Others

OTHER CLUBS WORTH MENTIONING

Rockefeller's on Washington was a very popular nightclub in the 70's and 80's. It was once the old Heights National Bank and had a great ambience. Several national acts played there and it showcased a lot of local acts like the Krayolas that performed a dead-on imitation of the Doors along with some rocking original material.

The Texas Opry House on Richmond had a lot of fine diverse acts in the 70's and early 80's. Bluegrass acts like John Hartford; progressive country folks like Willie Nelson, Willis Alan Ramsey, and Jerry Jeff Walker; blues great BB King; and rockers like the Police and Johnny Winters.

Fitzgeralds in the Heights (website) has been rocking Houston since 1977 and is still going strong. Plenty of national and local acts have been showcased here but my favorite memories were of the many times in the 80's when I saw the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble play there. (Note calendar autographed by Stevie). He brought down the house every time.

Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant recently celebrated it's 40th anniversary. Primarily featuring folk music, the club, built in an old Montrose house, has been an important venue for local artist. Popular local and national artist like Shake Russell, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Carolyn Hester, Robert Earl Keen, and the Flatliners (Vince Bell, Steve Fromholz and Eric Taylor) have frequently performed there. In the 70's the club would throw some great block parties.

Besides the above there were a handful of clubs that featured mostly local bands like the Cellar, The Living Eye, Jubilee Hall and the Agora Ballroom. Don't have much info on them. Most of them had a short existence. I also have fond memories of spending many Sundays at Milby Park where local groups would line up to play. It was like a mini Woodstock every performance. If you remember any more that I'm forgetting, please let me know.