to go to Sunset Strip really because the Doors debuted at Whiskey A Go Go and I went into the bar then I walked past the Viper.
My dad was a young adult living in LA in the 60’s and used to go to the Whiskey and see the Doors play as their house band. How’s that for being born in the right era??
First off, this is way before Amber heard so I didn’t even know why you’re talking about her. But since you brought that up, she was just a kid at that time and that was a pure accident That can happen to anyone at any time! But… JD has been linked to missing people and murdered people like RIVER since the 90s… He’s always made horrible decisions and had people clean up after him. And all you naïve people thinking he’s so sweet, well all I can tell you is that he’s got you fooled big time!! He is not innocent and never has been… He’s had the most shadiest past of any actor I’ve ever known and like I said this is way before Amber heard ever came along.
Amber Heard was in no way responsible for her friends death in an auto accident. She was 16 yrs old at the time and was no where near the accident when it occurred. That is a viscious lie Depp tried to use against her. But there is strong circumstantial evidence linking Depp to the disappearance of his business partner, Anthony Fox, who accused the Depp of fraud and hiding millions of dollars from him through “shady accounting.” In 2001, Fox was meant to testify in court in front of Depp but went missing before the court date on December 19, 2001. Also Johnny Depp made the drink John Fruciente gave to River Phoenix that killed him. Depp couldn't stand River. He was jealous that River was about to do a movie with Wynona Ryder. .
Looks like you forgot another infamous fight that happened there in 1996, during an industry showcase for a band. No one went to jail this time, but a sitar did get broken. And it's on video.
Depp told River u wont play with Flea tonite & Depp KNEW this would send River over the egde especiqlly after being sober for the entire movie he just finished . Depp finished him off & walked about side toSEE RIVER ON THE FLOOR, went in & WENT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR!!
What I don't understand is how River was able to say he wanted his privacy when he was dying. Whatever he took made him sick but he didn't just fall out. I've done drugs decades ago and never in my life have I seen someone OD, speak and then pass out. I think he was poisoned or something.
In CA bar's and clubs close at 2 am. To get passed that closer time many lock the doors but stay open for regular's. Then we have the after hour clubs that are quite popular.
Phoenix actually died inside the club, in the restroom. He was moved by the guards and removed him to outside - Depp by himself instructed. I know that I met the private detective who investigated aftermath trying to find clues if the story would get found.
I gather MIchael played there in 97, then flew back to Australia for rehearsals and passed away just few days later. He was telling INXS guys what a great night he had had there on stage, I think with the ZZ Top guy.
Ahh yes..The Central. When I worked for Mario at the Roxy. Dirty Don Daly, the lighting guy at the Whisky, and I would use that as our after hours hang out. We had some great times there.
@dirtbag daryal Nope. Flea was playing in the band that night. River was promised a guest spot on guitar. He was totally psyched to play with his buddy on stage but at the the last few minutes before going on he was told it’s not gonna happen. He was feeling rejected and low and embarrassed. He was clean before this but John offered him the drink (it was heroin and coke in liquid form) and he thought “f### it”. It was the last decision he ever made.
Weho now is unfortunately super gentrified. At least the historic venues still are in Weho, but the energy isn' t dead..but is sleeping pretty sound..unfortunately.
How was RDJ involved in this?I know John Frusciante gave River that deadly drug cocktail but I never read anything about RDJ being involved in this tragedy,do you have more info about this and if yes than would you share it with us please!!!I'm very interested in this case and everything related to River's passing(God rest his soul!!!🙏).
@@georgefreemon2935 I knew River. I’m in the industry. You should probably consider you don’t know strangers on the internet or what they do. I hope you get off the internet. There is a way to express opinions without being a mean person
Viper room is legendary and seemed awesome. Seemed quite a lot like what i would do if i was in Johnny’s position. But It wasn’t really all that salacious in his time compared to pretty much any bar anywhere. Go to any college town club or any popular dive in any city. Shit happens. People go to bars partly to be out there and have fun and shake things up. People do drugs at pretty much every bar. If you work at bars, you definitely know this. Probably had to clean a stream of blood of the bathroom stalls at some point. Guess what that’s from? Lol. Good doc tho. But the tinge of dark implied towards johnny is a little off. He is exactly who he showed us he is. A good guy who likes to have fun in ways like drugs and girls. That’s not even unusual. He’s just extremely successful.
Id like some evidence KISS played there. I only ever heard Paul Stanley went for a while to dance, but thought all the booze and drugs were a turn-off.
I LIVED BACK UP THE STREET AT FAIFAX AND SUNSET BLVD-THAT YEAR-WAS DOING CLOSE TO THE SAME DRUGS-PRAISE JESUS IM STILL ALIVE AT 60-ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS-I AM GLAD JESUS CARES-I DIDNT CARE THEN! DO NOW! I STILL WORSHIP JESUS-STILL HERE
One of the other blog tours shows the “River Phoenix” bathroom as a tiny cubicle that’s red with stickers all over - when I was there in 2009 it was a larger black painted bathroom that fit a few people (?)
