Club Riviera Explained

Club Riviera was a nightclub at 4460 Delmar Blvd in St. Louis, Missouri. It was one of the most popular African-American nightclubs in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s.[1] It was owned by politician and civil rights activist Jordan W. Chambers from 1944 to 1962. In 1964, the venue became the Riviera Civic Center under new ownership. The building was vacant when it was destroyed by fire in 1970.[2]

History

The New Riviera Club was opened by Alex Bayou on December 3, 1943.[3] [4] The opening featured performances by the Smoothies, radio stars Kate Smith, Burns and Allen, Fred Waring, dancer Dorothy Dale, comedian Jack Herbert, and Gus Martel's orchestra.

In 1944, African-American politician and civil rights activist Jordan W. Chambers purchased the Riviera nightclub located at 4460 Delmar Blvd.[5] Chambers acquired the property through a white buyer who had an option on it.[6]

The grand reopening featured performances by the vocal group Cats and the Fiddle, singers Marcella Wilson, Connie Lynwood, dancer Hortense Allen and her Riviera Chorines, and the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra on June 23, 1944.[7] [8]

After a three-week closure for redecoration, Club Riviera reopened on December 21, 1945.[9] Performers at the reopening included Ernie Fields and his orchestra, the Phil Moore Four jazz group, comedians Allen Drew and Grace Smith, and dancer Al Guster and the Riviera Chorines.[10]

During its heyday, Club Riviera is said to have rivaled the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. Renowned jazz entertainers such as Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington performed at the club.

Chambers also rented the nightclub out to social clubs and organizations for events.[11] [12]

In February 1952, a reception was held at Club Riviera in honor of entertainer Josephine Baker who was presented the key to the city.[13]

In the early 1960s business began to decline and after Cambers died in 1962, his estate sold the building.[14] In 1964, the building was remodeled and reopened as the Riviera Civic Center.

A fire destroyed the vacant building on December 7, 1970. Authorities suspect it was an act of arson because the windows and doors of the vacant building were boarded up after a fire the previous month.

The venue subject of a play, Live at the Club Riviera, at The Grandel in St. Louis.[15]

