Image via wikipedia
On Oct. 1, 1996, a paparazzo in the club snapped a photo of The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger embracing actress Uma Thurman (“Pulp Fiction”). The photographer alleged that Mick’s bodyguard wrestled him to the ground and club employees confiscated the valuable film and handed it to a member of the Stones’ entourage, who destroyed the film. The photographer claimed the photo would have been worth $1 million, and sued both Jagger and the Viper Room. Mick settled out of court, but a jury later ruled against the club, and awarded $600,000 in damages to the photographer.
And in 1996, rocker Tommy Lee (of Mötley Crüe) was convicted of battery after he pushed over a photographer who tried to videotape of he and wife Pamela Anderson Lee outside the Viper Room on Sept. 26, 1996. Lee was fined and sentenced to a 24-month summary probation and 200 hours of community service.
In September of 1995, Bruce Springsteen dropped by for an impromptu concert.
In March of ’99, The Stone Temple Pilots performed together for the first time in two years.
In July of ’99, the Go-Go’s staged a “secret” concert at the Viper Room.
Recently, Smashing Pumpkins’ singer Billy Corgan did a solo concert here. Other acts that have performed here have included Matchbox 20, Oasis, Green Day, Billy Idol, Sheryl Crow, The Kult, The Knack, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Everclear, Run-D.M.C., Deus, The Black Crowes, Iggy Pop, and Lenny Kravitz. But often big name acts aren’t even advertised, they just show up.
On October 31, 1993, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose just outside the club.
The Viper Room
8852 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood CA 90069
310 652-7869
WOw my band So far gone used to play here almost every sat night before when it was called “/the Central” before it became the viper room, memories
Gil, my grandfather, Bill Knorr, owned The Central! if you see this, please e-mail me at willknorr97@yahoo.com, I would love to hear any stories or see some photos/videos of your band if you have any! You can also join my facebook group called The Central Memories.