Another View of the Cheetah Lounge (aka Aragon Ballroom) Chicago

Cheetah Lounge, 1967

Thanks to a reader for sending this one in! For a brief time in the late sixties, the Aragon Ballroom was transformed into the uber-hip Cheetah Lounge.

Vintage Ad for Concerts at Riviera and Aragon, 1975

My upstair's neighbor is the coolest mom. She and her eleven-year-old son go to concerts on the weekend, hang out at jazz, rock, and reggae clubs when they allow all ages in, and peruse record stores--yes, record stores--looking for that perfect album.

I was never that lucky as a kid. I never went to concerts. In fact, it wasn't until I was 16 that I saw my first performer on stage--Corey Hart. (He had only a couple of hits that I can remember, "Sunglasses at Night" and "Never Surrender," but he sure was cute.) I had to beg and beg my parents to let me go with my friends; we were suburbanites, and I was pretty sheltered and oblivious to the "dangers" of the city. I snuck into town more often than I was allowed to go.

I wonder what my musical education would have been like if I grew up near such fabulous concert venues as the Riviera, Aragon, and Uptown. I'm sure I would have been scraping my allowance together and standing in line at the Ticketron to see shows more often.

A Disco Opens in Uptown, 1966

For a very brief time in the late sixties, there was a disco on Lawrence Avenue. The Cheetah Club, modeled after the very popular Cheetah Club in New York, opened in what had been known to generations as the Aragon Ballroom. The club in Chicago didn't do as well as the east coast venue, and the ballroom soon became the Aragon again. The image below shows the opening, covered in the November 1, 1966 issue of Jet Magazine. A copy of the magazine is currently available on eBay: Cheetah Club.

Aragon Ballroom Chicago Concert Ticket — Blues Guitar Player Freddie King

A rare Aragon Ballroom collectible currently available on eBay: http://bit.ly/12auO3l

According to Wikipedia: Freddie King (September 3, 1934 – December 28, 1976), thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "The Texas Cannonball", was an influential American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Four Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Earl King, Albert King and B.B. King, as well as the youngest of the four.

Trianon & Aragon Ballroom Instructor's Pass

Did any of you dance with Lillian? Her instructor ID and badge are currently available on eBay here: Dance Badge.

Beauty of Old Spain

From the archive...

Beauty of Old Spain Is Found At the Aragon

Source: Chicago Evening American, 15 July 1926, pg. 24.

Beauty so exquisite that it transcends the loftiest imagery of the most poetic mind—immensity providing diversion and conveniences of unmatched variety. These are the two phases of the new Aragon Ballroom that will impress themselves most forcibly upon the minds of the thousands who tonight will enter the romance-laden portals of Chicago's newest and most magnificent dnace rendezvous. What a spectacle of joyous memory it will be! A soft glow of opalescent color—stars twinkling in blue Mediterranean skies that gently enfold quaint patios and scent-filled balconades—enchanted throngs dancing under the spell of old-world romance, wafted through a golden, glamorous sphere touched by the magic world of illusion. The lure of treasures, exotic and opulent, whispers from every nook and corner of the new Aragon, enticing dnace lovers from the ballroom floor to the discovery of endless new delights. Rare tapestries, bizarre Chinese plates, statuettes, orange trees astonishingly real in the simulation of tropical verdure, appointments breathing the spirit of Castilian grandeur. Here is the flaming beauty, the romantic glory of old Spain. Nearly $2,000,000 Expended Close to $2,000,000 were expended to make the Aragon the most magnificent institution of its kind in the world. That the promise of its original conception has been brilliantly fulfilled is to the everlasting credit of those associated with Mr. Karzas in the building of this wonder palace. Mr. Karzas' Trianon was an achievement; the new Aragon is a shrine to which Chicago will lead its visitors pointing to it and exclaiming, with a justifiable civic pride, "Where in the world can you find its equal?" Every facility to insure the complete comfort of dance lovers will be found at the Aragon. Commodious checkrooms for both men and women, a handsomely appointed grande mirror salon for the convenience of milady, a clean wholesome refectory where appetizing refreshments are served by charming senoritas, carefully selected attendants who are guided in their contact with visitors by the creed, "Every patron an honored guest"; these are but a few of the myriad attractive features you will find at the Aragon.

Thousands Throng Aragon Ballroom

From the archive...

Thousands Throng Great Aragon Ballroom

Source: Chicago Evening American, 16 July 1926, pg. 14.

Thousands of merry dance lovers thronged Andrew Karzas' new Aragon Ballroom, Winthrop and Lawrence avs., officially opened to the public last night in a veritable blaze of splendor. Officials high in public life, as well as stage celebrities, assisted in the dedication of this new $2,000,000 dance rendezvous. The Aragon joined the ranks of Chicago's public show places at 7:30 when ex-Mayor William Hale Thompson bought the first admission ticket from pretty Sibylia Bohan, star of "Frosty," who officiated in the box office. Joe Lowrie, popular comedian, acted as master of ceremonies, introducing the various celebrities. An inspiring sight greeted first nighters at the Aragon. Tall, stately towers and minarets of silver gleaming above the blue skies; great granite walls covered with ancient arabesques of green, blue and gold; vaulted ceilings and archways, Moorish carvings and scrollwork; all the splendors of ancient Spain. The Aragon covers more than 80,000 square feet, making it what is said to be the largest place of amusement in the city.

