Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment is partnering with The Bowery Presents — AEG Presents’ regional partner — to acquire the operating rights and assets to Webster Hall, the legendary music and entertainment venue located in Manhattan’s East Village. The parties will assume the long-term lease to the building, which will continue to be owned by current owner, Unity Gallega.
“We are excited to build on the iconic history of Webster Hall,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “Webster Hall provides us with an extraordinary opportunity to connect with artists early in their careers and expands BSE’s venue footprint into Manhattan. We appreciate all that the Ballinger family has done to make Webster Hall an industry leading venue and we are looking forward to working with them, The Bowery Presents and AEG Presents to make it an even greater destination for live music.”
“Partnering with The Bowery Presents and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to program and operate this iconic live facility will continue to enhance Webster Hall’s worldwide reputation as one of the industry’s most important venues,” said Jay Marciano, Chairman and CEO, AEG Presents.
Webster Hall has undergone several waves of transformation throughout the past century. In the 1920’s, Webster Hall notoriously held masquerade balls and was nicknamed “the Devil’s Playhouse.” RCA Records purchased Webster Hall in 1954 and renovated the venue to include a state-of-the-art acoustically-treated ballroom. Notable artists who recorded in Webster Hall’s studio during this time included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan (his recording debut), Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, and Julie Andrews.
Beginning in the 1980’s, Webster Hall reemerged as a leading rock venue in the City, hosting artists such as Eric Clapton with Keith Richards, U2 (the band’s first-ever U.S. show), Tina Turner, The Beastie Boys, Prince, Sting, Metallica, Aerosmith, KISS, B.B. King and Guns N’ Roses. The Ballinger family began running the venue in 1989.
Bob Gruen is not only one of the most famous rock photographers, but one of its most prolific as well. If you’ve seen a photo of John Lennon wearing a “New York City” t-shirt, Bob took it. If you’ve seen a photo of Led Zeppelin standing in front of an airplane with their logo on it, Bob took that one, too. He has captured countless iconic images over the past five decades that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on posters, shirts and the pages of books.
As a 50-year resident, Bob Gruen’s name is practically synonymous with downtown New York. Thanks to Carol Klenfner’s connection, I had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A with Gruen about his past, present and future, garnering a rare look at the man behind the lens. His work ethic is to be admired, and his “last words” are inspiring to all, not just to photographers. Much of Gruen’s classic work has recently been reissued, but there is a permanent display at Edition Hotel at 5 Madison Ave. [Editor Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Downtown Magazine.]
What was your first paying gig as a photographer?
Bob Gruen: I lived with a rock band [Glitterhouse] in the ’60s, and when they got a deal at Atlantic Records, they used my photos for their publicity. Atlantic then hired me to shoot Tommy James and the Shondells, when they were opening at a presidential rally for Hubert Humphrey.
What is it that you like most about living downtown?
BG: There is less traffic, and it’s quieter, because most of the streets are shorter and smaller than uptown, and the buildings are lower, so there’s more sky. But we’re close to everything going on in the city.
When did you first move downtown?
BG: I moved to Sullivan Street in June 1965, and I thought the Feast Of St. Anthony was a great welcome. I’ve lived in the West Village since 1970.
What is it that keeps you living in Manhattan, as opposed to moving to L.A.?
BG: I’m not moving to L.A., because I’d only last a few days there! The sun is nice, but it’s way too spread out, and there is so much traffic, it takes hours to get anywhere, and when you meet someone in L.A., they say, “How are you doing?” In New York they say, “What are you doing?” I like to be doing things.
Is your neighborhood on the verge of becoming another SoHo?
BG: I think the West Village is becoming another SoHo with high-priced shops and luxury condos, but I’m not ready to move.
Do you have a favorite venue in Manhattan for photo shoots? Or at least a favorite for concerts?
BG: I don’t really have favorite venues where I take photos, but I always like to see shows at the Beacon [Theatre], because it’s such a beautiful theater, and the sound is good. Past favorites were Max’s [Kansas City], The Bottom Line, CBGB’s and Don Hill’s, all now gone. But now, I think, for a club, I like Bowery Electric.
To you, is music good these days? Or are the best days of pop and rock behind us?
BG: I usually think the best day is today. You can’t go back, and I find good music all over town.
In October, your book on John Lennon was re-released. How does it compare to the original release?
BG: The new edition of John Lennon: The New York Years has a new cover and 16 new pages with 24 photos not published before.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about John? Or is there something you wish more people knew about him?