In the 90s when I was on the prowl, I used to go to some 'members only' clubs: dancing, bands, sex, smoking, drugs, etc. Back then the law was: if you charged membership fees your establishment didn't have to obey public establishment laws. Therefore you could be open until daybreak serving alcohol.. I went to some sex clubs where you basically pick up some 'strange' at the club and then go to a private room for a few minutes, there were 3-somes, orgies as well - basically, however people wanted to hook up. Indoor smoking was outlawed in the 1990s at public bars but not at places where you were 'members'. The cops couldn't touch these places because they weren't open to the public and the places were always fenced with undercover security outside. Dance clubs were my favorite, it was like Halloween at dance clubs or raves... crazy. I don't know what the laws are these days about members clubs?
Hollyweird is a dark place… this allegation reminds me of theme In se3 of Britannia… it’s the kind of thing Jennifer Hudson was alleged to have done… Hollywood vampires is such a weird name for a band, dontcha think ?
The internet is so heavily censored now. All the videos about what really happened to River Phoenix have been removed. Anything incriminating about Depp has been removed. What has recently happened to the internet is the equivalent of the destruction of the Library of Alexandria by the Roman Catholic Church. Digital book burning on an unprecedented scale. Sad.
@@georgefreemon2935 I know it’s difficult to properly research this when a lot of information has been censored yet you must understand the man who gave River the drink fed him 8 times the fatal dose of heroin and 6 times the fatal dose of liquid cocaine. John Frusciante simply said “drink this you’ll feel better”. He didn’t know he was being poisoned to death. Edit: Oh it’s you again lol, I noticed you deleted your original post. Did you forget you had? Lol
I played the Viper room 1990s Band was called SMASH PALACE.. I painted my face up like a puppet in a meimer but I was a toy figure If anybody remember that.. I was dressed with a black suit and tie My face was painted up 1 circle 1² Coolest thing I ever did I was fortunate to play there I was singing.. I was called the .. new age man...
Joaquin is a great actor from a kid so HE's not living off of River (misses him terribly and was the one making the 911 call) so that statement is wrong!
The Rock 'n' Roll pro's knew the "Viper Room" reference, regardless of music genre'. Had the joint remained solvent, Electro-Swwwing would have brought the name full-circle.
What did you think of the Viper Room?
Always felt great to leave that creep tank:)
I don't care what anybody says, it's a shithole.
It was all hype and drugs.Depp s personal playground
it was from there to the Hollywood Diner.
A circus in terms of personal problems
I just remember the media basically putting it like this: _"Phoenix died from heroin overdose inside the club bathroom then ran/stumbled outside to collapse on the sidewalk._ Depp packed up and fled to France into it all blew over.
I was in recovery in the 90's in L.A . and someone at my sober living home put me on the list to go past the velvet rope at the Viper Room a few times. The partying people were doing didn't phase me at all. I went on Monday's for 80's night bands and wet shower ladies on stage! I also met Scott Ian from Anthrax and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top was there one night and the D.J. played Tush. Those were some fun times! I'm sober today, too!
I had the most fun at the clubs, sober! Then I actually did things, like dance and get to know people. I’m still in recovery ❤️🩹 today.
Congratulations on your sobriety!👏🧃🫖☕️
Congratulations Robert . God bless
@@lorenacabrejos7203 Thank you Lorena! I hope you are having a great weekend! Life is good!
@@JabberJawz. Thank you!
In the late nineties I bought a membership for Monday nights. It got you free entry and two free drinks. You never knew who was going to perform and it had a cool vibe of anything could happen. I saw Ryan Adams, Steven Stills, Johnny Cash and a lot more. It was a great time and a very cool nightclub.
how much did the membership cost?
@@leonabrawne200 I don’t remember. But I do remember it have having a hootenanny type vibe. Musicians in the crowd would regularly go up on stage and play. Another legendary nightclub not too far away was Largo on Fairfax. Or The Mint on Pico Boulevard.
Oh really...a literal drug den...yea very cool..👎
That's so cool! Thanks for sharing!
As a native who grew up in the Hollywood hills and played The Central many times back in the day, this is the FIRST TH-cam video when talking about the history of that property that actually got it right. I don't know why other vlog channels are so lazy about doing the proper research. This one was spot on. Now they didn't mention some of the most notrious hotels and night clubs but that's not what this video was about. This video is 100 percent accurate.
Which hotels and nightclubs......and arr they still open?
@@noelio67 You can look them up. Sunset Strip {West Hollywood) had some crazy hot spots back in the day. That whole side of town ...from what i heard was run by the mob and the history goes way way back.
