Here are the directions to my new club house if you want to come and hang. flatfiv.co/pag.... There is fun swag there too! My PO Box is: Leland Sklar PO Box 92316 600 Lincoln Ave. Pasadena, CA 91109-9998
Welcome back to Columbus! Sorry I missed you w Lyle. I always like playing @ The Newport, the tiny dressing rooms… We sat at the top of the balcony for Lemmy & Motörhead back in the 90’s. There used to be a cool independent guitar shop 2 doors down -The String Shop.
I lived right there in the area for a bit way back in the seventies and remember the place (although I wasn't sure about remembering the name it's been so long!). I was in there often, and it's sad to see it gone. I actually looked around the area using Google Maps street view a few years ago and noticed that. (I remember a laundromat right there, too... now it's the stretch where there's a Waffle House, the Blaze Pizza...) If you stop the video right around 6:25, I lived in the red brick place at the top of the screen on the other side of the alley, and there was a narrow walkway passage between buildings as a shortcut over to High Street, so if I needed strings or something, it was about a 30 second walk over there.
The former Columbus Agora. I've seen so many great shows there, the best one was Boston`s third show on their first tour, Brad Delp was actually visibly amazed by the crowd, and we were blown away by the band. great venue.
I can relate, I too, looked good in the 70s...thankyou so much for these tours Leland. I hope you know how much they and you are appreciated. See you in Aus...one day.
Thank you so much Leland!! It's so cool to check out each venue with you. You make it feel like we are there on tour with you. Thank you also for being a kind human being. Seeing how you are greeted and your interaction with everyone you encounter confirms who you are (and warms my heart). Peace brother... I hope you find your way to Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo one day. I guess it's now called Shea's Buffalo Theatre.
You play in some exquisite, meticulously maintained places, but then some others are really showing their age and could use some work. But like you, I enjoy seeing the nooks and crannies of these old venues. 👍
The Newport use to be The Agora back in the day! I have seen so many shows in BOTH aptly named venues and the memories are Tattooed on my Rock-N-Roll Soul! This Historic Rock Building is located on "High Street" in what is affectionately known as "The Short North" in Buckeye Football Country!
I have many great memories from there in the 70s when it was The Agora. Miles Davis, The Beach Boys, BB King, local Dave Workman Blues Band... 'Been away so long I hardly knew the place'
I "grew up" there through the 80's and 90's seeing shows, - everything from Barenaked Ladies to Slayer to Galactic to Primus - and have played there twice. Stage dove off the side area into th mosh pit at Pantera....got a combat boot to the face from another stage diver at a COC show.... Iconic place for sure. hope you had a good show, and safe travels as you go!
You’re in my backyard Leland. I’ve been to many, many shows at Newport but mostly punk and metal. I was surprised when I saw it on your tour schedule. It’s a great venue when it comes to metal and punk crowds but maybe not the best for you guys. I love the place but it’s a dump. I hope you have a great show regardless!
Lee, my band played Agora 1970-1971 on double bills with Glass Harp, Ted Nugent and others. still looks the same! Our sax player put his feet behind his head backstage and our roadies carried him in a chair for his solo! Many great memories Thanks
Been to the Newport a hundred times. Great venue. Looking at the comments, I guess a lot of folks don't get the charm of the place, but it's pretty legendary around here.
Scott Stienecker, CEO of PromoWest Productions, graduated from St. Mary’s Memorial High School in 1978 and attended Bowling Green University before transferring to The Ohio State University to join the OSU Pep Board and begin co-promoting concerts for the University. Two notable concerts he co-promoted with Belkin Productions include Black Sabbath and AC/DC at St. John Arena. In 1981 Stienecker accepted an internship in San Francisco with concert promoter Bill Graham. The following year, he was hired by Parallax Productions based in Berkley, CA, to book concerts in secondary markets throughout California. Stienecker promoted concerts for artists such as The Clash, Talking Heads and The Go-Gos.
PromoWest Productions was founded in 1984, when Stienecker got word that the Columbus Agora was scheduled to close. He purchased the building, now known as Newport Music Hall, and started PromoWest with the mission to bring quality, big-name entertainment and emerging talent to Central Ohio. PromoWest presented its first act, Neil Young, at Newport Music Hall to a sold out crowd on September 9, 1984. Today, Newport Music Hall is famously known as the longest continually running rock club in the United States and has hosted legendary performers and today’s hottest acts including AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Metallica, Black Sabbath, The Strokes, Greenday, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. Stienecker staged the first evening concerts at Cooper Stadium and the Brewery District as well as managed live entertainment for the Ohio State Fair in 1993, bringing record numbers in attendance.
