Talk:Irving Plaza

Comment
This article needs a serious rewrite, it reads like a review/promotion. 24.151.79.108 00:23, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

Should this be moved?
It's now called The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, should it be moved? --AW 17:44, 11 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Yeah I guess so. I'll move it. kc12286 23:08, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

Select Performers
I'm wondering if the Select Performers section is wikiworthy. Thoughts? Sabrebattletank (talk) 00:27, 7 February 2010 (UTC)

I'm dubious. If they had dates and refs attached, perhaps on a separate page. Wwwhatsup (talk) 02:43, 25 March 2010 (UTC)


 * No one else has responded. I'm going to knock it out. That will hopefully stimulate some discussion! Wwwhatsup (talk) 09:46, 28 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Ah! I now see why there was a list. Started in 2006 to establish notability. See User talk:Kc12286 Wwwhatsup (talk) 18:44, 28 March 2010 (UTC)

Capwilly edits
I have twice reverted major edits by Capwilly on the basis that they remove sourced content and appear otherwise to be OR. I have written twice on his talk page explaining. I've had no response. He just made the edit for the third time. I do not wish to get into an edit war. Anyone else care to revert / comment? Wwwhatsup (talk) 18:39, 28 March 2010 (UTC)
 * I don't see a valid reason for Capwilly's removal of content. If they feel they have one they should bring it here. The content that they added may be worth including if it can be sourced, but I found no sources to support it by searching in Google/News/Books.--Michig (talk) 19:12, 28 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I will say in Capwilly's defence that the 'Alexander Homme' reference does not seem particularly reliable, evidently mostly sourced in Wikipedia itself, it's a blog and he mixes up his centuries with regard to "Irving Theatre". However he does mention Rasiej, who was I believe the owner until selling out - I can't see any justification for his removal - and I note this wasn't in the later edits. I'm not disputing the truth of other Capwilly's edits, altho the Chris Williamson role does not jar with my memory. I ran the merchandising at the Big Audio Dynamite shows, I can't even myself remember how many there were - 5 or 16 - and similarly the source is a blog. But it is the best source a quick search turns up. I am sure that the facts can be established, hence my insistence on reliable sources. Capwilly obviously has an enthusiasm for the topic, I am hopeful he/she will understand the necessity and do the diligence. Wwwhatsup (talk) 22:55, 28 March 2010 (UTC)

I do see there's some background here. Wwwhatsup (talk) 22:59, 28 March 2010 (UTC)

email exchange 3/28
On Sun, Mar 28, 2010 at 7:53 PM, Capwilly  wrote: > Not sure if you got this because I still do not see any reference to the facts which I brought up. My edits to the Irving Plaza article are accurate and can be backed up, not only by the following references, but also by Eugene Kaleniak the President of the Polish War Veterens Association which owned and controlled the space. The New York Times, The Village Voice, Spin, The Aquarian , Interview , New York Magazine ,CNN,Timeout Magazine, and Newsweek. I would like to insert these Refs but I just don't know how to do it. Ref #7 says that Andrew Rasiej started Irving Plaza in the 70's which is rubbish since he didn't have anything to do with the place until 1990 and in the 70's he was only a little boy. The same article referenced Heinrich Conreid as managing the venue in 1993 when in fact he died in 1903! Ref #8 from the Village Voice describes Chuck and Andy Dunckley during their run in the place which was 1983 to 1984 but says nothin! > g about Big Audio Dynamite. Big Audio Dynamite played there for 16 nights in April of 1987, was promoted by Ron Delsener, Chris Williamson,and WKTU. Chuck and company were long gone. The venue was controlled by Rock Hotel Presents from 1986 to 1989. Ref #9 is written by some fanzine kid and only talks about the concert at Irving Plaza but does not mention Chuck, Andy,etc., > because they had nothing to do with it. How is this stuff admissable?

> Please, if you will, copy this email to the fellow trying to get in touch with me who originally complained about my edits. I just don't yet know how to reply and please help me get un-blocked so I can get this straight. >                                               Thanks kindly, >                                                       Capwilly

response:

Hi

I already made a couple of adjustments to the article. I think your point that the Homme reference is unreliable is sound, but you have to accept the further point that you can't change referenced material in Wikipedia without at least giving some kind of justification in your edit summary and, if someone disputes it, taking to the talk page. If a reliable source, or consensus, can't be reached then the material will have to bdropped from the article. In my opinion you are going to have a very hard job sourcing that Williamson promoted at Irving since, to my knowledge, he never did - only at The Ritz during this period. The correct way to proceed, if you are uncertain as to how to handle things like refs, again is to go the talk page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:The_Fillmore_New_York_at_Irving_Plaza and edit it just like you would an article, and remember to sign your comments by writing Wwwhatsup (talk) 00:23, 29 March 2010 (UTC) which will automatically time and date stamp them. It's not rocket science.

