Keeping Live Alive since 1948.
Joe Brown (along with silent partner John Lang) buys 462 and 464 Spadina Ave. with the dream of creating a fine dining establishment with a Mexican flavour. Brown acquires one of the city’s first liquor licences, and offers live music and ballroom dancing.
Adam Schuy buys the El Mocambo. Schuy’s El Mo specializes in live Hungarian, Irish and Portuguese music. When business slowed toward the end of the decade, Schuy introduced burlesque dancing on the main floor stage to try to keep the El Mo solvent. Adam runs the El Mo until 1970, when his daughter Penny and her husband Peter O’Rourke take over.
Tom Kristenbrun and Mike Baird purchase the El Mocambo. Foot in Cold Water performs on opening night. Neill Dixon, who would later found Canadian Music Week, is hired as talent booker
Ronnie “The Hawk” Hawkins plays his first of many shows at the El Mo
Bill King Leads "Sawbuck". Spanning a career that has seen Bill study with the legendary Oscar Peterson, become the musical director for Janis Joplin, tour with Martha Reeves, The Pointer Sisters and more – his output delves into rhythm, blues, soul, jazz and more. Sawbuck went on to support many of the Jamaican greats, and helped push reggae influences.
David “Blue” Bluestein becomes the El Mo’s booker. From May to December 1976, The El Mo hosts Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Gil Scott Heron, Buddy Miles, Gary Burton, Freddie Hubbard, Burning Spear, Chris DeBurgh, Jack DeJohnette, John Mayall, and Richie Havens.
The Rolling Stones, billed as “The Cockroaches,” play back-to-back surprise gigs. April Wine, billed as the headliner, opens and some of the songs become side three of the album Love You Live. Margaret Trudeau, the newly separated wife of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is among the guests.
Between October and December 1977, El Mocambo hosts Fats Domino, Cheech and Chong, Buffy St. Marie, Grover Washington, and Steppenwolf
Joe Brown (along with silent partner John Lang) buys 462 and 464 Spadina Ave. with the dream of creating a fine dining establishment with a Mexican flavour. Brown acquires one of the city’s first liquor licences, and offers live music and ballroom dancing.
Adam Schuy buys the El Mocambo. Schuy’s El Mo specializes in live Hungarian, Irish and Portuguese music. When business slowed toward the end of the decade, Schuy introduced burlesque dancing on the main floor stage to try to keep the El Mo solvent. Adam runs the El Mo until 1970, when his daughter Penny and her husband Peter O’Rourke take over.
Tom Kristenbrun and Mike Baird purchase the El Mocambo. Foot in Cold Water performs on opening night. Neill Dixon, who would later found Canadian Music Week, is hired as talent booker.
Ronnie “The Hawk” Hawkins plays his first of many shows at the El Mo
Bill King Leads "Sawbuck". Spanning a career that has seen Bill study with the legendary Oscar Peterson, become the musical director for Janis Joplin, tour with Martha Reeves, The Pointer Sisters and more – his output delves into rhythm, blues, soul, jazz and more. Sawbuck went on to support many of the Jamaican greats, and helped push reggae influences.
David “Blue” Bluestein becomes the El Mo’s booker. From May to December 1976, The El Mo hosts Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Gil Scott Heron, Buddy Miles, Gary Burton, Freddie Hubbard, Burning Spear, Chris DeBurgh, Jack DeJohnette, John Mayall, and Richie Havens.
The Rolling Stones, billed as “The Cockroaches,” play back-to-back surprise gigs. April Wine, billed as the headliner, opens and some of the songs become side three of the album Love You Live. Margaret Trudeau, the newly separated wife of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is among the guests.
Between October and December 1977, El Mocambo hosts Fats Domino, Cheech and Chong, Buffy St. Marie, Grover Washington, and Steppenwolf
The golden era continues! In 1978 and 1979, The stage of El Mocambo is graced by talent such as Taj Mahal, The Runaways, Ramones, Loudon Wainwright, David Wilcox, Canned Heat, The Guess Who, Blondie, Goddo, David Johansen, Devo, Sam and Dave, Joe Jackson, Lou Reed, and John Hall
New rooftop patio! Sold to Sam Grosso and Marco Petrucci, who add a rooftop patio and renovate the palm tree sign. Pat Travers and John Cafferty play the final night.
On closing night in November, it’s announced that Michael Wekerle is buying the El Mocambo
Wekerle closes on deal; renovations begin in late fall
The revitalized El Mocambo is set to reopen, 70 years after launching as a live music venue.
The golden era continues! In 1978 and 1979, The stage of El Mocambo is graced by talent such as Taj Mahal, The Runaways, Ramones, Loudon Wainwright, David Wilcox, Canned Heat, The Guess Who, Blondie, Goddo, David Johansen, Devo, Sam and Dave, Joe Jackson, Lou Reed, and John Hall
New rooftop patio! Sold to Sam Grosso and Marco Petrucci, who add a rooftop patio and renovate the palm tree sign. Pat Travers and John Cafferty play the final night.
On closing night in November, it’s announced that Michael Wekerle is buying the El Mocambo.
Wekerle closes on deal; renovations begin in late fall.
The revitalized El Mocambo is set to reopen, 70 years after launching as a live music venue.
David “Blue” Bluestein becomes the El Mo’s booker. From May to December 1976, The El Mo hosts Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Gil Scott Heron, Buddy Miles, Gary Burton, Freddie Hubbard, Burning Spear, Chris DeBurgh, Jack DeJohnette, John Mayall, and Richie Havens.
The Rolling Stones, billed as “The Cockroaches,” play back-to-back surprise gigs. April Wine, billed as the headliner, opens and some of the songs become side three of the album Love You Live. Margaret Trudeau, the newly separated wife of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is among the guests.
Between October and December 1977, El Mocambo hosts Fats Domino, Cheech and Chong, Buffy St. Marie, Grover Washington, and Steppenwolf
El Mocambo Records was launched by Michael Wekerle during Canadian Music Week 2017. The label was conceived to complement a renovated and revitalized El Mocambo, the legendary Toronto music venue that now features an in-house recording studio.
El Mo Records will follow a similar strategy to the one that made the El Mocambo Canada’s most iconic live music venue: develop new and emerging talent while continuing to support global touring acts and legacy artists. Much like the programming of the club, the label will focus on creative
For Special Events : privateevents@elmocambo.com
For Live Shows : bookings@elmocambo.com
