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The Bitter End

January 20, 2023

For other uses, see The Bitter End (disambiguation).

The Bitter End is a 230-person capacity nightclub, coffeehouse and folk music venue in New York City's Greenwich Village. It opened in 1961 at 147 Bleecker Street under the auspices of owner Fred Weintraub. The club changed its name to The Other End in June 1975. However, after a few years the owners changed the club's name back to the more recognizable The Bitter End. It remains open under new ownership.

The Bitter End
Awning
Landmark status granted on July 23, 1992

History

An earlier club, The Cock and Bull, operated on the same premises with the same format, in the late 1950s. The poet and comedian Hugh Romney (who later became known as Wavy Gravy) read there.

The Bitter End was originally a coffeeshop.[1] According to The New York Times, "The Bitter End, which opened in 1961, considers itself to be New York’s oldest rock club and built a legendary reputation after showcasing young performers like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor and comedians like Woody Allen and Billy Crystal." At the club, Bob Dylan played pool, watched performances, and occasionally performed[2] circa 1961.[3]

During the early 1960s, the club hosted folk music "hootenannies" every Tuesday night, featuring many performers who have since become legendary. During its heyday The Bitter End showcased a wide range of talented and legendary musicians, comedians, and theatrical performers.[4][5]

In 1968 Paul Colby (1917–2014), who began his career as a song plugger for Benny Goodman’s publishing company, and went on to work for Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Guy Lombardo, became the manager and booking agent at The Bitter End, and in 1974 he purchased it.[6][7] He purchased it about a decade after he began managing the club. Owner Paul Colby died in 2014. He had two partners in the club, Paul Rizzo and Ken Gorka.[8] A tribute concert was held for Colby after his death.[9] Kenny Gorka died in 2015.[10] Gorka was an original member of New Jersey band The Critters.

According to Colby, James Taylor bombed when he played the club in 1969, and Neil Young also bombed at the club.[11] In the mid 1970s, the club became known as the birthplace of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, which featured such names as Joni Mitchell, Roger McGuinn, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Joan Baez, T-Bone Burnett, Ronee Blakely, Mick Ronson, and many other guest stars.

The Bitter End was granted landmark status by the city of New York in 1992. Also in 1992, the venue's landlord tried to evict the bar, with the venue saved by benefit performances by Peter, Paul, and Mary, Kris Kristofferson, George Carlin and others.[1]

Lady Gaga performed at the bar in October 2016, after previously performing there an unsigned act, before the release of her debut album. The performance was part of Gaga's Dive Bar Tour.[12]

Live albums recorded

Numerous musical albums have been recorded at The Bitter End, including albums by Biff Rose ("Half-live at the Bitter End"), Peter, Paul and Mary, Randy Newman, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, The Isley Brothers and Tommy James & the Shondells, The Chad Mitchell Trio, and Bill Haley & His Comets. Comedy albums recorded there include Bill Cosby's first album, Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right!, and comedian Chris Rush's second album, Beaming In.

Comedians

These comedians appeared at The Bitter End early in their careers.