If, as you assert, there are supporting references in the NY Times then they should show up in a search of their archives. For instance http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/23/nyregion/coping-from-polish-vets-to-punk-in-only-30-years.html does indeed have some good information.

j

Wwwhatsup (talk) 00:23, 29 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I think his point about Rasiej is valid and will take that out right now. Wwwhatsup (talk) 00:23, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Further discussion
> Without sending you a ton of stuff this article verifies all. Please find attached the following - Daily News feature 12/25/88 pg.24 by David Browne - which verifies all. A) That Chuck Terzila, Frank Gallagher, and Andy Dunckley were long gone from Irving Plaza in 1985 and in fact according to Eugene Kaleniak, the President of the Polish War Veterens Association which owned the building, were in bankruptcy and had caused the venue to be dark for a season. B.) That Chris Williamson/Rock Hotel Presents installed sound and lights and took control of the venue as the promoting entity. C.) That Chris Williamson/Rock Hotel Presents promoted B.A.D. in April of 1987. D.) That Chris Williamson/Rock Hotel Presents promoted the ‘Farewell to Irving Plaza’ concert with The Ramones on Dec. 31st 1988. E.) That Chris Williamson/ Rock Hotel Presents continued it’s arrangement with Irving Plaza through 1989 with ongoing projects. Capwilly — Preceding unsigned comment added by 151.205.99.59 (talk) 18:22, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

I guess you didn't get my last email. Hopefully you will and please add to it the fact that the NYTimes article you use as a reference by Robert Lipsyte is absolutely incorrect with his info about Andrew Raiseij and Irving Plaza. Mr. Lipsyte has instructed me to correct this misinformation which he included in his article by contacting the current Ombudsman of The New York Times to set the past write. ( and again, if you folks hadn't blocked me, I would have by now figured out how to include the many references which I have to back up my edits) Capwilly (talk) 19:04, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

Just got this message. Thanks very much for your help. Were you around in 1986? Just as an example is the famous 86' New Year's Eve Dictators show where at the stroke of midnight they threw 100's of White Castle hamburgers in to the audience. There were over 50 major Rock Hotel concerts at Irving Plaza through the years and Chuck Terzila. Frank Gallagher, and Andy Dunckley were long gone, most particularly when B.A.D occurred during April of 87'. The article they reference was written by Christgau in 85' talking about his memory of those guys at Irving in 84' and should only be admissable to prove that they were there in that time frame, if I may be so bold to offer. Thanks again, CapwillyCapwilly (talk) 19:22, 30 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I've taken the liberty of slightly reformatting Capwilly's comments above for legibility. Wwwhatsup (talk) 20:12, 30 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Capwilly. It's good to see you are getting the hang of it. I'm afraid spaces at the beginning of lines are treated as code in Wikipedia, so you can't use them as you would normally. If you want to indent a line use one or more colons at the start of the line.


 * Getting to your points. The Lipsyte article is authoritative as it stands unless verifiable reliable conflicting information can be presented. I am sure the NY Times Ombudsman will say the same thing. But I don't think that's so important. What is important is to make a well-researched and reliable Wikipedia article that will become the last word. If you could scan in your cuttings that would be a big help. If you mail them to me I will get them up on the net in a place that can be referenced. I'd be willing to interview some of the parties such as Mr. Kaleniak, and Chris Williamson, to get the story straight. Wwwhatsup (talk) 20:12, 30 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Regards the request above, I would be happy to arrange a meeting whenever convenient. Capwilly (talk) 21:22, 31 March 2010 (UTC)


 * A short list of possible interviews:
 * Chris Williamson
 * Bill Brusca — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.89.202.234 (talk) 21:05, 14 July 2019 (UTC)
 * Andrew Rasiej
 * Jane Friedman
 * Joe Plotkin (convenient for me - works up the block)
 * Wwwhatsup (talk) 22:11, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

NY Times 'Irving Plaza Rock Club Closes for Lack of Rent' June 7, 1986

 * ref:


 * IP closed June 6 1986
 * Capacity 1000
 * Chuck Terzella filed Chapter 11 in December 1985
 * Amnesty International Concert cancelled
 * Recent shows had lost money
 * Terzella quote: I'm tired, and I can't fight it anymore.

Wwwhatsup (talk) 22:26, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

Daily News 'Curtains' article - Xmas 1988

 * Thanks to Capwilly for scan!


 * Ref:


 * Purchased by the Polish Army Veterans Association (P.A.V.A.) in 1948
 * Famous Polish generals appeared
 * Future Pope Jean Paul II appeared in 1976
 * P.A.V.A. began renting out the ballroom for concerts in 1970s
 * Bands played:
 * Husker Du, Ramones, the Replacements, Suicide, Feelies, Dwight Yoakam, the Neville brothers, Los Lobos, Alex Chilton
 * DNA performance interrupted by a streaker.
 * Living Color opened for Big Audio Dynamite
 * Marshall Crenshaw's first ever show was at IP opening for Joe 'King' Carrasco
 * In 1985 promoter Chuck Terzella filed for bankruptcy.
 * P.A.V.A. plans to convert to condos in 1987 fell through.
 * In April 1987 Chris Williamson / 'Rock Hotel Presents' reopened with new sound system and inaugural 10 night stand by B.A.D.
 * Bands played:
 * Flipper, Sonic Youth, firehose, Skinny Puppy
 * "Milky Way" rap shows
 * There were complaints from neighbours as area gentrified.
 * P.A.V.A. had to spend $25K to bring up to fire code.
 * Williamson had unfulfilled plans to bring a Broadway show in winter of 1988.
 * In December 1988 it was announced by P.A.V.A. that the building would be demolished and turned into condos in early 1989.
 * The Ramones on Dec 31 1988 expected to be last show.
 * Chris Williamson quote "It was a venue that had charm"
 * Dee Dee Ramone quote "It was funky without being a dump."

