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{{Short description|Rock club in New York City}}
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'''The Ritz''' was a [[New York City]] [[Music venue|rock club]] in the 1980s and early 1990s.
'''The Ritz''' was a [[New York City]] [[Music venue|rock club]] in the 1980s and early 1990s.


==History==
== History ==
The Ritz was founded in 1980 by [[Jerry Brandt]] in the historic [[Webster Hall]] ballroom and concert space on 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues in the [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]] neighborhood of [[New York City]]. The address was 119 East 11th Street. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the former [[Studio 54]] on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts for several years.<ref>http://dasitron.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-ritz-nyc.html</ref> From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz." The original 11th Street space is now known as Webster Hall.
The Ritz was founded in 1980 by [[Jerry Brandt]] in the historic [[Webster Hall]] ballroom and concert space on 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues in the [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]] neighborhood of New York City. The address was 119 East 11th Street. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the former [[Studio 54]] on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts for several years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dasitron.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-ritz-nyc.html|title=Minor Musings: The Ritz – NYC!|date=October 13, 2012}}</ref> From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz". The original 11th Street space reverted to the name [[Webster Hall]] after The Ritz relocated.


⚫
== MTV's "Live at The Ritz" ==
⚫
==Public Image Limited appearance==
⚫
[[MTV]] aired a series of concerts called "Live at The Ritz" on Saturday nights in the 1980s. Performers included [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Gene Loves Jezebel]], [[The Saints (Australian band)|the Saints]], [[the Cult]], [[Nik Kershaw]], [[the Smithereens]], [[Oingo Boingo]], [[Julian Cope]], [[Great White]], [[Hoodoo Gurus]], [[Pseudo Echo]], [[White Lion]], [[Iggy Pop]], [[Eurogliders]], [[Blancmange (band)|Blancmange]],<ref>{{YouTube|id=P9L2Z9G3HHE|title=Blancmange – Live at The Ritz 1985 – Taped from MTV on Betamax}}</ref> and [[Simon Townshend]].
⚫
The club received national attention after an antagonistic performance by [[Public Image Limited]] on May 15, 1981. They were a late substitution for [[Bow Wow Wow]], who were originally scheduled to perform. The band was more interested in creating performance art than giving a traditional concert. To this end, they appeared onstage deliberately obscured by a projection screen and played their records through the club's public address system while playing entirely different music onstage. Taunted by lead singer [[John Lydon]] (formerly of the [[Sex Pistols]]), the Ritz's unhappy patrons rioted, throwing bottles and garbage cans, and pulling on the video screen that covered the front of the stage.<ref>http://www.fodderstompf.com/GIG%20LIST/rit81.html setlist + Sounds review/pix of Pil @ The Ritz.</ref><ref>http://www.furious.com/Perfect/pil.html Ed Caraballo's account of Pil @ The Ritz.</ref><ref>https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/rstevus/pil2.html&date=2009-10-26+01:52:31 Rolling Stone review + other remiscensenses of Pil @ The Ritz.</ref>


⚫
== Public Image Limited appearance ==
⚫
==MTV's "Live at The Ritz"==
⚫
The club received national attention after an antagonistic performance by [[Public Image Limited]] on May 15, 1981.<ref name="PILreview">{{cite web | url=http://www.fodderstompf.com/GIG%20LIST/rit81.html | title=New York, Ritz, USA, May 15th, 1981 (Review and Setlist) | accessdate=August 18, 2021}}</ref> They were a late substitution for [[Bow Wow Wow]], who were originally scheduled to perform.<ref name="PILreview" /> The band was more interested in creating performance art than giving a traditional concert; to this end, they appeared onstage deliberately obscured by a projection screen and played their records through the club's public address system while playing entirely different music onstage.<ref name="PILreview" /> Taunted by lead singer [[John Lydon]] (formerly of the [[Sex Pistols]]), the Ritz's unhappy patrons rioted, throwing bottles and garbage cans, and pulling on the video screen that covered the front of the stage.<ref name="PILreview" /><ref>http://www.furious.com/Perfect/pil.html Ed Caraballo's account of Pil @ The Ritz.</ref><ref>https://www.webcitation.org/5ko1g5zoE?url=http://www.geocities.com/rstevus/pil2.html Rolling Stone review + other remiscensenses of Pil @ The Ritz.</ref>
⚫
[[MTV]] aired a series of concerts called "Live at The Ritz" on Saturday nights in the 1980s. Performers included [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Gene Loves Jezebel]], [[The Saints (Australian band)|the Saints]], [[the Cult]], [[Nik Kershaw]], [[the Smithereens]], [[Julian Cope]], [[Great White]], [[Hoodoo Gurus]], [[White Lion]], [[Iggy Pop]], [[Eurogliders]] and [[Simon Townshend]].


