The Channel (nightclub) facts for kids

The Channel was a famous music venue located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a big part of the exciting underground arts scene in South Boston.

History of The Channel Music Venue

The Channel was started in 1980 by Joe Cicerone, Harry Booras, and Rich Clements. They chose the name "The Channel" because the club was right next to the Fort Point Channel. This channel separates South Boston from the Financial District. The club was also near where the famous Boston Tea Party happened in 1773.

Joe Cicerone didn't stay with the club for long. Jack Burke soon took his place. Jack Burke and Harry Booras, along with Peter Booras as the general manager, ran The Channel during its most popular years in the 1980s. The club closed its doors on December 31, 1991. Later, in the late 1990s, the building was torn down. This made way for the huge construction project known as the Big Dig.

In 1986, a local designer named AletA held a unique fashion show at The Channel. She showed off her clothing lines and those of another designer, Lady B. This fashion show was different for a music venue, but it fit perfectly. It was a "fashion-musical" that was cool and modern. Instead of just models walking on a runway, the clothes were shown in short plays. Music and clothing were mixed together and choreographed by Earl Boston. They told stories based on the lyrics of songs from Prince (musician)'s album, Purple Rain (album). The show began with colorful, sparkly clothes moving to Prince's song, Baby I'm A Star. It ended with a romantic video set to Hello (Lionel Richie song) by Lionel Richie. This special fashion-musical was the only show of its kind at The Channel. The venue usually focused on Rock music.

In the mid to late 1980s, The Channel was at its peak. Many new bands from Boston dreamed of playing on its stage. David Tedeschi and Peter Vernaglia set up the club's first sound system. Peter Vernaglia stayed on as the main sound engineer for about eight years. Other sound engineers included Rocky Marsiano, Norman Cook, and Leonard Rosengard. After them, Dinky Dawson installed a new sound system. Dinky was famous for working with bands like Fleetwood Mac, The Byrds, and The Kinks in the 1960s and 1970s. Sometimes, famous musicians like Mick Fleetwood or John McVie would visit Dinky at The Channel when they were in Boston.

Famous DJs at The Channel

Hugh Munoz was one of the first full-time DJs at The Channel. He also had a radio show called Metrowave on WERS-FM. Many other popular Boston DJs played at the club on special nights. These included Carter Alan, Albert O, Tami Heide, Bradley Jay, and Peter Choyce. Later, in the mid to late 1980s, DJs like Debbie Southwood-Smith, Mike Idlis, and Mod Todd (Todd Nichols/WGIR-FM) became popular. Other well-known DJs were Metal Mike, DJ "Black Starliner," Jim Mitchell, Carmelita (WBCN, WAAF), and Janet Planet. Shred (WERS, WBCN) also played there.

The Club's Environment

The Channel could legally hold 1,700 people. When you walked into the club, you would see a large raised wooden area. From there, you could look down at the stage. The club looked like a classic "roadhouse" style venue. The stage was about 4 feet high and faced a 20-foot square dance floor. This dance floor was nicknamed "the pit." It was surrounded by rails and tables with padded stools. For punk rock and metal shows, the club would put away all this furniture. When bands played and the crowd jumped, the whole wooden floor would often bounce. This made the tall sound system sway back and forth!

Besides many bar areas, the club had a snack stand run by Doug Abbott. It sold hot dogs, candy, soda, and popcorn. You could also buy official club merchandise like T-shirts and jackets. Behind the snack stand was a game room with several video games.

There was also a back bar area. This area could be closed off during shows for all ages. Metal gates would be lowered over the windows. To get in or out, everyone used a single door. A bouncer checked hand stamps to make sure only people over 21 could get drinks. This also stopped them from taking alcohol into the main club area where younger people were.

Behind the back bar was a smaller room. This was called the VIP room. It was usually closed unless the club was completely full. Famous artists like Jimmy Page, U2, and Aerosmith sometimes used this room. They would sit there with friends when they were in Boston and wanted a private place to relax.

Depending on the band playing, the pit would become a lively place. People from different music styles, like punks and metalheads, would dance and move around.

Music Played at The Channel

The Channel first started booking new wave bands like Jon Butcher Axis and The Cars. In the early and mid-1980s, when hardcore and punk music were very popular, bands like Hüsker Dü, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and Minor Threat were headline acts. Later, local bands such as The Pixies played there. Big touring acts like Big Audio Dynamite, Los Lobos, The Damned, and Einstürzende Neubauten also performed.

Warren Scott booked the bands for The Channel from 1980 to 1991. The club wasn't just for punk or metal bands. The "Godfather of Soul," James Brown, played there. So did jazz legend Ornette Coleman. Other classic shows included Jerry Lee Lewis, Gregg Allman, Eric Burdon, Meat Loaf, The Go-Go's, The B-52's, Aztec Two-Step, and Steppenwolf. Live radio broadcasts also brought in large crowds. The Channel was often the first or last stop for many big music tours.

The club also regularly hosted reggae shows. Acts like Yellowman, Dennis Brown, Steel Pulse, Toots & the Maytals, Burning Spear, and Black Uhuru performed. Famous blues musicians also played on the stage many times. These included B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy, and Pinetop Perkins.

Notable Acts Who Played at The Channel