Image via Complex Original
Music venues are ephemeral. Gentrification, tax evictions, riots, and mounting debt are among the possible culprits that may lead to your musical mainstay closing its doors one day.
Still, long after an establishment hosts its final show, the memories from inebriated tales, unforgettable performances, and unexpected hookups are still housed within those hallowed walls. While some venues have withstood the test of time—Whiskey a Go-Go, Webster Hall, and the Apollo Theater come to mind—many of our once-favorite venues haven't fared as well.
From the legendary Fillmore, to the hip-hop Radiotron, and the run-down Rathskeller, many of music's most iconic venues have been lost, but still deserve to be recognized for the role they played in our nation's greatest music cities. With the recent news of the future closure of Roseland Ballroom, we thought it would be very fitting to take a trip down memory lane and pour one our for the iconic venues we'll never see a show at again.
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Antone's
City: Austin
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 6th St. and Brazos St.
Closed doors in: 1980
Famous for: Played a pivotal role in making Austin the Live Music Capital of the World
It's wild to consider Clifford Antone, founder of the Austin's namesake club, dropped out of school due to an arrest for possession of marijuana. However, we're glad he did. After leaving school behind, he nurtured his passion for the blues, and opened up Antone's at the age of 25. First opened on the notorious 6th St., the club helped garnered Austin's reputation as a music city. Featuring blues legends like Fats Domino, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Water, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the club has won countless music awards and was named Nightclub of the Year by USA Today. Even though the club still exists at another location, the original club shaped Austin's blues scene into what it is today.
Hi-Pointe
City: St. Louis
Neighborhood: Hi-Pointe
Address: 1001 McCausland Ave.
Closed doors in: September 3, 2006
Famous for: Instrumental to developing the careers of Ruff Ryders and Julez Santana
Serving as St. Louis' premier dive bar, Pointe Blank was the second home to a diverse crowd: hardcore lifers, punks, hard-rockers, and hip-hop purists. Artists like Jeff Buckley and Queens of the Stone Age performed there back in its glory days, but that's not to say the venue didn't cater to its local patron. The venue was instrumental in showcasing a number of hip-hop acts like Ruff Ryders, Julez Santana, and DMac, among others. It was a hot spot on Monday nights when local acts like DJ Solo and Chilly C or burgeoning talents like David Banner and the Clipse could be found playing.
Cotton Club
City: New York
Neighborhood: Harlem
Address: 666 W. 125 St.
Closed doors in: 1936
Famous for: America's most famous nightclub in the '40s
Cotton Club was undoubtedly the most famous nightclub in the U.S. during the Prohibition era. While it was a whites-only establishment (as were many others at the time), it ironically featured a prominent number of black entertainers in the jazz and big-band industry like Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong among others. The club largely suffered from the Harlem race riots in 1936, and eventually closed down for good in 1940. Even though it's been more than half a century since its closure, its legacy still continues to this day serving as the inspiration behind many films and musicals.
Bookie's
City: Detroit
Neighborhood: Woodward
Address: 870 W. McNichols St.
Closed doors in: Late '80s
Famous for: Known as Detroit's CBGB
While the Rhythm Kitchen at Stanley Mania Café was representing the hip-hop scene in Detroit, Bookies's served as the haven for Detroit's latter half: its punks, goths, and hard-rockers. Often packing sold-out shows, the venue was jammed with people as they moved their sweat-clad bodies to the band of the night, whether it was Iggy Pop, the Romantics, or the Police. While New York had CBGB, Detroit had Bookie's as some of its famous clientele included David Bowie, Elvis Costello, and Blondie. Even renowned magazines like Creem and Life ran stories on the legendary club. Unfortunately, the club reached its demise in the late '80s and was eventually burned down.
The 20 Grand
City: Detroit
Neighborhood: Woodbridge
Address: 14th St. & Warren Ave.
Closed doors in: Sometime in the '70s
Famous for: Marvin Gaye to Anna Gordy being wed on premise
The 20 Grand was easily one of the most famous nightclubs during its glory days in the 1950s. Serving as a Detroit mainstay for many years, lines of people would wrap around the club just to get in to see Motown productions from acts like the Temptations, the Spinners, Marlena Shaw, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder and more. Even a Parliament Funkadelic and a 20-year-old Aretha Franklin graced the 20 Grand stage. The venue also served as a recording studio where radio personality Eric Durham did his residency and where a plethora of Motown artists went to record their greatest hits. This venue proved instrumental in capitalizing on the Motown sound, which would later act as a catalyst to the R&B and hip-hop movements.