==Notable==
== Notable shows and recordings ==
⚫
* "[[Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight]]", the only live track on the [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]]' album ''[[Walk Among Us]]'', was recorded at The Ritz in 1981. Parts of ''[[Evilive]]'' were also recorded there in 1981.<ref name=misfitsdisc>{{cite web|url=http://www.misfits.com/info/discography.html|title=Official Misfits Discography|publisher=Misfits.com|accessdate=August 18, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Tina Turner]] mounted her comeback at The Ritz in the early 1980s.
⚫
* [[Rick Derringer]] recorded a Ritz show in 1982, released in 2009 as ''[[Rick Derringer#Discography|Rick Derringer's Rock Spectacular: Live at The Ritz, New York 1982]]'', featuring guests [[Ted Nugent]], [[Tim Bogert]], [[Karla DeVito]] and [[Southside Johnny]].
* [[Klaus Nomi]] performed "Total Eclipse" at The Ritz in 1980 for the new wave/post-punk film ''[[Urgh! A Music War]]''.
* [[The Michael Stanley Band]] recorded the live album ''Live at the Ritz'' at The Ritz on September 26–27, 1983.<ref name="SarzoMemoir">Sarzo, Rudy (2017). Off the Rails (third edition). CreateSpace Publishing. {{ISBN|1-53743-746-1}}</ref>
* [[U2]] made their American live debut at The Ritz on December 6, 1980.
* [[The Dictators]] recorded a few tracks at the club circa 1981, eventually released on their live album ''New York, New York''.
* [[The Residents]] played in New York for the first time at The Ritz, on January 16–17, 1986. Their album ''13th Anniversary Show - Ritz NY - Jan 16, 1986'' was recorded there.
* [[Bo Diddley]] recorded ''Live at The Ritz'' with [[Ronnie Wood]] in 1987.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/28/arts/pop-bo-diddley-tour.html|title=Pop: Bo Diddley Tour|first=Jon|last=Pareles|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 28, 1987}}</ref>
*[[Parliament-Funkadelic]] first performed at the club in April 1981. They returned to the venue in 1984, 1990, 1992 and 1993.
⚫
* The second disc of British metal band [[Venom (band)|Venom]]'s live double album, ''[[Eine kleine Nachtmusik (album)|Eine kleine Nachtmusik]]'', was recorded at The Ritz on April 4–5, 1986.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | url = http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Venom/Eine_Kleine_Nachtmusik/2859 | title = Venom – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik | accessdate = September 14, 2011 | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopaedia Metallum]]}}</ref>
* [[Duran Duran]] performed at The Ritz in September 1981 during their first U.S. tour.
⚫
* "[[Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight]]", the only live track on the [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]]' album ''[[Walk Among Us]]'', was recorded at The Ritz in 1981. Parts of ''[[Evilive]]'' were also recorded there in 1981.
• [[Frank Zappa]] performed a 30-song set on November 17, 1981. The concert, which was broadcast live by WLIR, became widely bootlegged and features a guest appearance by [[Al DiMeola]].
⚫
* [[Rick Derringer]] recorded a Ritz show in 1982, released in 2009 as ''Rick Derringer's Rock Spectacular: Live at The Ritz, New York 1982'', featuring guests [[Ted Nugent]], [[Tim Bogert]], [[Karla DeVito]] and [[Southside Johnny]].
* [[Depeche Mode]] made their American debut at the Ritz in January 1982.
* [[Ozzy Osbourne]] recorded the live album ''[[Speak of the Devil (Ozzy Osbourne album)|Speak of the Devil]]'' at The Ritz on September 26–27, 1982.
* [[Dead or Alive (band)|Dead or Alive]] performed two sold out shows at The Ritz in 1983 during their first U.S. tour.
* [[Run-DMC]] taped an early [[MTV]] appearance at The Ritz in 1984.
* [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] made his solo debut at The Ritz on February 26, 1985, prior to the release of his first solo album, ''[[The Dream of the Blue Turtles]]''.
* [[The Exploited]] performed at The Ritz in September 1985 during their third U.S. tour, supported by [[U.S. Chaos]] and the [[Cro-Mags]], and the club was almost shut down due to death threats.
* [[Bo Diddley]] recorded ''Live at The Ritz'' with [[Ronnie Wood]] in 1985.
⚫
* The second disc of British metal band [[Venom (band)|Venom]]'s live double album, ''[[Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (album)|Eine Kleine Nachtmusik]]'', was recorded at The Ritz on April 4–5, 1986.
* [[Wang Chung (band)|Wang Chung]] recorded a concert for MTV in June 1986.
* [[Iggy Pop]] recorded ''Live Ritz N.Y.C. 86'' at the venue in November 1986.
* [[KBC Band]] played The Ritz on April 3, 1987, featuring [[Jefferson Airplane]] founding members [[Paul Kantner]], [[Marty Balin]] and [[Jack Casady]]. Airplane lead guitarist [[Jorma Kaukonen]] attended the concert and backstage party afterward, but did not perform.