Comment: - very good as far as it goes. I note no mention of name 'Rock Hotel' as promoter. Wwwhatsup (talk) 21:35, 30 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Comment: - 2nd column 2nd paragraph of above article " Williamson's 'Rock Hotel Presents' entered the scene", as in, the promoting entity.


 * Corrections: Williamson/Rock Hotel 1st major show was Sonic Youth Irving Plaza 11/22/86 and can be verified with Village Voice issues 10/29/86, 11/5/86, 11/12/86, and 11/19/86. So 11/22/86 would be the first formal re-opening by Williamson/Rock Hotel.


 * Big Audio Dynamite performed at Irving Plaza for 16 nights 4/21/87 through 5/3/87 long after the Chuck Terzila, Frank Gallagher, Andy Dunckley team had gone. Also the list of bands included in the article relate to the venue's history in general, most of which having more to do with the earlier 'Club 57' team not the above team.


 * Capwilly (talk) 20:51, 31 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Response:
 * Yep you are right it does say 'Rock Hotel Presents' - I stand corrected.
 * Rock Hotel probably merits an entire article to itself.
 * Here is a poster of the Sonic Youth show. Note it says "Chris Williamson presents" and "at Rock Hotel Irving Plaza".
 * No documentation as yet that the Sonic Youth was Chris's first show.
 * No documentation as yet to 16 B.A.D. show claim.
 * Wwwhatsup (talk) 21:35, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

Wwwhatsup: Thanks for the follow up. In the beginning at Irving Plaza since the shows booked were so diametric from the Rock Hotel Shows at the Ritz ( see New York Magazine Dec. 22-29 issue 1986 " The Powers that will be" pg.90 by Amy Virshop ) we felt that there should be some deliniation in the way that they were promoted and so searched for a slightly different angle. In the end it was always Rock Hotel Presents because that was what brought the kids, and, the kids at heart, OUT. The 16 vs 10 B.A.D. shows will be verified with just a little more digging from the archives. But I'm not wasting my time, it's the truth! Also, lest I forget. WOW!! on finding the Sonic Youth poster. Capwilly (talk) 23:48, 31 March 2010 (UTC).


 * Thanks for ref. See below. No mention of "Rock Hotel Presents" but we do have "Rock Motel". My feeling is that Rock Hotel was never a "presenter" it was a destination. Everybody understood that it referred to the old Jane St joint, hence 'Rock Hotel at the Ritz' etc. - and Chris Williamson was presenter. This was how come I was initially skeptical because if there had been hard-ass Rock Hotel shows at IP I would have remembered them (I always skip NYE = amateur night / zoo). "Rock Motel" does ring a bell. I'm yet to be convinced on "Rock Hotel Presents". Wwwhatsup (talk) 08:49, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

O.K. Wwwhatsup, try a few of these and there are plenty more! Suicidal Tendencies, Carnivore, Leeway, 10/2/87,, Dickies, Murphy’s Law, Underdog, 10/31/87,, G.B.H., Agnostic Front, The Accussed, 11/6/87,, Nuclear Assault, Carnivore, 4/1/88,, Crumbsuckers Leeway, Wench, 4/15/88,, U.K.Subs, Mentors, Broken Bones, 5/6/88,, Swans. Hugo Largo, Arto Lindsay Trio, Nine Inch Nails, 5/13/88,, Destruction, Testament, Nuclear Assault, Carnivore, Heathen, Nevermore, Violence, 7/18/88,, Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law, Leeway, Warzone, 7/19/88,, Skinny Puppy, 10/31/88,, D.R.I., 11/23/88,,  The Ramones, 12/31/88.

All Rock Hotel Shows and all verifiable. Heavy Duty Enough? Trust me, you were there.

