River would’ve been an absolute superstar in music and acting if he was still alive.. his role in stand by me will still be one of an all time greats!

I never knew River personnally. He lived near me in the early 90s and one of my girlfriends was friends with him and his family and used to have dinner with them. I saw RIver at some shows in Seattle. At one Melvins show I was in the pit and so was he. He was sitting on the stage watching the crowd and I was right next to him. Then he got up and started moshing and he was bumping into me. He fell down on the ground and I fell right on top of him face to face on the floor. We just stared at each other like, whoa dude. Then someone picked me up and we both picked him up and the show went on. That my River story :)

The desperation in Joaquin’s voice is heartbreaking 🥺

I've always felt River Phoenix was my generation's (Gen X) version of James Dean. So much talent & promise - such an empathetic & caring person, whose empathy made him an even better actor. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I went to the Viper Room about 10 years ago. I can't tell you how eerie it felt being there. I even stood right where River died. I closed my eyes and said a little prayer for him. I felt this strange energy, the hair stood up on my neck.

It's unbearable losing a brother, let alone two. My older brother was murdered by his friend and my other brother died of complications of Aids. I relate with Joaquin and his family, I'm 49 years old and I miss my brothers dearly.

What remains unforgivable to me is that River was pretty much dying inside that club for over 30 minutes before he collapsed outside. Many witnessed the shape he was in, and ignored it. That was a 30 minute window in which he could have, possibly, been saved.

I was at the Viper Room that night with some friends. I saw him there. We left to go to a party in the hills. Crushed me the next morning when I found out. Great job on this.

I grew up in the 90's. River is my generation's James Dean

I've been to the Viper Room many times. The place is spooky, not just because of River Phoenix, but other people have supposedly died in the building...

I'm the same age as you so I remember him coming up in the late 80's. I think back at how absolutely huge he would have been. He was basically if you merged DiCaprio and Depp together. Crazy talented guy, and always humble and shy in interviews.

Every year after River's death, Johnny closed Viper on the anniversary of his death until he sold his portion of the club. There are numerous discussions on River's death. Some say he was actually murdered. Some theories say he was trying to commit suicide because he hated the direction he felt his career going at the time. Fun fact, Christian Slater donated his salary from "Interview With a Vampire" in River's honor.

I will never think River did this to his self ,, and I will keep my little mouth shut 🤐

I love River Phoenix. He was a brilliant actor. When his character cried, I cried. When his character laughed, I laughed. I also enjoyed his singing. What’s sad is, if people were paying attention, he might have lived. May he Rest In Peace.

The River Phoenix memorial garden is only accessible to employees...and the dude who mows the lawns. River was agreat talent, lost far too soon. Thanks for the video.

Kurt Cobain dedicated "Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam" to him shortly after.

Layne Staley also died because of speedball ... R.I.P

Wonder if someone was jealous of River and took him out. Sad

Regarding his drug use, Martha plimpton has stated that the main reason she broke up with him several years earlier was his inability to get clean, so sounds like drug use was a bigger issue in his life.

My band has played The Viper Room many times you walk into that men's restroom and you can definitely feel something sad in that room every single time . me and my guitar player didn't say a word to each other we just stared at each other and said do you feel that chills up and down our arms

He looked like a younger Kurt Cobain,such a tragedy two great artists😔😔

I was 18 years old and grew up with a huge crush on River. His death was devastating. We lost a real talent that day. Rip

Poor Joaquin. I've been a fan of his since Her and wasn't aware of River until a little later after I saw that movie. Hearing him begging the ambulance to come to save his dying brother just breaks my heart. Reminds you to tell your brother that you love him.

A few key things missing from the video 1. This was the day before Halloween and he died past midnight on Halloween morning. 2. John Frusciante from Red Hot Chili Peppers had a very big role in this. There is some debate on this but it seems he's the guy that was giving River the drugs. 3. River could have been saved if they did not waste well over 10 mins outside the club with River on the ground like that. Joaquin didn't want to call 911 because of the news headline it would generate. If they just called 911 right away and explain the OD they could have saved him.

Man, this hits me in the feels. You cover this material in such a respectful manner. Thank you.

Broke my heart, I'm 46 and was 18 when he died, I had loved him all my teenage years. Corey Haim was another love, what is truly heartbreaking is the truth behind Hollywood and the things they went through to get as far as they did..things aren't always what they seem..

The whole night was a very sinister turn of events. The Viper Room. River dying on Halloween. River having a hard time with Judy Davis, an actress he'd long admired and was excited to work with giving him shit: by all accounts she treated him appallingly to the point where he asked the director to postpone love scenes. The director found her very difficult said "I'd never had a problem with an actress before but she (Judy Davis) made up for 30 year's!" River's last take on the set of Dark Blood, where the camera was left on, ended with him emerging as a perfect silhouette as the lights were turned off amongst the glowing candles. River's head went down as he paused for a moment then walked towards the camera. River's last take. The cinematographer said it was the eeriest thing he'd ever experienced: "It still gives me the chills".

