The Night Henry Rollins Was Almost Murdered
Henry Rollins is a hardcore music legend. As lead singer for Black Flag (1981–86) and the Rollins Band (1987–2006), he was a figurehead in the Los Angeles punk rock scene. He became a music radio host, an actor and a columnist for LA Weekly. He was no stranger to violence having engaged in fights with punk rock audience members for years. But in 1991, he nearly lost his life.
Rollins and his best friend Joseph Cole, a roadie for Black Flag, were making a documentary about homeless Vietnam veterans in Venice Beach. The two friends rented an apartment in the rough Oakwood section of Venice to facilitate filming. On December 19, 1991, they attended a Hole concert at Whiskey a Go Go on the Sunset Strip. They returned to their neighborhood around midnight and walked a block to an all-night grocery store. Returning home, they were confronted by two 20-something men armed with guns. (Likely members of a local gang).
The assailants forced Rollins to his knees and made Cole lie face down on the sidewalk. They pointed guns at Rollins and Cole and told them if they screamed they would die. They demanded money but Rollins and Cole only had $50 between them. The robbers ordered Rollins to go inside his apartment and retrieve more cash.
Rollins rose and walked toward the apartment. He heard a gun shot behind him. Not looking back…
