Long before the House of Blues was dubbed a 'legendary' Sunset Strip venue...ages prior to The Viper Room becoming decidedly uncool, there was Rodney Bingenheimer, also known to die-hard LA music-heads as 'Rodney on the Roq' (for his long-standing KROQ DJ'ing gig).
A documentary on the life of this Hollywood music scene fixture, taste arbiter and star-lover The Mayor of Sunset Strip came out a few years back. Unfortunately, I only just got around to seeing it, as it's been playing on cable.
I highly recommend this to anyone who thinks they know the music scene in LA. I guarantee you don't. And Rodney--who had a hand in elevating bands like Coldplay and Oasis to pop star heights--does. Those celebrating the life of Rodney in the film include long-time pal Cher, David Bowie and members of The Doors.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Rodney for a Los Angeles Times story, in one of his favorite hang-outs, West Hollywood IHOP (the other is Gower Gulch Denny's since 'Rocker Denny's' closed).
He was soft-spoken and seems to inspire care wherever he goes (the IHOP staff even cut up bananas into pieces for him as part of his 'special' meal).
Rodney's quite a character and has certainly led a fascinating life complete with club launches (Rodney's English Disco in the 70s), DJ gigs (KROQ) and backstaging with the likes of just about every huge band in town.
If you're new to LA and to the music scene, this is a must-rent.
Photo: Matthew Simmons/Stringer/Getty Images
Comments
I just watched it. It was surprisingly interesting. Kind of like the life of a faded washed up star. He seems like a nice guy but, ironically, lonely and alone. A short striking scene occurs when a friend who has become a radio rival shows up, it seems at the behest of the film-makers.
Don’t be fooled by the film maker’s hidden agenda having used Rodney as a prop for his own issues about money and fame. Rodney is not a groupie or anything like that because he’s not as famous as his friends. There’s no one sad or lonely there, just a rad guy who has a lot of rad friends and has lived a rad life.
I taped this movie awhile back and am just now watching it. Quite fascinating and very entertaining. I never heard of this guy, but I havn’t lived in Los Angeles in a very long time either. Watching this brings me great memories of Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, and all the reasons that Southern California is where it’s at. While I no longer desire to live there, I do enjoy visiting and am in awe each time I go back. Last time I visited back in 2007 I got to go into the Whiskey A Go Go and it was something else. Hard to believe that such a tiny club was the starting ground for The Doors among others. LA is entertainment central.