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Posted

Rickie Lee Jones had a terrific following as a performer and song interpreter in the Laurel Canyon scene, but was having trouble coming up with original material to take her act further afield. She had the same manager as Tom Waits, and he encouraged her to hang out with Tom and work on some songs together at The Tropicana. Jones hit it off with Waits and fellow songwriter Chuck E. Weiss, and the three of them ended up rooming together at the motel, splitting the rent while working on their music and acts and supporting each other's efforts.


Things were going great, but also — being young musicians in Los Angeles — kind of hazy and grubby, and one day, Jones and Waits realized that Weiss hadn't been home in a couple of days. They started worrying and calling around and asking after him before he finally called to check in with his friends at The Trop. Waits took the call, with Rickie Lee listening on with concern as Tom simply responded "Uh-huh ... uh-huh ..." at Weiss’ explanation that he met a woman and quickly started a torrid relationship that took them on a whirlwind romance for the last few days and he lost track of time, and he was now calling in from, um, Denver, of all places.


Tom hung up, shrugged at Rickie Lee, and simply explained, "Chuck E.'s in love," and Rickie quickly had her breakthrough single.


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Posted

That spot behind Sandy where those three folks are looking up from an outcropping of lounge chairs? That was also a favorite spot of The New York Dolls.


353864.jpg

Posted

That spot behind Sandy where those three folks are looking up from an outcropping of lounge chairs? That was also a favorite spot of The New York Dolls.


353864.jpg

 

This photo broke my brain for 11 different reasons.

Posted

It's kinda funny that Sandy owned a no-tell motel but that's about

as far as I'm gonna go towards there at the present time.


And those red boots and belt with leopard skin? Really...

Posted

These chicks look like guys

 

They're definitely NOT the inspiration for Aerosmith's "Dude Look Like a Lady".

Later

Posted

That spot behind Sandy where those three folks are looking up from an outcropping of lounge chairs? That was also a favorite spot of The New York Dolls.


353864.jpg

 

Wtf!!!


Thunders and Nolan flew back home to cop. David Jo Sylvian Peter Jordan and Killer apparently stayed here


This is just so 1973

Posted

Sandy seems to have drained the pool, creating a summat disappointing visit for fellow New Yorkers Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri, Debby Harry, Gary Valentine (with a dodgy hairstyle), and Clem Burke.


10676221_797906490266072_5905290348196463887_n.jpg


I think those must be Gary's sunglasses that Debby is sitting on.

Posted

Today's guests of honor at the Tropicana Motel are The Alarm — big haired Welsh post-punkers who struggled to get past derivative directions, but had their moment. Maybe a moment and a half.


Pictured here in the Johansen Spot by the kidney-shaped pool are (l. to r.) Nigel Twist, Eddie McDonald, Mike Peters, and Dave Sharp


[fimg=650]https://media.gettyimages.com/id/84258508/photo/the-alarm-rock-group-portrait-session.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=EL7O_WSGiexuBhNKtWXkk7mv2J2oEJKR3XbWB3xFPlU=[/fimg]

Posted

Back in 82, i woulda put 10 bucks on the Alarm outcareering U2.

 

It's almost always good money to bet on any band that includes a guy named "Nigel."

Posted

Back in 82, i woulda put 10 bucks on the Alarm outcareering U2.

 

A-****in-men

  • 4 months later...
Posted

Tom Waits, The Ramones, and The Alarm all agreed — it was never a party at The Tropicana until Richard Hell showed up.


richard-hell.jpg

  • 2 months later...

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