The Hippodrome was a music venue at 500 Beale Street in Memphis. The venue was opened in 1950 as a skating rink for African-Americans and later became a nightclub.[1] In 1955, the Hippodrome was reopened as the Club Ebony. In 1961, under new owners, it went back to being called the Hippodrome until its closure in 1968.
The venue was a stop on the "Chitlin' Circuit," a selection of venues considered safe and acceptable for African-American entertainers in the era of racial segregation in the United States.[2]
History
The Hippodrome was opened by businessman Emmett Werne on December 16, 1950. The building, which cost $100,000 to construct,[3] was located at 500 Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. The Hippodrome was operated by John T. Miles, a Black college graduate, and he had a staff that included two skating instructors.[3]
By 1952, the venue had become a hotspot to showcase local and national blues and R&B musical acts. In 1954, DJ Dewey Phillips, host of the WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot, and Blue," held a dance at the Hippodrome.[4]
In 1954, the Hippodrome was listed for sale for $8,000.[5] In 1955, the Hippodrome was purchased by businessman Andrew "Sunbeam" Mitchell and he changed the name to the Club Ebony.[6] Mitchell often allowed organizations to host benefit events at the club. In 1961, the Club Ebony was renamed back to the Hippodrome under new ownership.[7]
The venue was often rented out to various organizations for private parties and charity events.[8][9][10][11] Fraternities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi hosted events at the club.[12][7]
Ownership changed a few times during the 1960s. In April 1966, the owner Albert J. Jackson received a beer permit for The Hippodrome Lounge.[13] In January 1967, John Currie and Susie Currie received permits for The Currie's Hippodrome.[14] John Currie operated the nightclub until his death in August 1968.[15] By November 1968, the club had closed and the building was torn down to make way for a motel.[16]
Notable performers
Notable singers and musicians who performed at the venue include:
- Lowell Fulson[17]
- Ray Charles[17]
- Johnny Ace[18]
- Ruth Brown[19]
- Willis Jackson[19]
- Ike Turner[20]
- Lloyd Price[19]
- Little Walter[4]
- Muddy Waters[4]
- Howlin' Wolf[4]
- B.B. King[6]
- Louis Jordan[6]
- Smiley Lewis[21]
- The 5 Satins[21]
- Bo Diddley[21]
- The Coasters[21]
- The Drifters[21]
- Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams[21]
References
- ^ Porteous, Clark (1955-10-12). "Negroes Filling Important Role In Mid-South Area". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 41.
- ^ Lauterbach, Preston (2006-07-01). "Chitlin' Circuit". Memphis magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ a b "Negro Skating Rink Opening: $100,000 Building's Dedication Today". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1950-12-16. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ a b c d "Rhythm N' Blues Ramblings" (PDF). The Cash Box: 21. May 1, 954.
- ^ "Business for Sale: Negro Nite-Club Hippodrome". The Commercial Appeal. 1954-08-22. pp. 8 Section lV. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ a b c "In Memphis - Sat., Sept. 17 - B. B. King / Louis Jordan Concert - Ebony Club (Formerly Hippodrome) (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. September 11, 1955. pp. 8 Section V.
- ^ a b "Debutante Ball To Be Tonight". The Commercial Appeal. 1961-05-05. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ "Quintet In Benefit Program At Club Ebony Tonight". The Commercial Appeal. September 23, 1956. pp. Section V 7.
- ^ "Benefit Show Is Set: Event Will Be Staged At Club Ebony". The Commercial Appeal. September 16, 1956. pp. 6 Section lV.
- ^ "Benefit Dance Tonight". The Commercial Appeal. February 10, 1956. p. 24.
- ^ "JUGS Mount City Drive To Cut Illegitimate Births". The Commercial Appeal. 1961-02-05. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ "Beaux Arts Ball For Health, Charity". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. February 2, 1956. p. 12.
- ^ "Beer Board Action Approves Permits". The Commercial Appeal. 1966-04-29. p. 13. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ "8 Beer Permits Are Suspended By Commission". The Commercial Appeal. 1967-01-06. p. 26. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ "John Currie, Club Owner". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. 1968-09-02. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ Caldwell, Emmie (1968-11-03). "Alumni Crowd Vandy Campus". The Commercial Appeal. pp. Section 5 5. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ a b "Dance at the Hippodrome - Lowell Fulson / Ray Charles - Sat. Night, Feb. 2". The Commercial Appeal. 1952-01-27. pp. Section V 7. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ Salem, James M. (2001). The Late Great Johnny Ace and the Transition from R&B to Rock 'n' Roll. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-06969-7.
- ^ a b c "Hippodrome - Saturday, August 30th - Ruth Brown / Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. 1952-08-24. pp. Section V 7. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ "The Hippodrome's Annual Labor Day Breakfast Dance - Sunday Night, August 31 (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. August 31, 1952. pp. 6 Section V.
- ^ a b c d e f "Fantabulous Rock N Roll Show of 1957 - Club Ebony - Fri. Nite, July 19 (Advertisement)". The Commercial Appeal. 1957-07-14. pp. 8 Section V. Retrieved 2023-11-15.