If you head about seventy-five feet west of La Cienega Boulevard on Santa Monica, you'll encounter a quaint little watering hole known as the Benvenuto Cafe.
Out front - a brass plaque notes that in 1970 - the location was a sound-mix studio for the "Doors".
Ironically, this is where the legendary band recorded, "LA WOMAN".
And, just around the corner a few steps North of Santa Monica Boulevard, there is a small motel by the name of the "Alta Cienega" where the lead singer for the band once rested his weary head.
The sensuous rock star - Jim Morrison - resided in Number "32" from 1968 until 1970. In fact, the room is still decorated with Jim's portrait and personal belongings!
I recall reading in a biography somewhere that Jim was inclined to take up lodging there because on occasion he was inclined to get a DUI. Because the "Alta Cienega" was central to all his local haunts, he was able to zip around the neighborhood without much difficulty sans automobile.
And, if you caught the film bio on Jim Morrison - starring Val Kilmer - then you are undoubtedly aware that about a mile down the strip (just shy of Beverly Hills at Doheny Drive) the "Doors" landed their first record contract while playing at the celebrated "Troubadour".
But, other celebs tended to hang out in the neighborhood, too.
When I first trundled into West Hollywood, I stayed at the Tropicana Motel just down a-ways from the Benvenuto Cafe. Back in the seventies, a whole raft of rock stars trashed the rooms there. And usually, ended up at Duke's the next morning for breakfast, none-the-worse for wear.
After the Tropicana was torn down to make way for the Ramada Inn - in keeping with the history of the location - the owners installed Pop Art posters of rock celebrities in each theme-based suite.
Ah, those were the good old days!
The Tropicana Motel was a tacky ramshackle structure which resonated with character!
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