The Aerodrome was a nightclub located at 1588 State Street in Schenectady, New York.
The Aerodrome was established in 1967 by Jack Rubin of Chicago. The building was originally a 32-lane bowling alley named 'Woodlawn Lanes', which was converted by Rubin into a music venue.[1] Its capacity was approximately 3,000 people.
Several famous rock bands and musicians performed at the Aerodrome, including Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Billy Joel, B.J. Thomas, The Electric Prunes, Vanilla Fudge, Three Dog Night, Jeff Beck Group (featuring a young Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood), Chicago, The Yardbirds, B. B. King, and many more bands from that era.
Because of ill-health, Rubin closed the Aerodrome in 1972, and it was demolished. The building was badly damaged from the vibration caused by the noise of the loud music. This area now holds a newer building, Woodlawn Plaza.[1]
A sampling of posters advertising AERODROME concerts:Janis JoplinThe Electric Prunes
Aerodrome, Schenectady, NYAerodrome showsAl Quaglieri compiled this roster of Aerodrome acts over 20 years of research.
1968
January 25 – The Box Tops, Luv Minus Zero [grand opening night]March 14 – The YWCA Co-Ed Club danceMarch 21 – The AerodromesMarch 22-23 – The Electric Prunes, AerodromeMarch 24 – The Electric Prunes performing "Mass in F Minor" ["guys, jackets a must!”]March 28 – The Yardbirds, The AerodromesApril 4 – The AerodromesApril 5-6 – Ultimate Spinach & AerodromesApril 7 – Aerodromes & Ultimate Spinach all agesApril 12-14 – The Beacon Street Union, The AerodromesApril 18 – AerodromesApril 19-21 – Aerodromes, Tyrolean Flower ActApril 25 – The Aerodromes, "Dating Game Night"April 26-27 – Jimmy Angel with The Distant Sounds & AerodromesApril 27 – Jaycees Battle of the bands [afternoon show]April 28 1-7 – All teenagers Jimmy Angel with The Distant Sounds & AerodromesApril 28 – The YardbirdsMay 2 – The AerodromesMay 3-5 – The Hassles, The AerodromesMay 9 – The BougalieuMay 10-11 – Oxford Watch Band, East Coast CliqueMay 12 – Oxford Watch BandMay 29 – High School Night (sponsored by the Schenectady Deanery Catholic Youth Organization)May 30-June 1 – Burgundy Sunset, East Coast RecitalJune 2 – Burgundy SunsetJuly 5-6 – The Bougalieu, The Page One (Syracuse)July 12-13 – The BougalieuJuly 19-20 – The BougalieuJuly 23 – Battle of the Bands: Tempered Blues, Love's Ice Cube, Second Level, Royal Blush, Mixed Emotions, Boston Tea Party, Men Form Sound, Strangers, Stained Glass Encyclopedia (benefit for the Eugene McCarthy-Paul O’Dwyer campaign)July 29 – Wilmer Alexander Jr & The Dukes (benefit for the Eugene McCarthy-Paul O’Dwyer campaign)July 31 – Steppenwolf; August 26 – Archie Bell & The DrellsAugust 30, 31 – Wilmer & The Dukes, KarynSeptember 1 – The Doors [unconfirmed, also listed for September 2]September 16 – Joe TexOctober 25-26 – The Fuzzy Bunnies
1969March 28 – Johnnie TaylorApril 12 – Wilmer & The DukesMay 10 – Peaches & Herb, Maurice & Earl, The Mark IV and David WardMay 25 – Clarence CarterJuly 3 – B.B. KingJuly 9 – The Jeff Beck GroupJuly 11 – The Lemon Pipers, Pacific Gas & ElectricJuly 16-17 – Majic ShipJuly 18 – NRBQ, Majic ShipJuly 19 – Johnnie TaylorJuly 25 – The Buddy Miles Express, The Oz’n EndsAugust 1 – The Oz’n Ends, FreeAugust 2 – FreeAugust 9 – Chicago Transit Authority, SpyderAugust 14 – Wilmer & The DukesAugust 15-16 – JJ & The Impacts, NRBQAugust 20 – Led Zeppelin, Spyder, Last ThursdayAugust 23 – Jr. Walker & The All StarsAugust 24 – The G.E. Pursuit of Happiness ShowSeptember 19 – Canned HeatSeptember 20 – The Sam & Dave RevueSeptember 26 – Velvet UndergroundOctober 10 – Canned HeatNovember 7 – Tim HardinNovember 26 – Country Joe & The FishDec 6 – The Kinks [cancelled]December 13 – The Zombies (imposter group)
1970April 4 – reopened on a month to month basis under new ownershipApril 11 – MC5, SnakeMay 29 – Steppenwolf, Friends of Whitney SundayJune 26 – Janis Joplin, Snake [last show, closed after this]Promised but never appeared:Strawberry Alarm ClockMoby GrapeJefferson Airplane
