By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:09 pm: |
Around 1958 or so, the 509 Club moved from its location near the riverfront (it was at 509 Woodward) to the former Garden Theatre at 3929 Woodward, just south of Alexandrine. The club featured live music and must have spotlighted R&B, as the Diablos played there in 1959. Later, around 1962, the club became The Village and was a hangout and venue for artists like Nathaniel Mayer, Gino Washington and Mitch Ryder (when he was still Billy Lee). From what I can tell, The Village lasted until about 1964. Later, the building became a porno theater called the Sassy Cat. The building is still extant, but I have not been able to find out what the plans are for it, if there are any. The main room has stood vacant for some time.
Does anyone have any recollections of the place, either as the 509 Club or as The Village; or better yet, any photos of the club (or copies of advertisements) from back in the day?
By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:12 pm: |
I don't know if Billy Lee played there, but he remembers going there and soaking up all the great performances ...claims he learned everything either at black churches or at the Village.
By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:30 pm: |
I think his club may also have had the label "Village Of Love".
Some singers I've interviewed have made reference to it, but I never found any ads in the Michigan Chronicle for it.
Graham
By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:02 am: |
Well Nathaniel Mayer thinks the Village club was trying to capitalize on his hit because at one point he says they had a banner proclaiming "Home of Nathaniel Mayer" ...that may be the confusion.
Nate further said that they named the club after his hit, but ...?
By David Meikle (81.135.32.74) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 09:51 am: |
Thanks a lot for this SR.
I first read about the Village as a venue on Alexandrine and Selden. When I got to the map I found this to be impossible.
The correct location now looks to be on Woodward between Alexandrine and Selden. Actually just south of Selden.
Great stuff SR!
By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 10:33 am: |
SR described to me exactly where the building is on Woodward -- and it is still there! Last night my friend Becky Tyner reminisced about going to the Village when she was in high school, in the early '60s when she was "pretending to be a beatnik." (This is before she married Rob Tyner).
By David Meikle (213.122.160.156) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 11:26 am: |
Thanks Sue, this is most interesting.
I'm sure it's mentioned in Raynoma's book.
By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 11:40 am: |
This building is in the middle of the 3900 block on the west side of Woodward, north of Selden but south of Alexandrine. From the late '40s on, this area was the hub of the record industry in Detroit. Sensation Records was just south in the 3700 block of Woodward (as is Orchestra Hall/the Paradise Theatre); Jay Kay distributing was on Selden; and I believe there were companies/distributors on Alexandrine as well. The Graystone and Madison ballrooms were just to the north, also on the west side of Woodward (the Graystone was at 4237 Woodward and the Madison was at 4643 Woodward, near Forest). For awhile, Jack Brown of Fortune Records had a one-stop distribution shop and record store a little farther south, in the building at 3135-37-39 Woodward (converted to condos now) but the Fortune studio/office wasn't even too far away either, on Third, north of Selden.
S.R.
By acooolcat (61.222.101.130) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 02:59 am: |
S.R.
I'm a liar. I've found a write-up on The Village that appeared in The Chronicle on August 4th, 1962.
The headline was...
"The Village" Recalls Chico Hamlton "5"
Here's what it says...
Chico Hamilton, the great percussionist, can tell his fans throughout the country "they love me in Detroit."
Booked into "The Village" as the management of the Woodward avenue spot began a new policy of bringing in big names. Chico and his swinging quintet did such a great job last weekend that he is being brought back for another three-day performance.
In spite of limited time for pre-advertisment the name of Chico Hamliton had such magic that fans flocked to hear him in the beautiful club, one of the largest in Detroit.
One major feature of "The Village" is that it offers the perfect atmosphere for listening to great music such as that produced by the Hamilton outfit.
Located between Alexandrine and Willis on Woodward the beautiful "Village" is a most convinient and an ideal spot for an evening out.
(end)
There was also a box advert for Chico's gig which I'll scan and get posted here. Sadly the bottom of the ad' is missing off the photocopy I have of this Chronicle page, but it gives the address as 3929 Woodward. Entrance was a dollar-fifty. Coffee and soft drinks five cents.
During the same weekend you could also catch John Coltrane at The Minor Key. Jackie Wilson was at The Graystone, while Melvin Davis, David Ruffin and Kingfish were gigging at a club on 12th Street.
Graham
By David Meikle (81.131.212.176) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:33 am: |
Thanks for sharing Graham.
By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:17 pm: |
Thanks, Graham. Interesting that the article says on Woodward, between Alexandrine and Willis... that's wrong... it's between Selden and Alexandrine. The address, 3929 Woodward, confirms the location. In the Detroit City Directory for 1963, it says "The Village, (the Teenage Club)" next to 3929 Woodward. That leads me to believe that only soft drinks were served.