Every time I take a trip in the world, I research where rock stars have stayed. That kind of accommodation planning can end up in one of two scenarios: the hotel is really cool and full of culture, or the place is a dive and the only reason a rock star stayed there was to overdose or trash the place.
The team at CBC Music is trying to compile a comprehensive list of the good, the boutique and the skuzzy rock hotels so that research for your next rock 'n' roll holiday is as easy as one click.
Here's the CBC Music Ongoing Guide of Rock 'n' Roll Hotels in North America:
Hotel Chelsea: New York City, New York.
Although currently not open to the public, this is the quintessential rock hotel. It has been referenced in song by everyone from Bob Dylan to Leonard Cohen. This is also the place where Nancy Spungen, girlfriend of Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, was found stabbed to death on October 12, 1978.
The Queen Elizabeth Hotel: Montreal, Quebec.
This is the famous location of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In, which took place from May 26 to June 2, 1969. It was at this time that the two recorded “Give Peace a Chance” in room 1742.
The Joshua Tree Inn: Joshua Tree, California.
This is the hotel where Gram Parsons of the Flying Burrito Brothers died of an overdose in 1973. Besides that morbid detail, the likes of Donovan, Emmylou Harris and John Wayne used to stay here.
Harmony Hotel: Joshua Tree, California.
This is the hotel where U2 stayed while recording their seminal record, The Joshua Tree.
Chateau Marmont: West Hollywood, California.
Much like the Chelsea, all types of artists from various media have converged at Chateau Marmont. The Stones and The Beatles have stayed there, Jim Morrison dangled from a pipe there, Led Zeppelin rode motorcycles through the lobby, and the list goes on and on.
Andaz West Hollywood: West Hollywood, California.
This hotel shares a lot of the same lore as the Chateau Marmont – and considering how the ’60s went, who knows what happened at which hotel. Led Zeppelin once rented six floors here, Little Richard lived here during the ’80s and ’90s and most of the hotel scenes in the ultimate rock movie Almost Famous were shot here.
Here is our ever-growing Rock 'n' Roll Hotel Google map. If you have hotels that you think should be on the map, please add them.
View CBC Music's Must-Visit Rock n' Roll Hotels in North America in a larger map