Iconic Whisky a Go Go Music Venue Struck by Dump Truck

The Los Angeles rock band Boy Hits Car had to cancel a headlining show at Whisky a Go Go after an errant dump truck collided with the famed Sunset Strip venue on Friday (May 9.)

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“It’s ironic,” vocalist Cregg Rondell told a local news outlet. “It’s fitting to this band because it seems like something like this always happens. But, you just roll with it, it’s rock n’ roll.”

According to ABC7, the dump truck barreled into the back of the legendary West Hollywood staple at about 1:40 p.m. Friday. Workers were loading the truck with dirt at a Clark Street construction site when the brakes apparently failed, sending the unoccupied vehicle hurtling toward the bustling Sunset Avenue.

Surprisingly, no one was injured in the ensuing five-vehicle crash. A letter carrier in their mail truck managed to narrowly escape before the dump truck smashed into Whisky a Go Go.

“One loud bang and the building moved,” said patron Anthony Reyes, who was inside the storied venue at the time. “So we were like, is this a huge earthquake? Or what just happened?”

Local media reported that Whisky a Go Go hoped to reopen Saturday (May 10), although it is not clear if that happened.

“New opening act: Truck Hits Whisky,” joked one Instagram user.

[RELATED: Favorite Concerts Ever: Los Lobos Live at the Whisky]

Headliners React to Whisky a Go Go Incident

Taking to social media Saturday (May 10), Boy Hits Car called the incident “surreal.”

“Next thing you know, we’re doing interviews for TV instead of soundcheck,” reads an Instagram post.

“We’re grateful no one was hurt and we appreciate everyone who reached out in concern. It wasn’t the night we planned, but it sure was memorable,” the band continued. “Stay tuned—we’ll be back, and louder than ever.”

Whisky a Go Go set up shop in West Hollywood in 1964. The venue had to omit the “e” from “whiskey” because L.A. zoning laws forbade clubs naming themselves after alcohols.

Two years later, the Whisky famously fired The Doors thanks to Jim Morrison’s R-rated retelling of the Greek myth Oedipus during “The End.”

Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for UMe