Liberty Hall a Houston rock music venue in the 70s
#1
Posted Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 11:45 AM
I believe it had formerly been a movie theatre.
#2
Posted Friday, July 21, 2006 at 7:45 PM
#3
Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 7:40 PM
The highlight of the night was when he got into it with one of the guitarists who he booted off the stage. Kershaw was one of my idols growing up, but that ended that night.
#4
Posted Monday, July 24, 2006 at 4:19 PM
#5
Posted Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 2:11 AM
icepickphil, on Thursday, February 9th, 2006 @ 11:45am, said:
I believe it had formerly been a movie theatre.
I played there twice: Once opening for Cheech and Chong on their first tour, and another time opening for big Mama Thornton. This would be about 1971 or 72.. great room..big nice stage..Cheech and Chong got us totally wrecked in the Green Room, and then stood offstage, pointing and laughing at us like a caricature of themselves..I'll never forget it..
stu
#6
Posted Friday, December 29, 2006 at 3:25 PM
I remember one night in particular when Lightning Hpkins played there with Big Momma Thornton, and by the end of the set, Lightning (who seemed intent that night on impressing Big Momma) ended up playing his guitar lying flat on his back on the floor...something you wouldn't probably see in other venues.
I saw up-close and personal, many wonderful performances of the well-known and the obscure (for instance, anyone remember the numerous highly popular appearances of "GooseCreek Symphony"?). I have been trying to track down Liberty's historical development, and more importantly any pictures (inside or out) of the old venue. Some have said it was a theatre, while others have said it was an old VFW hall. Does anyone have authoritative info on this?
There was another Houston venue around the same time, that was located downtown (near the Bayou) close to the "farmer's market", called "The Old Quarter". Again, a very cozy place (much smaller than Libtery) where one could see performances of many great players (Lightnin Hopkin's...I had a drink with him at the bar during a break, ZZ Top before they became nationally aclaimed, Townes Van Zandt, etc, ....then the obscure.....a friend and I even played there one time).
I am seeking historical info about the looks and appearance of both these venues.
Thanks for any help.
Dave Lang
#7
Posted Monday, January 1, 2007 at 12:50 PM
I recorded many Liberty Hall concerts that were broadcast on KPFT. I am always looking for recordings from this venue. If you have any you want to share, please don't be bashful.
I would love to hear your Liberty Hall memories as well.
If you remember the sangria, red beans & rice & Roberto then you know what to do,
Gregg
#8
Posted Monday, January 1, 2007 at 4:40 PM
Springsteen plays tribute to Liberty Hall in his song "This Hard Land": "Hey Frank won't ya pack your bags, And meet me tonight down at Liberty Hall"
#9
Posted Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 10:50 AM
tetherman, on Friday, December 29th, 2006 @ 4:25pm, said:
I remember one night in particular when Lightning Hpkins played there with Big Momma Thornton, and by the end of the set, Lightning (who seemed intent that night on impressing Big Momma) ended up playing his guitar lying flat on his back on the floor...something you wouldn't probably see in other venues.
I saw up-close and personal, many wonderful performances of the well-known and the obscure (for instance, anyone remember the numerous highly popular appearances of "GooseCreek Symphony"?). I have been trying to track down Liberty's historical development, and more importantly any pictures (inside or out) of the old venue. Some have said it was a theatre, while others have said it was an old VFW hall. Does anyone have authoritative info on this?
There was another Houston venue around the same time, that was located downtown (near the Bayou) close to the "farmer's market", called "The Old Quarter". Again, a very cozy place (much smaller than Libtery) where one could see performances of many great players (Lightnin Hopkin's...I had a drink with him at the bar during a break, ZZ Top before they became nationally aclaimed, Townes Van Zandt, etc, ....then the obscure.....a friend and I even played there one time).
I am seeking historical info about the looks and appearance of both these venues.
Thanks for any help.
