ShortHand: The Viper Room & The Death of River Phoenix

RedHanded

Tuesday, 10 March 2026 - 23 minutes

In October 1993, River Phoenix crashed out of Johnny Depp’s exclusive club, fell onto the pavement, and died. An hour earlier, the 23-year-old rising star had snorted a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin known as a ‘speedball’ in the toilets. As he staggered around the club, no one offered Phoenix anything more than a valium to "take the edge off”. How did Johnny Depp’s club become such a den of iniquity and excess? And more importantly, how did it survive after the death of Hollywood’s golden boy?--Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / InstagramSources and more available on redhandedpodcast.com

Subscribe to this podcast

On Air Now The best music on Rainbow Radio 7:00am - 9:00pm
Now Playing
B.o.t.a. (Baddest Of Them All) [Edit] Eliza Rose; Interplanetary Criminal Download
Recently Played
  • I Love It (Feat. Charli Xcx) Icona Pop 13:27
    Download
  • Hall Of Fame (Feat. Will.i.am) The Script 13:24
    Download
  • Break My Soul Beyoncé 13:19
    Download

Listen Live