@@supergrogg Cheers 🍻
Full of dogs bro so before you got there you got all the dogs then once you get in, full of dogs bro so it was easy to get the dogs.
Them Hollywood folks are gender Pretenders FTM and MTF
Continue resting eternally and peacefully, River. So talented. 🙏🕊️❤️
So talented? You mean so stupid.
Why do you assume hes peaceful and resting eternally? Did you know him?
@@reneesantiago6496 let her assume whatever she wants. That’s called freedom of speech. But it’s your right to have it as well
@@reneesantiago6496 it's called kindness. Learn some.
Really?
I used to live two blocks away from the Viper Room and went inside one night. Its just a small hole in wall dive bar but every time I walked by it I would think this sidewalk is where River Phoenix's life ended and two blocks to the east is where Sal Mineo's life ended.
When they filmed My Own Private Idaho in Portland River would get his heroin from a local dealer named Scottie. Apparently Keanu was with him when a friend of mine met them but I don't think Keanu did any.
@@danschulte113 I lived in so Cal all my life grew up in a small rural town of Redlands in the middle of an orange grove and moved to L.A. after collage to work in gov't, came out of the closet and got a side gig that became a full-time career working for art and antique dealer in Beverly Hills who had many rich and famous clients. I'm retired now but its surreal when I reflect back. One of my clients was a blonde B movie actress with a studio contract who they studios used to escort gay actors like Rock Hudson to public events. She told me on the morning of the day James Dean died in a car accident he drove by the studio and asked her if she wanted to drive up north with him in his Porsche but she had another commitment and the rest is history..
@@whiteorchid5412 WOW cool story.
@@danschulte113 I agree and believe the inside stories she told me while she was working for Universal Studios 100% because even though there's no shortage of fake people in Hollywood dropping names and making up BS stories to impress people Lori wasn't one of them. You talk to her for 5 minutes and you know she's the real thing just sharing her experiences not trying to impress anyone. I haven't talked her in many years but this conversation made me Google her name Lori Nelson, unfortunately she died in August, 2020.
Another documentary thats an absolutely amazing story is Scotty the secrets of Hollywood. I can relate to it because I came to Hollywood from a small town and somehow doors opened for me into a world of wealth and opulence I still have a hard time wrapping my head around. Despite the situations I found myself in I always remained grounded and never compromised my principles or moral integrity. In the short run that may have seemed like a mistake but in the long run it certainly paid off on many levels.
So sad
Viper Room was a bar with alcohol served and folks consuming substances. Unfortunately, things can happen at bars where there are booze and drugs. It was historical in a lot of ways in that 90's LA scene with rockers hanging out there and playing music sometimes.
By definition, bars typically have alcohol and I hate to break it to you, but most of them have substance usage as well.
So it was like every single bar? Thanks for clarifying
Didn't you just give the definition of any bar?
It was a circus of people dig in to early graves.
Full of dogs bro so before you got there you got all the dogs then once you get in, full of dogs bro so it was easy to get the dogs.
I played at the Viper Room many times back in the 90s. When I lived in LA, I met a lot of movie stars there. It was one of the two clubs on the Sunset Strip that had Jazz bands playing. The other club was the House of Blues.
We have the House of Blues in New Orleans. I saw Breaking Benjamin there and some other punk rock band 2 decades ago. I don't remember who was playing but I remember crowd surfing 😅
There are weirder clubs in Los Angeles that are opened after hours when all the clubs and bars close for the evening. Places where you can buy cocaine and ecstasy from from the bartenders as well as alcohol that famous people would go to after hours. I remember going to a place underneath the 10 freeway that was a nondescript large abandoned white building but you look in the parking lot there are Testarossa, Ferraris, Maseratis, Porsches, and Rolls Royce. It had a few open rooms and you can see people, people from the entertainment business like producers and script writers passing a glass pipe around smoking crack cocaine. These are places that people go to after the Viper Room closes for the night.
A buddy of mine ran an after hours spot on Alvarado St near Sunset Blvd…. Called The Alvarado House. He also ran one in China Town. It’s exactly like you said. Always a non descript looking building, but as soon as you walk through the front door and security checkpoint, it opens up into a legit club with a full bar and several djs and rooms. People openly doing drugs. The party usually ends around 7-8 in the morning.
A Testarossa is a Ferrari.
Sounds believable.
@@suphx which is normal
On top of drugs are there also sex happening orgy etc? Or only drugs nothing else?
R.I.P. River Phoenix
Lol who?
@@meinmann Whothef!%K are you?
@@meinmann River Phoenix a popular star and rising huge star at the time (he was filming interview with a vampire at the time opposite Tom Cruise but because of his overdose Brad Pitt got the part) but his life and acting career ended in front of the viper room. Before your time I guess.
First a victim of Children of God cult, then of someone's friendly gesture.
Oh, Tommy! @ the end is a sweetheart 💕.
