How Adam Blackstone turned West Hollywood hotel the Sun Rose into a musical ‘playground’

by

Los Angeles hotels have always been closely linked to music. Places like the Hyatt House (now the Andaz) on Sunset Boulevard – famously called the “Riot House” in the film “Almost Famous” – and the Chateau Marmont and Sunset Marquis have hosted countless rock stars over the years. However, West Hollywood’s Sun Rose Hotel stands out as particularly dedicated to music and the arts.

Originally opening as the Pendry Hotel in 2021 on the site of the old House of Blues, the Sunset Boulevard location quickly became known for music thanks to the inclusion of Live at the Sun Rose, a modern music venue within the hotel. Last August, after four years, the hotel was renamed the Sun Rose Hotel, and according to Grammy winner Adam Blackstone, it fully embraced its identity as a destination for music lovers.

Our venue offers unique spaces like an atrium, a downstairs foyer, and even a bowling alley – things most places don’t have. We plan to utilize the entire rooftop, potentially including performances over the pool, to create memorable experiences for guests. As awards season nears, Blackstone says the hotel will host complete shows and events all in one location, featuring exclusive performances. Artists will be encouraged to create unique sets, offering both themselves and the audience a truly unforgettable experience.

Blackstone has collaborated with a huge range of artists, from pop stars like Rihanna and Demi Lovato to legends like Janet Jackson, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Al Green. He aims to bring that same energy of unexpected guests and variety to his Sun Rose performances. He says you never know who might show up, making his shows unmissable.

He points to the unexpected guests he’s already brought in – like John Legend, Stevie Wonder, and Justin Timberlake – and a live Q&A with Dr. Dre, as just the start of his vision for Sun Rose. He believes this partnership will allow Sun Rose to become a unique destination for incredible musical experiences in Los Angeles. Unlike venues that focus on one genre, Sun Rose can host anything – from a DJ with a salsa band to intimate conversations with artists like Dr. Dre and Marsha Ambrosius. He emphasizes that the appeal of Sun Rose is its unpredictability; every visit promises something new and exciting.

Blackstone explains that his diverse experiences, such as recently performing with Andrea Bocelli at the Vatican, fuel his creativity. He’s excited to bring this range of ideas to his upcoming performances and feels it will feel natural because it reflects who he is as a musician and the artists he’s collaborated with. He’s grateful that the Sun Rose venue supports his vision for a truly creative and expansive show.

I’m really impressed with what’s happening at Sun Rose. It feels like they genuinely support creative artists. It all started with Sharyn Goldyn, who’s in charge of booking the music. She immediately reached out to Mike Garson – you probably know him as David Bowie’s pianist – but he’s also incredible with jazz and classical music. She told me he’s exactly the kind of artist she envisioned when she started building this venue, and honestly, it shows!

I was determined to work with truly exceptional and established musicians. That’s why I immediately connected with Mike – he was enthusiastic about collaborating and creating something new.

Garson, who is the artist-in-residence at the venue, appreciates the people he works with – Blackstone and Goldyn – and enjoys the stability of not touring constantly.

Adam is a fantastic musical director, and I contribute what I can. I was honored that Sharyn initially thought of me, but after years of touring with musicians who had worked with David Bowie after his death, I was feeling a bit exhausted. At 80 years old, it’s wonderful to be able to get home quickly. I still perform around 30 to 40 shows a year, including 10 at the Sun Rose, and I never feel like I’m sacrificing my artistic vision. At the Sun Rose, I have the freedom to start most sets with a jazz piece—that’s where my musical background is—and then move into vocal performances. I prefer creating duets, like the ones I did with David, rather than simply accompanying songs. I’m always thinking about how I can bring something new to songs like ‘Space Oddity.’ I like to push boundaries, which is exactly what David would have encouraged. He always believed in stepping outside of your comfort zone.

As a longtime fan, I’m thrilled to hear about this incredible tribute to David Bowie. This Thursday, his birthday, marks the start of a special three-night residency, culminating on the 10-year anniversary of his passing this Saturday. The event, curated by Mike Garson, promises a fantastic lineup of guest artists – much like the shows he does at Blackstone. He’s bringing back some familiar faces like Judith Hill and Luke Spiller, and adding some amazing new ones like Billy Corgan and Andra Day. Debby Holiday will also be gracing the stage, and for a real treat, Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be laying down some beats on Saturday. Garson plans to perform a mix of Bowie’s biggest hits and a few deeper cuts, which sounds like a dream for any Bowie enthusiast like myself. It’s shaping up to be a truly special and unforgettable celebration of a musical icon.

Garson is heading to Dublin in February to honor his almost 50-year friendship and musical partnership with David Bowie. However, he’s chosen to spend Bowie’s birthday performing at the Sun Rose, a venue close to his home. He enjoys the intimate setting and the piano on stage, and loves collaborating with Sharyn. After performing at large venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden with artists such as Bowie, Duran Duran, Nine Inch Nails, and Smashing Pumpkins, Garson now prefers playing smaller clubs.

Just like Vegas hotels host famous musicians like Adele or Rod Stewart for long-term shows, the Sun Rose hotel will transform the entire venue into a David Bowie-themed weekend getaway.

We’re expanding the Bowie theme beyond just music, with ideas like cocktails inspired by his songs and potentially renaming items on our hotel menus and suites. We’re also offering a special hotel package to coincide with this celebration. Because the musician Mike only performs these shows at the Sun Rose, we get a lot of visitors flying in specifically for the event, explains Goldyn.

Guests can look forward to even more immersive experiences as the hotel fully embraces the music venue’s brand. The goal is to make the venue a central part of the hotel’s identity and offer a complete package – including show tickets and a hotel stay – so guests can enjoy everything without ever needing to leave the property.

Blackstone feels the popularity of the hotel’s music club, which he creatively directs, led to the decision to rename the hotel. He explains, “Seeing how well the music club did really influenced the hotel, and I thought, why not extend that musical vibe throughout the entire property? It makes sense for me to oversee the music not just in the club, but everywhere in the hotel.”

After years of touring with other musicians, Blackstone is excited about his new creative space, which he calls his “playground.” He loves being able to experiment with fresh ideas and plans to host a full-day music event on the rooftop or in the bowling alley of the Sun Rose hotel. This event will feature a diverse range of new music, styles, and genres, spotlighting up-and-coming artists he believes will quickly become fan favorites. He also notes that his extensive network, built over years of global travel, will allow him to bring incredible talent directly to the Sun Rose.

Read More

2026-01-07 22:01