How about stepping back in time to when Seattle’s music scene was just a spark? We’re standing before the Showbox. It is a venue that has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s music history since 1939.
The Showbox first opened its doors as the Show Box. It quickly became a popular nightspot. Michael Lyons was the founder. He envisioned it as the “Palace of the Pacific”. Lyons drew inspiration from New York nightclubs. He wanted to create a dazzling venue. Bjarne H. Moe helped him. Moe was a talented theater designer.
Imagine the grand opening. The Showbox was packed. Eddie Zollman played the organ. Vaudeville acts entertained. Jimmy Murphy and His Musical Men played swing music. The Showbox quickly became the place to be.
During World War II, the Showbox had to close during blackouts. But it reopened as a dime-a-dance joint. Soldiers and citizens sought cheap entertainment.
Did you know that the building also housed Kerns Music Shop? “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kerns owned it. His shop was a hub for musicians. Kerns sold instruments and records. He even provided the Showbox with a Steinway grand piano. Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole performed there. These performances were broadcast on the radio.
The Showbox hosted many famous performers. Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong graced its stage. Bawdy performers like Mae West also appeared. Seattle’s own Gypsy Rose Lee played there in 1946. She called the Showbox a fine showcase.
In the 1940s, the Showbox sometimes hired African American musicians. This was at a time when segregation was common.
The Showbox faced challenges in the 1950s. It even closed for a while. But it always found a way to reinvent itself.
In 1958, the Showbox almost lost a wall. A hardware store next door was demolished. Michael Lyons sold the building to his son.
During the 1962 World’s Fair, it became a furniture showroom. In 1967, it transformed into a hippie haven called the Happening Teenage Nite Club. Merrilee Rush & the Turnabouts played there. Bands like Buffalo Springfield also played.
In the late 1970s, the Showbox became a center for punk and new wave music. Modern Productions booked bands like the Police and the Ramones. Local bands like the Blackouts also got their start there.
The Showbox closed again in 1985. It reopened in 1990 as a comedy club. Ellen DeGeneres performed there. In 1996, it became the Showbox Music Club. Coldplay and Lady Gaga played there.
In 2001, Kerns Music Shop was revamped as a restaurant. In 2007, a second venue opened. The Showbox became the Showbox at the Market.
The Showbox has played a vital role in Seattle’s music scene. It has hosted grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. It continues to make history every night.
The Showbox stands as a testament to Seattle’s vibrant culture. Its walls echo with the sounds of music and laughter. It is a place where memories are made. The Showbox is a living legend.