The Scene (performance venue)
Encyclopedia
The Scene was a well-known New York nightclub, operated by Steve Paul
between 1964 and 1970. It was notable for historic performances by The Doors
and Jimi Hendrix
, among others.
area of New York City. Steve Paul had started his entertainment career as a publicist for the Peppermint Lounge
. Paul opened the club in 1964, initially as a club for actors, musicians and theatre workers from Broadway
. At the time, the only musician in the club was a resident pianist. Regular musical acts commenced in 1966. The shift in focus to musical acts was quite popular, and involved such acts as The Young Rascals, The Lovin' Spoonful
, and Sammy Davis, Jr.
. It also became a popular club with Andy Warhol
and those associated with him, including Edie Sedgewick.
The club's initial popularity waned, resulting in a period of closure until reopened with the assistance, financial and otherwise, of such persons as Peter Yarrow
, Allen Ginsberg
and Tiger Morse. In its second incarnation, the club became particularly popular with Jimi Hendrix, who regularly performed there after hours, in jams with other notable musicians. The first New York performances of the Jimi Hendrix Experience were at The Scene, on June 3 and 4, 1967, subsequent to Steve Paul seeing the band at the Monterey International Pop Festival. Other acts featured included The Velvet Underground
, Pink Floyd
, Jeff Beck
, Traffic
, Fleetwood Mac
and The Chambers Brothers
. Admission to the club was strictly controlled by Steve Paul, who was twenty-three years old at the time of the commencement of the club's second incarnation. Other regular attendees included photographer Linda Eastman
, who later married Paul McCartney
, and Tiny Tim
, who often opened the sets. In 1967, The Doors
played for three weeks at The Scene, becoming the biggest draw in the history of the club.
The club closed in 1970. According to Sterling Morrison
, then of the Velvet Underground, the closure was prompted by Steve Paul's refusal to pay protection money to the New York Mafia
. This resulted in fights being started at the club, placing its liquor license in jeopardy.
Steve Paul
Steve Paul is particularly notable as the one-time manager of Johnny Winter, among other related performers, as well as being the owner of Steve Paul's Scene and the founder of Blue Sky Records.-History:...
between 1964 and 1970. It was notable for historic performances by The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, among others.
History
The Scene, also known as "Steve Paul's The Scene", was located in the basement of 346 West 46th Street, in the Hell's KitchenHell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Hell's Kitchen, also known as Clinton and Midtown West, is a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City between 34th Street and 59th Street, from 8th Avenue to the Hudson River....
area of New York City. Steve Paul had started his entertainment career as a publicist for the Peppermint Lounge
Peppermint Lounge
The Peppermint Lounge was a popular discotheque located at 128 West 45th Street in New York City that was open from 1958 to 1965. It was the launchpad for the global Twist craze in the early 1960s, and also where Go-Go dancing originated....
. Paul opened the club in 1964, initially as a club for actors, musicians and theatre workers from Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
. At the time, the only musician in the club was a resident pianist. Regular musical acts commenced in 1966. The shift in focus to musical acts was quite popular, and involved such acts as The Young Rascals, The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful is an American pop rock band of the 1960s, named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. When asked about his band, leader John Sebastian said it sounded like a combination of "Mississippi John Hurt and Chuck Berry," prompting his friend, Fritz Richmond, to suggest the name...
, and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
. It also became a popular club with Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
and those associated with him, including Edie Sedgewick.
The club's initial popularity waned, resulting in a period of closure until reopened with the assistance, financial and otherwise, of such persons as Peter Yarrow
Peter Yarrow
Peter Yarrow is an American singer who found fame with the 1960s folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Yarrow co-wrote one of the group's most famous songs, "Puff, the Magic Dragon"...
, Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
and Tiger Morse. In its second incarnation, the club became particularly popular with Jimi Hendrix, who regularly performed there after hours, in jams with other notable musicians. The first New York performances of the Jimi Hendrix Experience were at The Scene, on June 3 and 4, 1967, subsequent to Steve Paul seeing the band at the Monterey International Pop Festival. Other acts featured included The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, Traffic
Traffic (band)
Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...
, Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
and The Chambers Brothers
The Chambers Brothers
The Chambers Brothers is a soul-music group, best known for its 1968 hit record, the 11-minute long song "Time Has Come Today". The group was part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements, spawning a heady mix...
. Admission to the club was strictly controlled by Steve Paul, who was twenty-three years old at the time of the commencement of the club's second incarnation. Other regular attendees included photographer Linda Eastman
Linda Eastman
Linda Anne Eastman was an American librarian. She was selected by the American Library Association as one of the 100 most important librarians of the 20th century....
, who later married Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, and Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim may refer to:* Tiny Tim , a fictional character from A Christmas Carol* Tiny Tim , American musician known best for his cover of "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" in 1968...
, who often opened the sets. In 1967, The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
played for three weeks at The Scene, becoming the biggest draw in the history of the club.
The club closed in 1970. According to Sterling Morrison
Sterling Morrison
Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr. was one of the founding members of the rock group The Velvet Underground, usually playing electric guitar, occasionally bass guitar, and singing backing vocals.-Biography:...
, then of the Velvet Underground, the closure was prompted by Steve Paul's refusal to pay protection money to the New York Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
. This resulted in fights being started at the club, placing its liquor license in jeopardy.