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Henry LoConti Sr. opened
the first Agora on February 27, 1966 near the campus of Case Western
Reserve University in Cleveland. His concept of promoting live
entertainment for young adults was an instant success, and audiences
outgrew both the building and the neighborhood almost immediately.
The following year, a new Agora opened its doors adjacent to the
Cleveland State University campus. Henry never imagined that the
club would evolve into a major force in the international concert
scene and become the premiere Ohio concert venue.
In the years that followed, the Agora (which at one point
encompassed a chain of thirteen clubs nationwide), played a major
role in developing the music and entertainment industry in Cleveland
and the nation by booking thousands of local, national and
international groups to perform on Agora stages. The concept of
showcasing new and well-established artists confirmed the club's
leadership within the industry.
The Agora booked its first national act, the Buckinghams, in 1968.
For many years "Sundays at the Agora" showcased local original music
groups and popular regional bands, which kept the club filled to
capacity. The Pack, later known as Grand Funk Railroad, The Outlaws,
ZZ Top, Rainbow Canyon , James Gang, Glass Harp, Foghat and The
Rasberries all achieved national and international prominence after
getting their "big break" playing the Cleveland Agora stage.
In 1968, the Cleveland Agora built the first in-house recording
studio, Agency Recording, to produce records, live broadcasts and
radio programs in stereo. Many of the Monday night concerts that
were recorded became live album releases.
In 1970, the Columbus Agora opened up across from the Ohio State
University . That year the Agora teamed up with WNCI-FM radio to
produce the first Agora live broadcast featuring Ted Nugent. Not
long after, the show was moved to WMMS, establishing what would
later be dubbed the WMMS – AGORA marriage by Radio Magazine. In
addition to the Agora radio network broadcasts, ABC's "King Biscuit
Flower Hour" also ran the Agora's live radio shows nationally.
Throughout the 70's, The Agora expanded into a chain of 1000 seat
clubs with outlets in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Greater
Miami, Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut, and Akron, Painesville,
Toledo and Youngstown, Ohio. Agora Promotions put on an annual
series of outdoor music festivals for over 25 years at Legend Valley
(later known as Buckeye Lake Music Center ) near Columbus that would
draw as many as 55,000 people.
In 1975, the Agora started another radio program, titled the "New
World of Jazz". This show was aired on over 50 stations in the U.S.
, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia .
The Agora could be experienced via television sets on Channel 8 in
Cleveland in 1978. “Onstage at the Agora” featured live concerts
before MTV gave music lovers their visual fix. This show would
eventually air worldwide through syndication.
A fire at The Cleveland Agora on 24 th Street in late 1984 spurred
the move to the current location at 5000 Euclid Ave the following
year. The Agora officially re-opened their doors in late 1985 and
has been going strong ever since. No longer a dance club for college
students, the Agora grew to become one of the premiere venues in the
country to see new and established acts.
The Agora was voted the number one rock club in the country by
Billboard Magazine, and was given the same distinction by author and
Rolling Stone editor Dave Marsh in his best seller Book of Lists .
The Agora has also received countless awards within the City of
Cleveland honoring it as “the best place in the city to see a live
show” and “best rock club”. But, the Agora is more than a rock club;
it is a significant part of music history that will continue the
tradition for many years to come. |