The Channel
City: Boston
Neighborhood: South Area
Address: 25 Necco St.
Closed doors in: Dec. 31, 1991
Famous for: Being a center for Boston's youth and music culture
Upon entering the Channel, loyal fans were met with a classic roadhouse look as a 15' PA system would sway from side to side when local acts graced the stage. But don't let looks deceive you, this rundown club served as a mainstay for Boston's metalheads, punks, and goths throughout the '80s until it was closed down in 1991. A pantheon of top-of-the-line acts like Fleetwood Mac, the Kinks, the Byrds, Slayer, Stone Temple Pilots, and the Cure among others played to sold-out crowds during its heyday. The club also came furnished with a concession stand, game room, and a back bar area, and served as a favorite hangout for Boston's youth. Unfortunately, nothing is left of the building; it was demolished in the late '90s.
Pac-Jam/ Bass Station
City: Miami
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: Unknown
Closed doors in: Late '80s
Famous for: Serving as the epicenter for the Miami bass scene
In South Florida, local clubs Pac-Jam and Bass Station contributed to the flourishing Miami bass scene, which incorporated big booty bass sounds with dirty rap cuts. Memorable acts like the cacophonic group Dynamix II, female MC Dimples Tee, and in-house producer Eric Griffin, contributed to the rise and indelible influence the clubs would have on hip-hop. Bass Station also served as an independent music label, where rap hits were recorded like Dimples Tee's "Jealous Fella's," and Dynamix II's "Just Give the D.J. a Break." Even though both clubs faltered in the late '80s, they were an instrumental force in West Coast hip-hop.
Cardi's
City: Houston
Neighborhood: Westwood
Address: 9301 Bissonnet St.
Closed doors in: 1985
Famous for: Top metal venue in Texas in the '80s
In the early '80s, Cardi's was the premier spot for Texas's heavy metal bands to showcase their talents. Unfortunately, what was once a tour-spot for Metallica and Dokken is now a karaoke joint. In memory of the venue, a documentary filled with unreleased footage and VHS interviews was compiled in The Advenutres of Hank Balz and Cardi's.
Club Kaya
City: Atlanta
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 595 N. Ave.
Closed doors in: Late '90s
Famous for: The premier hot spot in the Atlanta hip-hop scene
Part restaurant and part performance venue, Club Kaya was a renowned venue in the Atlanta rap scene. It was a cultural epicenter, and on any given night, you could see a number of DJs like Frank Ski or DJ Kermit spinning afro-latin funk cuts or hip-hop gems. On Sunday nights, they had the legendary Old School Sundays as DJ Nabs ruled the decks. Kaya was known for spawning the careers of a number of hip-hop legends like Jay-Z and a young Ludacris but also featured old school artists like Sugarhill Kane and Kurtis Blow. The venue was featured in the film American DJ Story, which documented the rise of spinners in Atlanta.
The Bayou
City: Washington D.C.
Neighborhood: Georgetown
Address: 3135 K St.
Closed doors in: Dec. 31, 1998
Famous for: Rock n' roll mecca of Washington D.C.; Featured in documentary The Bayou DC's Killer Joint
Opened in 1953 on site of a former Dixieland nightclub, the Bayou later served as the hot spot for college students in Georgetown University in the '90s. When Telstars became the house band in the early '60s, the Bayou became the rock n' roll mecca of Washington D.C. Soon after the small, rundown bar featured a number of top-selling talents including U2, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Bands, Foreigner, Kiss, and more. Unfortunately, the venue closed in 1998 and made room for a theater.
The Royal Theater
City: Baltimore
Neighborhood: West Area
Address: 1329 Pennsylvania Ave.
Closed doors in: 1971
Famous for: Mecca for black entertainment in '60s and '70s.
Serving as the premier theater in the entertainment district along Pennsylvania Avenue, the Royal Theater was the spot amongst high elites, zoot suiters, and business impresarios. And with tickets at just $1, loyal patrons could see the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and more. Among other venues that prospered under the laws of segregation, the Royal Theater was the only place where blacks could go and eventually became the epicenter of black entertainment. Other notable acts include crooners Etta James and Count Basie and the Motown groups the Temptations and the Supremes. Harlem had the Apollo theater and Chicago had the Regal Theatre, but Baltimore had the Royal theater.