Dave Lang
This is from "The last of the past : Houston architecture, 1847 to 1915": an inventory and architectural stylistic history of remaining early commercial buildings, Houston, Texas, 1980 / by William Scott Field for the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, the Harris County Heritage Society.
Liberty Hall was definitely an American Legion Hall and not a theater.
#11
Posted Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 5:24 PM
stu, on Saturday, August 12th, 2006 @ 1:11am, said:
stu
I saw that show. They were great. Saw a bunch of musical acts there and even a play (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest).
#13
Posted Friday, February 23, 2007 at 11:54 AM
escapee, on Monday, July 24th, 2006 @ 5:19pm, said:
I remember Roger. He and others (including Houston Chronicle music editor Marty Racine) were regulars at Fitzgerald's happy hour in the early to mid 80's. He WAS really nice. I believe he managed Anderson Fair? And before his death, ran a Comedy Defensive Driving business.
Also... hi y'all.. as you can see, I'm a "newbie" to this group..
I'm interested if anyone has any memories of this small folk club on Richmond that was called Sand Mountain? I believe Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt played there (among others).
#14
Posted Friday, February 23, 2007 at 12:47 PM
terrbo, on Friday, February 23rd, 2007 @ 10:54am, said:
Also... hi y'all.. as you can see, I'm a "newbie" to this group..
I'm interested if anyone has any memories of this small folk club on Richmond that was called Sand Mountain? I believe Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt played there (among others).
Guy and Townes did play there but it was before my time. It was located near where El Pueblito and the Menil annex is today. It might even have been one of those places.
#15
Posted Friday, March 2, 2007 at 4:27 PM
Frank M, on Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 @ 7:45am, said:
I saw Robert Klein around 1973. My buddy & I got up the courage to go backstage to talk with him as we were EAGER to get into the entertainment biz. He did everything in his power to change our minds. He failed...I've spent all but 8 years of my working life in music! My buddy is one of the top artist managers in the world.
#16
Posted Friday, March 9, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Now Playing Houston: The Liberty Hall Poster Show
http://38.100.66.22/events.html
#17
Posted Friday, March 9, 2007 at 4:52 PM
http://www.ruf.rice....ahil/index.html
#18
Posted Monday, March 12, 2007 at 6:42 PM
#20
Posted Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 5:59 PM
icepickphil, on Thursday, February 9th, 2006 @ 11:45am, said:
I believe it had formerly been a movie theatre.
I believe the incarnations of Liberty Hall were:
1. A church
2. An American Legion Hall
3. Liberty Hall
4. A Chinese Movie Theatre
5. Demolished
The first show I saw there was a play "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" that someone else mentioned. I think that was 1971 and I would have been 16. I would try to go see Lightnin' Hopkins whenever he played there. I saw Bonnie Raitt and Little Feat, Flying Burrito Brothers, Dr. John, Taj Mahal (a few times), Bruce Springsteen, Clifton Chenier (anyone remember him playing Juneteenth at Miller Theater in 1985 or 86?), Cheech & Chong, Townes Van Zandt. The last show I saw there was the Ramones in 1977. It is the only show I still have a ticket from...too bad.
The folks that created Liberty Hall were many of the same folks that created The Family Hand Restaurant on Brazos. Mike Condray and Lynda Herrera along with Ryan Trimble.
I remember it as looking like an small Art Deco Theater with an overhanging awning/marquee. It had a row of windows running across the front of the building above the marquee. Someone, somewhere must have a photograph of the place. I had several at one time, but they were lost about 1980.
