El Mocambo

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The iconic El Mocambo sign

The El Mocambo Tavern, or "The El Mo" as it was more commonly known to the residents of Toronto, is a music club situated at 462-464 Spadina Avenue near College Street.

Originally bought as a nightclub space in 1940, the name (and famous sign) were erected in 1946, its Spanish theme (the name meaning "road house") was originally designed to attract tourists visiting post-War Toronto. It was one of the first nightclubs in the city to obtain a liquor license in the otherwise dry Toronto, in 1946. Musical acts appeared on separate stages located on the main and second floor of the building.

Over the years other major music acts appeared at the venue, including such internationally famous jazz performers, including Grover Washington, Jr., and Charles Mingus, and rock acts such as U2, The Police, Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones.

Located within walking distance of Ryerson University, George Brown College and the University of Toronto, the club became a local watering hole for the students living nearby. Throughout the 1970s the club was known as a bastion of the blues and rock and roll during a time better known for disco.

On March 4, 1977, looking for an unprepossessing venue to record in, The Rolling Stones played the first of two performances at the club, billing themselves anonymously as "The Cockroaches". It was their first live club date in 14 years. Their opening act was local Canadian rockers April Wine. The show was recorded and released as the album Love You Live, which reached #3 in the UK, #5 in the US.

Other live recordings made by other bands/performers at the venue include:

Big Walter Horton — Live at the El Mocambo (1973)
Starz — Live at the El Mocambo (1973)
April Wine — Live at the El Mocambo (1977)
Elvis Costello — Live at the El Mocambo (1978)
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble — Live at the El Mocambo (1983)
Zoobombs — Bomb You Live (2001)
The Whisky Howl Big Band — Live at the El Mocambo (2005)

By the 1990s the club was often shunned by local indie groups, who perceived the El Mo as an "industry club", where record companies showcased packaged new artists at the expense of local talent. At least among some, it gained a reputation as the place to play once a promising indie band had "sold out" [link]. The relatively high price of drinks and cover charges and a fast-changing local music scene drove the mainstay student crowds to other clubs, notably the Beverly Tavern, DMZ, and Larry's Hideaway. Accordingly, throughout the 1990s, the El Mo went through several periods of near-bankruptcy and near-closure.

In recent years the main floor of the El Mocambo has been renovated and now books a wide range of musical acts, including jazz and hip hop. As a consequence, the club's status as an important Toronto musical hotspot has been at least partially restored. The space has been renovated and expanded, though its second floor now houses a dance studio.

External links

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