In the Fifties it was Miz Smith's Tea Room. Wednesday night
was poetry night and most of the Beat poets hung
out there.
Later
it became the Coffee Gallery and in 1960 there was a six
hour jam session benefit to buy a sprinkler system for nearby club,
the Cellar. The jam session included Jimmy Rushing singing the
blues,
Duke Ellington reciting poetry,and Enrico Banducci acting as bartender.
Comedian Lord Buckley played here and Hugh Romney (later known
as Wavy Gravy) also played there.
The Great Society featuring Grace Slick played
their first gig here and unknown Janis Joplin sang country blues.
Thousands of unknown folk singers played here over the years.
One night Charles Manson showed up wanting to play and sing but
he was so bad he cleared the room and was asked to leave.
Then it became the "Lost and Found Saloon" which
it remains to this day. Taj Mahal, Dr. John, Paul Butterfield, and The Metors,
Led Zeppelin have all played there. Also Tim Hardin,
Dino Valenti, Alvin Bishop and George Thorogood.The list goes on
and on.
I like this place and still go there occasionally
to see the local hot Blues Bands and dance a little. There is
nothing pretentious about this club. It remains a local hang
out, casual and easy going which is exactly how how I like it.
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