Also, try: www.nytimes.com/.../classical-pianists-rock-in-a-manner-of-speaking.html?...and,

'Staten Island Advance' "Day in the life of a Promoter', 10/9/87, Rock Hotel Presents Suicidal Tendencies,Irving Plaza, by Debbie Papio  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Capwilly (talk • contribs) 15:37, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

More important is the fact that with all the legitimate and verifiable references I continue to produce, you folks block my edit, and, at the same time allow ref#8  to remain attached  to the ‘Irving’ article even though it is completely and utterly not valid , irrefutably proven by the Daily News  ‘curtains’article which was submitted!! Whatsup?, Wwwhatsup. Capwilly (talk 15:27, 2 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Well that "irrefutable" Curtains article says 10 nights of B.A.D., right? I didn't get a chance to look up those refs but I have done a little bit of rewrite. Let me know what you think. WWWhatsup

Comment: Finally!, Thanks Wwwhatsup, at least it's in there now. Irrefutable,, well you got me there. That's why I listed the correction above. It was 16 nights and I will soon produce documentation. Why not mention 300 White Castle hamburgers? Also, it was only after the exposure of B.A.D and the 'New Music Seminar' shows( NMS was the biggest and most prestigious music conference in the world at the time) that we started getting international prominence with agents, etc. Also, your take on the re-opening with B.A.D. isn't exactly so. With relation to Rock Hotel's public( and I will be searching for just how many Rock Motel ads actually exist vs. Rock Hotel), Sonic Youth was it. Also the B.A.D., shows as I've already stated many times, were co-promoted with Delsener and WKTU. The kids really did pull fixtures out at the last Ramones show. Whats the harm with including that info? Capwilly (talk) 14:51, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Additionally: 'Milky Way' was 89' in to 90' when Williamson still had the space and there were 3 or 4 fellows who promoted those nights. Since, Rock Hotel had a lot of history with the beginnings of rap, for example, taking Public Enemy all the way to Madison Sq.Garden, Milky way was not a stretch. Plans for the play were in 90'. A producer for 'The Song Of Singapore' had contacted Eugene Kaleniak and in the aftermath of the 'condo' deal falling through, we agreed that it would be a good way to go. It was always my understanding that Rock Hotel would re-gain control of the space after the play, but a certain relative of one of the board members ran interference and opened up a bidding war for the space, making it financially impossible. Shortly thereafter, Delsener/Slater/SFX bought and booked the place. Capwilly (talk) 15:10, 3 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I need references! The thing is that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia not a repository for colorful stories so one has to stick to the bare bones. People can follow up the source. Also there is going to be so much info in this article, one needs to be as minimalist as possible. I will work on a Rock Hotel article when this one is done. If you care to get a timeline, refs scanned etc on that ready - that will be a big help. That can be more descriptive.


 * What I read between the lines is that just after the NYE show event, the place got shut down for fire code violations - that is what forced the spending of the $25k and the B.A.D. "reopening". Am I wrong?


 * How did the Delsener / Williamson thing come about? Did Williamson have exclusive booking rights, or was it because he owned the sound and lights? I can imagine Jones insisting on the venue.


 * I put the Milky Way thing in there as it is mentioned 'Curtains" and it could well have been a contributory factor to the "gentrification" pressures. Chuck Crook could be another possible interviewee.


 * This article, written in Dec 25 1988 mentions failed "broadway play plans". How could it refer to 1990?


 * Was Rasiej involved in the 1988 condo plan?

Wwwhatsup (talk) 19:40, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Comments: Completely appreciate your continued help.

The place was never shut down. Shows continued after The Dictators.

Correct. Williamson had exclusive booking rights and owned all sound and lights. He was a friend of Delseners and more with Mitch Slater who at Mad.Sq. Garden( Gulf and Western then )he had courted for help in buying the entire block. No one listened at the time. there were no takers.

Milk Way as I said was in 89'- 90'. Rather than mentioning this I would think that the list of bands which I presented in my first edit would be more colorful. Did you notice Nine Inch Nails? What a story there!

With the very first news of the condo plans which actually pre-dates most of this, Williamson scrambled to convince them to keep the space as a working venue including reaching out to his contacts in the theatre world. There were a lot of irons in the fire including a desperate attempt to convince the Delseners and the Schers of the world to help buy the building as mentioned above.

As mentioned many times, no one had even seen this guy then. I worked with Eugene Kaleniak and met with the entire board many times over the years and only met Andrew at the very end of my relationship with the venue. It was my understanding that at the time he was put in charge of overseeing a weekly ballroom dancing night( turns out that entity was friends with Delsener) and therein begins the nasty tale.

You're right this is turning in to a book. However, when I do get some more corroborating material I would like to make a small edit to the script. Cheers Capwilly (talk) 17:21, 4 April 2010 (UTC)


 * How come the B.A.D. was an "opening" then, just the new lights and sound? I recall NIN playing some weird joint with no stage up on Broadway as openers for Peter Murphy as their first NYC appearance. Ballroom dancing - that was the "swing" night? How, if Milky Way wasn't til 89, it's mentioned in this article from Dec 1988?


 * The place did presumably close on Dec 31 1988, what happened next? Was Williamson still presenting at the Ritz uptown, too?


 * Wwwhatsup (talk) 14:47, 5 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I've said all along that Sonic Youth's show on 11/22/86 opened the club. Perhaps the writer took liberty in making it more of an event?


 * The fact is that it wasn't out of commision for long, somewhat embarrasing after the big ta doo with the Ramones on 12/31/88.  More interesting is that I just retrieved a Rock Hotel Presents, Murphy's law, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones show dated July 14, 1990. I told you that Williamson/ Rock Hotel kept a hold on the place in to 1990.


