The Rainbow and a Friends bar on Sunset

The rainbow and a friends bar on sunset

I had met Tom Ayers, one day in the early 70's in L.A. through mutual friends. He was probably 20 years older with a slight southern accent, which for me was different, but he had no traits of a typical southerner and had done some music production and management and he had introduced Bowie to a U.S. record label. Anyway, he had just opened a little bar on Sunset (later to be in partnership with Rodney the male-version of a groupie(that's my take, and it fit, maybe minus the sexual aspect) known as, Rodney B ON THE ROCK and 9 AM Glam-Glitter Club, that had been suggested by Bowie, who interviewed bands for KROQ) and Tom said to come by and check it out…

Now at this time, the Rainbow Bar and Grill (called Dino's in "The Boys Are Back In Town") was on the Sunset Strip just up from the Whiskey A-Go-Go, and later had the Roxy next door. The Rainbow as it was called, other times not so much. Truly seemed as if it was never closed, but I may be off on that. There was whatever drink you fancied and food although the stuffed mushroom was the bomb for a light meal.

All in all, it was considered a rock and roll club as most bands' playing in the area, rehearsing or working out a deal and their crews, and people in the music industry would make it an occasional haunt and the occasional actor or actress or model would pop up out of nowhere as fun place and during the week you could all go for a lite dinner or drinks and almost without question run into a friend or two, or even make a new friend. A varied crowd, mostly locals but people from various states and countries too. Always something going on, from a birthday to a record deal, or concert party and people just being happy-crazy without violence (not to say all were angels by any means) but usually pretty contained load at times and always with a party atmosphere...all were booth seating downstairs…just going to your seat and making the rounds. Once seated, most would make the rounds on the bottom floor and say "hi" to some and meet new people along the way and yes, there was music playing. It was always fun to hear the band on the sound system and see them there eating, almost surreal.

Upstairs was usually packed with people, but downstairs always was much more fun open.

One evening I was standing in a booth talking with friends and someone said, "Excuse me" in an English accent. I turned and there was Marty Feldman, larger than life, with a woman on each arm smiling away...

One fun aspect was getting dressed to go out to the Rainbow, generally on weekdays. It was casual by Rainbow standards but I, all still dressed up and when the weekend came starting on Friday night. Some would parade around, including a few trust-fund kids, some wanting to be seen, some groupies (no judgment here), musicians local and foreign, actors, models, industry types, people dressed to the 9's and many others a fun parade of different souls. The unique aspect of the Rainbow was the attire, rock 'n roll, punk, metal, reggae, glam, hippie cool, couture, many one of a kind as there were stores that carried the attire or seamstresses would create unique garb! Many trends both in stage attire and fashion, club and street attire were caught in glimpses and sat down with or next to you.

Now from late afternoon to 2ish in the morning at the closing time, there was the parking lot scene where you would plan or just start your escapade for the evening. To say there weren't any drugs there would be disingenuous but not a dominant occurrence so that covers that. Would you go have coffee at Ben Franklins? Or Canters? Was there a party at a house or hotel (the Hyatt House was called the "Riot House" back then after Led Zeppelin had an insane party there. The Chateau Marmont – sometimes they would be out in Bel Air or Beverly Hills and the place would be so big it was sometimes more of an adventure just to find your way around. As with any crowd, there was always certain sets of people who were always there if you might happen to go. Laurel Canyon and Hollywood Hills always had interesting parties and the places were unique at times, some were older structures and had been specially made for a star from the 40's or thereabouts, and would be a bit surreal at times. Usually, there were drink and food and the surrounding were at times festive to say the least and a lot of talking or for some just looking as cool as they could. Sometimes you could caravan if one of you knew the directions and that was fun, sorta as keystone cops ''follow that car" scenario with sometimes some rather windy roads but the chase was interesting. Once in a while you'd lose the lead car of the caravan and wander around, half looking at the homes while trying to spot the other car. Usually found near there, was a street full of parked cars that seemed to overflow onto the sidewalks which really never existed in the hills. Cars would snake their way either up or down from the party home. These parties are another story...but as I do, I digress…

and other venues too Starwood, troubadour as well as others that were places to go...

So I went to Toms Club, which was called the E Club and eventually called Rodney English Disco, then moved a bit down Sunset, as he was Toms roommate and eventually to be a partner in the Club…..

The first time I went, Tom had said he imported Watneys English Ale, the same as in London and I remember that was a lethal potion. It was interesting because minors were allowed and a favorite among underaged girls and boys were cherry colas. This was a glitter-rock bar to a larger degree, so you had the attire to match. From the girls (not all were would-be groupies) and the older set too, from Shirley Temple looks, to rocky horror with knee high dresses and nylons and garter belts, makeup from Sousie and the Banshee's to whatever their artistic bent led with hair streaked with bold bright colors and make–up that was its own version of cool-aloof. This was near the time punk started, the look, attitude, and type of surroundings created a split at least in venues and clubs. And the guys were the Bowie and New York Dolls look from latex pants. Ironically a friend had been an innovator glitter-rock look back in the mid-sixties, black fingernail polish, see-thru shirts or lace and leather or satin and was just his style ( I liked velvet pants myself, but that had been a favorite for years) pants so this was new in a sense but too, it just seemed to have flourished now in terms of dress, it was an expression of your vision, taken from whatever your sources-there was an attitude, and it went with the look usually harmless and some a facade to other their persona. Some tended to judge a bit harshly but I was there, so sometimes it seemed there was a lot of Pablum dribbled about as people liked to see their names in print regardless of content or lack of substance, that being said…
The beer was strong and I would stop on the second one, as I was not a drinker, even though this was a tasty ale and Tom had told me his plans with the bar and his history and what he thought he could do with the Rodney name and partnership. To say I was close to blitzed was a bit of an understatement and realized most American beers was homogenized piss. I told Tom thanks but I was gonna head home and crash.

I went again and Tom was amiable as ever and the place was packed. I think someone I knew sat with me at the bar, as the booth was jammed packed to overflowing and the crowd was mingling all over and the music was declaring the flavors of songs for the evening. There were a fair amount of people I knew and many that seemed to be new to the "scene". This is like a Fellini film to a degree or a Dali painting come to life in certain aspects, always changing always something new, always different, rarely boring.

I think I had been in the mood or while at a bar, would probably be drinking anisette in a snifter, not brandy, as I didn't care for high alcohol content. I liked sweet and at the time I did smoke so I could see a cherry cola for me. Tom was moving behind the bar and said, "Well looks like Marc made it here after all." I looked toward the door……Marc Bolan (Bang a Gong fame) and a small entourage were at the door and Tom went to greet them. Magically there was a booth waiting for them. And of course within a few moments of their sitting down, "Bang a Gong came on the sound system. Fun to watch as girls and gals oohed and awed at Marc, probably a few guys too. Somehow there was a silent alarm that hit a grapevine as it became standing room only after about 20 minutes.

 Tom had mentioned a party for Marc by a publicist later that evening and I told him thanks but I was in the mood to meet some friends for coffee, and that was the feel for the evening. Actually part of the crowd looked like some people I knew from the Rainbow and others dressed to the height of glitter rock be they male or female…

Tom was busy so I waved from afar and headed out the door. A friend from England 9 (the guy sitting next to me) said he'd come along for coffee and he knew some of the people I was going to have coffee with...as the music faded…we made our way out the door…here and there lights glittered and we made our way down Sunset Boulevard into the evening.