The Roseland Ballroom Has Officially Closed

After 95 years of serving as a multi-purpose ballroom/concert venue, the storied Roseland Ballroom has officially closed its doors.

The venue was sent off in style, with a seven-show Lady Gaga residency that ended last night. As we reported back in October, it was announced that Gaga’s performances would be the last at the Roseland. Aside from her rampant popularity and musical prowess, Gaga is a Manhattan native, and grew up attending shows at the Roseland Ballroom herself. She even admitted to crying before her final performance.

The Roseland Ballroom was initially founded in Philadelphia (funded by Frank Yuengling of the beer company), but relocated to New York in 1919. It initially served as a “whites-only” dance club, until the rise of African jazz music changed the night-club scene. Soon, the Roseland would play host to incredibly renowned jazz musicians, and was the subject of Count Basie’s “Roseland Shuffle.”

To this day, recordings from the Roseland Ballroom in the 1940’s are still in circulation, with a young Ella Fitzgerald and the Chick Webb Band. Throughout the 40s, several popular trends began at the Roseland, including marathon dancing, yo-yo exhibitions, and jazz weddings between individuals who had met at the club. It was even featured in a story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

In 1956, the Roseland was officially relocated to its current location on 52nd Street. The building, which was initially used as a roller skating rink, was repurposed as a ballroom dance hall. Disco and rock were banned at the venue for several years, until it was sold in 1981 to Albert Ginsberg.

Throughout the 80’s and the early 90’s, the Roseland actually had a shady reputation. Regularly scheduled “disco nights” led to gang violence and illegal drug use. However, once the disco nights were cancelled, the Roseland Ballroom regained some of its former glory, and was successful throughout the 90’s and 2000’s.

I had the good fortune to see Phil Lesh & Friends at the Roseland last year. With its rose-patterned carpets and antique decor, the venue was simply charming. Not to mention that the music was fantastic (Jackie Greene was one of the “Friends”).

So, it’s no wonder that Lady Gaga was choked up about the closing of the Roseland. The storied Ballroom will certainly be mised by all who live for live music in NYC.

-David Melamed (@DMelamz)