This kind of stuff might only interest me, but I like to look stuff up on Google Maps now. Their StreetView tool is great. I decided to look up some Michael Knott-related addresses to see what there might be. Here are some interesting StreetViews.
The Rocket and a Bomb apartment complex near the corner of Sunset and Fairfax in Hollywood California. Michael lived here with former band-mate Brian Doidge for a few years. People and events in this apartment complex inspired many songs by Michael (especially on the Rocket & a Bomb album). Google StreetView is movable, so you can click and drag the view around and see the restaurant that used to be a KFC mentioned in “The Shell” off of the World Tour album. You can also see the website for the Villa Rosa apartments, with some pictures of the inside.
Click here to see a photo taken of this apartment complex in 2010. Notice that the restaurant across the street is a KFC. See “The Shell” from World Tour: “at the Kentucky fried…she can sell the shell”
Click here to see a photo taken of this apartment complex in 2026.
The infamous Huntington Beach, where Knott grew up after moving from Illinois and formed many early bands.
St. Simon and Jude Catholic School – Where Knott went until 4th grade. He got kicked out for trying to kiss a girl and had to go to public school after that. Also the place that he met lifelong friend and bandmate Bradford J. Salamon.
Mater Dei High School – where Knott went to high school and formed many locally popular bands like The One, The Hightops, and Mike Knott’s Rubber Band.
Salamon Art Inc. Bradford Salamon’s father’s art framing business in Fountain Valley, California. For at least a decade, various bands that Knott led practiced there, such as The Hightops, The One, Michal Knott’s Rubber Band, Idle Lovell, etc. Some videos were recorded of the practices here. Also, some Idle Lovell promo pictures were taken in front of the shop. See also the current business’s website.
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa – where Knott first saw the Lifesavors play, and was eventually asked to join the band. The Lifesavors would also play several live shows here.
The Flats – an old dormitory for Chapman College, where local Christian band members lived like a band frat house. Knott rented a closet From Chris Brigandi for $100 a month. The door with 121 1/2 above it was apparently the entrance.
The fountain across from The Flats. Knott lost a bet to Chris Brigandi and had to repay the bet by paddling his surfboard in this fountain in his underwear while yelling “surf’s up!” The cops came and he had to run away wet in only his underwear holding his surfboard.
Former location of the Golden Bear Night Club (about where the Huntington Surf and Skate shop is). It was torn down in 1986 and the shopping center was built in it’s place. Many famous acts performed there (see the Wikipedia article on the club). Idle Lovell was one of those bands. See also this picture of the plaque commemorating the club.
Former location of the Coconut Teaszer – the Bomb Bay Babies and Aunt Bettys both played here, as well as Michael Knott’s solo band. The Aunt Betty’s Ford showcase that Laura Hill arranged for Seymour Stein that got them signed took place here on March 23, 1995.
Chateau Marmont – After the March 23, 1995 showcase, the Aunt Bettys, Hill, and Stein went to dinner at Chateau Marmont to discuss details. Knott saw Quentin Tarantino there and talks to him about putting a song in his movie.
The Whisky-a-Go-Go – the Bomb Bay Babies and Aunt Bettys both played here.
Plummer Park, where Knott used to go to pick up Bubbles.
This building is where the Orange YMCA used to be, where the L.S.U. Bible Study happened every Thursday night from 1988-1990. This was also when the Kansas City Prophets caused the problems detailed in The Grape Prophet, so it was people from this Bible study that went to see the prophet speak and left Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
This location (1700 E. Garry Ave #229, Santa Ana, CA 92705) has been been confirmed to be the location of the Blonde Vinyl offices. The embed below shows the entrance to the complex – but it doesn’t have #229 saved, and the building complex in this historical Google Streetview capture has been torn down and replaced. The original mailing address of Blonde Vinyl was P.O. Box 5666, Huntington Beach, California 92646. The mailing address was soon moved to 31441 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 – the address that is on the back of most Blonde Vinyl releases. After that, the offices on E. Garry Avenue were opened.
Dallas & Co Costumes & Magic in Champaign, Illinois. In 1993, Michael Knott flew into Champaign airport for the Cornerstone Festival. After being picked up, while driving through town on the way to Bushnell, Illinois, he saw this costume shop. He made his driver stop, and the band went in to look around. They ended up buying the Cookie Monster, clown, troll, and chicken little masks that they wore in concert here.
The home that used to house the Fabulous Green Room, where Knott recorded many albums with Gene Eugene and others. There is also an old realtor listing that has pictures of the inside, including the recording studio space.
Current location of The Boulevard, formerly known as The Helm. The Helm is where many of the events that became Aunt Bettys songs happened. For example, this is where Penny and Maggie got Knott hooked.
The Viper Room – this was the location of the last Aunt Bettys show before they broke up, as well as a couple Michael Knott solo shows.
Herb’s Garage in Costa Mesa, California. Mentioned in the song “Herb’s Garage.”
The location of the former Ruth Mayer Art Gallery on Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California where Knott worked for a while between 1999 and 2001.
The Wayfarer, formerly known as the Detroit Bar. Location of a couple Aunt Bettys reunion shows, and well as the Aunt Bettys record release / tribute show in 2026.
Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, California, the location of Knott’s rosary and funeral mass.
Good Shepherd Cemetery and Mausoleum – the final resting place of Michael Knott.
From Michael’s daughter Stormie: “He told me before he passed away that he wanted to have a space where people could visit him if they wanted to. His gravesite is at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach, California. You drive in, turn right at the church and his grave is near the metal gate with the container behind it.”
You can use this map to Michael Knott’s grave location at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach, California.