Former Location –
Located near the beach in Santa Monica, the Turkey Joint West was one of those tiny venues where mid-’60s Los Angeles rock quietly took shape. Long before arena tours and massive festival crowds, it was in places like this that bands learned how to command a stage and test songs in front of a live, sometimes brutally honest bar crowd.
The Seeds (Pushin’ Too Hard) first played here in 1964. The Doors honed their onstage presence here when they used to open for them.
The Turkey Joint West
116 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica CA 90401
I remember the Turkey Joint West very well while I lived in Santa Monica. I saw all of these acts there, other now- unknown musicians used to hang out there. From 1963 there was a guy named Mel who was somehow involved with the venue.
He definitely had a key, and he often dealt with money matters. I also remember the door had a ‘ port hole ‘ and people would often come and have have a peek in just to see what was going on. The afore-mentioned Mel was also to be found at the Circus Room and the Lightning Room, all establishments within a few steps from the TJW.
The area where these acts performed was SMALL to say the least, there was a bar and a few tables but many people stood. In later years, the nearby Brass Bell was where I was surprised to see and hear drummer Sandy ( Sander ) Nelson who was playing with a small combo and was living on a boat in Santa Monica harbor. Before they were better known as The Seeds, their lead singer was introduced as ” Ritchie Marsh ” I remember another guy by the name of Rick Lassos, but I don’t know what became of him.
My brother was Eddy Buchanan, did you know him?