Established in February 1961 by Paul Raffles, Chuck Murano, Bill Daugherty, and Elmer Valentine, it hosted such acts as The Bobby Fuller Four, The Standells,[1] Rufus Thomas, Trini Lopez,[1] and Kool & the Gang, all of whom recorded live albums there.

's was bought by alleged organized crime figures Eddie Nash[1] and Dominic Lucci,[2] together with Hal Glickman.

[1][3] The Starwood was highly instrumental in the careers of many regional bands and artists including Van Halen, X, the Germs (who played their legendary last show at the venue), The Go-Go's, Fear, Circle Jerks, The Knack, W.A.S.P.

Sixx had performed at the Starwood prior to forming Mötley Crüe with his former band, London.

Some of the acts from outside of California who played at the Starwood include Blue Öyster Cult (under the name Soft White Underbelly), Aerosmith (under the name Dr. J. Jones & the Interns), The Damned, Devo, The Jam, Cheap Trick, the Ramones, the Dead Boys, The Stranglers, AC/DC, Slade, Vince Vance & the Valiants, Rush, Rory Gallagher, UFO, The Fleshtones, and Judas Priest, who did three nights at the Starwood in 1978.