“Forever River”
A peaceful river flows from the start
Twenty-three days
And twenty-three nights apart
The clear water calm
Turning into rushing rapids
Tearing you up before you get out
But like a phoenix from the ashes
He will rise
A beautiful spirit
Haunting striking eyes
A room full of vipers
A venom so strong
Taken away
In the hollow morning songs
This river treasure
Like a shooting star
Lights up the night sky
And just for a moment
Shines brighter than all the other stars
Seemingly gone forever
But never forgotten.
R.I.P. River Phoenix
Beautiful
Beautiful!!
@@MsSda2572 ✌️💕
@@crackerjacks4625 ✌️💕
So beautiful, i love this poem about River. i love him so much, he will always be missed. Thank you for sharing this, i just ordered your poetry book so I can keep the poem always.
rip River 🖤🤍🖤
The late 80's and 90's when a bar was actually a Bar night club. Those days are gone. Never to be seen again. Thank God I was able to grow up on the best of years for drinking!
Excellent information here, and very well done by the individual who put this together!
Love to hear historical stories and wonderful photos shown as well.
Pretty much cherrypicked..the Viper was and is not really celeb packed most of the time and definitely not with socialite camera hogs like Kim Kardashian. Audiences varied with the genre of the band playing on a particular night.
I was and am still huge River Phoenix fan. I have was in all his fan clubs as a kid and into my teens. I loved him and had planned as a child to marry him one day lol But after my graduation from high school I was driving and heard the news he passed away and was so upset I pulled over and cried for an hour. I have never been a super fan for anyone else since. There was something special about River. He was an amazing, unique human being who had been through a lot during his short life. I still feel as much love for him as I did when he was alive. I know Johnny was devastated when this happened. I think it began the beginning of the end of him wanting to keep the Viper Room. Johnny and River are alot alike in many ways. I would say if there is a celebrity I love as much as River it would be Johnny Depp.
No one is.
@@thisgame2 No one is what? A River Phoenix fan?
@@elizabethstafford5773 no johnny depp definitely had something to do with rivers death
@@suzysmith4254 _The Turd's fan._
Depp is a very evil man....he is responsible for Rivers murder he failed to call 911
I was working as a flight attendant in first class from Miami to San Jose Costa Rica with River Phoenix as my passenger very shortly before his tragic death. He had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal and when I delivered it to him he started grilling me about the ingredients and preservatives stating that he just couldn’t put any poison into his body. Weeks later he lay dead on the sidewalk from putting poison in his body. Go figure.
Sounds, like his so called friends set him up .
Everything dog has its day.
@@ThatWeirdPlaceInYT You we're they're??
@@ThatWeirdPlaceInYT River was a well known drug user.
@@ThatWeirdPlaceInYT That's not at all what happened. You don't drink coke and/or heroin. Where in the world did you get this garbage??
Rivers drug addiction was WELL documented.
As a musician I’ve heard of tons of bands that go to perform a label showcase at this venue. It’s what makes or breaks them as a band. There’s a lot of silly shit that happens here, like an underground alternative economy. Drugs, trafficking, things like that. It makes me not want to be involved in the music industry at all. The further I’ve gone, the more I hate it.
Pedophiles
Full of dogs bro so before you got there you got all the dogs then once you get in, full of dogs bro so it was easy to get the dogs.
No more alcohol or drugs than any bar or venue.
Facts 😊
AMEN!
Met River, his mom, and sister in 88’. I was bummed when he passed.
Awesome documentation and narration!
Haven't thought about the Viper Room in awhile. It was super hyped in my mind and I remember being slightly underwhelmed even though it was a cool little spot.
Was it good
@@lexkanyima2195 yup yup
Depp, ruthless .....playing poor male victim.....after hear him talk so dirty ....how can u believe he is a nice guy....
@@francoiselemeur7325 random, wtf?
@@francoiselemeur7325 Go drink another Mega Pint, Amber.
That place should be exhumed-so much criminal activity&that's putting it mildly.:)
It's really sad how many indulge too much in the drug world where it destroys their life. My daughter's best friend ODed on heroin after going through rehab. People just want to feel good and escape their traumas but often backfires on them
I'm sorry about your daughter's friend. May she rest in peace and may you and her family and friends be healed and comforted.
I loved the viper room, great venue when i played there with my band
Liar lol
Liar
I’ve been there. The reality doesn’t match the hype . The cover was outrageous and once in you are met with one of the smallest clubs I’ve ever seen. The stage is about the size of a king size bed , drinks are expensive and the place is overcrowded. For some reason Ed Begley Jr. was on stage when I was there. I did however dance with one of the girls from the show “Head of the Class”, so I have that going for me.
Most of the fun after closing hours
@@latentsea that makes sense.
Yeah I was shocked when I saw the inside of that place. It is TINY.
