Once a former antique store, this two-story building was also home to The Doors Workshop. Used as an office and recording studio for the band, The Doors recorded with engineer Bruce Botnick at this location for the tracks of L.A. Woman. Apparently, Jim Morrison recorded the vocals in the bathroom to get a fuller sound.

Today, the location is a restaurant named "Mexico." The unisex bathroom still exists, and local legend is that the ghost of Jim Morrison haunts the place.

The manager of the restaurant was quoted as saying:

“Funky things happen all the time we can’t explain. Lights popping on and off at weird times. But when that bathroom door handle jiggles by itself, that’s the weirdest sign. It’s totally inexplicable.” (from The Tucson Citizen)

The anniversary of Jim Morrison's death is July 3. Unfortunately, the restaurant is currently closed. Hopefully it will open in time for the anniversary.

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The non-profit Actors Studio in Manhattan is where thespians have been studying method acting, pioneered by studio director Lee Strasberg, for over sixty years. It is currently located at 432 West 44th Street in a converted church. Just a few actors who have been members of the studio include Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, Gene Hackman and Paul Newman.

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"In the sleepy west of the woody east..."

Charles Thompson (before he was Pixies singer/screamer/songwriter Black Francis/Frank Black) and Joey Santiago were suitemates at the University of Massachusetts in the early '80s. Thompson dropped out after the first semester of his junior year and went Puerto Rico, and when he returned to the U.S. several months later, he and Santiago moved to Boston. J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. also was going to school at UMass at the time. He and Thompson met at some point, but it's only significant in retrospect when you imagine these two meeting, since they didn't necessarily hit it off.

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Here's a yearbook photo.

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In 1982, a punk rock music venue opened above the blue collar/strip club called Goofy's (the location is now a parking ramp for the Target Center). Called Goofy's Upper Deck, the venue's stage was only six inches above the floor, encouraging intense interactions between performers and their audience.

In September of 1983, Goofy's Upper Deck Closed for good after "a certifiable riot." Local band Final Conflict had the power shut off during their set, and there were about 100 angry punk rockers left without a show. One smoke bomb, $3,000 worth of damages, a dozen MPD officers, one arrest, and one excessive-force complaint later, Goofy's Upper Deck was shut down.

To view an interesting local newscast from 1983 on Minneapolis punk rock, click here.

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