Name a band that’s toured through Rhode Island since the mid-’70s, and chances are they’ve played Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence. Pick a musician’s name out of a hat and you’re bound to have someone who’s been around the local music scene for the past few decades tell you a funny story about one wild night they saw them at the legendary venue. These days, being stationed where the old Strand Theater used to be on 79 Washington St., Lupo’s still brings back memories for others who remember its days a few blocks away on Westminster Street before it moved to its present location in 2003.
When you go to their sister venue at The Met right over the border in Pawtucket located at the Hope Artiste Village on Main Street, there’s an old calendar right near the bathrooms that show a bunch of the greats that used to stroll on through the original place. On the walls you’ll see paintings of legends like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Hank Williams that once hanged at the old Lupo’s as well.
There’s a lot of history in Lupo’s, and its legacy will be on full display over five nights at the Met, October 7 to 11, as the venue celebrates 40 years of being a bastion of live music in The Creative Capital. The bands participating bands all performed at the original Lupo’s in the ’70s, so it should be a week for the ages.
It’ll be kicking off with Hartford jam vets Max Creek ringing in the start of the celebration (October 7), when they’ll be reigniting the atmosphere of a Wednesday night residency they used to have at The Living Room (an old Providence venue that is still missed to this day). Blues legend, founder and ex-member of Roomful Of Blues’ Duke Robillard will be hosting the Thursday edition (October 8) along with a cavalcade of talents sharing the stage from the likes of Ken Lyon, James Montgomery, Marty Ballou, Doug James and many others. Rock & roll phenoms The Schemers lead by another legend in Mark Cutler will be taking things over on Friday (October 9) with a bunch of punks in Neutral Nation, Jungle Dogs and Rash rounding out that night’s lineup. Rizzz will be bringing back the jam on Saturday (October 10) with The Wild Turkey Band opening things up. The grand finale will be on the following Sunday (October 11) with the return of The Young Adults (featuring ex-Providence Phoenix and current Motif Magazine columnist Rudy Cheeks) with Georgie Porgie & The Crybabies leading things off.
Looks like it’s going to be a crazy few days this Fall, check out the flyer for more details below and come get your dose of Providence music history. Head to lupos.com for ticket information.
