The Crystal Ballroom, one of Portlandls premier places to watch bands do their live thing, was once actually a 'ballroom.' Weird, right? And all this time I thought it was just a clever venue name.
Turns out the building was open in 1914, but was originally known as Cotillion Hall. By the 1930's, it was under it's 3rd owner, Ralph Farrier, and thats when it was renamed to the Crystal Ballroom.
However, it wasn't till the 1960s when in an attempt to pay the bills, the ballrooms owners decided to expand from square dances, and bring in other musical acts. From then, the ballroom featured acts such as The Greatful Dead all the way to Ike and Tina Turner.
According to their website and local legend, a show featuring Little Richard, saw the singer fire his guitarist half way through the set. Legend continues by claiming that this guitarist was Jimi Hendrix.
The Crystal Ballroom, despite the acts it attracted, closed it's doors to public events in 1968; and kept them closed till the McMenamen Brothers reopened them in 1997.
Since that day, the Crystal Ballroom has been doing it's part to keep the city of Portland rocking. And doing a good job at that.
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