From the American Legion Hall Days:
This post has been edited by isuredid: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7:02 PM
#21
Posted Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7:55 PM
isuredid, on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 @ 5:59pm, said:
1. A church
2. An American Legion Hall
3. Liberty Hall
4. A Chinese Movie Theatre
5. Demolished
The first show I saw there was a play "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" that someone else mentioned. I think that was 1971 and I would have been 16. I would try to go see Lightnin' Hopkins whenever he played there. I saw Bonnie Raitt and Little Feat, Flying Burrito Brothers, Dr. John, Taj Mahal (a few times), Bruce Springsteen, Clifton Chenier (anyone remember him playing Juneteenth at Miller Theater in 1985 or 86?), Cheech & Chong, Townes Van Zandt. The last show I saw there was the Ramones in 1977. It is the only show I still have a ticket from...too bad.
The folks that created Liberty Hall were many of the same folks that created The Family Hand Restaurant on Brazos. Mike Condray and Lynda Herrera along with Ryan Trimble.
I remember it as looking like an small Art Deco Theater with an overhanging awning/marquee. It had a row of windows running across the front of the building above the marquee. Someone, somewhere must have a photograph of the place. I had several at one time, but they were lost about 1980.
From the American Legion Hall Days:

This guy orig. from Houston, now in Austin.. a country guy named Roy Heinrich.. says he opened for the first punk show in Houston.. He wrote me once, but I ended up having my e-mail crash and lost his note, but I believe he said his band opened for Tuff Darts.. in the mid 70's maybe? .. at Liberty Hall.
#22
Posted Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 10:24 AM
terrbo, on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 @ 7:55pm, said:
trying to remember that e-mail. Actually Roy Heinrich states that he was in the first punk band in Texas.. maybe not opening at the FIRST punk show in Houston.. but they did open for Tuff Darts and it was at Liberty Hall.. around the mid 70's.. maybe 1977?
#23
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 2:38 PM
And of course, it seems light years ago in a galaxy far far away... I was going thru a few boxes of packed away memories & I found multiple flyers for John Lee Hooker playing at Jubilee Hall on Sunday, Feb 1...but it doesn't say the year... 7-11pm. My guess is that it was '67 or '68? Maybe '69? hmmm. Opening act was Sherwood, a Houston group...
Ahh, memories are sketchy... but I'd give anything for a bowl of beans & rice from the Family Hand.
I found this website forum by googling . This is the first post I've done. I'm hoping to hear from some ole Houstonians...
#24
Posted Monday, May 7, 2007 at 12:25 PM
igemini, on Sunday, May 6th, 2007 @ 2:38pm, said:
And of course, it seems light years ago in a galaxy far far away... I was going thru a few boxes of packed away memories & I found multiple flyers for John Lee Hooker playing at Jubilee Hall on Sunday, Feb 1...but it doesn't say the year... 7-11pm. My guess is that it was '67 or '68? Maybe '69? hmmm. Opening act was Sherwood, a Houston group...
Ahh, memories are sketchy... but I'd give anything for a bowl of beans & rice from the Family Hand.
I found this website forum by googling . This is the first post I've done. I'm hoping to hear from some ole Houstonians...
Can you scan the flyer and post on this thread? I believe Jubilee Hall and The Family Hand opened in 1969 and closed in 1971, so the flyer is probably from 1969.
This post has been edited by isuredid: Monday, May 7, 2007 at 12:27 PM
#25
Posted Monday, May 7, 2007 at 12:43 PM
My guess is they must have played at Liberty Hall around that same time.
terrbo, on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 @ 11:24am, said:
#27
Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 2:46 PM
I have several flyers: Let me see what I can get going. I even found a couple of books of matches from Family Hand...
Who is this um, elderly woman in the mirror, staring back at me?... ???
#28
Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 3:09 PM
Attached File(s)
-
Jubilee_Hall_JLH.JPG (167.28K)
Number of downloads: 58
#29
Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 3:11 PM
igemini, on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 3:46pm, said:
I have several flyers: Let me see what I can get going. I even found a couple of books of matches from Family Hand...
Who is this um, elderly woman in the mirror, staring back at me?... ???