Notable performers

Notable performers who performed at Club Riviera include:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Drake . Kayla . June 15, 2022 . New play highlights Club Riviera — one of the biggest Black nightclubs in the '40s . 2023-10-04 . STLPR . en.
  2. News: December 8, 1970 . Fire Destroys Old Riviera Club . 3A . St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
  3. News: December 26, 1943 . Russ David and His NBC . 7C . Everyday Magazine - St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
  4. News: November 28, 1943 . The Riviera, New . 9H . Everyday Magazine - St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
  5. News: June 16, 1944 . Buys Riviera Club . 8 . The St. Louis Argus .
  6. News: June 24, 1944 . Negros Buying Homes Farther West On Delmar . 3A . St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  7. News: June 23, 1944 . Riviera Opens Friday Night . 14 . The St. Louis Argus.
  8. News: June 23, 1944 . Jordan W. Chambers Heartily Invites You To Attend The Premier of The Riviera Club - Fri. Nite, June 23 (Advertisement) . 14 . The St. Louis Argus .
  9. News: December 23, 1945 . Club Riviera . 8F . Everyday Magazine - St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
  10. News: December 14, 1945 . Thousands Await Re-Opening Of Beautiful Club Riviera . 19 . The St. Louis Argus.
  11. News: January 19, 1945 . The Top Hatters Social Club Matinee Cocktail Dance . 14 . The St. Louis Argus.
  12. News: August 11, 1944 . Club Riviera To Be Scene Of "Sacred Revue" . 2 . The St. Louis Argus.
  13. News: February 8, 1952 . Fabulous Star Is Center Of Day Of Festivity, Events . 5 . The St. Louis Argus .
  14. News: Jacobs . Richard . April 5, 1964 . Business Built on Negro Trade Suffer as Integration Spreads . 5A . St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  15. Web site: Cristi . A. A. . June 2, 2022 . A Call To Conscience Interactive Theatre For Social Change Presents LIVE AT THE CLUB RIVIERA . 2023-10-05 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  16. News: July 7, 1944 . Valaida Snow Opens At The Riviera Club . 15 . The St. Louis Argus.
  17. News: October 13, 1944 . Famous King Cole Trio At Riviera Club . 16 . The St. Louis Argus.
  18. News: January 15, 1945 . Sister Rosetta Tharpe "Rocks: Club Riviera . 14 . The St. Louis Argus .
  19. News: October 19, 1945 . Opening At Club Riviera This Friday, October 19 . 9 . The St. Louis Argus.
  20. Web site: September 28, 2019 . Miles Davis: Our 1985 Interview . Spin.
  21. News: January 11, 1946 . Erie Fields Ends Successful Engagement At Club Riviera . 9 . The St. Louis Argus.
  22. News: June 28, 1946 . Ella Fitzgerald 'Breezes In' For Hot Show At Club Riviera . 18 . The St. Louis Argus .
  23. News: July 26, 1946 . Erskine Hawkins Helps St. Louisans Forget Heat At Club Riviera . 18 . The St. Louis Argus.
  24. News: March 21, 1947 . Jay McShann's Blues Band Will Rock The Famed Club Riviera For 2 Weeks . 18 . The St. Louis Argus.
  25. News: January 20, 1950 . Billie Holiday Opens Saturday At Riviera With Earl Bostic Ork. . 22 . The St. Louis Argus.
  26. June 16, 1950 . Club Rivera Show Declared 'Tops': Luis Russell, Ruth Brown Featured . The St. Louis Argus . 18.
  27. News: December 29, 1950 . Battle of Music Cab Calloway / Jimmy Cole - New Year's Day, January 1 - Club Riviera (Advertisement) . 15 . The St. Louis Argus .
  28. News: November 24, 1951 . Club Riviera - Count Basie and his 16-piece Orchestra featuring Joe Turner (Advertisement) . Section C . St. Louis Globe-Democrat .
  29. News: December 14, 1951 . Johnny Hodges Returns To Club Riviera . 30 . The St. Louis Argus.
  30. News: Finney . Chick . May 4, 1956 . Wow ... Louis Jordan at Club Riviera 9 Big Nites . 22 . The St. Louis Argus.
  31. News: July 20, 1956 . Rock n Roll Music Summer Treats - Club Riviera: July Features Little Richard, D. Washington . 22 . The St. Louis Argus.
  32. News: May 17, 1957 . Club Riviera In Person May 18, May 19 - Dizzy Gillespie / May 25 - Ike Turner (Advertisement) . 19 . The St. Louis Argus .
  33. News: June 7, 1957 . Club Riviera Presents Ike Turner - June 8,15,16 / Little Willie John - June 20, 21, 22 (Advertisement) . 19 . The St. Louis Argus .
  34. News: August 9, 1957 . Club Riviera - August 18 - Duke Ellington Concert-Dance (Advertisement) . 19 . The St. Louis Argus .
  35. News: January 3, 1958 . Fri. & Sat.. January 10, 11 - Club Riviera - Ray Charles (Advertisement) . 7B . The St. Louis Argus .
  36. News: August 8, 1958 . Club Riviera - B.B. King - Fri. & Sat., Aug. 23,23 (Advertisement) . The St. Louis Argus .
  37. News: February 19, 1960 . The Highlander Social Presents The Jackie Wilson Show, Club Riviera - Feb. 26-27 . 7B . The St. Louis Argus .
  38. News: April 29, 1960 . The Highlanders Social Club Presents In Person The James Gang Starring Etta James / Elmore James - Club Riviera, Saturday Apr 30 (Advertisement) . 7B . The St. Louis Argus .
  39. News: April 7, 1961 . The Regal Sports Presents 2 Star Attraction - Bobby (Blue) Bland / Little Jr. Parke - Club Riviera, Friday April 7 (Advertisement) . 6B . The St. Louis Argus .
  40. News: September 15, 1961 . Home Coming Celebration for Ike & Tina Turner - Monday September 25 . 6B . The St. Louis Argus .
  41. News: October 13, 1961 . By Popular Demand In Person . 6B . The St. Louis Argus .

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