The Agora Is Closing It's Doors

The Agora is closing its doors. I don’t know sadder words in the vein of Cleveland music history.

Hank LoConti Sr said the Agora is closing for the summer with plans on re-opening in the fall but we have heard that from many businesses in the past especially in these hard economic times.

The Agora was/is our Fillmore West, our Whiskey, our CBGB, and our Stone Pony. The Agora was our identity when Cleveland was the place for music in the country, when we really were the Rock And Roll Capital Of The World.

The Agora was originally started in 1966 by LoConti near Case Western Reserve University campus. Hank really was a pioneer of promoting live music in the Cleveland area and quickly outgrew the original building and the next year moved to the famous 1730 E24th St location next to Cleveland State University where music history was made not only for Cleveland but on the national and international level also. After a fire destroyed the E24th location in 1984, LoConti moved The Agora to the present location on Euclid Ave. (photo below courtesy of Janet Macoska)

You know who played the Agora over the years? How about David Bowie, Bob Marley, AC/DC, The Clash, The Ramones, The Grateful Dead, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Southside Johnny, Muddy Waters, Lou Reed, Tom Petty, Meatloaf, The Police, Allman Brothers, Journey, ZZ Top, Tom Waits, Kiss, Paul Simon, Judas Priest, Bob Seger, John Mellencamp, Peter Frampton, The Pretenders, Metallica, Neil Young, T-Rex, Steppenwolf, Iggy Pop, The Outlaws, James Gang, The Raspberries, Bo Diddley, Todd Rundgren, U2 and probably the most famous concert held there August 9, 1978, Bruce Springsteen on the WMMS 10th Anniversary show that was broadcast live across the country. These are just a few of the thousands of bands that have passed thru this famous landmark and its doors are closing.

Hank was also innovative when in 1968 he opened Agency Recording above the club to record live shows and produce albums. You know, most of the shows from the bands above still exist especially on the internet or how about this rare video from August 31, 1978 when Southside Johnny was playing at The Agora for a “WMMS Night Out” and the audience got a surprise appearance by Springsteen, Little Steven and Clarence Clemmons who came down to The Agora after playing their show at the Richfield Coliseum earlier that night. Remember those days folks! (Thanks to John Gorman for letting me know about the video existing and click here to check out more of that night on John’s The Buzzard Blog)

You know what a typical concert lineup at the Agora was in the 70’s? How about during the week you could go see Gentle Giant, The Turtles and Mahogany Rush or the next week Iron Butterfly, Eric Burden and Pure Prairie League or how about seeing Montrose, The Outlaws, Bob Seger and Bob Marley And The Wailers in a row for only $3.00 each! Local acts like Believe, Sweetleaf, Reign, Magic, Circus, Rapscallion, Fully Assembled, Easy Street, Fayrewether, Wild Horses and others filled in the other nights of the week. I remember in 1976 seeing The James Gang on a Monday night and the next night going back to see Patti Smith. The shows they put on in a month we are lucky to have come thru here in a year now. Live music ruled the Cleveland nights.

Don’t blame Hank. It’s not his fault the doors are closing, this is the last thing he wants. The Agora has been run the past year by another group using The Agora as a flagship who wanted to try and capture the live club music market in Cleveland and in their wake also caused the closing of other venues. Hank only got back control recently but with it comes I’m sure the financial woes left upon The Agora. To read more about this, DX Ferris of Scene Magazine wrote a great article which should be read. (click here)

I hope the doors are closed only temporarily as he is saying, too many good memories, too many good parties, and some great music has come from The Agora.

It is fitting to end this story with another video from that night in 1978. Southside, Bruce and the boys “Were Havin A Party”. We always had a party at The Agora.

Nuff said, least till next week
Peace Out
Bear