* [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]] recorded ''Live at The Ritz'' on June 27, 1987.
* [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]] recorded ''Live at The Ritz'' on June 27, 1987.
* [[Guns N' Roses]] recorded their February 2, 1988, concert for a live video<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Look Back at Guns N' Roses' Legendary Live Show at the Ritz in '88|url=https://www.insidehook.com/article/music/guns-n-roses-live-show-ritz-1988|access-date=January 24, 2022|website=InsideHook|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Little Steven]] (aka [[Steven Van Zandt]]) filmed a Ritz concert in October 8, 1987 for broadcast in Japan, at which [[Bruce Springsteen]] made an appearance.
* The August 13, 1988, concert by [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] was recorded and has been released several times on video, cd and vinyl<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kiss – The Ritz on fire (Broadcast 1988) – (Vinyl LP) – musik|url=https://www.ginza.se/product/kiss/the-ritz-on-fire-broadcast-1988-/503989/|access-date=January 24, 2022|website=Ginza.se – Musik – Film – Retro|language=sv}}</ref>
* [[Guns N' Roses]] recorded ''Guns N' Roses: Live at The Ritz'', a full concert for [[MTV]] on February 2, 1988, as well as the live footage used for the "[[You Could Be Mine]]" [[music video]] in 1991.
* [[White Lion]] made a television recording at the club in 1988. This concert was released as the second disc of the 2007 compilation ''The Definitive Rock Collection''.
* [[White Lion]] made a television recording at the club in 1988. This concert was released as the second disc of the 2007 compilation ''The Definitive Rock Collection''.
⚫
* "Memories Can't Wait" from the [[Living Colour]] EP ''[[Biscuits (album)|Biscuits]]'' was recorded live at the club on April 22, 1989.<ref>Living Colour Rocks The Ritz. ''East Village Eye''. December 1986. p 6.</ref>
* [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]] filmed music videos for their songs "Mother" and "Twist of Cain" at the club in early 1988.
* [[Tin Machine]] (fronted by [[David Bowie]]) recorded a megamix [[Tin Machine (album)#Music video|video for their first album]] at the club, released in June 1989.<ref name="19ilyos">{{cite web | url=https://www.ilikeyouroldstuff.com/news/david-bowie-and-i-socks-sax-sex-shops-interview-reeves-gabrels |title=David Bowie & I: Socks, Sax & Sex Shops | date=June 3, 2019 | accessdate=August 18, 2021 | last=McLennan |first=Scott}}</ref>
⚫
* "Memories Can't Wait" from the [[Living Colour]] EP ''[[Biscuits (album)|Biscuits]]'' was recorded live at the club on April 22, 1989.
* [[Tin Machine]] (fronted by [[David Bowie]]) recorded a [[megamix]] video for their first album at the club, released in June 1989.<ref name="19ilyos">{{cite web | url=https://www.ilikeyouroldstuff.com/news/david-bowie-and-i-socks-sax-sex-shops-interview-reeves-gabrels |title=David Bowie & I: Socks, Sax & Sex Shops | date=3 June 2019 | accessdate=6 June 2019 | last=McLennan |first=Scott}}</ref>
* The first US show for [[Sepultura]] was at The Ritz opening for [[King Diamond]] on October 31, 1989.<ref name="metallipromo">{{cite web|url=http://metallipromo.com/sep.html|title=Sepultura Tour Dates|publisher=metallipromo.com|access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Stormtroopers of Death]] recorded ''[[Live at Budokan (Stormtroopers of Death album)|Live at Budokan]]'' at The Ritz on March 21, 1992.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bradley |first1=Torreano |title=Live at Budokan Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-budokan-mw0000614921 |website=AllMusic.com |access-date=March 16, 2023}}</ref>
* The final live performance by [[Talking Heads]] took place at The Ritz in July 1989, with [[David Byrne]] and [[Jerry Harrison]] guesting at a [[Tom Tom Club]] show.
* The first US show for [[Sepultura]] was at The Ritz opening for [[King Diamond]] on October 31, 1989.
* [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] gave his final New Year's Eve performance at The Ritz on December 31, 1989.
* [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] original guitarist [[Ace Frehley]] staged a hometown show at The Ritz on February 23, 1990 with Phoenix metallers [[Icon (band)|Icon]] and [[Electric Angels]] opening.
* Shortly after their debut album came out, [[Nine Inch Nails]] opened for [[The Jesus and Mary Chain]] at the Ritz on March 3,1990
* [[Alice Cooper]] played at The Ritz in support of his most successful post 1970s album [[Trash (Alice Cooper album)|Trash]] on March 12, 1990
* The club is the subject of a song by [[André Cymone]] on his 1982 album ''Livin' in the New Wave''.


