The Dallas Observer's music blog offers a fine article by author Jeffrey Liles detailing the history of the Longhorn Ballroom, one of the most storied nightclubs in Dallas. Built by eccentric millionaire O.L. Nelms in 1950, the building was sold to Bob Wills, who named it Bob Wills Ranch House and used it for his home base for a time. When mismanagement turned it into a financial burden, Wills sold the club to Jack Ruby, who in turn sold it to Dewey Groom, the club's longest-term owner. In the 1950's and 60's, the club was a Dallas cornerstone for Western Swing and Country bands like Ernest Tubb & The Texas Troubadours, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Loretta Lynn and many others.
By the latter half of the 1960's, the Longhorn Ballroom was also playing host to soul and rhythm and blues acts like James Brown, Otis Redding and Bobby Bland. In January 1978, 1500 people paid $3.50 each to see the Sex Pistols unleash their brand of chaos at the Longhorn.
Thanks to T54Channel for the YouTube clip below, which is a tv news report on the Sex Pistols' appearance at the Longhorn Ballroom.
I think maybe this was the source footage for some of the interviews in the old "DOA" documentary about the Pistols US tour?
Posted by: EH | November 16, 2008 at 12:39 PM
You mentioned Jack Ruby. I home that he is not the same person who was involved with the Kennedy killing?????
Posted by: Oscar Thibidoux | December 11, 2008 at 02:04 PM
After 31 years, 2 months & 10 days the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas will once again hear the sounds of the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols Experience, the World's Premier Tribute Band, are flying in from England to do this one-night only show in the United States on Friday, March 20.
Details can be found here:
http://www.thelonghornballroom.com/
Posted by: Mark | February 19, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Great post. The Longhorn Ballroom is amazing.
Posted by: Narconon Arrowhead | June 11, 2009 at 12:27 PM