Musicians

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Richling, Billy (February 18, 2014). "Goodbye Paul Colby: Famed Owner of The Bitter End Passes Away". Observer. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "Exploring Bob Dylan's New York". The New York Times. October 18, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  3. ^ "Fifty Years Ago Today: Bob Dylan Arrived In New York". Rolling Stone. January 24, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  4. ^ Santoro, Gene (8 June 2003). "Gene Santoro, NY Times review, Beginning at the Bitter End.: SERIOUSLY FUNNY The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s. By Gerald Nachman". NY Times. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  5. ^ Nachman, Gerald (2003). Seriously Funny: The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s. New York: Pantheon Books. p. 659. ISBN 9780375410307. OCLC 50339527.
  6. ^ . nyc-plus.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  7. ^ . commie.droryikra.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  8. ^ Martin, Douglas (February 20, 2014), "Paul Colby, Whose Club Helped Fuel Greenwich Village's Rise, Dies at 96", New York Times, retrieved September 24, 2017
  9. ^ A Musical Tribute To Paul Colby The Bitter End, The Aquarian, June 23, 2014, retrieved September 28, 2017
  10. ^ Valentino, Silas (March 26, 2015). "The Bitter End Pays Tribute to Owner Kenny Gorka's Legacy". Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  11. ^ "Paul Colby - obituary", Telegraph, March 18, 2014, retrieved September 28, 2017
  12. ^ Lady Gaga Returns to NYC Bar Where She Launched Her Career, NBC New York, October 21, 2016, retrieved September 28, 2017
  13. ^ a b c d e f Rivers, Joan; Meryman, Richard (1986). Enter Talking. New York: Delacorte Press. pp. 325–333. ISBN 0-385-29440-9.
  14. ^ Sutherland, Sam (June 23, 1973). "Talent in action". Billboard Magazine. p. 20.
  15. ^ Ghomeshi, Jian. "Gilbert Gottfried on Q". CBC Radio. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  16. ^ New York Times Archives.https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/14/archives/paul-siebel-singing-his-folk-songs-here.html
  17. ^ . fyimusic.ca. Archived from the original on 8 June 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  18. ^ Colby, P.; Fitzpatrick, M. (2002). The Bitter End: Hanging Out at America's Nightclub. Cooper Square Press. p. 92. ISBN 9780815412069. Retrieved 6 January 2015.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Bitter End.
  • Official website
  • We All Played The Bitter End

40°43′42″N 73°59′57″W / 40.7283°N 73.9992°W / 40.7283; -73.9992Coordinates: 40°43′42″N 73°59′57″W / 40.7283°N 73.9992°W / 40.7283; -73.9992