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
== Further reading ==
* [https://www.nytimes.com/1980/08/08/archives/after-politics-theres-rock-disco-or-pop-clubs-to-visit-rockdisco.html After Politics, There's Rock, Disco or Pop Clubs to Visit; Rock-Disco ....]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/1980/08/08/archives/after-politics-theres-rock-disco-or-pop-clubs-to-visit-rockdisco.html After Politics, There's Rock, Disco or Pop Clubs to Visit; Rock-Disco ....]


==External links==
== External links ==
* [http://squattheatre.com/article04m.html 1980 New York Times club scene article]
* [http://squattheatre.com/article04m.html 1980 New York Times club scene article]


{{East Village, Manhattan}}
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[[Category:Nightclubs in Manhattan]]
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[[Category:Event venues established in 1980]]
[[Category:1980 establishments in New York City]]

Latest revision as of 01:55, 23 November 2024

The Ritz was a New York City rock club in the 1980s and early 1990s.

History

[edit]

The Ritz was founded in 1980 by Jerry Brandt in the historic Webster Hall ballroom and concert space on 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. The address was 119 East 11th Street. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the former Studio 54 on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts for several years.[1] From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz". The original 11th Street space reverted to the name Webster Hall after The Ritz relocated.

MTV's "Live at The Ritz"

[edit]

MTV aired a series of concerts called "Live at The Ritz" on Saturday nights in the 1980s. Performers included Guns N' Roses, Gene Loves Jezebel, the Saints, the Cult, Nik Kershaw, the Smithereens, Oingo Boingo, Julian Cope, Great White, Hoodoo Gurus, Pseudo Echo, White Lion, Iggy Pop, Eurogliders, Blancmange,[2] and Simon Townshend.

Public Image Limited appearance

[edit]

The club received national attention after an antagonistic performance by Public Image Limited on May 15, 1981.[3] They were a late substitution for Bow Wow Wow, who were originally scheduled to perform.[3] The band was more interested in creating performance art than giving a traditional concert; to this end, they appeared onstage deliberately obscured by a projection screen and played their records through the club's public address system while playing entirely different music onstage.[3] Taunted by lead singer John Lydon (formerly of the Sex Pistols), the Ritz's unhappy patrons rioted, throwing bottles and garbage cans, and pulling on the video screen that covered the front of the stage.[3][4][5]

Notable shows and recordings

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Minor Musings: The Ritz – NYC!". October 13, 2012.
  2. ^ Blancmange – Live at The Ritz 1985 – Taped from MTV on Betamax on YouTube
  3. ^ a b c d "New York, Ritz, USA, May 15th, 1981 (Review and Setlist)". Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  4. ^ http://www.furious.com/Perfect/pil.html Ed Caraballo's account of Pil @ The Ritz.
  5. ^ https://www.webcitation.org/5ko1g5zoE?url=http://www.geocities.com/rstevus/pil2.html Rolling Stone review + other remiscensenses of Pil @ The Ritz.
  6. ^ "Official Misfits Discography". Misfits.com. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Sarzo, Rudy (2017). Off the Rails (third edition). CreateSpace Publishing. ISBN 1-53743-746-1
  8. ^ Pareles, Jon (November 28, 1987). "Pop: Bo Diddley Tour". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Venom – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  10. ^ "A Look Back at Guns N' Roses' Legendary Live Show at the Ritz in '88". InsideHook. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "Kiss – The Ritz on fire (Broadcast 1988) – (Vinyl LP) – musik". Ginza.se – Musik – Film – Retro (in Swedish). Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  12. ^ Living Colour Rocks The Ritz. East Village Eye. December 1986. p 6.
  13. ^ McLennan, Scott (June 3, 2019). "David Bowie & I: Socks, Sax & Sex Shops". Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "Sepultura Tour Dates". metallipromo.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  15. ^ Bradley, Torreano. "Live at Budokan Review". AllMusic.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

40°43′54″N 73°59′21″W / 40.73175°N 73.98912°W / 40.73175; -73.98912

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