Throughout his 37 years in the concert business, Stienecker has produced more than 8,000 concerts that include some of the most influential artists in music such as The Eagles, Jack White, Beck, Santana, Mumford & Sons, Tom Petty, Incubus, The Killers, fun., Lorde, Pixies, Alabama Shakes, The 1975, Jane’s Addiction and Imagine Dragons. Stienecker has grown PromoWest Productions over the past 30 years to become the largest privately owned concert promotion company in the Midwest. It currently produces more than 500 events every year.
I've been to many shows at the Newport. I really make a point of not touching anything when I'm there though. The best thing of course is that the shows are relatively inexpensive and you get an intimate view of the band. I saw Richard Thompson there once and his last song was a cover of the Animals, "We got to get out of this place". I don't think that was coincidental.
Yes… seems a bit rundown…but fixable….seen so many old theatres like this….but,still chugging along….definitely time for a facelift…..but,interesting non the less…. Thank you Leland….😊 🌹🪷🌹🪷🌹🪷❤️🥰🎶🙏🖕🖕🖕🖕👍
I really like this venue and reminds me of some of the great memorable concert places we had here once in Melbourne. Just wanted to take some time to thank the great John Mayall for the incredible memories and for his influence into other artists lives like Eric Clapton. You shall never be forgotten. Enjoy the gig Lee. 🙏☮️
@@KittyCarlile-490 Hi Sue. JM definitely did the great song Room To Move and the harmonica was fantastic. He had a massive influence on a young guitarist called Eric Clapton who doesn’t read music. 🙏☮️
It shows how the times have changed, The Fillmore and Avalon Ball Room in San Francisco were of the same era, but were used in the early 60’s. The time has grown more weary for all built at that time. John Mayall died at his home surrounded by family. ☮
I live in Columbus and I’m bummed I missed the show. I’ve seen lots of great bands in this venue and always had a good time. Best of luck with the rest of the tour and hopefully I’ll catch you the next time you’re in Columbus. Thanks for the tour!
Hi, Lee! Well, did I tell you tonight's venue would be a HIGH CONTRAST to last night? Did I? Huh? Indicators you are in a FANCY place: "ENTER PIT AT OWN RISK". The mix/lighting position has an awning over it. (How many beers were dumped below from the balcony before that went up, do you suppose?) Nobody wearing a tie dressed in all back said "you need to stop that camera right now!". Here, it might be more like "sir, please do not puke on the floor!". Yesterday on the tour I kept thinking it might be interesting if you could get smell in a video. You know, that kind of ancient old building aroma. This might be a different aroma. I was surprised to see the FOH line arrays just stacked at the sides of the stage. It's 2024 and you might have thought that at some point they would have set up structure for flying speakers, but, no. I don't think restoration and investment in improvements and updates is a high priority. I thought you might pop out the back stage doors that open on to the alley. For that matter, where did you guys park the buses and gear truck?! I am familiar with the area, a place where, shall we say, parking is at a premium. I figured they might be in the open parking area there just south of the building. On that, a personal note. When you popped out the door up top on the south side of the building, just before you encountered a couple venue staff, you actually had a brief look at the place where I lived... um... MANY years ago, as a young man. You can actually see what was my bedroom window in the video.
PS- The dressing room making you feel really BIG TIME there? (gawd) The thought occurred to me, what/where is the deal for dinner, but I suspect that for this one, they just send you off to some bar&grill or pizza joint somewhere along High Street that runs a tab for this. In a different (but kind of similar) kind of case, many years ago I went to a show at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit. Before the show a friend with me treated me to dinner at a little diner right across the street from the venue (it was my birthday!), and we looked at a little semi-separate dining area in the back, and there was the band we were there to see having dinner. I'm guessing Newport does the same thing.
Downtown Columbus got funky but the theater is old and has a lot of history. I just Googled where you are since I have driven around Columbus so many times on my way to and from NY, I could be in Guinness Book of World Records! There is something called, "Muscle Man's Male Stripper Revue" within 450 ft. of the Theater! LOL! I've never been THERE! (to be clear!) Have fun you guys! I am planning on catching up with you all soon! 🎶🎸😽
They actually put a lot of money into getting it stable . I live an hour south of Columbus and this is my old stomping grounds . Granted , it's an old theater but its know for being a "Rock venue" . Columbus has 2 beautiful theaters downtown . The Ohio theater and the Palace theater .At the Newport , I've seen Foo Fighters in 1997, Sonic Youth in 1997, Flaming Lips in 2004 , Clutch , My Morning Jacket in 2004, Grandaddy in 2004, Mars Volta in 2003 and many more .
