Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the closing of T.T. The Bear’s Place, and the city’s music scene hasn’t really been the same since. Those feeling nostalgic for the famed Cambridge rock club can now own a piece of it, as the venue’s sound system was just put up for sale.
JJ Gonson, former sole proprietor of ONCE Somerville, another shuttered venue we miss dearly, posted the sale to her photography page on Facebook, JJ Gonson Photography. Gonson acquired the equipment after T.T.’s demise, purchasing it from owner Bonnie Bouley before using it for a few years at ONCE before that venue closed during the pandemic.
“Back in the ’80s I used to climb on top of this PA to take pictures of punk bands at T.T.’s,” Gonson writes. “Before that it lived at Harpers Ferry. I bought it from Bonnie when she moved out of T.T.’s and Once started. I climbed all over it to decorate it for fun parties like Mardi Gras. It’s dug out and it’s for sale!! So, if anyone knows anyone who’s got a great mid sized venue opening, hit me up!”
Check out the listing below, which appears to have some old booths, chairs, and other stuff from ONCE’s old physical location, and hit up Gonson directly for more info.