Billboard is reporting that New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom will be closing in April 2014.
According to the report, which just started circulating online:
New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom will close its doors in April, according to an internal e-mail obtained by Billboard, though no official announcement has been made.
The venerable venue, owned by developer Larry Ginsberg and booked by Live Nation, opened at its 52nd street location, a converted skating rink, in 1958 and is a sentimental favorite for many bands. The history of the venue in New York dates back to 1919, when it was located at 51st and Broadway, and prior to that in Philadelphia.
Evolving from ballroom dancing in the ‘20s to popular music, Roseland has for years been a favored New York play for a wide range of bands from the early days of rock, through disco, grunge, modern rock, jam, pop, urban and EDM. The venue found a new gear with a $1 million production/rigging renovation in the early ‘90s, funded by Ginsberg, which led to more high profile bookings of multiple dates on bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and other hot acts when competition in that cap range was not as fierce.
Never good when a venue closes, especially one as historic as Roseland. This was a go-to concert site for me growing up on Long Island in the early ’90s, and two shows in particular, Danzig (4p tour, with Type O Negative and Godflesh) and Faith No More (King For A Day tour) remain among my all-time favorite concert experiences. And my ultimate “Parents Just Don’t Understand” moment of my childhood was my mother not allowing me to go see Nirvana in 1991 or 1992 because it was a school night.
Among the bands coming to Roseland in the coming weeks and months include Fitz & the Tantrums, the Wanted, Lamb of God, Simple Minds, Pretty Lights, and Panic! At the Disco.
Goodnight, sweet prince.