Elmer Valentine, the godfather of the Sunset Strip, owner of the Whisky, died in his sleep on December 3 of natural causes. He was 85. A former Chicago police detective, Elmer also served in the Air Force during WW2 in England, After a divorce, Elmer moved to LA and opened his first club, PJ's, in 1960. He went on to open the Whisky, and later the Roxy. Elmer is considered to be the founder of the legendary music scene on Sunset Boulevard, which continues unabated to this day. On December 5, the Strip clubs dimmed their lights for one minute in his memory.
The photo shows Lou Adler (L) and Elmer, preparing to cross the street in the 9000 block of Sunset, directly across from The Roxy, now owned by Lou Adler' son.
More here from the Los Angeles Times.
I worked for Elmer at the Trip and then the Whiskey in the mid 60s.He took good care of his employees.He'll be missed.
Posted by: Enid Graddis | December 06, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Elmer looked out for everyone. And so did Mario, who is still with us.
Posted by: Mewsical | December 06, 2008 at 06:24 PM
I am saddened by Elmer's death. He was so much a part of my younger days on the Strip.
he hired me to dance in the cage at the Whiskey in 1965 and Mario soon let me go as I was too young!
Bless you Elmer, you will be missed in my world.
Georgie
Posted by: Georgiana | December 06, 2008 at 06:03 PM