The Great Gildersleeves facts for kids
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Gildersleeves
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Front of The Great Gildersleeves, early 1980's
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| Location | 331 Bowery, New York City, NY 10003 |
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| Capacity | 500 |
| Opened | August 1977 |
| Closed | February 1984 |
The Great Gildersleeves was a popular music club in Manhattan, New York City. It was located at 331 Bowery and was known for hosting many rock bands. The club opened its doors in August 1977 and closed in February 1984.
The building where the club was located was taken over by the city government. This happened because of a disagreement about rent. The city had been renting parts of the building to provide housing for people who didn't have homes. After the club closed, the building was used to help people in need. The club was named after an old radio show called The Great Gildersleeve.
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Famous Bands and Performances
Many well-known bands played at The Great Gildersleeves during its time. It was a place where both new and established artists performed.
Who Played at Gildersleeves?
Some of the famous bands and musicians who performed there include:
- The J. Geils Band
- Molly Hatchett
- Elvis Costello
- Hall & Oates
- Elvin Bishop
- Iggy Pop
- Anthrax
- Beastie Boys
- Public Image Ltd
- Sonic Youth
- Blue Angel (which featured Cyndi Lauper)
- The Misfits
- Minor Threat
Special Concerts and Recordings
The Great Gildersleeves was also the site of some memorable musical moments:
- On April 1, 1979, Elvis Costello and The Attractions played three concerts in New York City on the same night, and one of them was at The Great Gildersleeves.
- On April 27, 1980, The J. Geils Band recorded their song "Love Stinks" live at the club. They performed under a different name, Juke Joint Jimmy & His House Party Rockers. This live recording was later released.
- The music video for the song "Dead Ringer for Love" was filmed at The Great Gildersleeves in 1981. This song was performed by Meat Loaf and Cher.
Legacy of The Great Gildersleeves
Even after it closed, The Great Gildersleeves remained an important part of music history.
Albums and Tributes
An album called "Best of Great Gildersleeves" was released. It featured music from bands that often played at the club. In 2000, the band Danger Danger named their album The Return of the Great Gildersleeves as a way to honor the venue.
Historical Recognition
The Great Gildersleeves is also mentioned in the official application for The Bowery Historic District. This shows its importance in the history of the Bowery area in New York City.