 * Of course Williamson was promoting at the Ritz uptown, and some historic shows there were, try Rage Against the Machine, Janes Addiction, Public Enemy, Ice-t, Alice in Chains, Johnny Winter/Edgar Winter together,Black Crowes opening for Michael Schenker Group, Fugazi, and Bad Brains, to name just a few.


 * Also, Rock Hotel was promoting big rap shows around town, as in Tribe Called Quest/ De La Soul,Ritz uptown,Ice-T, Ritz uptown, 3rd Bass/Naughty by Nature, Beacon Theatre, Public Enemy, The Garden, and apparently used Irving as a proving ground with the Milky Way nights earlier in 1988.


 * The ballroom dancing stuff was not until later as was already explained.


 * Capwilly (talk ) 02:53, 6 April 2010


 * Ok. I have to admit I'm going to be hard up to spend much time on this this week. But I'm willing to have ago when I do have the time. I've started a page to gather RH info, feel free to post at will on there. A note on how to keep up on Wikipedia - go to the page and then click 'watch' at the top. Then when you login go to 'my watchlist' and you'll be able to see any recent changes. Wwwhatsup (talk) 06:40, 6 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Same for me. I'll be out of town and touch for a bit. Capwilly (talk) 14:12, 8 April 2010 (UTC)

New York Magazine "The Powers That Will Be" Dec 22-29, 1986
Wwwhatsup (talk) 08:49, 2 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Ref:
 * Quote: "Chris Williamson,35, a former manager of Studio 54, is now bringing hard-core music to the masses through his "Rock Hotel" shows, staged at the Ritz, with bands like Anthrax and D.O.A.; he's featuring New Wave bands in his "Rock Motel" shows at Irving Plaza."

New York Times 'COPING' April 23 1995

 * ref:


 * Building is a string of four four story brownstones along 15th Street that houses:
 * a bar (109 Bar)
 * a luncheonette
 * the rock club
 * a dance studio
 * In the 60s:
 * the marquee read "Dom Weterana" = "Home of the Veteran"
 * It was a staging area for the Pulaski Parade.
 * One of the few theaters in NYC with a flat dance floor.
 * Andrew Rasiej's father was a member.
 * Rasiej became successful developer, and then adviser to Polish Army Veterans Association of America, District 2 (P.A.V.A.A.)
 * P.A.V.A.A. plan was for a new 6 story cultural center:
 * Theater
 * Art Gallery
 * Library
 * office for Polish Airline
 * Two events screwed up the plan:
 * 1989 liberation of Poland took steam out of expatriates
 * Zeckendorf Towers blocked light, diminishing property value
 * Annual "nut" was $700,000
 * In 1991 Rasiej brought in "Song of Singapore" - dinner show - ran out of cash
 * Bill Brusca became manager - Ron Delsener started doing rock shows
 * Capacity 700 - 3 or 4 shows a week - Raziej books 66% of acts
 * P.A.V.A.A. meets on 4th floor where many mementos are stored. Membership has dwindled from 15000 to 2000 nationwide.
 * Bands appearing in the rock club:
 * the Smithereens
 * Dinosaur Jr
 * Hot Tuna
 * Joe Cocker
 * 3 nights of Eric Clapton - Nov 1994
 * House of Blues is about to open 2500 venue on same block

Comment: Wtf is "nut" - is that a real estate term or a typo? House of Blues never did open IIRC. Wwwhatsup (talk) 05:59, 31 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Wwwhatsup: Thanks again for the help. My issue with the Lipsyte article is simply any reference to Rasiej being the 'founder' of Irving Plaza as he so often claims. That is simply bull. 100's of shows occurred before he ever had anything to do with the place, And By The Way, if his father were not one of the owners, he never would have, a fact which allowed him in the 90's to manipulate both Delsener/Slater and Metropolitan Entertainment. His claim to have booked 65% of all shows during that period might get a violent rise from both of those venerable entities., but that's their story to tell. My only interest is to have the story straight with regards to Rock Hotel at Irving Plaza. 50 plus shows, Big audio Dynamite and the ‘Rock Hotel Presents for the New Music Seminar’shows at Irving Plaza, 7/16/88,  ‘Sreet Rap Explosion‘,   7/18/88 ,‘Metalcore Massacre’,  7/19/88 ‘Hardcore Spectacular’,  Village Voice issues: 6/15/88, 6/22/88, 6/22/88, 7/6/88 put this venue on the international arena.