Have been in some extremes myself. Never knew what I would happenstance into. Seen some amazing restorations that surprised me, and some left the same. I think during years of abandonment, frats get use of a lot of places for their Halloween Haunted House fundraisers. Then at some point enough come back wanting to fix it up. Just takes a lot more than anybody anticipates for awhile. I think everything is a good idea to explore, so you can know how to get out quickly if something unexpected arises. Hearing the twists and turns reminded me of some spaces. The guy saying he was afraid to sit down, made me think of cbgb. 😬💕;) Crossing fingers. Waving at you with the top one. Good to hear you and Brad made it out of the previous place. 🍀
@@splashesin8 It is developers that sell ideas and plans that they will be long gone from having to be in and live in. It is all fast money with a poor record of success. It should be called out.
@@artemisXsidecross I was talking about in case some emergency happens while they're performing and every body needs to exit the building. ... but yes I'm fed up with developers in general, flipping with no plan to do anything but flip like it's a casino game.
From a tent to a masonic temple to a "seen better days' venue... Each are interesting. Thanks for bringing us along. Did they let Lyle use his camera at the temple?
Thanks Leland. It brought back great memories of all the shows I saw there. Al DiMeola, BB King, Dixie Dregs, Humble Pie, Warren Zevon, and others. Those were the days!!
There are a few places like that in Dallas but one story basically a drink and music type place but very good national wcts come through it’s amazing nice video
Pleased to have such great legends (such as yourself) pass through! In my 54 years I have seen a dozen or so shows there, but never got a chance to peer into the nooks and crannies. Always wondered what the dressing rooms looked like, now I'm embarrassed...hahaha! Oh well, it is rock and roll! I'm sure the hotel digs were nice!
Sorry I didn’t know about the show! I’ve played the Newport and have spent time helping friends who play there. What a dump. What’s amazing is that it used to be worse! As bad as the dressing rooms are now, they used to be absolutely disgusting. And don’t fall in the spiral staircase. I don’t know how you could fit the large band on that stage!
When you mentioned a visit to the barber shop Mr Sklar , presumably to get your eyebrows trimmed ? Can't think of another reason for you to go there ....
Evening Leland 💖 🧙🏼♂️ ☮️ Thanks for the Agora,Columbus,OH..🇺🇸 ... Needs some work ,I know the feeling !☮️💖 Healing energy ⚡ to Maureen ✨ and the boys 🐾 🐾 🐾 🧙🏼♂️ ☮️ 🤗 💖
Good to hear you M1nn1s! I didn't find you in yesterday's commentary. Am still trying to stay caught up, at a several places at once. I need to put something on and go clean my patio to make sure nothing is out there I don't know about. I keep finding part of a plant container liner sticking out from under the exterior enclosure somewhere different every time I put it back where it goes. Sometimes I can tell a cat is playing with it, but not sure the cat is wedging it where I last found it on my way out to the mailboxes. Maybe... 😼😺
A musical mecca of the Midwest, the Newport Music Hall holds the honor of being the Longest, continuously running Rock Club in the country. It will always be the Agora to me. I've witnessed a lot of great music there. Now 73, it's been a while since I've been there; however, it has mostly stayed the same since the old days when Aerosmith was practically its house band. It has always looked like that inside!
Leland. Did you hear that John Mayall passed away yesterday, at age 90? Did you ever see him live, meet him, or jam with him? I did see him live and I met him. Cheers!
I'm very scared of heights. How do you manage to walk in these higher up places, that are often dark? That building needs major upgrades. I wish Maureen all the best. Cheers, Leland! 🙏✌️
I spent a lot of time at the Agora (now Newport) in the mid 1970's. My boyfriend was in a pretty well known central Ohio band at the time and played there often. Going up that spiral staircase to the dressing room was an experience. And the tall wall in the dressing room used to be absolutely covered in autographs of all the artists who had played there. It is so sad to see it painted over! It really was a who's who of some amazing musicians.
