9 Unforgettable Beachland Ballroom Moments
Cindy Barber and Mark Leddy remember some of the legendary music venue's greatest moments in its first 15 years.
2000
The second opening weekend brings the White Stripes. "They were just this crazy little husband and wife duo pretending to be brother and sister," says Barber.
2004
Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and roots crooner Alison Krauss meet while rehearsing at the Beachland for a Rock Hall show and go on to win five Grammys for their joint album Raising Sand.
2006
It adds vintage shop This Way Out, which sells vinyl, clothes and trinkets. "There has been times the entire group outfitted themselves head to toe in that store and then played," Leddy says.
2007
The club adds the farm-to-table Sunday brunch under the direction of chef Kim Homan.
2008
Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze invites fans from his Tower City Amphitheater concert to a show at the tavern where he plays "Beachland Ballroom."
2010
When Drive-By Truckers' Blossom concert with Tom Petty gets canceled, they book a tavern show that night.
2012
Pressure from the city for the Beachland to pay $400,000 in back taxes leads to a legal battle. City Council reduces the admission tax rate by half for any venue under 750-person capacity.
2013
By the time soul act Wesley Bright and the Hi-Lites released their first LP, they were already selling out the ballroom. "We watched them grow on the Beachland stage,"Leddy says.
2015
The Beachland celebrates its 15th anniversary March 5 to 8 with performances by Echosmith, Brothers of Soul, All Dinosaurs and more.
