This morning (June 19) I woke up to learn the sad news that the Georgia Theatre in Athens Ga. had burned down. It was the kind of news that gave me pause. I called my wife over to look at the images on the local news, and since she is not from around here it meant nothing to her, but wow it sure did bring back alot of memories.
The Georgia Theatre had seen many great names that came out of Georgia like R.E.M. and the B-52’s. The list of bands who played their is extensive, B.B. King, Mr. Bungle, The Reverend Horton Heat, Muddy Waters, Drivin N’ Cryin, but for me, honestly, it will always be the place we went to after all the other bars and venues in Athens would close down for the night. It seemed like everybody in town headed there then. No need for a band, just loud music, no need for drinks, because most of us were already wasted.
There we would party further into the night, some of us trying to hook up since we had struck out at the bars or concerts, others coming to just wiggle their ass to the beat one last time before the night ended. Some simply wanting to mingle with the crowds that would come in.
Downtown Athens Georgia is a very special and beautiful place. The campus of the University of Georgia is there and there is everything you could imagine there. Great food, great venues like the 40 Watt, and the Georgia Theater and bars galore. In the daytime, downtown also has a bunch of shops and boutiques that have all kinds of things. The spirit of downtown is alive with the youth that study their and those from surrounding areas who simply want to bask in the ambiance.
The loss of the Georgia Theater is akin to Los Angeles losing The Viper Room, or CBGB burning down in New York. (Didn’t they close?) Sad day for nightlife and local music in Athens Ga. it is.
(Photos courtesy of Access North Georgia and Athens Banner)
