Antone’s in its current location at 5th and Lavaca in Austin, Texas.
Antone’s, the fabled Austin, Texas, blues and rock club that’s been in business more than 37 years, will move from its current location into a new, more customer friendly spot this April.
This will be the fourth move in the history of the club, which opened in 1975 on Austin’s Sixth Street. It was the first live music club on that street, which has now become the heart of Austin’s lively music scene.
Yes, that’s Clifford Antone.
The club’s Frank Hendrix said Antone’s current downtown location has discouraged customers due to traffic and lack of parking. Last year, Hendrix relocated both Emo’s and the Beauty Ballroom to larger spaces on East Riverside, about three miles from downtown.
Club owners are considering five possible sites, with some in the downtown area, others on the east side. The club will finalize relocation plans by the end of January and will make the move after the SXSW music festival in March.
By establishing his club in downtown Austin, Clifford Antone gave the region’s musicians a place to call home. He helped jump start the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, among others, and featured legendary blues artists like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Clifton Chenier in extended multi-night stands at the club.
Antone died in 2006 with the club, as well as a record store and label, continuing the tradition with his name. No musical mecca to Austin is complete unless you visit the iconic Antone’s. It will be rich with history and soul, no matter where it opens its doors this spring.
This iconic shot of Jimmie Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds was shot at Antone’s in 1980, by the great Art Meripol.
MP3: “Down At Antone’s” by the Fabulous Thunderbirds
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