The Warehouse
City: New Orleans
Neighborhood: St. Thomas Development
Address: 1820 Tchoupitoulas St.
Closed doors in: Sept. 10, 1982
Famous for: Jim Morrison's last performance with the Doors on Dec. 12, 1970
Housed in an old, abandoned 30,000-square-foot warehouse, (hence its name) this iconic space eventually proved to be the one of the best venues in the south during its 12-year run. Bringing in a plethora of impressive headliners, the venue booked the likes of Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and more back in its glory days. Just like the west and the east had the Fillmore, the south had the Warehouse. In its opening night, the Grateful Dead were arrested for possession of marijuana, and the incident was later immortalized in their song "Truckin." Unfortunately, the venue was closed in 1982 with a closing performance from the Talking Heads, and was later demolished in 1989.
Max's Kansas City
City: New York
Neighborhood: Flatiron/Gramercy
Address: 213 Park Ave. S
Closed doors In: 1974
Famous for: Epicenter of '60s culture
Max's Kansas City served as the hot spot amongst a wide range of artists and celebrities in the late '60s: Roy Lichtenstein, Allen Ginsberg and Andy Warhol could be seen there on any given night. The venue was the cultural locus of the first wave glam rock, with eccentric artists like David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Iggy Pop as regulars and performers. Legendary bands like Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, and the Velvet Underground also played some of their first shows there. The original venue closed in 1974 and is now home to a sandwich shop, Bread and Butter. However, its legacy lived on in its relocation to West 23rd St. in 1975, which served as a punk epicenter bands like The Ramones, Television, The Cramps and the Sex Pistols.
The Rec Room
City: New York
Neighborhood: Dumbo
Address: 1520 Sedgwick Ave.
Closed doors in: Sometime in the '80s
Famous for: Known to many as "the birthplace of hip-hop"
Although it may not be considered the official venue (if there could even be one), 1520 Sedgwick Ave. was credited as a pivotal epicenter for hip-hop. Though its moniker as the birthplace of hip-hop may get an eye-roll from hip-hop purists, the place left an undeniable influence in hip-hop's early years. DJ Kool Herc threw house concerts at the rec room, which featured DJing and MCing from a number of acts including Grandmaster Flash, Busy Bee, Afrika Bambaattaa, Red Alert, and KRS-One. Even though the parties eventually lost their fervor due to gentrification, the place served as the inspiration to KRS-One's conscious rap group, Boogie Down Productions.
Lounge Ax
City: Chicago
Neighborhood: Lincoln Area
Address: 2438 N. Lincoln Ave.
Closed doors in: Jan. 15, 2000
Famous for: Being the pinnacle of the post-punk scene in Chicago
Located across from Wax Trax Records in Chicago, Lounge Ax became one of the leading Chicago nightclubs during the pinnacle of the post-punk scene in the late 1980s to 2000. It was a favorite hang out spot amongst the locals to hear alternative and indie rock on late nights. Even though the Lounge Ax was known for drawing notable acts like Wilco and Yo La Tengo in their heyday, it was still revered by locals for nurturing ithe city's burgeoning scene of talented rockers like Liz Phair, Urge Overkill, and Eleventh Dream Day. The club wasn't only exclusive to musical acts. It featured a number of theatrical and sketch comedy productions like "Milly Orchid's Show." Unfortunately, the club was plagued with legal fees and complaints, which led to its demise in 2000. But the legendary venue didn't go down without a fight. A compilation CD produced by Touch & Go Records was sold, but the proceeds weren't enough to cover its growing legal costs.
The Cuckoo's Nest
City: Costa Mesa, California
Neighborhood: Costa Mesa
Address: 1714 Placentia Ave.
