Lone Star Cafe facts for kids
The Lone Star Cafe was a super popular restaurant and music club in New York City. It was located at 61 Fifth Avenue, right on the corner of 13th Street. This cool spot was open from 1976 to 1989. It had a fun Texas theme, making it feel like a piece of Texas in the middle of New York!
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The Lone Star Cafe: A Texas Spot in NYC
The Lone Star Cafe opened its doors in February 1976. It quickly became the best place in New York to hear country music. Many famous musicians, especially those from Texas, played there. Big names like George Strait, Asleep at the Wheel, and Roy Orbison performed on its stage.
Many other Texas musicians also visited the Lone Star Cafe often. These included Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman, Delbert McClinton, Freddy Fender, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Even James Brown, a famous soul singer, recorded a live album there in 1985!
A special banner hung at the front of the cafe. It showed words from a song by Billy Joe Shaver: "Too Much Ain't Enough." This phrase became a fun motto for the place.
In the 1970s, many important people from Texas would visit the cafe. These included politicians, media stars, and cultural figures. For example, Ann Richards, who later became the Governor of Texas, and news reporter Dan Rather were known to stop by.
The Giant Iguana on the Roof
One of the most unique things about the cafe was a huge, 40-foot sculpture of an iguana. It sat right on top of the building! Artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade created this amazing artwork.
Some businesses nearby didn't like the giant iguana. They tried to have it removed. However, a court decided that the iguana was indeed a work of art. Even though it was taken down for a while, it was later put back up. In 1983, with help from New York City Mayor Ed Koch and Texas Governor Mark White, the iguana was returned to its spot on the roof.
Who Started It?
The Lone Star Cafe was started by two advertising executives, Mort Cooperman and Bill McGivney. Bill McGivney later left the business. Bill Dick then took his place. Both Bill Dick and Mort Cooperman were even mentioned in a book by musician Kinky Friedman called A Case of the Lone Star.
Memorable Performances
Many different bands and artists played at the Lone Star Cafe over the years. Here are some of the notable shows:
- 1981: Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours
- 1982: May 24, The Richard and Linda Thompson Band
- 1984: April 28, George Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band
- 1985: July 7, Danny Toan & Central Park West and Jorma Kaukonen
- 1985: July 8, Burning Spear and One Life
- 1986: March 21, The Fall
- 1986: May 5, Ed Kaecher and The Band with Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Garth Hudson
- 1986: December 27, Willy de Ville
- 1987: Jerry Lee Lewis
- 1988: January 7, Hot Tuna with Peter Kaukonen and friends
