Hippodrome (Memphis)

The Hippodrome was a music venue at 500 Beale Street in Memphis. The venue was opened in 1950 as a skating rink for African-Americans and later became a nightclub.^[1] In 1955, the Hippodrome was reopened as the Club Ebony. In 1961, under new owners, it went back to being called the Hippodrome until its closure in 1968.

The venue was a stop on the "Chitlin' Circuit," a selection of venues considered safe and acceptable for African-American entertainers in the era of racial segregation in the United States.^[2]

History

The Hippodrome was opened by businessman Emmett Werne on December 16, 1950. The building, which cost $100,000 to construct,^[3] was located at 500 Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. The Hippodrome was operated by John T. Miles, a Black college graduate, and he had a staff that included two skating instructors.^[3]

By 1952, the venue had become a hotspot to showcase local and national blues and R&B musical acts. In 1954, DJ Dewey Phillips, host of the WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot, and Blue," held a dance at the Hippodrome.^[4]

In 1954, the Hippodrome was listed for sale for $8,000.^[5] In 1955, the Hippodrome was purchased by businessman Andrew "Sunbeam" Mitchell and he changed the name to the Club Ebony.^[6] Mitchell often allowed organizations to host benefit events at the club. In 1961, the Club Ebony was renamed back to the Hippodrome under new ownership.^[7]

The venue was often rented out to various organizations for private parties and charity events.^{[8][9][10][11]} Fraternities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi hosted events at the club.^[12][7]

Ownership changed a few times during the 1960s. In April 1966, the owner Albert J. Jackson received a beer permit for The Hippodrome Lounge.^[13] In January 1967, John Currie and Susie Currie received permits for The Currie's Hippodrome.^[14] John Currie operated the nightclub until his death in August 1968.^[15] By November 1968, the club had closed and the building was torn down to make way for a motel.^[16]

Notable performers

Notable singers and musicians who performed at the venue include:

• Lowell Fulson^[17]
• Ray Charles^[17]
• Johnny Ace^[18]
• Ruth Brown^[19]
• Willis Jackson^[19]
• Ike Turner^[20]
• Lloyd Price^[19]
• Little Walter^[4]
• Muddy Waters^[4]
• Howlin' Wolf^[4]
• B.B. King^[6]
• Louis Jordan^[6]
• Smiley Lewis^[21]
• The 5 Satins^[21]
• Bo Diddley^[21]
• The Coasters^[21]
• The Drifters^[21]
• Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams^[21]