Closed doors in: Late '80s
Famous for: Appeared in documentaries Urban Struggle and We Were Feared
Serving as the hub and epicenter for punk-rock aficionados in California, the Cuckoo's Nest was home to the first slam pit by hosting bands like the Ramones, the Damned, XTC, Black Flag, the Cramps, Suicidal Tendencies, and more. In the meantime, Madame Wong's, in Los Angeles, was ran by emigrant Esther who would later be named "The Godmother of Punk." It was said that Wong was a no-nonsense woman who would listen to audition tapes in her car, throwing out the bad ones while driving on the highway. Even though the police constantly harassed both venues, they still served as a haven for punk-rock youth, becoming the most iconic punk venues in America. Although both clubs closed in the '80s, the venues' legacies lived on. Films such as We Were Feared and Urban Struggle documented the punk scene at Cuckoo's Nest, and another venue paying homage to Madame Wong's opened in 2009 with performances from Wavves and Vampire Weekend.
The Starwood
City: Los Angeles
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Address: 8151 Santa Monica Blvd.
Closed doors in: 1981
Famous for: Home to Van Halen, Black Flag, and Motley Crue
Before becoming the Starwood, the club was called PJ's, a premier jazz nightclub in the 60's that attracted a number of film and TV personalities. Managed by Elmer Valentine, the founder of Whikey a Go-Go, PJ's was bought out by an organized crime figure, Eddie Nash, and turned into The Starwood. The venue served as the stomping grounds of talents in the late '70s, spawning the careers of many bands like Black Flag, the Germs, the Knack, Motley Crue, and Van Halen. Even though the club was closed down in 1981 due to underage drinking citations, the legendary club lives on in the lyrics and early memories of Anthony Kiedis, who had to sneak into the Starwood to catch his favorite shows.
Sin-E
City: New York
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 122 St. Mark's Place
Closed doors in: April 2, 2007
Famous for: Served as the venue for Jeff Buckley's first EP Live at Sin-E in 1993
As the go-to club amongst an iconoclastic clientele of emerging writers, photographers, artists, designers, and musicians, Sin-E offered a creative atmosphere with acoustic gigs in its late-night sessions. Musicians like Ben Folds, Octopus Project, and Jeff Buckley took their first risk in the music biz at the venue, playing for measly tips. Its famous clientele and well-known performers included Johnny Depp U2, and Iggy Pop. Unfortunately, the original club closed in 1996, only to be relocated numerous times at North Eight St. in 2000 and at 150 Attorney St. in 2003. The final venue at Attorney St. only survived a short stint before being closed due to gentrification in 2007.
Stanley's Mania Café- (The Rhythm Kitchen)
City: Detroit
Neighborhood: New Center Area
Address: 265 E. Baltimore St.
Closed doors in: 1997
Famous for: Ciphering impromptu jam sessions among rappers like Eminem and Proof
Serving as the epicenter for the hip-hop scene in the early '90s in Detroit, Stanley's Mania Café held a weekly function titled the Rhythm Kitchen and the Hip-Hop Shop served as the early stomping ground for Eminem and D12. Detroit music scene impresario Maurice Malone held events at both venues by clearing out all the tables and bringing in a heavy sound system to feature a slew of up-and-coming hip-hop acts. Thanks to the scene held down at both places, the Detroit music scene spawned the careers of a number of hi-hop acts including Slum Village, Eminem, and Black Milk. Cool factoid: The Rhythm Kitchen and the Hip Hop Shop served as the inspirations behind the film 8 Mile.
RKCNDY
City: Seattle
Neighborhood: Belltown
Address: 1812 Yale Ave.
Closed doors in: Oct. 31, 1999
Famous for: The home for the early years of Pearl Jam and Nirvana
After Pearl Jam and Soundgarden's inclusion in the 1992 Lollapalooza set, everyone claimed to know the staple "Seattle sound." No one exploited that market more than Seattle's clubs Off Ramp and RKCNDY. Although both clubs didn't withstand the test of time, both housed the early performances of Pearl Jam and Nirvana in 1990. While Off Ramp was turned into the still-standing Showbox, RKCNDY was closed in 1999.
13. The Palladium
City: New York City
Neighborhood: Irving Plaza
Address: E. 14th St.
Closed doors in: 1997
Famous for: Graced the front cover of Clash's album London Calling; home to two extended sets by The Grateful Dead
Bigger than a club but smaller than the arena-sized Madison Square Garden, The Palladium brought in a number of world-class acts thanks to its prestige and killer acoustics. The venue was originally titled the Academy of Music and hosted a number of talents including the Rolling Stones, Blue Oyster Cult, and Iggy Pop. Later in its years, the Palladium came to house a number of new wave bands like the Clash and U2; hip-hop acts like Biggie, Tupac, and P. Diddy; and heavy metal outfits like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. After the success of Studio 54, the Palladium was turned into a premier dance club but was later bought out and demolished in 1997 by New York University.
