The global coronavirus has changed the world as we know it. While businesses are starting to reopen, live event venues remain closed under the quarantine procedures in place. These pieces of culture and history now face closure if no action is taken.
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) recently surveyed its 2,000 members across all 50 states. Their report indicates that up to nine out of ten event venues will "close permanently" without federal funding. To help save these venues, visit SaveOurStages.com.
Aside from being a place for having fun and watching your favorite acts, event venues have also served as springboards for some of the biggest names in music. Here are a few examples that prove these event venues are cornerstones of the music industry.
Troubadour, West California, CA
This nightclub first opened in 1957 at 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard. Since then, it has been a witness in the careers of artists Hoyt Axton, Jackson Brown, Carole King, and James Taylor. It is also an essential venue for bands The Byrds, Bad Religion, Redd Kross, and Flipper.
By the 1980s, Troubadour has become a must-see in the music industry. It has become the birthing ground for glam metal acts including Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, and WASP. Later on, it has helped boost the careers of Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, and recently, Orville Peck.
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Unfortunately, it is not immune to the economic backlash following the pandemic. It has already announced standing on the verge of permanent closure. It has even launched a crowdfunding page to support its workers affected by the cancelation of live events.
First Avenue & 7th St. Entry, Minneapolis, MN
These two venues share the same building in downtown Minneapolis. Their names are taken from the streets where they were located. Known as "The Mainroom" and its smaller, younger brother "The Entry," the landmark recently celebrated its 50th anniversary last April 3.
These twin event venues within the Twin Cities has become the launch point for many icons of the music industry who are native to the area. From The Purple One, Prince himself, to notable rock band Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, and more.
In fact, the location appeared in Prince's film "Purple Rain," with most of the performances shot in The Mainroom. Playboy Magazine once included these venues in its "Guide to Best Nightclubs in the World" back in 2013.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
The open-air event venue sits in the middle of sandstone boulders. Its majestic backdrop, the natural acoustics, and the sloping formation for the audience make Morrison's Red Rocks a unique experience.
Its rich history points out to John Brisben Walker producing concerts in this venue from as early as 1906. As far as the modern music industry is concerned, it was The Fab Four that was among the first rock and roll bands to perform back in August 1964. Thirty-six years later, in 2000, The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr returned with his band and asked if anyone in the crowd was in their previous concert back in 1964.
It has an infamous history with Jethro Tull in 1971, leading to a five-year ban of rock concerts. For the duration of the ban, only country, pop, and jazz acts were allowed. John Denver, Sonny & Cher, Carole King, and The Carpenters performed on the venue. The ban was lifted with promoter Barry Fey's effort to bring in the band America in 1975.
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
This Nashville event venue was an actual place of worship before it became known as the "Mother Church of Country Music." The Ryman Auditorium was once the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the premier event for America's country music industry.
As the Mother Church, most of America's country legends have performed here. Dolly Parton, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, and more have made their respective Opry debuts in the Ryman. Patty Griffin recorded her album "A Kiss in Time" here back in 2003.
One of its most prominent modern events was Foo Fighters' Halloween show in 2014. Also, hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan was the first to hold an entire rap concert back in 2009.