#30
Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 3:51 PM
icepickphil, on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 4:11pm, said:
You have soooo many posters! I want to drop everything & start scanning. I don't have that many, but man! SOOO many memories come up from seeing yours!
I'm too pressed for time (travel coming up) to dig in as deep as I'd like. But to be sure, this is facsinating & wonderful. I'd just started a couple topics, before I took a look at your posters: Catacombs - the ORIGINAL not the Village... & also, Bellaire Gym.
I don't know how to put a scan in this to have it show, rather than be an attachment?
#32
Posted Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 8:33 AM
igemini, on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 3:09pm, said:
I just noticed on the flyer that it says "Family of Hands Production" which was the original name of that operation, later shortened to The Family Hand.
#33
Posted Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 9:13 AM
icepickphil, on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 2:11pm, said:
Man those are great. Makes my few posters look pretty pitiful. Brought back some great memories.
I would like to put a link to your photos on my site if you don't mind.
http://www.ruf.rice....ahil/index.html
#34
Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 12:17 PM
LunaticFringe, on Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 @ 9:13am, said:
I would like to put a link to your photos on my site if you don't mind.
http://www.ruf.rice....ahil/index.html
As I'm listening to these guys right now, wondering if anyone saw Steely Dan at Liberty Hall?
#35
Posted Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 2:54 PM
Roger the dodger Ruffcorn is sadly missed. He was a nice guy and a good friend.
escapee, on Monday, July 24th, 2006 @ 4:19pm, said:
#36
Posted Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 7:08 PM
#38
Posted Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 7:48 PM
But the one that stands out, and one that no one else has mentioned, is Taj Mahal. That man's voice could melt anything in his path. I still, after all these years, have a clear image of him alone on stage w/his guitar. He was probably the most unique musician I heard at Liberty Hall.
#39
Posted Friday, September 7, 2007 at 9:33 AM
#40
Posted Friday, September 7, 2007 at 9:40 AM
isuredid, on Thursday, July 5th, 2007 @ 12:31pm, said:

#41
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 2:51 AM
igemini, on Sunday, May 6th, 2007 @ 1:38pm, said:
And of course, it seems light years ago in a galaxy far far away... I was going thru a few boxes of packed away memories & I found multiple flyers for John Lee Hooker playing at Jubilee Hall on Sunday, Feb 1...but it doesn't say the year... 7-11pm. My guess is that it was '67 or '68? Maybe '69? hmmm. Opening act was Sherwood, a Houston group...
Ahh, memories are sketchy... but I'd give anything for a bowl of beans & rice from the Family Hand.
I found this website forum by googling . This is the first post I've done. I'm hoping to hear from some ole Houstonians...
I seem to remember Lightnin' Hopkins playing at the family Hand. The Beans and Rice were to die for...
#42
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 8:46 AM
#43
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 9:21 AM
Early Houston punk venue. Many touring national acts came through there as well as other Texas bands. Great place.
Scott08, on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 @ 8:46am, said:
#45
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Yep, the island was on South Main, around where all of the flower places are now I think.
[/quote
The original name was Paradise Island . Patrons simple called it the Island . It was supposedly a struggling Latino bar when around 1977 a local group of punk rock promoters convinced the owner he could draw new customers by booking live bands . It think it lasted until around 83 or 84 .
#46
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Wasn't the Omni another?
The Ramones at Liberty Hall:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=s5v29J0HLOU
The Ramones at somewhere in Houston in '78
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=9-yDdwLDjMU
Really Red at the Island
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=AT34xSZO8pI
This post has been edited by nyc_tex: Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 1:22 PM
#47
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 2:21 PM
This post has been edited by Scott08: Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 2:21 PM
#49
Posted Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 1:47 PM
#50
Posted Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 2:46 PM
Scott08, on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 @ 2:21pm, said:
TikiOwl, on Sunday, November 11th, 2007 @ 1:47pm, said:
This post has been edited by nyc_tex: Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 2:43 PM
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