Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, And A Whiskey Slash Sandwich

In one of rock and roll’s greatest quotes of the 2000’s, ex-Runaways lead singer Cherie Currie informed the crowd that they were about to witness a “Slash sandwich.” As the now newly reformed Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist stepped to the stage, he took his position in between the two ex-Runaways. With Cherie Currie flanked to his right and Lita Ford standing to his left, the two guitarists took first bite into the memorable Runaways song “Cherry Bomb.”

The performance took place on January 9th 2014 at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles California. The performance was part of a celebration that marked the 50 Anniversary of the legendary Whisky a Go Go Club. Lita Ford’s performance that featured Cherie Currie paid tribute in sentimental fashion as the Runaways performed at the club over forty years ago.

The Whiskey a Go Go is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. The club first opened up in 1964 with a performance by Johnny Rivers. However, the club on Sunset Strip was not the first Whiskey a Go Go to be opened in the United States. In 1958, the Whiskey a Go Go first opened in Chicago. After the California club opened in 1964 , another franchise was opened in Washington D.C. in 1966. Nonetheless, it was the club on Sunset Strip that featured some of the legends of rock and roll throughout the clubs 50 year history. Bands early in their careers  like the Doors, The Byrds, Alice Cooper, Van Morrison all performed at the Whiskey a Go Go.

Although the Whiskey a Go Go featured a live stage and hosted some of the legends of rock and roll, the club was initially billed as a discothèque. The  go go dancing scene of the 1960’s  was in part due to DJ Rhonda Lane and various female employees at the club who spun records and entertained the audiences between live band sets.[1]

Lita Ford’s appearance at the Whiskey a Go Go paid tribute to a club that was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

 

[1]Kamp, David (September 4, 2006). “Live At The Whisky”. Vanity Fair.

Updated August 20, 2020