 * Capwilly (talk) 21:22, 31 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Response:
 * I appreciate the Rasiej 'founder' claim does appear disingenuous, but a Zabasearch reveals that he was born in May 1958. It is conceivable that as a teenager he was influential on the decision to introduce rock concerts in the late 70's.
 * The 66% claim is difficult to refute with firm documentary evidence - it's not impossible that there were a lot of small events put on weeknights etc, while Delsener cherry-picked the weekends/best acts
 * I'll look into researching those NMS shows.
 * Wwwhatsup (talk) 22:11, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

Comment: Talk to Louis Tropia ( who was the real booker in the beginning ) or Frank Gallagher or Chris Willaimson and they will tell you what a load of crap that is. Rasiej was not around till aproxiately 90' and after that, when Raisej was around, talk to Mitch Slater and Ron Delsener, and they'll tell you what a load of crap that is! Regarding the NMS shows, there were more!!, but this is becoming tedious. Talk to Mark Josephsine, he'll tell you. Capwilly (talk) 00:02, 1 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I have been in touch with Frank Gallagher recently, although we didn't discuss this. I believe I can find Louis, but he just was a sidekick to Jane, right? It was me put his name in there, pure WP:OR, I'd like to find a ref. Any idea where Josephson is these days? I'll do without Delsener / Slater. You see that huge list of refs below - I'm going to lick that into shape, and then see where the holes are. If you have more, bring it on. Wwwhatsup (talk) 08:59, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

NY Times 'Rock Promoters Vie for Manhattan' September 26, 1995

 * ref:


 * Capacity 900
 * Delsener/Slater deal
 * $500/show rent + bar
 * Delsener covered band/promotion/insurance
 * According to Rasiej:
 * deal negotiated on basis small venues are unprofitable yet
 * Delsener had made $250,000
 * IP had lost $250,000
 * New deal with Metropolitan
 * club could promote all of its own shows
 * 50% share of profits of any larger area show by graduate act
 * First show under new deal 'Del Amitri' Sep 26 1995
 * More varied program coming
 * Delsener/Slater reputedly trying to shut IP down
 * Rasiej quote "I broke the monopoly, and they're upset."
 * New alternative rock bands graduating faster.
 * Metropolitan lacking small venue since closing of Ritz
 * Delsener losing Academy to theater.
 * Performance mag NY editor notes IP improved sound and light systems

Wwwhatsup (talk) 23:05, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

NY Times 'An Endangered Species: Rock Clubs in New York' October 26, 1996

 * ref:

Article goes into details of IP expenses, but is essentially to note the formation of the NY Nightlife Assn.


 * New State Liquor Authority regulations introduced in 1994 + recent zoning regulations make establishment of new venues difficult
 * Existings clubs like IP struggling. Typical show:
 * Sell out 1000 tickets sold @ $15 = $15,000 + Bar $1,000
 * Band $5000, ads $3000, staff $1250, security $850, insurance $600, catering $620, $500 sound & lights, tickets $250, copyright $100.
 * split 20% club/ 80% band
 * Self promoted shows.. Pay themselves $500 rent + 15% overall expenses before split.
 * !Correction in article puts total budget at $15,203 with loss of $203
 * 80% of shows don't sell out.
 * Capital expenditures like AC can drive a club under
 * Owner Bill Brusca is former manager at The Ritz
 * 12 shows a month do not cover overhead =
 * $15,000/mth rent
 * gas, electricity, telephone, building insurance, maintenance and permit fees.
 * Other income:
 * Coat check
 * Merch cut 15%
 * Record label after parties
 * Sunday swing music nights
 * Monday night 'Sugar Babies' dance parties
 * Corporate events
 * Graduate act deal with Metropolitan
 * Rasiej operates 119 Bar
 * Rasiej part owner of Galaxy restaurant
 * Digital Club Network investment from Apple / Intel
 * Rasiej is cofounder New York Nightlife Association to protect interest of clubs

Comment: Sunday and Monday nights might justify 66% claim if they can be considered 'shows'. Ref for Brusca ex-Ritz. Wwwhatsup (talk) 23:46, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

NY Times 'Concert Rivals to Run Irving Plaza' Monday November 24 1997

 * Ref:

This story explores the unusual situation of rivals Delsener/Slater & Metropolitan being forced to work together for the following 10 months, with the former promoting shows booked by the latter, and also being able to claim a portion of any other local show that features a band that had played earlier at IP.


 * Irving Plaza opened in 1992, booked by Delsener/Slater
 * Acknowledged to be the best Manhattan Club of its size: Capacity 900
 * In 1994 Raziej and Brusca, unhappy with the deal, switched to Metropolitan Entertainment.
 * New deal:
 * IP could book its own shows.
 * IP 'could claim' up to 50% of other Manhattan shows of bands that graduated from IP.
 * Bands played:
 * Jewel
 * the Dave Matthews Band
 * Sheryl Crow
 * Prodigy
 * Oasis
 * Eric Clapton
 * The Cure
 * Melissa Etheridge
 * Bob Dylan coming Dec 8
 * On November 21 1997 'owners' sold 10 year lease and club name to Delsener/Slater Enterprises
 * Price estimated at over $1m
 * Licensing climate difficult making existing franchises valuable. Delsener had lost Academy on Times Square.
 * Metropolitan Entertainment retains exclusive booking rights until September 1998
 * However Delsener also has 50% rights in 'graduate acts' Manhattan shows.
 * Brusca stays as VP of Operations, Rasiej is moving on (Digital Club Network)