The Newport Music Hall opened in 1921, then known as the State Theater. In the 1970's it became known as the Agora Ballroom. The Newport Music Hall is located at 1722 North High Street in the University District across the street from the Ohio Union of The Ohio State University. The hall has seating for 2000 concert goers. Newport was the last American venue at which John Lee Hooker perfored before his death in 2001. Apparently, this venue got one heck of a deal on black paint !
FOH and stage sound was always incredible for rock shows in my opinion, just be sure you are up to date on all your shots. Looks just as disgustingly beautiful now as in the past. Decrepit brick building next door once housed the string shoppe, an excellent old school music/ instrument store. Good times…
Well, in the theme of "people should know", it isn't... it's right at the edge of the OSU campus. (It's on High Street, to the west there is the giant OSU campus, to the east is a whole residential area that is probably the same as when I was there in the seventies, in that it's probably all students living around that whole area.) Basically (if anyone even cares about this trivia!), High Street forms the eastern border of the enormous campus. (If you walk from the southernmost edge of the OSU campus to the north end, that is a HIKE, son!)
I lived in a northern CBUS suburb from 1998-2012, about a mile or so past what was then the Germaine Amphitheater @ Polaris, wherein so many of the mainstream traveling acts would appear… IIRC, this venue is adjacent to the Ohio State Campus area and usually draws its acts and audience from that demographic and as one would likely suspect, it wasn’t all that nice/popular w/ the mainstream entertainment establishment? Maybe someone renovated it since then?
The Newport is a Columbus Institution for sure. You can see such a huge range of acts there, from shitty D-list punk bands to... well, Lyle Lovett! I've seen a bunch of big acts there over the years, as well as local bands and everything in between. Pretty awesome place. I'd say it looks pretty good for having the honor of being the longest continually running Rock Club in the country! Glad you stopped by our little piece of the planet.
@splashesin8 Audrey, there seems to be so much wonderful 'synchronicity'about and flowing, thank Goodness, these days. . . 'Starlight, starbright, first Star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have rhe Wish I wish tonight.' 😊
Oh man. I wish y’all had been able to play the Southern Theater (further south on High Street). The acoustics in the Southern are unmatched. 😎 The Newport looks (and I’m sure smells, lol!) the same as it has since the 70s.
My town. Played there a few times in the 80's and saw lots of shows there since. It's not as bad as people are saying here. You are actually on the campus of THE Ohio State University.
Was there something going on in the parking lot behind the building?.That looked like maybe a screen and some trussing there...Today's venue has that rock club vibe (disheveled)
Wow, I saw McGuffey Lane (Regional Band) on New Years about '90 there. I remember it being a place that had seen better days. I read somewhere that U2 played their first US show there, though I believe they are playing slightly bigger venues now... Thank you Sir!
It used to be the Agora. I saw many great shows there including George Clinton, George Duke & Stanley Clark, The Bears with Adrian Belew, Marillion and more. Frankly, the acoustics are hard to work with and a good sound engineer is needed. The places surrounding the venue have changed over the years. Today campus is much more "corporate" and there are less individual stores and restaurants etc.
OMG You're playing the Newport? I used to go there many decades ago....see rock bands. I may try to see you Friday at Rose Music. But why did Lyle get booked there? It was a dump 40 years ago. Across the street...I mean literally across and about 300 yards up the street is Mershon Auditorium. A MUCH nicer place. But it's part of Ohio State U...so maybe it costs more. I've played gigs all over Columbus, but the Newport is the one place that I've never played. I bet you guys were surprised when you walked in.....yikes, what a dump!
I know West Hartford, Connecticut had an Agora too. Same for Atlanta I believe. I have only been to the one in Connecticut which also closed in the 1980’s.
Is this different from many other campus dive bar/concert venues? Gives some Chicago House of Blues vibes without the great artwork, but Newport is probably the better value :)
I've visited and also have performed at The Newport/Agora many times since the late 1980s and can attest to the fact that it's the same hole today as it was 35 years ago 😂 But it does have a certain ambiance about it. And a distinct smell, too. They've replaced the sound system in recent years, which is a good thing. I well remember that in the 90s, the Mains were just stacked on top of each other, on their sides and not too secure... They'd sway when things got rowdy! My idiot bass player at the time, had a penchant for climbing them. Years ago, it was pretty easy get to the tippy top of that joint... Pretty great views of Campus from there. But that party ended at least twenty years ago. Sound there can be pretty great, IF you have a great Sound Engineer with you... If not, it's a total crapshoot... Even with the fancy new equipment they're running now. And yes... The gent's latrine DOES HAVE that unique Eau De Doo Dah Day.
