Jimmy Menutis Club At 3236 Telephone Rd.

[rsb320]

I don't recall ever hearing of this. Pretty cool.

http://bill37mccurdy.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/jimmy-menutis-the-houston-heart-of-rock-n-roll/

[marmer]

Yep. There was a big section on Jimmie Menutis in Burton Chapman's Telephone Road book. Menutis had a quiet hand in Houston's de-segregation at a time when theatres and dance halls were almost entirely segregated. Apparently, if questioned about the mixed-race audiences at his club he would say that the people in question (usually black) were "friends of the performers."

[RLee]

Yep. There was a big section on Jimmie Menutis in Burton Chapman's Telephone Road book. Menutis had a quiet hand in Houston's de-segregation at a time when theatres and dance halls were almost entirely segregated. Apparently, if questioned about the mixed-race audiences at his club he would say that the people in question (usually black) were "friends of the performers."

[RLee]

Yes, I remember this place very well. It was a sure thing to get served beer when we were underage (you don't forget those). I want to say it was on Wayside, not too far from the gulf freeway.

[Callaflower]

It was a great place to go dancing. They didn't always card you at the door.

 

[FilioScotia]

RLee, Jimmy Menutis's Club was on Telephone Rd about a block east of Wayside. It was torn down and paved over a long time ago. Today that stretch of Telephone Rd between Wayside and Griggs looks nothing like it did in the 50s and 60s.

 

Menutis bought the old Wayside Theater in the late 50s and turned into one of Houston's hottest and most popular live music venues. Want to guess why it closed in the mid 60s? The British Invasion that killed American rock and roll. 

 

I don't remember dancing being the big draw. It had a big dance floor, but it was the hot and rising rock and roll and R&B stars who pulled in the high school and college crowd, whether we were old enough to drink legally or not. Most of us weren't but nobody cared about our age or our race. It was Houston's first entertainment venue to be integrated from day one.

 

Edited July 19, 2015 by FilioScotia

[msteele6]

Filioscotia,

 

I remember the theater being on Wayside just south of Telephone Road (same corner, just facing Wayside not Telephone). I still remember having to avert our eyes when driving by with my mother (her being a strict fundamentalist). We never had any idea of what went on inside, but the Saxophone player that stood astride the marquee was evidence enough that some variety of the Devil's work was going on inside.

 

[marmer]

I thought the reason that they closed is because Jimmie's wife had a bunch of business interests in New Orleans and they wanted to move there.

[FilioScotia]

msteele6

 

Your memory is faulty. The old Wayside Theater which became the Jimmy Menutis Club was located at 3236 Telephone Road, a block east of Wayside, and it was facing Telephone road. Don't take my word for it, look it up. 

 

I have no idea why they named it the Wayside Theater when it was clearly on Telephone Road a block away from Wayside. Go figure.

Edited July 20, 2015 by FilioScotia

[Highrise Tower]

Found a cool old club this week.  Very cool, because I remember reading about this place on HAIF decades ago.  Thought I would share.

Does anyone know more information about the club? Any memories or pictures?

In person Chuck Berry Mar 31, Apr. 5
Coming Sam Cooke / Earl Grant
Free Sports Car Door Prize May 11

Jimmie Menutis Lounge And Club
Houston's newest and finest ballroom, where Houstonians dance to America's top recording artists and orchestra. Located 5 minutes from downtown Houston, just off the Gulf Freeway 3236 Telephone, at Wayside Phone WA 65064