Hippodrome (Memphis) Explained

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.

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.

In 1954, the Hippodrome was listed for sale for $8,000.[4] In 1955, the Hippodrome was purchased by businessman Andrew "Sunbeam" Mitchell and he changed the name to the Club Ebony.[5] 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.[6]

The venue was often rented out to various organizations for private parties and charity events.[7] [8] [9] [10] Fraternities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi hosted events at the club.[11]

Ownership changed a few times during the 1960s. In April 1966, the owner Albert J. Jackson received a beer permit for The Hippodrome Lounge.[12] In January 1967, John Currie and Susie Currie received permits for The Currie's Hippodrome.[13] John Currie operated the nightclub until his death in August 1968.[14] By November 1968, the club had closed and the building was torn down to make way for a motel.[15]

Notable performers

Notable singers and musicians who performed at the venue include:

References

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Notes and References

  1. News: Porteous . Clark . 1955-10-12 . Negroes Filling Important Role In Mid-South Area . 41 . The Memphis Press-Scimitar .
  2. Web site: Lauterbach . Preston . 2006-07-01 . Chitlin' Circuit . 2023-11-16 . Memphis magazine . en-us.
  3. News: 1950-12-16 . Negro Skating Rink Opening: $100,000 Building's Dedication Today . 12 . The Memphis Press-Scimitar . 2023-11-06.
  4. News: 1954-08-22 . Business for Sale: Negro Nite-Club Hippodrome . 8 Section lV . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-10.
  5. News: September 11, 1955 . In Memphis - Sat., Sept. 17 - B. B. King / Louis Jordan Concert - Ebony Club (Formerly Hippodrome) (Advertisement) . 8 Section V . The Commercial Appeal .
  6. News: 1961-05-05 . Debutante Ball To Be Tonight . 10 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-10.
  7. News: September 23, 1956 . Quintet In Benefit Program At Club Ebony Tonight . Section V 7 . The Commercial Appeal.
  8. News: September 16, 1956 . Benefit Show Is Set: Event Will Be Staged At Club Ebony . 6 Section lV . The Commercial Appeal .
  9. News: February 10, 1956 . Benefit Dance Tonight . 24 . The Commercial Appeal.
  10. News: 1961-02-05 . JUGS Mount City Drive To Cut Illegitimate Births . 8 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-10.
  11. News: February 2, 1956 . Beaux Arts Ball For Health, Charity . 12 . The Memphis Press-Scimitar.
  12. News: 1966-04-29 . Beer Board Action Approves Permits . 13 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-13.
  13. News: 1967-01-06 . 8 Beer Permits Are Suspended By Commission . 26 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-13.
  14. News: 1968-09-02 . John Currie, Club Owner . 22 . The Memphis Press-Scimitar . 2023-11-13.
  15. News: Caldwell . Emmie . 1968-11-03 . Alumni Crowd Vandy Campus . Section 5 5 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-13.
  16. News: 1952-01-27 . Dance at the Hippodrome - Lowell Fulson / Ray Charles - Sat. Night, Feb. 2 . Section V 7 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-07.
  17. Book: Salem, James M. . The Late Great Johnny Ace and the Transition from R&B to Rock 'n' Roll . 2001 . University of Illinois Press . 978-0-252-06969-7 . en.
  18. News: 1952-08-24 . Hippodrome - Saturday, August 30th - Ruth Brown / Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson (Advertisement) . Section V 7 . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-10.
  19. News: August 31, 1952 . The Hippodrome's Annual Labor Day Breakfast Dance - Sunday Night, August 31 (Advertisement) . 6 Section V . The Commercial Appeal .
  20. May 1, 954 . Rhythm N' Blues Ramblings . The Cash Box . 21.
  21. News: 1957-07-14 . Fantabulous Rock N Roll Show of 1957 - Club Ebony - Fri. Nite, July 19 (Advertisement) . 8 Section V . The Commercial Appeal . 2023-11-15.

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