El Mocambo
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The El Mocambo Tavern (462-464, Spadina Ave., Toronto ON M5T 2G8) (aka "The El Mo") is a live music and entertainment venue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located on Spadina Avenue, just south of College Street, the bar played an important role in the development of popular music in Toronto since the 1940s. It is perhaps best known for hosting two Rolling Stones shows on March 4 and 5, 1977 that were recorded for release on the band's Love You Live album.
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[edit] History
Originally bought as a nightclub space in 1940, the name and famous sign were erected in 1946. Its Spanish theme—the name means "road house"—was originally designed to attract tourists visiting post-War Toronto. It was one of the first nightclubs in the city to obtain a liquor license in the otherwise dry Toronto. Musical acts appeared on separate stages located on the main and second floor of the building.
The business and building were bought by Michael Baird and Tom Kristinbrun who also owned the Jarvis House in 1971. The previous owner, Mr. Schuy, rented the top floor space to any group. The German Club was a regular tenant. The bottom floor provided competition to the Silver Dollar Room and Grossman's Tavern, both clubs located on Spadina a block on either side from the El Mo. These clubs often hosted local bands who would work for drinks; however, the Elmo brought bands like Downchild Blues Band and many others "up the street" and actually paid them a regular fee to perform. The bands would start out downstairs and if the revenue they generated increased, they would sometimes graduate on upstairs.[citation needed]
During the early 70s, the upstairs featured "retreads" and "has-been" acts mostly with the occasional group on the rise. Most of the time drink sales determined which bands would return. A good example is The Dirt Band, formerly The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. They played the El Mo in the early '70's. The band had modest success under their new name, although what role appearing at the Elmo had in their success only they could say. Some of the staff remember them well. As with so many of the other "original" acts.
Located within walking distance of University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and George Brown College the club became a local watering hole for the students living nearby. Throughout the 1970s the club was known as a bastion of the blues and rock and roll during a time better known for disco.
In recent years both floors of the El Mocambo have been renovated and now book a wide range of musical acts, including jazz and hip hop as well as many indie acts and other events. As a consequence, the club's status as an important Toronto musical hotspot has been at least partially restored.
[edit] Major acts
Over the years other major music acts appeared at the venue, including such internationally famous jazz performers, including Grover Washington, Jr., and Charles Mingus, and rock acts such as U2, Moxy, The Police, Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones.Anthrax
On March 4, 1977, looking for an unprepossessing venue to record in, The Rolling Stones played the first of two performances at the club, billing themselves anonymously as "The Cockroaches". It was their first live club date in 14 years. Their opening act was local Canadian rockers April Wine. The show was recorded and released as the album Love You Live, which reached #3 in the UK, #5 in the US.
[edit] Live recordings
Other live recordings made by other bands/performers at the venue include:
- Big Walter Horton — Live at the El Mocambo (1973)
- Starz — Live at the El Mocambo (1973)
- April Wine — Live at the El Mocambo (1977)
- Elvis Costello — Live at the El Mocambo (1978)
- Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble — Live at the El Mocambo (1983)
- Moxy -- Raw (2001)
- Zoobombs — Bomb You Live (2001)
- The Whisky Howl Big Band — Live at the El Mocambo (2005)
[edit] Closure and revival
By the 1990s the club was often shunned by local indie groups, who perceived the El Mo as an "industry club", where record companies showcased packaged new artists at the expense of local talent. At least among some, it gained a reputation as the place to play once a promising indie band had "sold out". The relatively high price of drinks and cover charges and a fast-changing local music scene drove the mainstay student crowds to other clubs, notably the Beverly Tavern, DMZ, and Larry's Hideaway. Accordingly, throughout the 1990s, the El Mo went through several periods of near-bankruptcy and near-closure.