January 20, 2023
bitter, other, uses, disambiguation, person, capacity, nightclub, coffeehouse, folk, music, venue, york, city, greenwich, village, opened, 1961, bleecker, street, under, auspices, owner, fred, weintraub, club, changed, name, other, june, 1975, however, after, . For other uses see The Bitter End disambiguation The Bitter End is a 230 person capacity nightclub coffeehouse and folk music venue in New York City s Greenwich Village It opened in 1961 at 147 Bleecker Street under the auspices of owner Fred Weintraub The club changed its name to The Other End in June 1975 However after a few years the owners changed the club s name back to the more recognizable The Bitter End It remains open under new ownership The Bitter End Awning Landmark status granted on July 23 1992 Contents 1 History 2 Live albums recorded 2 1 Comedians 2 2 Musicians 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditAn earlier club The Cock and Bull operated on the same premises with the same format in the late 1950s The poet and comedian Hugh Romney who later became known as Wavy Gravy read there The Bitter End was originally a coffeeshop 1 According to The New York Times The Bitter End which opened in 1961 considers itself to be New York s oldest rock club and built a legendary reputation after showcasing young performers like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor and comedians like Woody Allen and Billy Crystal At the club Bob Dylan played pool watched performances and occasionally performed 2 circa 1961 3 During the early 1960s the club hosted folk music hootenannies every Tuesday night featuring many performers who have since become legendary During its heyday The Bitter End showcased a wide range of talented and legendary musicians comedians and theatrical performers 4 5 In 1968 Paul Colby 1917 2014 who began his career as a song plugger for Benny Goodman s publishing company and went on to work for Frank Sinatra Duke Ellington and Guy Lombardo became the manager and booking agent at The Bitter End and in 1974 he purchased it 6 7 He purchased it about a decade after he began managing the club Owner Paul Colby died in 2014 He had two partners in the club Paul Rizzo and Ken Gorka 8 A tribute concert was held for Colby after his death 9 Kenny Gorka died in 2015 10 Gorka was an original member of New Jersey band The Critters According to Colby James Taylor bombed when he played the club in 1969 and Neil Young also bombed at the club 11 In the mid 1970s the club became known as the birthplace of Bob Dylan s Rolling Thunder Revue which featured such names as Joni Mitchell Roger McGuinn Ramblin Jack Elliot Joan Baez T Bone Burnett Ronee Blakely Mick Ronson and many other guest stars The Bitter End was granted landmark status by the city of New York in 1992 Also in 1992 the venue s landlord tried to evict the bar with the venue saved by benefit performances by Peter Paul and Mary Kris Kristofferson George Carlin and others 1 Lady Gaga performed at the bar in October 2016 after previously performing there an unsigned act before the release of her debut album The performance was part of Gaga s Dive Bar Tour 12 Live albums recorded EditNumerous musical albums have been recorded at The Bitter End including albums by Biff Rose Half live at the Bitter End Peter Paul and Mary Randy Newman Curtis Mayfield Donny Hathaway Arlo Guthrie Pete Seeger Tom Paxton The Isley Brothers and Tommy James amp the Shondells The Chad Mitchell Trio and Bill Haley amp His Comets Comedy albums recorded there include Bill Cosby s first album Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow Right and comedian Chris Rush s second album Beaming In Comedians Edit These comedians appeared at The Bitter End early in their careers Woody Allen 13 Franklyn Ajaye Albert Brooks Lenny Bruce George Carlin 13 Dick Cavett 13 Bill Cosby 13 Billy Crystal Cheech amp Chong Chris Rush 14 David Brenner David Steinberg Don Imus Elayne Boosler Flip Wilson Freddie Prinze Gilbert Gottfried 15 Greg Proops Harry Anderson Henny Youngman Hugh Romney aka Wavy Gravy Joan Rivers 13 Jon Stewart Lily Tomlin Martin Mull Mort Sahl Pat Paulsen Ray Romano Richard Pryor Rip Taylor Robert Klein Sandra Bernhard Steve Landesberg Steven Wright The Flying Karamazov Brothers Musicians Edit America Andy Gibb Ann Peebles Arlo Guthrie Barbra Streisand Bert Sommer Bette Midler Bill Chinnock Bill Haley Bill Withers Billy Joel Billy Preston Blues Project Blues Traveler Bo Diddley Bob Dylan Bob Neuwirth Brewer amp Shipley Bruce Springsteen Buffy Sainte Marie Bunky and Jake Burlap to Cashmere Carly Simon Carole King Chad Mitchell Charles amp Eddie Chick Corea Chuck Berry Chuck Mangione Country Joe McDonald Curtis Mayfield Curtis Stigers Dan Avidan David Bromberg David Crosby Dean Friedman Dion Disappear Fear Don McLean Donny Hathaway Dory Previn Doug Kershaw Dr John Ed McCurdy Eric Weissberg Elliott Murphy Etta James Frank Zappa amp the Mothers of Invention Frankie Valli Fred Neil G Love amp Special Sauce Gavin DeGraw George Thorogood amp the Destroyers Gil Scott Heron Glen Burtnik Gordon Lightfoot Grayson Hugh Gunhill Road Hall amp Oates Harry Chapin Helen