Atlanta Music Scene

By Cindy

March 28, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Why is it not a surprise that yet another great venue for live music is closing…and for what? To be another over-priced, lame movie theater? I think it will be almost comical to see how fast their business tanks upon reopening. They are pouring time and money into a very poorly thought out idea. nice job, but next time why not pick a space that actually NEEDS to be remodeled and not destroy a perfectly fine venue. Geez…

By A.J.

March 28, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

The Roxy is to reopen as a music venue, not a movie theater. No more trouths in the mens room, that kind of thing. Hopefully they get rid of the ridiculous carpet in the main room. Whoever heard of a rock concert on a carpeted floor? But what type of acts it hosts is beyond me. And, the last show was a very good show.

By Doug

March 28, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

This is what we get when Clear Channel buys up every major radio station and music venue in the city - inflated ticket prices and fewer venues. In the late 90’s, most concerts at medium venues were $18-25 per ticket. Now, they’ve bloomed to $30-50 no matter the artist or venue.

And the music industry wonders why it’s tanking.

By gttim

March 28, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I saw Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Cheap Trick there. I loved the venue! If they make it more upscale, I fear mid-level acts may not be able to play there profitably. I loved the indoor/outdoor carpet on the floor. That beats standing on plain concrete.

By L.L.

March 28, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Welcome to Atlanta…out with the old and in with the new & overpriced!

By Chip

March 28, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Will definately be missed. Unfortunately the “Golden Age”,of the Buckhead party seen has been long gone.

By bonluvsidol

March 28, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Saw Greenday there a few years back. They played so loud that plaster was falling from the ceiling. Great show. Great little venue. Hope it comes back better than ever.

By Elliot Garcia

March 28, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Saw many great shows at the Roxy: Living Colour, Hootie and the Blowfish, Big Head Todd and the Monsters….I hope it reopens bigger and better…

By King M

March 28, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Well, those of us with a little money appreciate “upscale” and the fact that the place might make a little money doesn’t bother us either.

By ozzfest

March 28, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Great, if they take the troughs out of the men’s room that just means longer lines…and me using the trash can. (Unless it is the Indigo Girls…then I never have to wait in the MEN’S room line.)

By Concert Lover

March 28, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

I loves the Roxy as it was — aside from the carpet and the parking situation. If they’re gonna re-open with higher ticket prices, can they please make the parking a little cheaper? I am assuming that they have little control (if any) over the parking costs right now, but if they are rehabbing the entire block, why not try to fix that since it was actually an issue?

By Eric

March 28, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

As long as Live Nation doesn’t get a hold of the Variety Playhouse, I’m a happy camper!

By GatorFan96

March 28, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

One of the worst venues in Atlanta. How can a 1500-2000 person venue only have accomodation for 3 people to use the men’s restroom at once?

By CL

March 28, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

It’s a moot point. I won’t be going.

Roxy will be renovated, no more rock acts July 23rd, 2007 by Scott Henry in CL News Buckhead’s Roxy Theatre will receive an $8 million makeover to replace its well-worn carpet and dilapidated, bare-floored auditorium with a posh lobby and new concert hall, complete with balconies and box seats. That’s the good news.

The bad news – at least for rock fans – is that, after its grand reopening, the Roswell Road venue isn’t likely to play host to acts like the Cure, Sonic Youth and Phish, as it has over the past two decades.

So says Charlie Loudermilk, the octogenarian Aaron Rents CEO who’s owned the building for many years.

“I’m not into the ring-in-the-nose culture,” he says. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it, but that’s not the type of shows we’ll have. It’ll be more upscale entertainment.”

Loudermilk says he imagines artists like Tony Bennett, Jimmy Buffett and even personal fave Charlie Daniels taking the stage in the refurbished Roxy – a format change to reflect the swanky retail district that will replace the downtrodden Buckhead Village across the street.

The furniture-rental magnate had planned to rechristen the building the Buckhead Theater, its original name when it debuted as a second-run movie house in 1930. But he was persuaded to keep the current marquis by executives from condo-builders Novare, who plan to use the Roxy name for a residential tower next door…

By jungleland

March 28, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I can remember when this was the Buckhead Cinema & Drafthouse - saw The Georgia Satellies, Buzzcocks, Replacements, Ramones there. It was a dump. The Roxy was a big improvement. I had the chance to play a show there once and it was the biggest stage I have ever been on…quite an experience.

Hopefully this will be another improvement. I got the feeling they were having problems getting shows there. Maybe they can get more acts if it is improved.

By The O-Gee

March 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

where is a guy suppose to find a decent dump anymore? rock clubs are suppose to be sort of seedy.

woe is the day when the acts are picked by an 80 year old furniture salesman who longs for the good ol’ days. how about ol’ blue eyes corpse as the rechristing act?

By alohavampire

March 28, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Too bad … This is exactly what Atlanta doesn’t need. Another over-priced and snobby theater.

I am a pro sound engineer. I cut my teeth in the Roxy during the early 90’s when I was 20-23 years old. I slept on the stage many nights. I love the place except for the load-in ramp. That ramp sucks!!!

I hate to see it go. The only place left to see a real rock show is the Tabernacle and that’s a Clear Channel bldg so everything there sucks including the ticket prices.

Good luck with your pie in the sky idea of an upscale venue…. It’ll be gone in a year or two… Mark my words.

As for the “nose ring” comment. Go F* yourself. Kids are kids… Some get piercings, some get tattoos, some dye their hair blue. Leave ‘em alone.

I wonder who they’ll get to install the gear… Maybe they’ll just load-in and load-out the sound, lights, video for each and every gig. That would be par for the course. The crew will be thrilled I’m sure. Oh yeah… don’t those guys need to be paid for all that extra work. Duh….. I forgot… They’re not human beings, they are sub-human pond scum according to the guy who’s promoting the show or owns the facility.

Dumb owners are terrible managers. Like I said earlier… It’ll never work. Say goodbye to the last cool venue to see a show in Atlanta.

I think I’ll go rent a computer for $200 per month from Aaron rents. At least I can help pay for the destruction of a perfectly ok concert venue.

By JDH

March 28, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Saw Mothers Finest and the opening act was Areosmith on New Years Eve early 80’s. Also saw movies like M.A.S.H and Earthquake when it was a movie theater. Great venue!!!

By Heather

March 28, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Fear not everyone. The Roxy will reopen with inflated ticket prices for washed-up acts that couldn’t fill Chastain, Fox or Phillips. Then Loudermilk will sell to the highest bidder and we will have yet another skyscraping eyesore in Buckhead.

By GM Brusa

March 28, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

The Roxy was GREAT! But it needs a renovation alright. The Roxy needs more parking. Charlie, can you include a parking deck while you are at it?

By Willie Jennings

March 28, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

JDH…..

I think what you are thinking of was 12/18/79 at the OMNI…. Aerosmith played on the Night in the Ruts tour and Mother’s Finest warmed up for them. I was there.

Mother’s Finest played The Capri (which later became Teh Roxy in August of 79.. they recorded part of their live lp at those 2 shows. And that was the last time they were there in THAT incarnation.

Aerosmith was HUGE by 1974… they would NOT have been warming up for anyone then.

WJ