Yes, I am on a kick researching what big name stars came here to perform! I have given you a list from the local school gymnasiums/auditoriums. This is a list from the local bars/nightclubs. Again, let me stress, this is not a comprehensive list! I just typed in the names of major sites in newspapers.com and poured over all the hits. The database is missing several months of local papers and only goes through about 1977. That being said, here is what I found:
The Savoy Ballroom at the Miller Roy Building: We will never know all the hit makers that played here. A historical marker was just placed last month outside the building, listing all the names that are thought to have played here. All we have is word of mouth and a handful of ads in white newspapers. We know for sure (using the ads) Earl Hines, Walter Brown, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm and the great Louis Jordan all performed there. I also found a society column mention in a Pittsburg, PA newspaper of all places, that a group went to Monroe’s Savoy to hear “Ella Fitzgerald’s Orchestra” around July, 1940. Was Ella with them as well? I found a historical article in the News Star from 1995 that said the Mills Brothers and B.B. King also performed here.
The Rendezvous Restaurant (Now Catfish Cabin) had the Carousel Room, which opened March 15, 1960. For about five or so years, it offered live bands as entertainment. The Ink Spots, Jerry Van Dyke (MANY times!), Brother Dave Gardner and Red Sovine all performed here.
Dynasty Lounge at 406 Louisville Ave. had Pete Fountain, Percy Sledge and Sam & Dave come through.
The Arcade/Blackie’s Club on the second floor of 406 DeSiard (above Touch of Style) had Bob Will’s Texas Playboys come twice, Memphis Minnie, Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra, Webb Pierce and His Southern Valley Boys, Hank Snow and Jerry Lee Lewis. Lewis, legend says, set fire to his piano and the burned boards can still be seen up there!
The Red Dog Saloon/Ballroom had some major performers in it’s day. Some of them: Conway Twitty, Lefty Frizzel, Mel Tillis, Ace Cannon (Many times), the Platters, Percy Sledge, Sam & Dave, Irma Thomas, Joe Stampley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and Vince Vance and the Valiants.
Liberty Nite Club, which I have talked about before, saw Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy with Mary Lou Williams. Roosevelt Sykes and His Honey Drippers also performed. Because the ads were in white newspapers and this was an African-American nightclub, many more came through here we will never know.
The Three Mile Inn (now Waterfront Grill) was the site of some major big band performances pre WWII. Benny Meroff and His NBC Orchestra, Fats Waller, Violet and Daisy Hilton “America’s Siamese Twins”, Duke Ellington and of course, the great Ivory Joe Hunter performed here on a regular basis.
Head’s Palladium was a big one in the 60’s and 70’s. I found performances by: Toussaint McCall, Otis Clay, Bobby Powell, Carl Douglas, Percy Mayfield, Earnie K-Doe, Joe Tex, Joe Simon, Tyrone Davis, Little Milton, Clearance Carter, Billy Paul and O.V. Wright
In West Monroe (3014 Cypress St.) you had the Branding Iron. Bob Luman, Jimmy C. Newman and Rufus Thibodaux, Billie Jo Spears, Red Sovine, Joe Stampley and Ace Cannon all had performances here.
The Rainbow Inn on 165 South had Bud Scott, Jr., Joe Turner, Percy Sledge, Ace Cannon, The Champs, Charlie Rich and Jerry Lee Lewis perform.
The Eastside Club had Ace Cannon, Jerry Lee Lewis and Etta James perform.
Locally famous Gee Gee Shin seemed to perform at every venue in town!
I will update as I find more.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 