River was such a beautiful person

I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing when I heard that River Phoenix had died. I was listening to the radio on a walkman, swinging at the park in the rain. I was 29 years old, and my last name was not yet "Phoenix." His death had a impact on me because he was so young, so talented and good looking. He had his whole life ahead of him, and he died of an overdose. My boyfriend at the time was an alcoholic. Such a shame. They announced his death on the radio and then they played "No Rain" by Blind Melon... and it was raining.

He would be bigger than any of those celebrities because he had much bigger *soul* ...sweet sweet boy....❣

I've been to the Viper Room and I remember my girlfriend showing me that exact spot on the sidewalk where River passed away. It's so sad, what a waste. 😒

Interesting is that 8852 the address for the Viper Room, equals 23, the same age River was when he died.

Sad confession; I came out of Turner's Liquor store on the corner that night, looked to the left and saw there was someone passed out by the curb behind some garbage cans or other (There used to be some bins and paper vending machines between the Liquor Store and the Viper Room) I felt sorry for whoever it was, could only see his legs and shoes, but figured it was the usual drunk, and just went home. I lived at the top of Larrabee right up from that corner. The next day I heard he died and where. I couldn't believe I had seen him and didn't think of going up to the person, which was unlike me. I usually approach people asleep or passed on the sidewalk and try to get them to get up and go somewhere safe. Still can't forgive myself, thinking if only a few minutes might have made a difference :-( RIP guy.

Samantha Mathis initially stated.. John Frusciante gave him a blue cup and said.. "drink this, it'll make you feel fabulous. Years later she changed her statement and refuses to speak on it.

River Phoenix was a phenomenal talent rest in peace

He didn’t die on Halloween Night. He died on Halloween Morning. They went out on the night of Oct 30 (Devil’s Night for Crow fans) & he was pronounced dead at 1:51 am on the morning of the 31st.

Heath Ledger's death reminded me of River dying. Eternally young, now, both.

Hearing that phone call broke my heart, you can hear the panic in his voice. so sad the way River died.

River’s death was the first celebrity death that I was old enough to comprehend that hit me really hard.

His passing just flat out sucks!!! Nothing more I can say about that. Great video, Michael!

I grew up in Arcadia, and worked at the Methodist Hospital in the mid-1980s, so that was a surprise! In 1993, I drove past The Viper Room the day after River died there. It was eerie.

I drive by the viper room that night saw a lot of cop cars ambulance….. etc. My Mom and I had no idea what was going on. My husband at the time had a hard time getting in touch with me because of all the fires. When he finally did he told me about River. What he said was “ Did you hear about your Boy?” Because I was a big big fan. I was floored. RIP

Dancing with the devil is something we all do and are blessed to have survived the crazy things but not all are so fortunate. Great vid man, thanks!

My WTF moment was seeing that TSOL flyer by the door .............

Went here the end of June, big River fan. Such an eerie feeling staring at that concrete right outside the door knowing his fate.

Hunter and johnny Depp were good friends. It's beyond sad about River Phoenix it broke my heart

I miss River! He had a bright future ahead of him! He was signed to start Interview with a Vampire before he passed.

Thank you so much for this!! I loved River as a 14 year old teenager and loved him for the same reasons as being against drugs and being a vegan. As my tears fell when he passed, this was the most devastating of it all! Now as I’m coming up to being 50 years old, I can only imagine how much more he could’ve done! He’s a legend in my heart forever!

It’s funny how the tapes in the club mysteriously vanished that night as well as the person you were talking about that went missing. The fact that River was given that lethal speedball drink that he didn’t even know what it was bc many witnesses said he asked..and the fact that someone gave it to him…w/o telling him what was in the drink….(we’ve heard many names mentioned)…Witnesses coming forward saying that River was crying out that he was dying and JD kicked him outside to the curb..and no police called until way later. Finally 911 was called but no one said anything about him o.d-ing so no life saving measurements taken and he ultimately died. Yet…most people don’t think that’s strange and they are ok to say he just died of drug overdose!!! Yeah right…there’s no doubt in my mind that he was murdered…too many strange coincidences. It makes me sick and I mean look at all the sick crap that has happened around so many people..famous and not. There’s no conspiracy if it’s true and idk if everyone is starting to wake up to the fact that most of the “conspiracy theories” have been found out to be accurate or are coming into the light. I could name other famous people w very similar and eerie circumstances that somehow end up dead as well. The way I see it is this: 1 coincidence- okay. 2 coincidences-that’s really strange…but okay. 3 or more coincidences- yeah…something is definitely wrong with this picture!! Rip to all our beloved lost ones…I hope you’re all together dancing and singing in heaven with all the angels!

The “side entrance” is the actual entrance. What you’re looking at is both the exit and band loading in/out door. There is also a small secret room with a view of the stage. We always called it, ‘The Johnny Room’ after owner Johnny Depp.