Sounds like LA, in a nutshell. 😂
It seems to be people who have only heard of rock, but not in it nor were there that write about rock history and they generally blow things out of proportion or get things wrong.
I think the Viper Room was a circus arena where rockstar and other celebrities came to dig their holes faster. What a sight to see from the galleries!
Few celebs actually go there. 99 percent of the time its struggling musicians, or local bands, along with tributes.
I was in L.A. when River Phoenix died. I can't believe I didn't know it was a club John Depp owned. Sad!
Johnny didn’t own it when River died
Yes he did!
@@barbaracampbell9907HE DID!
Thanks for sharing 👍😀
I once smoked a joint with two guys from Paris on the spot where River died. They knew that he died at the Viper Room, but they didn’t know the whole story, so I told them what I knew at the time. The Viper Room was slow that night, so we went to the Rainbow, which was packed. It was a pretty crazy night because one could hardly speak English and the other couldn’t really speak it at all. I couldn’t speak French, but luckily, I could speak Spanish and so could the guy who couldn’t speak any English. We were speaking three different languages and everywhere we went, people thought we were weird. Nope, just stoned! Lol
Myself and D. Rodman and our Newport Beach group of friends hung out there a number of times it was a shitshow but it was the vibe then...Thinking back it was so juvenile and narcissistic. Glad that chapter in my life is permanently closed. Stay healthy surf and skate if you can. But it's the little things that count. 🙏🏿🙌🏿🌊😊
U lost cool. At Newport Beach
He's not lying though lol d Rodman was at my coke plugs birthday party lol
Played there twice in early 2000's great venue, and a great sound man, Frankie O
I've been to the viper room and Rainbow club on Sunset and was offered drugs both times. Boy was that a blurry night! I felt like a drugged out rock star!
In Edinburgh it’s called the stand comedy club. The stuff that goes down when the doors close. It happens everywhere and I’m speaking from experience. It’s a sick world.
Poor River. he lost his life way way too young. may you rest in peace.
River of tears.
He wasn't a true viper I guess.
I lived one block downhill from The Viper Room. It was a scene in the 90's.
Yup!
Flea from RHCP actually rode in the ambulance with River ODW to the hospital
I’ve played here many many times, upstairs and downstairs. Great history, but most night mostly hype…still cool and in a central Hollywood location close to the whisky and the rainbow bar and grill. ROCK
I'm not sure about the official story, I'd like for people to watch the film Stretch, which has some scenes that denote the mentality of the L.A. elite. There is a great deal going on behind the scenes with these people, and I am not sure that River died in the way put forward. Corey Feldman, has been very vocal about the things that go on in Hollywood, could our lost brother have been so disgusted with the behaviour of this circle of friends that he was a target of being silenced by them? I'd ask you to look into the mindset of some of those around him, to find out why the Chilli Peppers, Henry Rollins and the Dixie Chicks were so involved in a murder case involving two young adults accurately convicted of sacrificial murder(true story). In the aforementioned film, you will see the level of craziness that these weirdos get up to, the potential of child sex rings and the 'in-crowd' practice of total hedonistic induction of their respective brains... Qanon is bullshit, but even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day.
Take care of each other and feed the sparrows, you'll thank me later.
Yes 💯 why don't more people get this they are obsessed over these so called stars. They have no clue what really goes on. Also I agree about River the story told was a lie we know who was involved in that.
No wonder it is a circus
Depp was also involved with getting the Memphis 3 out of prison
@@HaleyTylertoo There's that too he has a very shady past actually it goes beyond that. I don't want to say it here but anyone can really deep dive him and find out.
I think that was what I mentioned, forgot there was three. That was a satanic ritual?
Personally I'm not surprised about it. This is my own experience with the 1990's mainstream counter culture, it's betrayal and superficial will for change. The first Lollapalooza tour was associated with the 'Rock the Vote' campaign, which to itself in hindsight was very dodgy because of the message. Everybody was motivated to vote, yet they didn't need to mention which candidate, so they didn't. I have a story about Bill Clinton who was attending the W.E.F. in Davos, my girlfriend who was a hostess there told me that he stepped on her foot and proceeded to grind his heel in a circular fashion into it. So the sexual deviant accusations about this man are probably totally correct. Btw, she was NOT at all politically minded, had no reason to lie....she was just a party animal. Clinton also, once elected cut social programs across the board and built more prisons and started the ball rolling to privatise them, creating the mess that's here today. Perry Ferrell's intention may have been good, but I was shocked to hear him talk recently about meeting Bill and being so happy with the opportunity...🤮
The movie with River phoenix and Ethan Hawke called “Explorers “ is a great movie from the 80s.If you haven’t seen it you should watch it,if you have kids watch it with them it’s a great movie for everyone.
WIll check it out. Thanks! Stand by me left a lasting impression.
These Hollywood actors live such a despicable life!
Thank you! So damn true!
U bet...