Eve's After Dark
City: Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Compton
Address: 12823 S. Avalon Blvd.
Closed doors in: Late '80s or early '90s
Famous for: Breathing life into West Coast Rap
Every weekend, Eve's After Dark served as a the social melting pot for early rap music as young, hungry, and aspirational DJs, MCs, and breakers would gather here until the early mornings. Since the club was located within the formal area of Los Angeles County, the club was able to operate until five in the morning. Even though the club was a fixture during the disco era, B-boy Alonzo Williams began to favor turntables over his dance gear and turned Eve After Dark into a premier hip-hop joint in the West Coast. The club served as the home to Williams DJ crew, known as the World Class Wreckin' Cru, but also booked a number of impressive acts like Kurtis Blow and Run D.M.C and served as the old recording studio for the now legendary Dr. Dre.
The Fillmore Auditorium/ The Elite Club
City: San Francisco
Neighborhood: Western Addition
Address: 1805 Geary Blvd.
Closed doors in: 1968
Famous for: Housing all the top '60s psychedelic bands
In the mid-1960s, the original Fillmore Auditorium became the focal point for psychedelic music and '60s youth subculture, housing bands like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival and more. The venue didn't just showacase rock acts but also featured jazz virtuoso Miles Davis, timeless songstress Aretha Franklin, and soul singer Otis Redding and poetry readings. When the Fillmore was relocated to the Fillmore West in 1968, the Elite Club was moved into the original Fillmore's location. Ran by '80s punk promoter Paul Rat, the Elite Club showcased bands like Bad Religion, Black Flag, Bad Brains, and more. Bill Graham, the owner of the Fillmore chains, died in a helicopter crash in 1991, but his remaining wish was to reopen the original location of the Fillmore. His wish was fulfilled in 1994, when the original Fillmore Auditorium finally reopened after nearly 30 years with performances from the Smashing Pumpkins and Primus.
The Rathskeller
City: Boston
Neighborhood: Kenmore Square
Address: 528 Commonwealth Ave.
Closed doors in: 1997
Famous for: Locus of Boston Rock n' Roll
Becoming known as the "locus of Boston Rock and Roll," the Rat was known for bringing in an ironclad list of burgeoning acts while still maintaining that home charm by nurturing their local talents. During its prime, the Rat hosted a number of acts including The Ramones, Talking Heads, R.E.M. The Police, Pixies, Metallica, and the Cars. Their live album Live at The Rat, featured the music of the day while documenting its importance to Boston's music scene. Even though the venue was closed down in 1997, its legacy still lives on in references through the book "All Souls" and the film All Ages: The Boston Hardcore Film and in the video game Guitar Hero.
Gorilla Gardens
City: Seattle
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Address: 307 Nickerson St.
Closed doors in: Late '80s
Famous for: Circle Jerks riot
Serving as an unsavory all-ages club, Gorilla Gardens would soon become associated with the embryonic Seattle grunge sound. While many bands considered it a rip-off joint, the club still served as a tour-stopper amongst many top-notch bands like The Ramones, Guns n' Roses, Sonic Youth, and Violent Femmes. Even though the bar flew under the radar for most of its existence, Gorilla Gardens was thrust into notriety after a performance from the Circle Jerks brought in the Fire Marshall and catalyzed into a chaos-inspired riot.
Radiotron
City: Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Mac Arthur Park Area
Address: 715 South Park View
Closed doors in: 1985
Famous for: Featured in the documentary Breakin'
Radiotron opened up a chapter in L.A. hip-hop history when it came out from a nightclub titled Radioclub, where Ice T served as the MC. While it wasn't a music venue per se, it was a safe haven for youth, as it fused all the aspects of hip-hop culture under one roof: DJing, MCing, tagging, and breaking. Many performers at Radiotron served as the pioneers of West coast rap including the Radio Crew featuring Ice T, Chris "The Glove," Egyptian Lover, and Henry G. The film Breakin' was filmed here, and the club's closure in 1984 inspired the film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.
Minton's Playhouse
City: New York
Neighborhood: Harlem
Address: 210 W. 118th St.
