Rolling Stones Rock The ‘Elmo March 4-77

If you were listening to rock radio in the late 70′s and into the 80′s, you may very well remember, as I fondly do, the radio commercials for the legendary venue that invited you to come and hang ‘under the neon palms, of the El Mocambo’.

On March 4, 1977, The Rolling Stones did just that, playing the first of two performances at the club, billing themselves as “The Cockroaches”. April Wine opened. Both bands would record their shows. The latter put out an entire album, while The Stones released tracks that would comprise Side 3 of their double album ‘Love You Live’. This by the way, was the event at which the Prime Minister’s wife, Maggie Trudeau, hung with the Stones, following them thereafter to New York City.

The El Mocambo was opened as a music venue in 1850. The building was first used as a haven for escaped slaves. The name and famous El Mocambo palm tree sign were erected in 1946. It was one of the first establishments in Toronto to obtain a liquor license. Musical acts appeared on separate stages located on the main and second floor of the building.

Located within walking distance of University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and George Brown College, the venue became a popular place for students living nearby. Throughout the 1970s the club was known as a bastion of the blues and rock and roll during a time better known for (or marred by) disco.

Over the years other major music acts appeared at the venue, including Marilyn Monroe, internationally famous jazz performers, including Grover Washington, Jr., Charles Mingus, and Al Di Meola, and rockstars like U2, Moxy, The Police, Elvis Costello, The Ramones, Blondie and Meatloaf.

Other live recordings made by other bands/performers at the venue include:

Elvis Costello — Live at the El Mocambo (1978)
MacLean & MacLean — MacLean & MacLean Suck Their Way to the Top (1980)
Downchild Blues Band – But I’m On The Guest List (1982)
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble — Live at the El Mocambo (1983)
Mainline – Last Show @ The Elmo (2001)

Enjoy,

Jeff.

6 thoughts on “Rolling Stones Rock The ‘Elmo March 4-77”

Richard Green on March 4, 2011 at 9:34 am
Jeff, you really have a way of bringing back memories from my past…I remember the ‘announcement’ on the radio that the Stones had appeared at the Elmo. I think I was working afternoons and wasn’t that big of a fan, but wished I were there, because it was such a big deal!
- Anna Moriyama on March 5, 2013 at 6:34 am
  
  Jeff, you DO… (more than anyone I know) bring back the memories from the past …so, so vivdly..if I may add…. that’s so true what Richard Green wrote……
  - Jeff Woods on March 5, 2013 at 10:40 am
    
    Gracias, Anna.
Dan on March 4, 2011 at 11:25 am
I remember being in my very early teens and watching the Stevie Ray Vaughan show live !!!! Was on City T.V. and Simucated on Chum F.M.!!! If i’m correct J.D. Roberts was the host.. LOL.. Now I just put the d.v.d in the player and still watch in awe.. I believe the last time i was at the Neon Palm , we went to see a very young guitar prodigy named Derek Trucks….
Ken Cronmiller on March 4, 2011 at 4:52 pm
I was there for Elvis Costello: when he was an angry young man (or at least acting like it!); a high energy show (or was that all the beer I drank while waiting to get upstairs!)
maddog on March 4, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Remember making the trek into the big smoke to see MacLean & MacLean — arr Billy, ever been to sea ?