Holy shit 😱😂 I don’t believe in coincidences so I don’t know what this is 🤣 just watched the video , I didn’t know about this until now, then I go back to Netflix, I’m watching The Lincoln Lawyer, and I hit resume. I’m at ep.5 and the scene is the guy telling his driver that Trevor doesn’t want a jury consultant… so he’s not hiring one. The next thing … he enters the Viper Room 😱😱😱
I never knew the connection of its name to New Orleans jazz...cool!
I had the opportunity to go to LA and made it my priority to go to Sunset Strip really because the Doors debuted at Whiskey A Go Go and I went into the bar then I walked past the Viper.
The Viper room was called the London fog back in the day and it was the first venue the doors ever played.
@@interstellar618 oh I remember that now thank you!
My dad was a young adult living in LA in the 60’s and used to go to the Whiskey and see the Doors play as their house band. How’s that for being born in the right era??
The Doors...OMG!🥰
Went to see Helmet there in 2013. Cool, small & dark club.
Anthony Fox? JOHNNY?RIP RIVER.
I didnt know that about Fox, the co-owner, that he went missing. And AH was the cause of death of her friend in a car accident a long time ago.
First off, this is way before Amber heard so I didn’t even know why you’re talking about her. But since you brought that up, she was just a kid at that time and that was a pure accident That can happen to anyone at any time! But… JD has been linked to missing people and murdered people like RIVER since the 90s… He’s always made horrible decisions and had people clean up after him. And all you naïve people thinking he’s so sweet, well all I can tell you is that he’s got you fooled big time!! He is not innocent and never has been… He’s had the most shadiest past of any actor I’ve ever known and like I said this is way before Amber heard ever came along.
Made for each other 👫
Amber Heard was in no way responsible for her friends death in an auto accident. She was 16 yrs old at the time and was no where near the accident when it occurred. That is a viscious lie Depp tried to use against her. But there is strong circumstantial evidence linking Depp to the disappearance of his business partner, Anthony Fox, who accused the Depp
of fraud and hiding millions of dollars from him through “shady accounting.” In 2001, Fox was meant to testify in court in front of Depp but went missing before the court date on December 19, 2001.
Also Johnny Depp made the drink John Fruciente gave to River Phoenix that killed him. Depp couldn't stand River. He was jealous that River was about to do a movie with Wynona Ryder.
.
I never knew that the Viper Room was the Cotton Club at one time.
Different cotton club. The famous one is in New York
My band NepCali played at the viper 3 times. I love that place but gotta tell ya that place got weird energy. scary for some reason.
Yeah it seems like that even from pictures. It seems dark af (not literally). Something I'd like to experience once in a lifetime tho
Do people there still talk about River in the club?
Agreed
I didn't realise it was Halloween, the night they sacrificed young River, very sad and evil going on.
Couldnt have picked any better night…
Looks like you forgot another infamous fight that happened there in 1996, during an industry showcase for a band. No one went to jail this time, but a sitar did get broken. And it's on video.
I wish there was someplace like this now. I love the avant garde that this aesthetic conveyed.
The Viper Room is still open..smh.
@@IMeMineWho Not the same
@@georgefreemon2935 That much is true.
Nice, but not close, the worst thing in the Viper Room is 11$ for a Bud Light
Its on my bucket list to go to LA and take a picture in front of the viper room. Super invested in it
Depp told River u wont play with Flea tonite & Depp KNEW this would send River over the egde especiqlly after being sober for the entire movie he just finished . Depp finished him off & walked about side toSEE RIVER ON THE FLOOR, went in & WENT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR!!
What I don't understand is how River was able to say he wanted his privacy when he was dying. Whatever he took made him sick but he didn't just fall out. I've done drugs decades ago and never in my life have I seen someone OD, speak and then pass out. I think he was poisoned or something.
I'm a native Angelino, Viper Room has always been kind of dirtbag-ish.
In CA bar's and clubs close at 2 am. To get passed that closer time many lock the doors but stay open for regular's. Then we have the after hour clubs that are quite popular.
Lol Little Richard and The Duke waited for photography to be banned before they'd go party.
Phoenix actually died inside the club, in the restroom. He was moved by the guards and removed him to outside - Depp by himself instructed. I know that I met the private detective who investigated aftermath trying to find clues if the story would get found.
Those people seems all fucked up
Correct
no thats not true he died officially at the hospital but he was dyin on the ground Johnny tried to help him
you have lost your ever loving mind…
@@aprilgosa5779
You guys have all lost your ever loving mind…
1:04 Micheal Hutchence on the right from INXS?
I gather MIchael played there in 97, then flew back to Australia for rehearsals and passed away just few days later. He was telling INXS guys what a great night he had had there on stage, I think with the ZZ Top guy.
Wow, good call!! 💙
Yeah saw that. Another tragic loss. What a band! Michael loved to party. RIP
70's were pretty cool too with Van Halen selling out every night!! I know they were mostly a staple at Gazzaris , but still the Strip!!
