For more than six decades, the Sunset Marquis Hotel has been a regular stop for some of the biggest names in rock. Located just off the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, the hotel earned a reputation as more than a place to stay. It became a private retreat where artists wrote music, relaxed away from the spotlight and created countless stories that became part of rock history.
That history is now the focus of the new documentary If These Walls Could Rock.
Directed by Tyler Measom (Murder Among Mormons, An Honest Liar) and Craig A. Williams, the film combines archival footage, animated sequences, and interviews with musicians who have long considered the hotel their home away from home. Among those featured are 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 several others.
Alongside the stories from its famous guests, the documentary looks at the relationship between founder George Rosenthal and his son Mark, whose work helped turn what started as a small West Hollywood motel into one of the music world’s most recognizable destinations.
“Within five minutes of walking in the Marquis, you may hear a rock and roll story that sounds completely made up, but come to learn is true,” say directors Measom and Williams. “Still beyond the many amazing musical stories, the father-and-son tale at the heart of the hotel is what truly inspired us to create this film.”
If These Walls Could Rock opens on August 14 at the Landmark Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles. Screenings will include question-and-answer sessions with the filmmakers and guests featured in the documentary. The film will also become available the same day through Apple TV and Amazon.
Production duties were handled by longtime MTV veterans Rick Krim, Robert Friedman, and Mike Powers of Bungalow Media Entertainment, together with Mark Rosenthal, David Thurston, and Alexis Thurston.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Measom explained why the project surprised even him.
“Most people have no idea of the history,” Measom told The Hollywood Reporter. “Even the musicians who stay there, I don’t even think they know the vast history of this hotel. And they won’t know until this film is out.”
The documentary began to take shape after Measom and Williams worked together on the Paramount+ hair metal documentary series I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream.
“I had no idea that place existed, really,” Measom admitted. “But when I read Craig’s book, I was amazed [at] this place, which, as we mention in the film, is hiding in plain sight… So naturally I dove right in.”