I loved River..him in Stand by Me will always be my favorite..'93 was a bad year..my dad passed that June and then River,who would of dominated the rest of the '90s and so on..though,with music being more of his passion, he might of left movies eventually and would of been on the radio for all of us to hear..❤❤RIP River

I can't believe the viper room still exists that's insane

The “Main door” on Sunset is actually the exit door. The main entrance is the one in the side street They used to open the door on Sunset between bands for people to get some fresh air and again after the main act has finished for everyone to exit

My heart and prayers will always be with Samantha , Rain , Joaquin and the Phoenix family ❤️🙏

Can you do a video on Dominique Dunne? She and River were both killed in West Hollywood. They were both taken to Ceder Sinai .

I'll never forget coming home from being out with friends on Halloween and my Mom telling me about River. He was on my wall for years. He could have done so much more ...

Love your channel, thank you for sharing this video about River, he just had a birthday Aug. 23rd he would have turned 51, it’s hard to imagine him being that age because he died so young... Here’s a poem I wrote about River Phoenix, it’s from my poetry collection “12:12 Midnight” "Forever River" A peaceful river flows from the start, Twenty three days and twenty three nights apart. The clear water calm turning into rushing rapids, Tearing you up before you get out, But like a phoenix from the ashes, He will rise, A beautiful spirit, Haunting striking eyes. A room full of vipers, A venom so strong, Taken away in the hollow morning songs. This river treasure, Like a shooting star, Lights up the night sky, And just for a moment, Shines brighter than all the other stars. Seemingly gone forever, But never forgotten. R.I.P. River 💜✨

I remember when this happened. I was 20 years old. I was DEVASTATED. loved all things River & the crew he ran with. Such my jam in the 80’s-90’s

I can't add any more praise for your vids. Great job

Thank you so much for all of your work in these videos. :)

I miss River Phoenix. RIP. His acting was AMAZING...I am happy for his brother but every time his bro wins an award, I think what would River have accomplished.

Always look forward to your videos and adventures such as this one I love how you narrate and the walk throughs of events well done.

I love your content. Very very informative and engaging! Keep it up Michael!

It's a blessing that the celebrity photographer wasn't aware it was River. As I'm sure there would have been photographs circulating of River's last few minutes, soon after.

Tragic story. Great work as always.

Great video! Thanks for taking us through it!

Awesome video! Thank you for being concise while also giving so much perspective.

ugh I just love your videos so much you guys!! thanks for exploring everything I personally cannot, you guys are awesome!

this was heavy man. and a great video. you really do have a great cadence and way of talking about things that make it entertaining

Thanks for another great video! I absolutely love your storytelling and your unique way to bring these memorable events back to life!

I have watched a lot of these before but I am so pleased I have found your channel. It’s the best ever! You are awesome!!!! So good thank you.

Thank you for sharing this awesome video.

Another great vid. Keep up the good work Michael! RIP River...

Was just thinking we needed another grimmlife video!! 💚

Good stuff. Glad to see you grow. Found you when you had 20k followers. Keep up the great work!

Your videos and the editing are just awesome and very professional! Alsways enjoying watching your vids

I named my son, Phoenix Hunter, after River and HST. Such a tragic story. Great video!

Thank you for the vid. Great talent. RIP River.

Greetings & Respect from New York. I enjoyed watching this. You told River’s Story & Time Line with such Compassion & Respect. Thank you.

Wow!! Awesome documentary. I learned more about him from your video. Thanks for that. He is always missed. 😢❤️🙏

Subscribed! I’ve been binge watching your channel in my depression. I haven’t been disappointed yet. The way you give us the story while seeing great scenery is beautiful! Love you

Man I love your videos! Thank you!

You present these stories really well.

Beautiful job, like always awesome research.. always enjoy your content

Never even knew about this, but great research on your part, always love these interesting videos and discoveries.

I stumbled upon this channel along time ago when I was looking up how Paul Walker passed away and watch your video on it, ever since then I’ve been obsessed with your content. You explain everything so throughly and I love the frame match ups, I’m thankful I found the grimm life ❤️

omg I love River!! thank you for this video. I loved it! a few days ago it was his birthday. Hope you're having a nice week!

Another great video Michael

Still remember exactly what I was doing when I heard he passed.great video man!

I remember his sad passing. I wish things could of turned out differently for him. Your videos are so well edited and really draws you in as a viewer. Nice to also see Jessica at the end.

You got great informative videos, much appreciated

Thank you for another fantastic video.

Thanks for this. I was here in 2010 but didn't know exactly where it all went down. The payphone part of the story is especially moving.

A genius in the making. This is the first video I've seen from you you got a new follower man I love these type of videos it makes me feel like the story was that much more real meaning it makes you feel like you're part of the story and you get to see and understand what really happened so sad Phoenix was so talented Gone Too Soon

Love all your videos dude. You cover all the best nostalgic history of art and the music culture that we grew up with.

Thanks for that, comprehensive reporting.

Brilliantly presented & highly informative , Thanks Man from the UK

Michael you are an awesome story-teller. You hold the attention of your audience better than anyone on youtube. Thank you for sharing this sad story of River Phoenix.

Thanks for posting. Great video. Was there in Hollywood when that happened. I remember that day. So sad.

Very sad but a very wonderful piece of work there Sir, thank you.