The Aerodrome (nightclub)
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2020) |
The Aerodrome was a nightclub located at 1588 State Street in Schenectady, New York.
The Aerodrome was established in 1967 by Jack Rubin of Chicago. The building was originally a 32-lane bowling alley named 'Woodlawn Lanes', which was converted by Rubin into a music venue.[1] Its capacity was approximately 3,000 people.
Several famous rock bands and musicians performed at the Aerodrome, including Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Billy Joel, B.J. Thomas, The Electric Prunes, Vanilla Fudge, Three Dog Night, Jeff Beck Group (featuring a young Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood), Chicago, The Yardbirds, BB King, and many more bands from that era.
Because of ill-health, Rubin closed the Aerodrome in 1972, and it was demolished. The building was badly damaged from the vibration caused by the noise of the loud music. This area now holds a newer building, Woodlawn Plaza.[1]
A sampling of posters advertising AERODROME concerts: Janis Joplin The Electric Prunes
References
42°47′11″N 73°54′44″W / 42.786512°N 73.912314°W
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Aerodrome, Schenectady, NY
Aerodrome shows
Al Quaglieri compiled this roster of Aerodrome acts over 20 years of research.
1968
January 25 — The Box Tops, Luv Minus Zero [grand opening night] March 14 — The YWCA Co-Ed Club dance March 21 — The Aerodromes March 22-23 — The Electric Prunes, Aerodrome March 24 — The Electric Prunes performing “Mass In F Minor” [“guys, jackets a must!”] March 28 — The Yardbirds, The Aerodromes April 4 — The Aerodromes April 5-6 — Ultimate Spinach & Aerodromes April 7 — Aerodromes & Ultimate Spinach all ages April 12-14 — The Beacon Street Union, The Aerodromes April 18 — Aerodromes April 19-21 — Aerodromes, Tyrolean Flower Act April 25 — The Aerodromes, “Dating Game Night” April 26-27 — Jimmy Angel with The Distant Sounds & Aerodromes April 27 — Jaycees Battle of the bands [afternoon show] April 28 1-7 — All teenagers Jimmy Angel with The Distant Sounds & Aerodromes April 28 — The Yardbirds May 2 — The Aerodromes May 3-5 — The Hassles, The Aerodromes May 9 — The Bougalieu May 10-11 — Oxford Watch Band, East Coast Clique May 12 — Oxford Watch Band May 29 — High School Night (sponsored by the Schenectady Deanery Catholic Youth Organization) May 30-June 1 — Burgundy Sunset, East Coast Recital June 2 — Burgundy Sunset July 5-6 — The Bougalieu, The Page One (Syracuse) July 12-13 — The Bougalieu July 19-20 — The Bougalieu July 23 — Battle of the Bands: Tempered Blues, Love's Ice Cube, Second Level, Royal Blush, Mixed Emotions, Boston Tea Party, Men Form Sound, Strangers, Stained Glass Encyclopedia (benefit for the Eugene McCarthy-Paul O’Dwyer campaign) July 29 — Wilmer Alexander Jr & The Dukes (benefit for the Eugene McCarthy-Paul O’Dwyer campaign) July 31 — Steppenwolf; August 26 — Archie Bell & The Drells August 30, 31 — Wilmer & The Dukes, Karyn September 1 — The Doors [unconfirmed, also listed for September 2] September 16 — Joe Tex October 25-26 — The Fuzzy Bunnies
1969 March 28 — Johnnie Taylor April 12 — Wilmer & The Dukes May 10 — Peaches & Herb, Maurice & Earl, The Mark IV and David Ward May 25 — Clarence Carter July 3 — B.B. King July 9 — The Jeff Beck Group July 11 — The Lemon Pipers, Pacific Gas & Electric July 16-17 — Majic Ship July 18 — NRBQ, Majic Ship July 19 — Johnnie Taylor July 25 — The Buddy Miles Express, The Oz’n Ends August 1 — The Oz’n Ends, Free August 2 — Free August 9 — Chicago Transit Authority, Spyder August 14 — Wilmer & The Dukes August 15-16 — JJ & The Impacts, NRBQ August 20 — Led Zeppelin, Spyder, Last Thursday August 23 — Jr. Walker & The All Stars August 24 — The G.E. Pursuit of Happiness Show September 19 — Canned Heat September 20 — The Sam & Dave Revue September 26 — Velvet Underground October 10 — Canned Heat November 7 — Tim Hardin November 26 — Country Joe & The Fish Dec 6 — The Kinks [cancelled] December 13 — The Zombies (imposter group)
1970 April 4 — reopened on a month to month basis under new ownership April 11 — MC5, Snake May 29 — Steppenwolf, Friends of Whitney Sunday June 26 — Janis Joplin, Snake [last show, closed after this] Promised but never appeared: Strawberry Alarm Clock Moby Grape Jefferson Airplane