ANDY MELAMED RECALLS THE WHISKEY A GO GO IN L.A.

The Whiskey a Go Go was always a happening place. Half the time you just became friends with the people (primarily of the opposite sex) on line waiting to get in. When the Byrds played on the Strip it was a happening. They put on a good show. Jim Morrison on the other hand was never really reliable so having Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds and the Doors on one show was a memorable event at the Whiskey.  I was there that night. I can barely remember much about the show, other than the fact I got in trouble with my girlfriend when we were on line waiting to get in. I became too chummy with the groupie in front of me and though it was harmless it started an argument where she ran away from me while on line and raced down Sunset Strip, with me following her trying to rein her back. Susie tripped and fell over the chain at the parking lot and got bruised knees. I cradled her and we made up and got in to see the show. Most importantly the following weekend the Byrds played at The Trip and at that show Bob Dylan joined the Byrds on stage as a surprise walk-on guest.  It was most memorable, almost as memorable as seeing the Paul Butterfield Blues Band three weekends in a row at The Golden Bear in Huntington, thanks to Timothy Leery and his influences from within.