House of Blues
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2012) |
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | November 26, 1992 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | , US |
Number of locations | 12 |
| Parent | Live Nation Entertainment |
| Website | houseofblues |
House of Blues is an American chain of live music concert halls and restaurants. It was founded by Isaac Tigrett, the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, co-star of the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. The first location opened at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1992. The chain has been a division of Live Nation Entertainment since July 2006, and there are 11 locations throughout the United States as of July 2020[update].
Overview
The first House of Blues opened on November 26, 1992, in the Harvard Square commercial district and retail area of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a live music concert hall and restaurant.[1] The company was originally financed by Dan Aykroyd, Aerosmith, Paul Shaffer, River Phoenix, Jim Belushi, and Harvard University, among others.[2] This original location closed in 2003 as the company sought a larger Boston location.[3] However, the hands-in-concrete driveway where members of the Blues Brothers and others left their mark, still remains. Aykroyd and Belushi remain associated with the brand and are present for most openings, attending and performing as The Blues Brothers.[4]
In 1993 House of Blues launched a 501(c)(3) non-profit called International House of Blues Foundation which provided arts programs, resources and musical instruments for youths. The Music Forward Foundation continues to provide services for youth and has generated more than $20 million of support for these programs over its 20+ year existence.[5] Also in 1993, The syndicated program The House of Blues Radio Hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues, launched in partnership with CBS Radio Hour. This hour-long program focuses on the history of blues music and the contemporary artists honoring the art form. The program ended in July, 2017.[6]
In 1999, House of Blues acquired Universal Concerts from Seagram.[7] On July 5, 2006, Live Nation acquired House of Blues Entertainment and created the Live Nation Club and Theater Division.[8] As a division of Live Nation, the company currently operates 12 clubs throughout North America.
Locations
Current
Former
| Metro vicinity | Venue location | Address | Opened | Closed | Notes | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Boston | Harvard Square | 96 Winthrop St Cambridge, MA 02138 |
1992 | 2003 | Replaced by Kenmore Square location in 2009. | 180 |
| Metropolitan Los Angeles | Sunset Strip | 8430 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 |
1994 | 2015 | 1,100 | |
| Downtown Disney | 1530 Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA 92802 |
2001 | 2016 | Relocated to nearby Anaheim GardenWalk in 2017. | 1,100 | |
| Metro Atlanta | Downtown Atlanta | 152 Luckie St NW Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
1996 | 1997 | re-branded as The Tabernacle in 1997. | 2,000 |
| Atlantic City | Atlantic City Boardwalk (inside Showboat Atlantic City) |
801 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
2005 | 2014 | 2,380 |
List of affiliated Live Nation venues
The following is a list of venues operated by Live Nation:[9]
See also
- Live From the House of Blues, A 1995 TBS television series made in conjunction with the chain
- List of music venues
Gallery
-
San Diego House of Blues in San Diego, California near Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter and the ocean. -
House of Blues across the street from Fenway Park in Boston -
House of Blues Sunset in West Hollywood. -
Former location at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. -
House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach. -
House of Blues at Disney Springs in Florida. -
House of Blues at Disney Springs in Florida. -
-
American rock band Drive Thru Society from Dallas, Texas performing at the House of Blues. -
American rock band Like Bridges We Burn from Dallas, Texas performing at the House of Blues.
Notes
- ^ Province of Canada
References
- ^ "Cambridge has a new House of Blues in Harvard Sq". The Tech.
- ^ "Joey Kramer Gets Rockin' & Roastin' with the House of Blues®". Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- ^ "News / Boston Globe / Living / Arts / House of Blues in Cambridge to close; begins seeking new site". boston.com. 2003-08-30. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
- ^ "Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi christen new House of Blues Anaheim". Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ Music Forward Foundation
- ^ The Bluesmobile
- ^ "Seagram Plans to Sell Its Concerts Unit". latimes.
- ^ "House of Blues Sold to Live Nation". latimes.
- ^ Live Nation Venues
External links
