Documentary about legendary Sunset Marquis hotel and its connection to rock history to premiere in Los Angeles
On August 14, Los Angeles will host the premiere of the documentary “If These Walls Could Rock”, a film dedicated to the iconic Sunset Marquis hotel, which for more than six decades has been one of the main gathering places for rock musicians.
Located near the famous Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, the hotel long ago became much more than just accommodation for touring artists. It was there that musicians wrote new songs, relaxed after concerts, and spent time away from public attention. Over the years, Sunset Marquis became a true creative sanctuary where part of the history of global rock music was created.
The filmmakers, Tyler Measom, known for the documentaries “Murder Among the Mormons” and “An Honest Liar, ” and director Craig A. Williams, tell the story of this place for the first time through the memories of the artists themselves. The film features rare archival footage, animated sequences, and interviews with musicians who consider Sunset Marquis their second home.
The project features Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Billy Bob Thornton, Slash, Dave Grohl, Cyndi Lauper, Morrissey, Sheryl Crow, Roger Daltrey, Joe Elliott, Nancy Wilson, Steve Van Zandt, and other prominent figures from the music industry.
However, the film is not only about famous guests and rock ’n’ roll stories connected to the hotel. At the heart of the documentary is the family story of Sunset Marquis founder George Rosenthal and his son Mark, who transformed a small motel into one of the most recognizable places in music culture.
According to the directors, behind the hotel’s legendary reputation lies a wealth of stories that even many of the musicians who have stayed there do not know. “When you first walk into Sunset Marquis, you can hear rock ’n’ roll stories that sound unbelievable, but almost always turn out to be true, ” Measom and Williams say.
The idea for the documentary emerged after the directors worked together on Paramount+’s documentary series “I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream, ” which explored the hard rock era of the 1980s. It was during that project that Williams introduced Measom to the story of the hotel, which immediately captured the director’s attention.
The premiere of “If These Walls Could Rock” will take place at Landmark Sunset in Los Angeles. Following the screening, special events featuring the filmmakers and invited guests are planned. At the same time, the documentary will become available for viewing on Apple TV and Amazon.
The project is produced by MTV veterans Rick Krim, Robert Friedman, and Mike Powers of Bungalow Media Entertainment, together with Mark Rosenthal, David Thurston, and Alexis Thurston.