Closed doors in: 1974
Famous for: Early jam sessions with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
Founded by tenor saxophonist Henry Milton in 1938, Minton's Playhouse pioneered the development of modern jazz and bebop with their famous in-house jam sessions featuring the top jazz musicians of the day, including Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Some of its other famous clientele included author Ralph Ellison and musicians Roy Eldridge. In favor of booking big-name acts, Minton's changed its open jam policy, which eventually led to the club's demise in 1974.
Gazzarri's
City: Los Angeles
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Address: 9039 Sunset Blvd.
Closed doors in: 1993
Famous for: Brother venue to the still-standing Whiskey a Go-Go
Featuring a young set of faces from the Doors (before they reached mainstream ubiquity) Gazzarri's reached its peak popularity in the late 1960s thanks to the charismatic Jim Morrison. The venue, along with Whiskey a Go Go, was one of L.A.'s hot spots, featuring bands like Buffalo Springfield and the Walker Brothers. A slew of glam metal cheese bands including Motley Crue, Poison, and the David Lee Roth-led Van Halen made Gazzarri's their second home amongst the bars in West Hollywood.
The Vulcan Gas Company
City: Austin
Neighborhood: South Area
Address: 316 Congress Ave.
Closed doors in: Summer of 1970
Famous for: Performances from early Steve Miller Band, Muddy Waters, and Velvet Underground
Serving as the premier psychedelic music venue in Austin, Texas, the Vulcan provided a home for a slew of unconventional bands like Shiva's Headband and the iconic 13th Floor Elevators. While the venue was known for its rundown appearance, the kaleidoscopic light show offset its rustic decor. Random factoid: owner Houston White was unable to acquire a liquor license due to his conviction for selling acid to an undercover cop. Due to that, the club reached its demise. Not even a weekend-long benefit performance from legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter could offset the venue's rising financial difficulties.
The Ritz
City: New York
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 119 E. 11th St.
Closed doors in: July 1988
Famous for: U2's first live show in the U.S; Featured in Guns n' Roses "You Could Be Mine" &and Danzig "Mother" music videos
In the '80s, The Ritz served as the premier venue for showcasing burgeoning rock acts. Eric Clapton, Prince, Sting, Kiss, B.B. King, Guns n' Roses, and Tina Turner all performed at what was called "the best stage in New York City." It may have not been as iconoclastic as the CBGB, but the Ritz was undeniably one of New York's top clubs. The venue was the first nightclub to feature 30' video screens and projectors, a trend that would soon spread across America. MTV also aired a series "Live from the Ritz" on Saturday nights which showcased bands like Run-DMC, The Cult, Iggy Pop, and Guns n' Roses. The Ritz was located in the building what is now known as Webster Hall (another iconic venue).
The Fillmore East
City: New York
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 525 E. 11th St.
Closed doors in: June 27, 1971
Famous for: The recordings of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys and a legendary performance of John Lennon with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
Serving as the counterpart to the existing Fillmore in San Francisco, the Fillmore East opened in 1968 and quickly became known as "The Church of Rock and Roll." Due to the burgeoning growth of the concert industry, the Fillmore East reached its demise in 1971, featuring a closing week with performances from The Allman Brothers Band, Albert King, the Beach Boys, and more. The venue was known for its superb acoustics, which gained attention from acts like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, and Miles Davis, all of whom would later release live CDs recorded at the historic site. Unfortunately, the venue only operated for three years, later serving as the New Fillmore East in 1974, a gay nightclub titled The Saint in 1980, and presently, a savings bank. A signpost is the only thing that marks the spot of this historic venue.
CBGB
City: New York
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 315 Bowery St.
Closed doors in: Oct. 15, 2006
Famous for: New York's most famous punk club
Known as Country, BlueGrass, and Blues, CBGB became home to the punk and new wave movement and cemented itself as one of the most iconic venues in America. It became the hot spot in New York, becoming the home to a plethora of bands including Television, the Ramones, the Police, the Cramps, the B-52's, Blondie, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Talking Heads, Misfits, and the Ramones. Though the venue flourished throughout the '80s and '90s, it closed in 2008 with a final concert from punk star Patti Smith and appearances from Red Hot Chili Pepper's Flea and Television "Richard Lloyd. Thankfully, the venue's legacy lives on in the lyrics of Talking Heads, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, and in a number of films including Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Summer of Sam.