Comment: The word 'owner' can lead to some confusion in that it would appear to refer to the owners of a lease rather than the premises, and it would seem that lease included the right to use 'Irving Plaza as a name'. It's not clear if what happened here is that Rasiej & Brusca just sublet, or actually sold their lease. Whichever way it included assigning over their deal with Metropolitan. In the article Rasiej says "now I've leased the space to them" - but it could be he's talking from the point of view of the real owners - the P.A.V.A.A. Brusca, incidentally, I believe, is a former manger of Te Ritz during the Jerry Brandt tenure - I could be wrong. Wwwhatsup (talk) 06:56, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

Repeat: Raisej was only there because his relatives allowed him to be. He was not an artist or promoter who came up through his love for music. The Frank Roccio,Jane Friedman,Louis Tropia team, the Frank Gallagher,Chuck Terzila,Andy Dunckley,Joe Plotkin team, and the Williamson/Rock Hotel team were there for the music and the 'scene',,,,not for the cheap buck and the swindle. Talk to John Scher,Mitch Slater, you'll get it. Capwilly151.204.159.123 (talk) 01:12, 1 April 2010 (UTC)Capwilly (talk) 00:23, 1 April 2010 (UTC)

Other refs

 * East Village Eye - July 1984 Display Ad - "We don't have video" - reggae bands / calypso / Lyres/ NMS coming in Aug.
 * Polish mementos on 4th floor
 * United anti-Nazi conference Saturday, May 5th, 1934 at 12 noon Irving Plaza Hall 15th St. and Irving Place, N.Y.
 * 'Music for Your Eyes' video nights introduced in 1985
 * In 1984 known as "The Stage at Irving Plaza". Closed for renovations most of June 84.
 * Apr 29 1999. Brusca received a plaque for donating $50,000 to [[LIFEbeat] via 25c ticket surcharges.
 * Erasure played 10 nights in 2005
 * Clapton in Nov 1994
 * 1985 Ritz booker for Metropolitan Joe Plotkin is former IP booker.
 * Dec 84 - "briefly tried to make a go of it as Jazz Plaza a few years ago".
 * Apr 07 - Live Nation takes over.
 * feb 1983 - reopening - "because of zoning regulations the the club.. ..will be puting on its shows as the private Club Wee".
 * Willie Nelson - 3 sold out nights in Jan 2002 gross $146,425.
 * Jul 95 - IP, via SonicNet one of the first venues to sell tickets online.
 * Background of Club 57
 * NY Times Aug 1980 -"Two organizations book concerts into the facility, with two different telephone numbers."
 * Club 57 @ Irving Plaza postcard (1980??)
 * Oct 99 - Ann Magnusson on start of Club 57 mentions "middle-aged Pole" Stanley
 * Tom Murrin bio - mentions JAne Friedman - manager of John Cale & Patti Smith - goes on to book IP.
 * dates the NEW WAVE VAUDEVILLE SHOW as 11/09/78 and gives line-up
 * Danny Kapilian bio. Stage manager at 1P 1980-1981. Jane Friedman had managed Mercer Arts Center. IP was "managed by a young ex-club owner from Poland".
 * July 18 1988 NYT review of Street Rap Explosion
 * Apr 23 1987 Newsday review of B.A.D. - crowd "perplexed" by Living Color
 * Oct 5 1983 NYT review of "opening night" with Howard Devoto
 * NYT Mar 4 1929, meeting defers Communist Convention.
 * NYT Jun 24, 1930 IP site of National Convention of Communist Party
 * NYT May 20, 1928 New York Working-Women's Federation formed at IP
 * NYT Sep 5 1999. IATSE picketing for new contract. IP fired members claiming they extorted bands.
 * Apr 6 1969 Striking Window-cleaners meeting.
 * NME Nov 22 2000. U2 announce free show at IP.
 * Dec9 1935. New York State Committee of the Socialist party
 * Nov 9 1941. Metropolitan Folk Dance Group meets at IP.
 * NYT Apr 5 1946 People's Song "Hootenanny," a folk-singers jam session, with Leadbelly tonight at 7:30 in the Irving Plaza Ballroom, 15 Irving Place.
 * Richmond Afro American - May 31, 1947 - Leadbelly concert
 * NYT Mar 6 1941 - Tunnel Workers
 * Toledo Blade - Sep 21, 1979 'The Pop Life; Growth, change and David Johansen" - 'Club 57 st Irving Plaza' is allied with Miles Copeland via Ian Copeland and Paragon Agency, importing UK bands.
 * NYT Sep 5 1976 - Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, Archbishop of Cracow, Poland,
 * NYT Dec 1 1979 - B-52's; Suicide and Walter Stedding after party for Burroughs Giorno event
 * VV Aug 14 1978 - Invaders (Christgau)
 * NYT Aug 13 1979 - B52's 2 nights
 * NYT Aug 1 1979 - An ambitious schedule of new-wave rock concerts, most of them featuring bands from Britain, has been planned for Club 57. Cramps Aug. 18-19; The Buzzcocks, the Gang of Four and The The, Aug. 31Sept. 1; John Cale and the Only Ones, Sept. 14-15; XTC, Sept. 20-21; and the Police, Sept. 27-29.
 * VV Oct 23 1978 - Christgau visits IP. Unpretentious. Small crowd thus roomy. Proprietor Stanley - a  polish "guy in a bowler hat" . "No drink over $1.50" sign. RC loves it but skeptical of viability.
 * NYT Dec 30 1988 - New Years EveThe Ramones - IP's last show.
 * NYT Dec 7 1983 - Raybeats preview "dance-prone crowd" at IP.
 * Boston Globe Apr 24 1987 - "Big Audio Dynamite finishes up five nights at the Plaza"
 * NYT May 17 1981 - Delta 5 preview
 * Dec 26 86 - Dictators, Murphys Law NYE
 * Boston Globe May 5, 1982 - "A black band, Bad Brains used the chant "Black and white, we come here to unite" when they played Irving Plaza in New York. ."
 * The Village Voice - Jan 13, 1987 - Review of Dictators NYE show - White Castles - Big Charlie berserker
 * NYT Apr 5 1946 People's Song "Hootenanny," a folk-singers jam session, with Leadbelly tonight at 7:30 in the Irving Plaza Ballroom, 15 Irving Place.
 * Richmond Afro American - May 31, 1947 - Leadbelly concert

