There was Webster Hall, then there was The Ritz—the venue was founded in 1980 by Jerry Brandt, and housed in the same space that is now Webster Hall's ballroom on 11th Street. Later on in the decade, however, it moved to the site of the former Studio 54. While in business, up and comers as well as more popular acts at the time took the stage: from Madonna to Clapton to Soundgarden to Guns n' Roses to R.E.M. to the Beastie Boys to Fugazi. U2 even performed their first live show there on December 6th, 1980 (they returned the following year). Check out some of the old action below:
THE PIXIES—November 23rd, 1991)
JANE'S ADDICTION—1990
THE RAMONES—1989
KISS—1988
HAPPY MONDAYS—1988
GUNS N' ROSES—1988 (Here's more on this show)
WHITE LION—1988
BIG DIPPER—1987
SLAYER—1986
ICEHOUSE—1986
THE CULT—1985
U2—1981:
Previously:Old performances at Tower Records, a Pearl Jam in-store performance from 1991, and shows at the old Brownies in the East Village.