BG: John was very open about his life; I don’t think there are misconceptions. If people really want to know about John Lennon, they should read the last two interviews he gave — the BBC interview by Andy Peebles and the Playboy interview by David Sheff — both available as books. John expressed himself very clearly and had learned a lot from his five years of raising Sean [Lennon].
Do you have any exhibits in the works? Or any other books?
BG: There is a new permanent installation of 45 of my photos in the Billiard Room [in the Clocktower Restaurant] at the new Edition Hotel on 24th Street. This year, I released a new book of photos of Yoko Ono, See Hear Yoko, and there was a reissue of…TheClash. Photographs by Bob Gruen….My large 500-photo monograph, Rock Seen, is now in its 4th printing. I’m currently working on an autobiography.
Is there anyone you haven’t yet photographed but still hope to?
BG: I’ve met many very interesting people, and I can’t say there is anyone special I can think of I’d like to photograph. But I go out all the time, and I’m always happy to meet new people.
If a person were thinking of getting into photography as a proper hobby, is there a particular camera you’d recommend to start with?
BG: The camera doesn’t matter as long as you’re comfortable with it; they all do mostly the same things. It’s what you do with it that matters.
Is there a photograph or a particular shoot that you’re most proud of? Or see as your biggest accomplishment?
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
BG: I’m busy with my career most of the time, but I like to travel and visit with my family and grandchildren now.
Finally, Bob, any last words for the kids?
BG: I always tell people that if you take a lot of pictures, you’re bound to get a good one, and if you only show the good ones, people will think you’re good. Other than that, learn from the past, look to the future, but live in the present.
A global icon for decades, Eros Ramazzotti released his first single in 1982, “Ad Un Amico.” Things really took off for Eros a few years later when his 1985 single “Una Storia Importante” — he is known to record his albums in both Italian and Spanish — sold a million copies in France alone and became a hit throughout Europe. He expanded his reach to the United States in 1991 when he became the first Italian artist to headline Radio City Music Hall, which he did at the urging of New York-based music industry icon Clive Davis. 60 million albums have been sold by Eros, who has duetted with Cher, Tina Turner, Ricky Martin, Luciano Pavarotti and Nicole Scherzinger, to name only a few key artists.
Success has not slowed down Eros, who released his Perfetto — his 13th full-length studio album — last year via Universal Music. His world tour in support of Perfetto continues, and the singer/songwriter will be headlining a show at the Barclays Center on Oct. 5. Eros caught up with Downtown about his love for New York and what else is coming up for him.
More info on Eros Ramazzotti can be found at his official website: www.ramazzotti.com.
Where was the first concert you ever played in New York City? What do you remember about it?
Eros Ramazzotti: In 1991 I performed at Radio City Music Hall after Clive Davis’ advice. I was the first Italian ever to hold a concert there and it sold out. A memorable experience, even if I had broken a leg and had a cast that limited my movement on stage.
Is touring in the U.S. different from it is elsewhere? Will a lot of your show at the Barclays Center be in English?
ER: Every country or major area where I tour is different. And that is the biggest privilege of my career: I get to perform for audiences on three continents, and receive different feedback from place to place. In the U.S. it’s surprising to see how nicely people welcome me, even if I only sing in Italian or Spanish.
Have you ever been to Brooklyn before?
ER: Of course, many times and I am pleased to see how nicely it has improved there over the last 10 years. I also performed at Barclays Center three years ago.
Is there a professional accomplishment that you are most proud of?
ER: Many — again, the opportunity to perform in so many countries is one of them. But I’m also very proud to represent Italian culture in the world. Artistically, I’ve always been very proud of having been contacted by Tina Turner. It was thrilling to hear that she was a fan of my music. We collaborated on a fantastic duet called “Cose della Vita.”
Is there something that you wish more people knew about Eros Ramazzotti?
ER: That I’m not a stereotypical superstar, but a very easy-going guy with a humble approach to life and music.
What is coming up for you after this Barclays Center show?
ER: We will complete the U.S. dates of my world tour, which has been going on for 13 months now, in L.A. and Miami, then Mexico. I will then return to Europe for a final round of shows.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
ER: With my wife and my kids. It’s amazing to watch them grow up. And of course with lots of music, I’m always playing, making up new melodies or hearing new and old music. For instance, I went to see Tom Jones last night and it was incredible.
ER: Thank you all for your support across the years. I can’t wait to see you at my show and give you all of my best. There will be a great deal of old hits as well as my new songs. We have put together a big show and hope you will enjoy it.
