Spoerndle - a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, which was located in New Haven at the time - and two friends opened the new eatery in 1975.īut it wasn’t exactly packing them in, and that’s when Spoerndle figured what young people in this college town really wanted was a place to hang out, listen to music, dance - and drink. Toad’s (the “Place” in its name is usually dropped in conversation) began in 1975 not as a nightclub but as a casual restaurant in the building that once housed the burger joint, Hungry Charlie’s. “We became a full music spectrum type of club, playing all different genres of music.” He also says the club avoided being pigeon-holed as one particular type of nightspot. “We tried to adapt to what was going on in the music world,” says Phelps, as one of reasons for the club’s longevity. He began at Toad’s in his early 20s in the ‘70s as manager of the club, before becoming partners with its original owner Mike Spoerndle, until taking over as full owner in the mid-‘90s. “After telling friends stories over the years, people would say I should really write a book before I start forgetting everything that occurred at the club over the decades,” says the New Haven born-Phelps, 67. It has weathered management dramas, out-maneuvered Yale for ownership of the building, and adapted to a dramatically changing music industry as well as ever-new musical tastes. Written by the club’s long-time owner Brian Phelps and former New Haven Register columnist Randall Beach, the book is an affectionate look back at the colorful life of a venue that has survived the test of many musical times.Īs it enters its sixth decade, it has survived and flourished while other clubs have shuttered. It’s become as much a New Haven institution filled with tradition and memories as its next-door neighbor, Yale’s staid watering hole, Mory’s.Ī new book - The Legendary Toad’s Place (Globe Pequot Press) - chronicles the club’s nearly half century of entertainment and drama, on stage and off, including performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Billy Joel. Bands still rock, crowds still dance, and now multiple generations of music lovers can claim the club as a part of their forever-young history. Though its hand-painted poster boards promoting upcoming shows have been replaced with electronic signage and its interior has been expanded and spiffed up, the basic vibe remains the same. The two-story venue on York Street still has its long green awning, red brick walls, and iconic logo of a spats-wearing, monocled amphibian dandy strutting his stuff. Patricia Marjorie (Bemis) Babcock, 79 of Clarksburg died Friday Januat her home surrounded by her loving family.New book chronicles New Haven club that drew Springsteen, Dylan, and the Rolling Stonesįrom the outside, little has changed at Toad’s Place over its 45 years as a downtown New Haven nightclub, presenting jazz, blues, reggae, pop, hip-hop, rap, and rock performers who range from those just starting out to Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famers. She was born in Adams, MA on February 18, 1946. Mary Frances (Vareschi) Hiser, 77 of North Adams, MA died on Thursday Januat Springside Nursing Home. Juanita was born in North Adams on February 18. Juanita (Beilke) D’Alessandro, 82, of North Adams died on Tuesday, Januat Williamstown Commons. She passed surrounded by family under the care of Nathan Adelson. Calli Elizabeth (Yorke) Bacon, 38, joined her best friend, Gramma Bea, in Heaven on January 21, 2024. ( Yorke ) Bacon, MSN APRN, FNP of North Adams He was a devoted husband and family man, known for his love of oldies music, woodworking, NASCAR.Ĭalli E. Gerald Denis “Jerry” Richard passed away on Januat his home in Monroe, MA. Gerald "Jerry" Richard, 72 of North Adams She was born in North Adams on Apa daughter of the. died Wednesday Januat North Adams Commons. NORTH ADAMS, MA- Arlene Jane (Myers) Hall-Hurley 78, of Clarksburg, MA. Joseph Arthur King, of Williamstown, MA, died Tuesday January 30, 2024, at Williamstown Commons surrounded by his family. Julia May (Maxymillian) Wolfrum, 91 of North Adams, MA passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Februsurrounded by family and friends at her. He was born in North Adams on Janua son of Harold E. Thomas Jr., 66 of Adams died suddenly on Thursday, Februat Berkshire Medical Center. She departed peacefully at her home, surrounded by.ĪDAMS, Mass. Dorothy Jane (Bryson) Gilman of North Adams passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the remarkable age of 99.
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