Julian Richings Instagram – Doors Open Toronto 2023.
The El Mocambo, Spadina Avenue.
Established in 1948 as a fine dining establishment ‘with a Mexican flavour’ the El Mocambo gained one of Toronto’s first liquor licenses, and opened under the neon palm inspired by a San Francisco nightclub.
After different managements and configurations, the “El-Mo” became a youth oriented blues and rock music venue in the early seventies.
It was a venue for (then) up and coming acts Tom Waits, The Ramones, Blondie, U2, Elvis Costello, Devo, Joan Jet, The White Stripes and Peaches.
Legendary acts also appeared there: Fats Domino, Buffy St. Marie, Ronnie ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins, to name but a few.
Most famously, The Rolling Stones gave back to back surprise performances in 1977 as ‘The Cockroaches’, during which Margaret Trudeau, wife of then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was in attendance. Rumours of an affair with Mick Jagger made international headlines.
The music industry changed, management flipped, live touring became a different proposition and the El-Mo declined.
It’s final show was in 2014, but it was bought by Michael Wekerle, who committed to renovate it and keep it as a live music venue.
Now, 30 million dollars and almost 10 years later, it boasts two stages, several bars and a recording studio.
So good to revisit. It’s looking a bit spiffier than I remember, for which I have mixed feelings. But thanks Doors Open Toronto for the chance to look around, and thanks Michael, for keeping music live. | Posted on 08/Jun/2023 20:47:44