Requested move

 * The following discussion is an archived discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. No further edits should be made to this section. 

The result of the move request was: page moved per request. GTBacchus(talk) 21:19, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza → — Former name restored - see article (source). Wwwhatsup (talk) 00:36, 2 June 2010 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

Mistakes in this article??
I mean there are mistakes concerning addresses and history in this article (two buildings are combinated). Irving Plaza has address 17 Irving Place. The old Irving Place German Theatre or Amberg´s Theatre had address 11 Irving Place or 118 E. 15th Street. So that it was located on the opposite corner of E. 15th Street and Irving Place – now there are Zeckendorf Towers. See: Cinematreasures

In history: "Built in 1888", "a Yiddish theatre, a burlesque house (ecdysiast Gypsy Rose Lee stripped here)", Amberg's German Theatre, all the paragraphs about years 1893 – 1939 are concerning the house 11 Irving Place or 118 E. 15th Street, not the Irving Plaza.

Later history of the house 11 Irving Place or 118 E. 15th Street:

The whole block was rebuilt to the warehouse S. Klein in 1962. In 1985 was the block demolished and replaced by the Zeckendorf Towers.

Dusan Hübl, Prague, Czech Republic, contact: hublovi@volny.cz — Preceding unsigned comment added by DusanEsence (talk • contribs) 18:57, 10 February 2011 (UTC) --DusanEsence (talk) 14:15, 14 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks Dusan. This clears up a point that has always confused me - how can a space that is evidently a ballroom ever have been a theater? I see there's a nice pic of the old Irving Place Theater here. If you want to have a go at editing - go ahead. Otherwise I will get to it later in the week.Wwwhatsup (talk) 18:41, 14 February 2011 (UTC)


 * It would be better if You will edit it. My English is not very good. Other photos of theatre:, . You can see change of name from "Burlesk" to "Follies" (Berenice Abbott) between 1937 and 1938 - Fiorello La Guardia. And for Your inspiration: Czech Wiki.   --DusanEsence (talk) 16:32, 17 February 2011 (UTC)


 * ✅ Thanks again for your valuable intercession. Wwwhatsup (talk) 04:35, 30 July 2011 (UTC)
 * Sorry, those photos show nothing - no identification of the theatre, no street signs to identify which corner. Find a reliable source, and then you can do the split, if the source supports this contention.  So far, the sources in the article do not support it. Beyond My Ken (talk) 04:45, 30 July 2011 (UTC)


 * The Museum of the City of New York is not a reliable source? Wwwhatsup (talk) 04:49, 30 July 2011 (UTC)
 * There is only one photo which actually establishes that the Irving Place Theatre could not be Irving Plaza. As of yet you actually do not have a reliable source for it -- but that photo is enough to convince me, so I've reverted my edits, and returned the two pages to the condition you left them in.  Next time, when there is a 5 month gap between a discussion and the change, you might consider mentioning it on the talk page, for those who weren't around for the initial conversation. I'm going off now to add the "copied" template that both articles require. Beyond My Ken (talk) 04:55, 30 July 2011 (UTC)

Thanks. I've just been putting it off until I was reminded a week or so back. I spent a whole week finding all those refs earlier and was as surprised as you to find the mistake. But it makes sense. There's still some unraveling to do, and also investigation as to the real origins of Irving Plaza. I may do some interviews. Wwwhatsup (talk) 04:56, 30 July 2011 (UTC)


 * It was stumbling on this that actually galvanized me to action. Wwwhatsup (talk) 05:05, 30 July 2011 (UTC)
 * Yes, that's the image that finally convinced me that you were correct, as I could clearly see "Irving Place Theatre" on the marquee, and the geography of it wouldn't allow it to be where Irving Plaze is now.  As I said on your talk page, I hope to look through your list of sources this weekend, and see what they have to offer. Beyond My Ken (talk) 05:12, 30 July 2011 (UTC)