2:17 HA! Playyyyed! (Although perhaps unintentionally) Dude literally thought Tommy Lee was going for the fist bump.
Same year another infamous scuffle took place there. No one went to jail, but a sitar got broken.
Ahh yes..The Central.
When I worked for Mario at the Roxy. Dirty Don Daly, the lighting guy at the Whisky, and I would use that as our after hours hang out. We had some great times there.
Kind of strange he gave his share of the club to the daughter of the guy that went missing and never found
And how Depp took River’s place in the industry 🤔
@@veganbombshell Depp was already a larger Star than river by that point… You people are so chronically online
@@georgefreemon2935 Um, you do realize you are online too, yes? Chronically replying to everyone? Hypocrisy I believe is the word. Now behave.
@@georgefreemon2935 oh also plz stop stalking my every reply to OTHER people it is beyond creepy.
@@veganbombshell Ironic considering you try and carry this crazy conspiracy everywhere as if it’s truth, be quiet dog.
Miss you forriver !!! Legendary xo
Do you guys know who gave River the drug cocktail that killed him? John Frusciante.
@dirtbag daryal Nope. Flea was playing in the band that night. River was promised a guest spot on guitar. He was totally psyched to play with his buddy on stage but at the the last few minutes before going on he was told it’s not gonna happen. He was feeling rejected and low and embarrassed. He was clean before this but John offered him the drink (it was heroin and coke in liquid form) and he thought “f### it”. It was the last decision he ever made.
I'm a huge fan of both but can't blame John for that shit, he didn't purposely kill him and River knew the risk
Didn't Depp have a hand with Frusciante? He was jealous of river and wynona forever doing a movie together......no wonder Miss Heard was frightened
BS
Who is that?
Great story. West Hollywood was made what it is today because of the craziness that started along the unincorporated lands along the Sunset Strip.
Weho now is unfortunately super gentrified. At least the historic venues still are in Weho, but the energy isn' t dead..but is sleeping pretty sound..unfortunately.
Transcending. Miss you Rio. Rip my friend. 💙
Slipped a fatal mickey by JFrusciante,transcending?I'd say manslaughter,possibly murder.
i just like to watch this knowing no tiktokers can relate 😂
I remember the river Phoenix bit don't forget Robert Downey Jr was part of this as well
How was RDJ involved in this?I know John Frusciante gave River that deadly drug cocktail but I never read anything about RDJ being involved in this tragedy,do you have more info about this and if yes than would you share it with us please!!!I'm very interested in this case and everything related to River's passing(God rest his soul!!!🙏).
@@manamaria9394 Maybe she meant the other guy that went missing.
@@lunakat7020 No.
She mentioned "Robert Downey Jr" not "Anthony Fox".
Probably just means that RDJ was a drug head that hung out at the club during the 90s.
@@krazykaye8843 Yes...could be...
Preformed at the viper room a few years back the vibe was good but u can definitely feel the energy there
I bet 👎
One of the best small rock clubs I've ever played.
RIP River
definitely haunted
Do CBGBs please too
Anyone else notice that Phoenix looks like Cobain in that thumbnail? Crazy.
its time has come and gone..its over
Was there New Year’s Eve 2000 , carnt remember much about it 🥴
I miss River so much.
Johnny depp was also very jealous of River. I don't trust it was accidental
It wasn’t an accident you are correct
He didn’t even know river… Joaquin has said this himself… You people need to go outside and touch grass
@@georgefreemon2935 I knew River. I’m in the industry. You should probably consider you don’t know strangers on the internet or what they do. I hope you get off the internet. There is a way to express opinions without being a mean person
@@veganbombshellexactly.. .. but go n also ask Kiedis!
Viper room is legendary and seemed awesome. Seemed quite a lot like what i would do if i was in Johnny’s position. But It wasn’t really all that salacious in his time compared to pretty much any bar anywhere. Go to any college town club or any popular dive in any city. Shit happens. People go to bars partly to be out there and have fun and shake things up. People do drugs at pretty much every bar. If you work at bars, you definitely know this. Probably had to clean a stream of blood of the bathroom stalls at some point. Guess what that’s from? Lol.
Good doc tho. But the tinge of dark implied towards johnny is a little off. He is exactly who he showed us he is. A good guy who likes to have fun in ways like drugs and girls. That’s not even unusual. He’s just extremely successful.
sure, snuff & adreno Hunter, Satanist MM, back hand tattoos CROWley bird & N + N - he'just extremely well connected 👹
Id like some evidence KISS played there. I only ever heard Paul Stanley went for a while to dance, but thought all the booze and drugs were a turn-off.
But is there a issue ?
Yeah, Simmons is very much anti drug, and doesn't drink.
So they are gonna pave paradise and put up a parking lot again?
