The Ritz was a

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

rock club in the 1980s and early 1990s.

History

The Ritz was founded in 1980 by Jerry Brandt in the historic Webster Hall ballroom and concert space located at 119 East 11th Street between Third and Fourth avenues in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the former

Studio 54 Studio 54 is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater and former nightclub at 254 West 54th Street (Manhattan), 54th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, New York, U.S. Opened as the Gallo Opera House in 1927, it served ...

on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts until 1995. From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz". The original 11th Street space reverted to the name Webster Hall after The Ritz relocated.

MTV's "Live at The Ritz"

MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...

aired a series of concerts called "Live at The Ritz" on Saturday nights in the 1980s. Performers included

Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985 as a merger of local bands L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band's "classic" line-up consisted of vocalist Axl R ...

, Gene Loves Jezebel, the Saints,

the Cult The Cult are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Bradford in 1983. Before settling on their current name in January 1984, the band had performed under the name Death Cult, which was an evolution of the name of lead vocalist Ian Astbury ...

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, the Smithereens,

Oingo Boingo Oingo Boingo () was an American new wave music, new wave band formed by songwriter Danny Elfman in 1979. The band emerged from a Surrealism, surrealist musical theatre troupe, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, that Elfman had led and wri ...

Julian Cope Julian David Cope (born 21 October 1957) is an English musician and author. He was the singer and songwriter in Liverpool post-punk band the Teardrop Explodes and has followed a solo career since 1983 in addition to working on musical side proj ...

, Great White, Hoodoo Gurus, Pseudo Echo,

White Lion White Lion is an American glam metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, they released their debut album ''Fight to Survive ...

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, Eurogliders,

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, and

Simon Townshend Simon Townshend (; born 10 October 1960) is a British guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the younger brother of the Who's guitarist Pete Townshend, and is most associated with The Who and the various side projects of its original members ...

Public Image Limited appearance

The club received national attention after an antagonistic performance by Public Image Limited on May 15, 1981. They were a late substitution for

Bow Wow Wow Bow Wow Wow are an English New wave music, new wave band, created by manager Malcolm McLaren in 1980. McLaren recruited members of Adam and the Ants to form the band with then 13-year-old Annabella Lwin on lead vocals. They released their deb ...

, who were originally scheduled to perform. The band was more interested in creating performance art than giving a traditional concert; to this end, they appeared onstage deliberately obscured by a projection screen and played their records through the club's public address system while playing entirely different music onstage. Taunted by lead singer

John Lydon John Joseph Lydon ( ; born 31 January 1956), also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a British-born singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. He was the lead vocalist of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols, which was ...

(formerly of the

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), the Ritz's unhappy patrons rioted, throwing bottles and garbage cans, and pulling on the video screen that covered the front of the stage.

Notable shows and recordings

* " Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight", the only live track on the Misfits' album '' Walk Among Us'', was recorded at The Ritz in 1981. Parts of '' Evilive'' were also recorded there in 1981. * Rick Derringer recorded a Ritz show in 1982, released in 2009 as '' Rick Derringer's Rock Spectacular: Live at The Ritz, New York 1982'', featuring guests

Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist. He goes by several nicknames, including Uncle Ted, the Nuge, and Motor City Madman. Nugent initially gained fame as the le ...

, Tim Bogert, Karla DeVito and Southside Johnny. * The Michael Stanley Band recorded the live album ''Live at the Ritz'' at The Ritz on September 26–27, 1983.Sarzo, Rudy (2017). Off the Rails (third edition). CreateSpace Publishing. * The Residents played in New York for the first time at The Ritz, on January 16–17, 1986. Their album ''13th Anniversary Show - Ritz NY - Jan 16, 1986'' was recorded there. *

Bo Diddley Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist and singer who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy ...

recorded ''Live at The Ritz'' with Ronnie Wood in 1987. * The second disc of British metal band

Venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

's live double album, '' Eine kleine Nachtmusik'', was recorded at The Ritz on April 4–5, 1986. * D.R.I. recorded ''Live at The Ritz'' on June 27, 1987. *

recorded their February 2, 1988, concert for a live video * The August 13, 1988, concert by

Kiss A kiss is the touching or pressing of one's lips against another person, animal or object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely; depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sex ...

was recorded and has been released several times on video, cd and vinyl *

made a television recording at the club in 1988. This concert was released as the second disc of the 2007 compilation ''The Definitive Rock Collection''. * "Memories Can't Wait" from the Living Colour EP ''

Biscuits A biscuit is a Flour, flour-based baked food item. Biscuits are typically hard, flat, and Unleavened bread, unleavened. They are usually sweet and may be made with sugar, chocolate, icing (food), icing, jam, ginger, or cinnamon. They can also ...

'' was recorded live at the club on April 22, 1989. * Tin Machine (fronted by

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

) recorded a megamix video for their first album at the club, released in June 1989. * The first US show for Sepultura was at The Ritz opening for King Diamond on October 31, 1989. * Stormtroopers of Death recorded '' Live at Budokan'' at The Ritz on March 21, 1992.

References

External links