The Upstage Club facts for kids
Flyer for The Upstage Club, courtesy of Brucebase.wikidot.com
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| Location | 700 Cookman Avenue, Corner of Cookman & Bond Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 |
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| Owner | Tom and Margaret Potter |
| Type | Music venue, Coffeehouse, Afterhours club |
| Genre(s) | Blues, blues rock, rhythm and blues, singer-songwriters, rock, folk, heavy metal |
| Opened | 1968 |
| Closed | 1971 |
The Upstage Club was a famous coffee shop and music venue in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was a special place where many musicians played all night long. Some very famous artists, like Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny, started their careers here. The club is even mentioned in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
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The Upstage Club's Story
The Upstage Club opened in 1968. It was started by Tom and Margaret Potter. The club was located in Asbury Park, New Jersey, above a shoe store. Before the Upstage, Asbury Park already had a rich music history. Many different kinds of music were played there.
A Unique Music Spot
The Upstage Club was different from other places. It had a coffee shop on the second floor. The music room was on the third floor. Tom Potter, the owner, had a special rule. Bands had to play their own original songs. They could not just play cover songs by other artists.
The music room looked very cool. It had bright fluorescent paintings. It also used black lights. The club did not sell alcohol. Musicians would play and jam together all night. Sometimes they played until 5 AM! It was a place where young artists could practice and get better.
A Safe Place for Music
In the 1970s, there were some difficult times in Asbury Park. But the Upstage Club remained a safe place. It brought people together. Musicians of all backgrounds played there. Before the Upstage, it was rare for white and Black musicians to play together in some areas. But at the Upstage, everyone jammed together. It was a place where different cultures and music styles mixed.
The "Asbury Sound" and Famous Bands
Many people say the Upstage Club helped create the "Jersey Shore sound." This was a unique style of music. It mixed traditional blues and rock-and-roll. But it also allowed for new ideas and experiments. Musicians could try out different styles.
Many important bands started at the Upstage Club. Bruce Springsteen often jammed there. He played with musicians like Southside Johnny, Little Steven Van Zandt, and Garry Tallent. These musicians later formed famous groups. The E Street Band and the Asbury Jukes have roots at the Upstage Club. Musicians would often form new bands each week. They would pick whoever was available at the club.
The Upstage Club closed its doors in 1971.
Learning More About The Upstage Club
You can learn more about the Upstage Club. A documentary film called "Just Before the Dawn" tells its story. It came out in 2017. The film shows what Asbury Park was like in the 1970s. It talks about how music helped the city. It also has interviews with musicians who played at the club. Southside Johnny said he learned almost everything about performing there.
There are also books about the Upstage Club. "For Music's Sake" by Carrie Potter-Devening shares untold stories. "Upstage, Springsteen and Me" by Albee Tellone gives more insights.
Images for kids
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Performance and audience at The Upstage Club, photo courtesy of Carrie Potter from the Tom Potter Photo Collection at brucebase.wikidot.com
