Cafe Au Go Go

Cafe Au Go Go

Company type	Nightclub
Industry	Entertainment, Music venue
Founded	February 1964 (1964-02)
Founder	Howard Solomon
Defunct	December 1970 (1970-12)
Fate	Closed and building demolished
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Area served	Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City
Key people	Howard Solomon, Moses Baruch, Kenny D'Alessandro (audio engineer)
Products	Live music performances, comedy shows

The Cafe Au Go Go was a night club situated in Greenwich Village, occupying the basement space of the New Andy Warhol Garrick Theatre building at 152 Bleecker Street in Manhattan, New York City. It operated from February 1964 through December 1970, serving as a venue for a wide array of musical ensembles, folk artists, and comedians. Initially under the ownership of Howard Solomon—who later managed singer Fred Neil—the club was acquired by Moses Baruch in June 1969.

History

This establishment marked the debut New York City stage for the Grateful Dead, who appeared there repeatedly between 1967 and 1969. Regular acts featured performers such as Richie Havens, the Blues Project, and bassist Harvey Brooks. The Stone Poneys, with Linda Ronstadt, were also frequent guests. A notable event was when Jimi Hendrix joined blues harmonica player James Cotton for an impromptu session in 1968.

Other significant artists who graced the stage included Van Morrison, Tim Hardin, Tim Buckley, Joni Mitchell, and Judy Collins. The lineup also boasted blues icons like Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker, alongside bands such as Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Canned Heat, and the Doors. The venue was instrumental in showcasing rediscovered blues pioneers of the 1960s, including Lightnin' Hopkins, Son House, and Skip James. Prior to the rise of rock performances, the Au Go Go served as a center for jazz (featuring artists like Bill Evans and Stan Getz), comedy (with acts such as Lenny Bruce and George Carlin), and folk music.

Following its sale in 1969, the club underwent a closure exceeding a month to facilitate renovations that enhanced its kitchen facilities and introduced a new sound system designed by audio engineer Kenny D'Alessandro. The reopening in August 1969 featured Van Morrison as the headline act, coinciding with the launch of his album Astral Weeks.

Au Go Go Singers and comedians

In 1964, Solomon brought together a collective of vocalists and musicians from an off-Broadway production, creating the Au Go Go Singers to rival the Bitter End Singers performing at The Bitter End Cafe. Solomon managed this ensemble until their dissolution in late 1965.

The group's members included Kathy King (who later toured with Bobby Vinton and appeared on Broadway in Oh Calcutta), Jean Gurney, Michael Scott (subsequently part of the Highwaymen and the Serendipity Singers), Rick Geiger (who joined a California light opera troupe), Roy Michaels (later affiliated with Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys and touring with Jimi Hendrix), Nels Gustafson, Bob Harmelink, along with soloists Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. After the group's end, Gustafson and Harmelink exited the entertainment industry.

From the remnants of the Au Go Go Singers emerged a new folk/rock ensemble named The Company, consisting of Geiger, Michaels, Scott, Gurney (formerly with the Bay Singers), and Stills. Following their breakup, the Rollins and Joffe Talent Agency—managers for talents like Dick Cavett and Woody Allen—offered a six-week Canadian tour to reunite the Bay Singers at Cafe Au Go Go. Although initially omitted, Stills joined this tour. The group adopted electric instruments, rehearsed fresh material under former Au Go Go arranger Jim Friedman, and toured Ontario. During this period, they encountered Neil Young, who opened for them with his band, the Squires. After their Canadian tour concluded, they performed at Mr. Kelly's in Chicago alongside Woody Allen. Within a year after disbanding, Stills, Young, Furay, and others went on to form Buffalo Springfield.

Comedians and the Arrests of Lenny Bruce

Howard Solomon was responsible for booking prominent comedians such as George Carlin and Lenny Bruce, who frequently performed at Cafe Au Go Go. Bruce's acts often stirred controversy; in April 1964, he faced two arrests following his shows on charges of obscenity, with Solomon also taken into custody.

In November 1964, a panel of three judges found both Bruce and Solomon guilty of obscenity despite vocal support from notable personalities including Woody Allen, Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and others. Bruce received a sentence of four months in a workhouse but was released on bail pending appeal; unfortunately, he passed away before the appeal process concluded. Subsequently, Solomon’s conviction was overturned.

By 1966, mounting legal battles effectively silenced Bruce and led to his financial ruin prior to his death. In contrast, George Carlin persisted with provocative material containing explicit language, most famously his "Seven Dirty Words" routine, which also resulted in legal scrutiny. Both comedians became key figures in the stand-up comedy scene emerging from Cafe Au Go Go.

Decades after Bruce’s passing, on December 23, 2003, New York Governor George Pataki issued a posthumous pardon for obscenity charges—the first of its kind in the state—highlighting a dedication to the principles of the First Amendment. This pardon was prompted by a petition endorsed by celebrities such as Robin Williams.

Stephen Stills appeared as a featured artist at the final gala event marking Cafe Au Go Go’s closure.

Current use

The buildings housing Cafe Au Go Go and the adjacent New Andy Warhol Garrick Theatre were torn down during the 1970s.

See also

• Gerde's Folk City
• Live at The Cafe Au Go Go
• New Andy Warhol Garrick Theatre
• The Bitter End
• The Gaslight Cafe

External links

• Image: Garrick Theatre & Cafe Au Go Go
• Images: Garrick Theatre & Cafe Au Go Go
• Images: New Andy Warhol Garrick Theatre