If These Walls Could Rock: The Story of LA's Famed Sunset Marquis Hotel

For more than 60 years, the Sunset Marquis has been far more than just a hotel. Hidden behind its unassuming gates just off the Sunset Strip, it became a sanctuary for some of the biggest names in music—a place where artists could escape the spotlight, create, recover, celebrate, and occasionally indulge in a little rock 'n' roll debauchery. In this episode of My Rock Moment, Amanda sits down with Craig Williams and Tyler Measom, the directors of the new documentary If These Walls Could Rock, opening in theaters and on streaming August 14. Craig's connection to the story began more than a decade ago when he co-authored If These Walls Could Rock with hotel owner Mark Rosenthal. Together with Tyler, he has now brought the extraordinary history of the Sunset Marquis to the screen. Amanda and the directors discuss how a hotel inspired by the Garden of Allah became one of the music industry's best-kept secrets, why generations of artists—from Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Slash, Dave Grohl, Roger Daltrey, Cyndi Lauper and many more—considered it a home away from home, and why privacy, discretion, and trust became the hotel's greatest currency. They also dive into some of the documentary's most memorable stories, including Bruce Springsteen's chance encounter with Ron Kovic that would ultimately influence Born in the U.S.A., the remarkable father-son story of George and Mark Rosenthal that forms the emotional heart of the film, the challenge of separating rock mythology from reality, and some of the incredible stories that never made the final cut. Links for more info on the film: www.ifthesewallscouldrock.com Find the book: If These Walls Could Rock Book Songs in this episode: Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears Guns N' Roses - Paradise City The Black Crowes - Remedy Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. For more information on My Rock Moment, visit www.myrockmoment.com Follow us for photos and news of upcoming episodes at: https://www.instagram.com/la_woman_rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices