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Led by David Berg, the group would later become infamous for its widespread sexual abuse especially of children. In a strange turn of events, DiCaprio actually saw Phoenix in Hollywood on the same night that he died just hours before he left this Earth. In Last Night at the Viper Room, acclaimed author and journalist Gavin Edwards vividly recounts the life and tragic death of acclaimed actor River Phoenixa teen idol on the fast track to Hollywood royalty who died of a drug overdose in front of West Hollywood's storied club, the Viper Room, at the age of 23. But no matter what becomes of the Viper Room down the road, one thing's for sure. Friends knew that River Phoenix had been abusing drugs, but his fatal overdose still came as a shock to many people. With a famous owner, the tragic death of a beloved actor, and the unsolved disappearance of a business partner, the nightclub is filled with sinister energy. By today's standards, the Phil Moore Four marked a veritable yawn-fest, promising "Music with a Sweet Beat," and likely equally "Sweet Dreams." As early as the 1920s, nightclubs and casinos took advantage of this legal limbo, providing the perfect foothold for gangsters. Although the building started as an innocuous blue-collar grocery store, it would rise to infamy two decades later as a notorious gangster hangout and strip club. Nevertheless, Donovan managed to keep his dependency a secret until receiving an invitation from Johnny Depp to then-girlfriend Kate Moss' 21st birthday in 1995. The Viper Room: el legendario club nocturno de Sunset Strip Yet, Donovan would make a recovery, getting released from the hospital three hours later. I knew something was wrong that night, something I didnt understand, she said. YouTubeThis memorial in Arcadia, California was dedicated by Iris Burton the talent agent who discovered Phoenix. His official cause of death was an overdose of cocaine and heroin. Few spots in Los Angeles have played witness to more messed-up happenings. I tried to steady myself but my legs buckled under me and I fell to the floor. Located on the Sunset Strip, the historic nightclub was first established in 1993 and originally co-owned by Johnny Depp, business partner Anthony Fox and Sal Jenco, who starred in "21 Jump. Photo: Getty Images North America. "It wouldn't be cool if anything was found on you by the medics,"he whispered. a lot of fun, finished up doing a double with another lady absolutely blew my mind!!!!. The Viper Room To Be Torn Down And Remodeled As Part Of A12 - KIIS FM And during Prohibition, the back rooms of local businesses never quit pouring booze. Tragically, it was what happened on Halloween 1993 with one such young celebrity that's made The Viper Room infamous. As the oldest of five children including Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix River had perhaps the most bohemian childhood of them all. DeVille of Poison. 373K views, 4.8K likes, 1K loves, 474 comments, 1K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from BuzzFeed Unsolved: This infamous club on Sunset Boulevard has been home to countless famous faces in its nearly. While filming the movie Dark Blood in Utah and New Mexico, Phoenix had reportedly stayed sober for two months, but sadly, his sobriety did not last. Photo courtesy of Fllckr, jennyfersure CC-2.0, Given the death of River and the mobster connections, it would make sense for some interesting ghosts to be hanging around. From 1951 to 1969, the location was a bar called "The Melody Lounge". Johnny Depp Had a Hard Time Returning to the Viper Room After River But the building boasts a rich heritage as one of the oldest commercial buildings on the Sunset Strip, erected in 1921. The History (and Future) of the Sunset Strip's Viper Room Despite its cleaned-up image, the Viper Room remains haunted with memories of rampant cocaine abuse and lives cut too short. I think I'm OD'ing." Over the years, it attracted a steady crowd of recognizable faces, including Uma Thurman, Mick Jagger, Tommy Lee, Pamela Anderson, Charlize Theron, Pink, Juliette Lewis, Cameron Diaz, and more. The most wide-publicized death took place just months after The Viper Room opened. His brother, Joaquin, called 911. The Viper Room But everything changed in 1951, when local officials folded to pressure to bring the Strip's laws into synch with that of the city. Remembering the Notorious Viper Room as It Closes Its Doors for Good - MSN Owned by Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco of 21 Jump Street(via the Los Angeles Times), bartenders included Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. According to witnesses, a tabloid cameraman bore the brunt of the attack after Lee allegedly threw him to the ground, damaging the man's hip. According to Dollar Times, that's the equivalent of more than $110,000 in 2021. The Hollywood Ghosts of the Legendary Viper Room - YouTube With a famous owner, the tragic death of a beloved actor and the unsolved disappearance of a business partner, the nightclub is filled with sinister energy. [1] The Viper Room has undergone several changes in ownership, and continues to host music of multiple genres, including metal, punk rock, and alternative rock. The original Viper Room is fading to black. He chased it with Valium. After getting booted from Rainbow Bar & Grill for throwing shot glasses at people, front man Corey Taylor took his drunken debauchery across the street to theViper Room. he kept asking me. It wasnt uncommon to see A-list stars, including Charlize Theron, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Anniston, Pamela Anderson, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio, all rubbing shoulders at The Viper Room on any given evening. But few people realize just how historic its location at 8852 Sunset really is. Born River Jude Bottom on August 23, 1970, Phoenix spent his first days on a farm in Oregon. Be the first to get new Haunting Tales and tour updates. Horrified, she ran back into the club to get Phoenixs siblings. I stayed in a supposedly haunted hotel (not on purpose). After calling for medical attention, River later died in the hospital. The Viper Room is well known for its sketchy history which includes mobsters, drug overdoses, disappearances, and even a gambling ring. Last Night at the Viper Room explores the young star's life, including his . Sadly, hard drugs and Hollywood nightlife shattered that dream and led to River Phoenixs death on October 31, 1993, at the age of just 23. [15] In 2016, The Viper Room began issuing cease and desist notices to bootleg merchandise sellers on eBay and other online storefronts.