My focus on vintage Los Angeles peters out at the end of the 1950s, the twilight years of the studio system era. And so it came as a surprise (to me, at least) to learn that Ciro’s, which from 1940 to 1957 was one of the premier nightclubs in L.A., later became known as It’s Boss, pictured here in 1967, when Lovin Spoonful were playing. In 1972, it became a stand-up comedy venue called The Comedy Store, which it still is, and which means it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
This is how that building looked in November 2021:
I hate it! Why do people do this ? They call this progress? A black tacky looking building. No class in Hollywood anymore that is for sure.
Was the first image taken with a Polaroid Land Camera? The detail along the left borders just kind of disintegrates in the way those snaps often did. Saw Jay Leno here when he was still considered a guest, not a host. Still amazed that they somehow could get so many people into a building that looks tiny in exterior views. (Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear.) And yes, Jay was hilarious in those days.
I’d pay a lot of money to see the Lovin’ Spoonful’s show that’s listed on that marquee.
I would rather have heard Nat King Cole when it was Ciro’s, but will admit I did like the Spoonful’s. Just wish they would have keep the beauty of when it was Ciro’s.
Our Band The New Generation was the house band at It’s Boss in 1965 -66 we took over from the Bobby Fuller Four
We played with bands like “Love” Dino Desi and Billy, and many others
So much excitement, all the people just having fun.
For a 16 year old kid musician, it was heaven.
All that and you were only 16? I’d have thought it would’ve been heaven no matter what your age!
We were in the Whisky in66…age limit 15 1/2
Yes Joe
We actually first played in Hollywood at the Troubadour in November 1964 I think
We opened for Laura Nero and Lenny Bruce went on after us
We were then called the King Bees
We became the house band first at the Sea Witch on Sunset Bl. The we became the house band at Pandora’s box in 1965 before the Doors Played there
Then we took the gig as house band at Its Boss where we changed our name to The New Generation we took the gig from The Bobby Fuller Four
After that we became the house band at Dave Hulls Hullabaloo later called the Aquarius Theater you can confirm with Rodney Bingonheimer who we helped to introduce him to the church in Pasadena KPPC (Pasadena Prespaterian Church ) later called KROC
We were just too young and liked playing better than being famous
Af
Did you ever play for a James Brown impersonator by the name of JIm ? Saw Dick Dales & the Delltones there about 65
Hi
I don’t remember a Jim James Brown impersonator
Our first gig in Hollywood was at the Troubadour opening for Laura Nero and
Lenny Bruce in 1964 I was 15 that got us a gig at The Sea Witch on Sunset Blvd down the street from the Trip where the Byrds were playing
Just a note our band had played at Pandora’s Box in late 1964 to early 65 as the King bees
Changed our name to the New Generation and got the gig at Its Boss
After that we went to Dave Hulls Hullabaloo (later called the Aquarius Theatre)
We got signed to Capitol, Nick Venet was our producer
Our rhythm guitarist Ira’s brother was Eliot’s Ingber of the mothers we got to open for them at a few gigs and the first love in at Elysian Park
And go the the first live recordings of Freak Out At Verve Records
We went no where and broke up in 67
Just very lucky to have enjoyed the happy times and great memories
Hi Greg, it’s so good to see people who actual remember and went to It’s Boss! I have a question, though. I’m pretty sure that The Regents were the house band there. Did it depend on what year it was? Did you take over for them? Did they take over for you?
Hello and great to have someone still around from our Rock Out Days
We first played at Its Boss opening for the Bobby Fuller Four
We took their place as house band when the Freaks all came to dance to our music
We played there with the bands “Love’ Dino Desi and Billy
To name a few
I don’t ever remember the band called the Regents so it must have been after we moved on to The Hullabaloo Club
If you look up the weekend of the Riots on Sunset strip
We were playing that weekend at its Boss
All the bands would gather at The Omnibus coffee house to jam after the gigs
Later we all hung out at Canters before going home
So much going on then it was like a real movie
I think we saw Bobby Fuller Four at It’s Boss. Didn’t Sonny and Cher own the place at some point?
Not that I know of.
When we played there most of 1966 Sonny and Cher were just beginning to take off
In fact their bodyguard Buddy Winfield was a good friend of mine.
He stood close to 7 feet tall and was also from our area around Pasadena
Known as La Canada
I do remember Sonny and Cher coming to hear us play at the Hullabaloo later known as the Aquarius Theater
The Palace Guards the other house band played I got u babe for them.
B
Made them laugh
When we played there most of 1966 Sonny and Cher were just beginning to take off
In fact their bodyguard Buddy Winfield was a good friend of mine.
He stood close to 7 feet tall and was also from our area around Pasadena
Known as La Canada
I do remember Sonny and Cher coming to hear us play at the Hullabaloo later known as the Aquarius Theater
The Palace Guards the other house band played I got u babe for them.
Made them laugh
Did sonny and Cher also play there in 1967? Because I would swear I saw them there but when I’m reading always says they were there in 1966. Do we know if they played there or visited there in 1967?
The 60s is outside my focus, but perhaps some Cher mega-fan might see this and clear things up.
I’m not sure if they did play at Its boss in 1967
We were there most of 1966 and Sonny and Cher never played while we were there
The Regents was the house band at It’s Boss from June 1965 (when the club opened) to September of 1966 when the band left.
Thanks, Craig.
Yes, I knew I remembered the Regents! I just was asking Greg Tully about that, above! The time frame you mentioned is absolutely when I was there because I met my future boyfriend there on Dec. 4, 1965. (And we are still friends — how about that?!)
What a blast from the past. I saw Ian Whitcomb (“You Turn Me On”) at It’s Boss in 1966 with my high school friends. One of the best nights of my young life.
Lucky you, Adrienne!