Viper room.
tragically hip. terrific
i like the background music getting 90s vibes off this lol
I LIVED BACK UP THE STREET AT FAIFAX AND SUNSET BLVD-THAT YEAR-WAS DOING CLOSE TO THE SAME DRUGS-PRAISE JESUS IM STILL ALIVE AT 60-ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS-I AM GLAD JESUS CARES-I DIDNT CARE THEN! DO NOW! I STILL WORSHIP JESUS-STILL HERE
Sending prayers 🙏❤️🙏
Hello beautiful
@@keanucharlesreeves6445 hello gorgeous 🥰
@@graciesaccardo9363 How are you?
One of the other blog tours shows the “River Phoenix” bathroom as a tiny cubicle that’s red with stickers all over - when I was there in 2009 it was a larger black painted bathroom that fit a few people (?)
At 5:15 i see DJ Starscream, dj Sid of SlipknoT...
Do i win a prize now!? 😆
In the 90s when I was on the prowl, I used to go to some 'members only' clubs: dancing, bands, sex, smoking, drugs, etc. Back then the law was: if you charged membership fees your establishment didn't have to obey public establishment laws. Therefore you could be open until daybreak serving alcohol.. I went to some sex clubs where you basically pick up some 'strange' at the club and then go to a private room for a few minutes, there were 3-somes, orgies as well - basically, however people wanted to hook up. Indoor smoking was outlawed in the 1990s at public bars but not at places where you were 'members'. The cops couldn't touch these places because they weren't open to the public and the places were always fenced with undercover security outside. Dance clubs were my favorite, it was like Halloween at dance clubs or raves... crazy. I don't know what the laws are these days about members clubs?
Sometimes a sacrifice launches a career
Sounds like a ritual 😕
@@shivanihr5879 I wouldn't doubt Depp got famous shortly after this event
@@Negative.headspace watch one channel called 'call for an uprising'. These celebrities are real depraved people.
@@Negative.headspace calm down vandal
Hollyweird is a dark place… this allegation reminds me of theme In se3 of Britannia… it’s the kind of thing Jennifer Hudson was alleged to have done… Hollywood vampires is such a weird name for a band, dontcha think ?
Ghost hunters investigated the viper room, and the voices the captured, oh hell no.
Ghost adventures genius
SPEED BALL....WOW 😮😮😮😮..RIP. PHONIEX...XOXOX ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️💖
Lol Hunter S Thompson taught him how to hide that body
Touch grass
Is that really Johnny Depp at 8:13 or is that Skeet Ulrich? It's either Depp really messed up or Skeet just looking normal.
That's Depp.
lmao def not Skeet
Johnny is mess up. U will all know about him
Nice thanks
The internet is so heavily censored now. All the videos about what really happened to River Phoenix have been removed. Anything incriminating about Depp has been removed. What has recently happened to the internet is the equivalent of the destruction of the Library of Alexandria by the Roman Catholic Church. Digital book burning on an unprecedented scale. Sad.
You need to touch grass, you clearly have been on the internet too much 😂
@@georgefreemon2935 the irony of these words considering you’re on the internet saying it, practice what you preach buddy boy
@@treewitch666 You’re making up false scenarios of a murder mystery in your head for a guy who speedballed himself…
@@georgefreemon2935 I know it’s difficult to properly research this when a lot of information has been censored yet you must understand the man who gave River the drink fed him 8 times the fatal dose of heroin and 6 times the fatal dose of liquid cocaine. John Frusciante simply said “drink this you’ll feel better”. He didn’t know he was being poisoned to death. Edit: Oh it’s you again lol, I noticed you deleted your original post. Did you forget you had? Lol
@@treewitch666 River took drugs, he speedballed himself. And what happened to Johnny? Now it’s John? Hahaha go touch grass ye flid
I played the Viper room 1990s
Band was called SMASH PALACE.. I painted my face up like a puppet in a meimer but I was a toy figure
If anybody remember that.. I was dressed with a black suit and tie
My face was painted up 1 circle 1²
Coolest thing I ever did I was fortunate to play there I was singing.. I was called the
.. new age man...
🧢
Courtney Love said she had ODed at the Viper and Johnny Depp saved her life.
shocker
All Rivers siblings get to live off his coat tails
Joaquin is a great actor from a kid so HE's not living off of River (misses him terribly and was the one making the 911 call) so that statement is wrong!
@@midnighthour733 You rand 911 the night he died.......please and I was the one who supplied him the drugs 😎
Yeah River’s making some serious bank these days isn’t he.🙄
Like who? Joaquin is actually talented.
@@krazykaye8843 Never heard of him until River died
Ohh I can believe all that happened plus more 💯
The Rock 'n' Roll pro's knew the "Viper Room" reference, regardless of music genre'. Had the joint remained solvent, Electro-Swwwing would have brought the name full-circle.