Reddy Hugh Masekela Glen Hughes Ian amp Sylvia Idina Menzel Isabela Moner Indigo Girls Ingrid Michaelson Jackson Browne Jae Jin Jake Holmes James Cotton James Taylor Janis Ian Janis Joplin Jann Klose Jean Luc Ponty Jeffrey Gaines Jerry Jeff Walker Jesse Colin Young Jim Croce Jimi Hendrix Jimmy James and the Blue Flames Jimmy Webb Joan Armatrading Joan Baez Joe Ely Joe Walsh John Denver John Hartford John Prine John Sebastian Johnny Nash Joni Mitchell Jose Feliciano Josh White Judy Collins Kanye West Kenny Rankin Kenny Rogers and The First Edition Kenny Vance and The Planotones Kris Kristofferson Labelle Lacy J Dalton Lady Gaga as Stefani Germanotta Band then on Dive Bar Tour Lana Del Rey Performed as Lizzy Grant Larry Coryell Laura Nyro Leo Kottke Leon Bibb Les Paul LiLi Roquelin Linda Ronstadt Lisa Kindred Lisa Loeb Little Feat Livingston Taylor Liza Minnelli Los Lonely Boys Lou Christie Luke Sabis Luther Allison Maria Muldaur Mark Duda Mark Ronson Marshall Brickman Marshall Chapman Marvin Gaye Mary Wells Maxene Andrews Melanie Melissa Manchester Merry Clayton Miles Davis Mimi Farina Mitch Ryder amp the Detroit Wheels Mongo Santamaria Morgana King Mose Allison Neil Diamond Neil Young New York Rock amp Roll Ensemble Nil Lara Nina Simone Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Norah Jones Odetta Oscar Brand Otis Rush Patti Rothberg Patti Smith Paul Siebel 16 Paul Williams Peaches amp Herb Pete Seeger Peter Stewart Peter Allen Peter Hammill Peter Paul and Mary Phil Ochs Phil Trainer a k a Phil Steele Phoebe Snow Ramblin Jack Elliott Randy Newman Richard Barone Richie Havens Ricky Nelson Robert Hunter Rod McKuen Ronee Blakely Rusted Root Ryan Cassata Sam amp Dave Sarah McLachlan Shawn Colvin Shawn Mullins Simon amp Garfunkel Skyhill Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee Spin Doctors Stan Getz Stephane Grappelli Stephen Bishop Steve Forbert Steve Goodman Stevie Wonder Stone Poneys Suzanne Vega Taj Mahal Taylor Swift The Big 3 The Box Tops The Brandos The Chambers Brothers The Charlie Daniels Band The Critters The Everly Brothers The Grateful Dead 17 The Happenings The Isley Brothers The Persuasions The Searchers The Serendipity Singers 13 The Shells The Staple Singers The Stone Poneys The Tarriers The Triplets The Womenfolk 18 Tim Hardin Tim Rose Tom Paxton Tom Rush Tommy James amp the Shondells Tori Amos Tracy Chapman Van Morrison Vanessa Carlton Wendy Wall Yvonne EllimanSee also EditCafe Wha Cafe Au Go Go The Gaslight Cafe Gerde s Folk City Filmore EastReferences Edit a b Richling Billy February 18 2014 Goodbye Paul Colby Famed Owner of The Bitter End Passes Away Observer Retrieved September 28 2017 Exploring Bob Dylan s New York The New York Times October 18 2016 Retrieved September 27 2017 Fifty Years Ago Today Bob Dylan Arrived In New York Rolling Stone January 24 2011 Retrieved September 28 2011 Santoro Gene 8 June 2003 Gene Santoro NY Times review Beginning at the Bitter End SERIOUSLY FUNNY The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s By Gerald Nachman NY Times Retrieved 6 January 2015 Nachman Gerald 2003 Seriously Funny The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s New York Pantheon Books p 659 ISBN 9780375410307 OCLC 50339527 No End for the Bitter End nyc plus com Archived from the original on 11 October 2010 Retrieved 15 January 2022 Yeshiva University Commentator Volume 62 Issue 11 commie droryikra com Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 6 January 2015 Martin Douglas February 20 2014 Paul Colby Whose Club Helped Fuel Greenwich Village s Rise Dies at 96 New York Times retrieved September 24 2017 A Musical Tribute To Paul Colby The Bitter End The Aquarian June 23 2014 retrieved September 28 2017 Valentino Silas March 26 2015 The Bitter End Pays Tribute to Owner Kenny Gorka s Legacy Retrieved December 8 2017 Paul Colby obituary Telegraph March 18 2014 retrieved September 28 2017 Lady Gaga Returns to NYC Bar Where She Launched Her Career NBC New York October 21 2016 retrieved September 28 2017 a b c d e f Rivers Joan Meryman Richard 1986 Enter Talking New York Delacorte Press pp 325 333 ISBN 0 385 29440 9 Sutherland Sam June 23 1973 Talent in action Billboard Magazine p 20 Ghomeshi Jian Gilbert Gottfried on Q CBC Radio Retrieved 20 August 2012 New York Times Archives https www nytimes com 1970 02 14 archives paul siebel singing his folk songs here html Don t believe a word I say with Bob Segarini fyimusic ca fyimusic ca Archived from the original on 8 June 2009 Retrieved 15 January 2022 Colby P Fitzpatrick M 2002 The Bitter End Hanging Out at America s Nightclub Cooper Square Press p 92 ISBN 9780815412069 Retrieved 6 January 2015 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Bitter End Official website We All Played The Bitter End Shane Ken No End for the Bitter End 9 06 Maler Senya The Bitter End 40 43 42 N 73 59 57 W 40 7283 N 73 9992 W 40 7283 73 9992 Coordinates 40 43 42 N 73 59 57 W 40 7283 N 73 9992 W 40 7283 73 9992 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Bitter End amp oldid 1116494924, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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