Parking Garage on Lawrence, 1956

This is a photo from our own collection of the parking garage built on Lawrence at Broadway in 1956. You can see the Aragon beyond it. Wouldn't it be nice to have a parking garage there again instead of just a parking lot to accommodate the crowds?

Concertgoers Waiting to Get into the Aragon Ballroom, 1984

Image currently available on eBay here: item 260834373775

President Obama to Celebrate Birthday at Historic Uptown Chicago Venue

Well happy birthday, Mr. President!

Posted in today's Chicago Sun-Times: Now comes word that the historic Aragon Ballroom in Uptown will be the site for the concert on Aug. 3 in celebration of President Barack Obama’s 50th birthday and re-election benefit. The Aragon will also be the venue for the private dinner with President Obama at $35,800 per couple. One of the acts being considered is Chicago’s own Jennifer Hudson. Obama’s birthday is Aug. 4.

1963 Press Photo of the Aragon Ballroom, Uptown, Chicago

Original image available on eBay at time of writing

1971 Press Photo of the Aragon Ballroom

Image available from eBay at time of writing

Flea Market at the Aragon Ballroom, 1969

What a great idea! It'd be fun to bring flea markets back to the ol' ballroom. Does anyone remember if this was a regular thing?

Original image available for purchase on eBay

Vonda Urban: Dance Instructor, Author, Teacher, Theosophist, Astrologer, Musician

If you danced at the Aragon ballroom in the fifties, you may remember dance instructor Vonda Urban. Or maybe you were a student of hers when she taught Theosophy. Vonda Urban passed away this week at the age of 92. The Tribune has her obituary and condolence book here: Vonda Urban. You can see some of the titles she wrote here: Quest Books.

From the Trib:


Vonda Urban, 92, native of Massachusetts, Theosophist, musician, astrologer; passed away June 3, 2011, after a brief illness. Vonda was a vibrant part of Chicago's entertainment scene in the 50's and 60's, and developed a following with her work as an instructor of dance at the Aragon Ballroom, and later as a spiritual teacher. Her passing is a great loss to the Theosophical community. She is survived by an extended surrogate family; and many admirers, including her best friend Rodger George; and her nieces Teena and Deborah Urban, and Jeannette Davie. A celebration of her life is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL, 36104. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois.

"Thou canst not travel on the path before thou hast become that Path itself."

Drink Token, Normandy Cocktail Lounge, 1110 Lawrence, Uptown Chicago

Drink token from the Normandy Cocktail Lounge, 1110 Lawrence, Chicago.

When I Googled the address, I came up with this: "In 1958 the Normandy Cocktail Lounge, located next door to the Aragon, caught fire and an explosion erupted. The blast, probably set off by pressure from heat generated by the fire, ripped off the glass and brick storefront of the saloon, hurled bar stools, glass and shreds of fancy draperies across the street, and punched a huge hole into the wall that separated it from the foyer of the ballroom. Damage to the Aragon was estimated at $50,000.00. The explosion occurred at 3:35 am, three hours after the Aragon had closed. No one was injured. Consequently, the Aragon closed for a few months in order to repair the lobby. When it reopened, attendance dwindled." (Courtesy Iowa Ballroom Project.)

Wavy Gravy Conspiracy Stomp Benefit Concert Poster for The Chicago Eight at the Aragon Ballroom

The Chicago Seven (originally Chicago Eight, also Conspiracy Eight/Conspiracy Seven) were seven defendants—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner—charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Bobby Seale, the eighth man charged, had his trial severed during the proceedings, lowering the number from eight to seven.

Original poster available at time of posting from here: Chicago Eight Poster

Learn more about the Chicago Eight here:

Voices of the Chicago Eight: A Generation on Trial (City Lights Open Media)

Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8

The Rascals, Charlie Musselwhite at the Aragon Ballroom Chicago, 1970

The Rascals (initially known as The Young Rascals) were an American soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the U.S. #1 hits "Good Lovin'" (1966), "Groovin'" (1967), and "People Got to Be Free" (1968). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Charlie Musselwhite (born January 31, 1944 in Kosciusko, Mississippi) is an American blues-harp player and bandleader, one of the non-black bluesmen who came to prominence in the early 1960s, along with Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield. Though he has often been identified as a "white bluesman", he claims Native American heritage. Musselwhite was reportedly the inspiration for Dan Aykroyd's Blues Brothers. (Source: Wikipedia)

Poster can be purchased here: Aragon Ballroom Poster

The Day the Music Died

On February 3, 1959, a small-plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa killed three American rock and roll musicians: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson. The day was later called The Day the Music Died by Don McLean, in his song "American Pie." Had they not crashed, they would have played at the Aragon Ballroom a few days later as part of their Winter Dance Party tour. What a concert that would have been!

Does anyone out there have images of concert posters or newspaper ads advertising the show at the Aragon? I'd love to find one to post here; the one above is a generic image from the tour.

Vintage Concert Posters -- Aragon Ballroom, Chicago

Grand Funk Railroad

Rolling Stones

Mars Volta

Nine Inch Nails