Armadillo world headquarters a memoir by eddie wilson. Armadillo world headquarters archives, dolph briscoe center for american history, university of texas at austin. The armadillo world headquarters was a warehouse sized music venue during the hippie era of the 1970s in austin, texas. Armadillo world headquarters by eddie wilson with jesse sublett. The armadillo wq represents one of the most important clubs and music era in texas music history.
Sunday, april 9, threadgills world headquarters, 10am2pm. Armadillo world headquarters auction offers texas music. Hed like to let others enjoy the items he accumulated. In an interview for the 2010 book weird city, eddie wilson remarked. Poster art from the armadillo world headquarters duration. Armadillo world headquarters jesse subletts little. See more ideas about armadillo, concert posters and austin music.
On august 7, 1970, eddie wilson and a band of hippies threw open the doors of armadillo world headquarters, and the live music capital of the world was born in austin, texas. Musical magic hit austin, texas, in the early 1970s. Armadillo world headquarters sometimes called simply the dillo was a music venue and nightclub in austin, texas, from 1970 to 1980. It will always be part of austins musical and cultural history. Interesting and honest recount of what went on at the armadillo world headquarters live music venue in austin, tx. Apr 04, 2017 so when i first heard of a book about the history of the armadillo world headquarters i bought it on amazon sight unseen. Theolonious troll august 2829, 1970 armadillo world headquarters, austin, tx mance lipscomb, shivas headband september 1819, 1970 armadillo world headquarters, austin, tx. He piles the most unlikely anecdotes on top of one another, creating a land of enchantment and an order of chemically altered consciousness that rescues an era id thought not so much lost as forgotten. The music venue led a music movement in austin to national prominence from 1973 to 1980 as the birthplace of texas progressive county, aka redneck rock a fusion of country music and rock later. This list attempts to provide a brief overview of this large and plentiful history, starting with the. Great history of the armadillo world headquarters 197080 in austin, which was the music venue at groundzero of the cosmic cowboy or outlaw movement within country music that brought musicians such as willie nelson, waylon jennings, michael murphy, jerry jeff walker, guy clark, kinky friedman, gary p. Join us for an evening book discussion with eddie wilson, who recently published armadillo world headquarters. Wilsons extensive personal collection of early jazz and blues records forms the bulk of the collection.
It is the primary reference book for collectors of classic rock posters. In this rollicking memoir, threadgills proprietor eddie wilson tells the behindthe scenes story of the armadillo world headquarters, austins legendary 1970s music venue, from the moment he first peered into a derelict national guard armory building and knew that destiny had found him. You may have seen the excerpts weve been posting recently from the fascinating new book armadillo world headquarters. The awhqs reputation captured the attention national and international press shining a light on austin as a place where music was an integral part of the city culture and vibrancy. The definitive history of austins iconic armadillo world headquarters.
The case of austins armadillo world headquarters m. I saw a little of everything at the armadillo, and it was one of the great experiences of my life. An auction of artifacts from longgone iconic austin concert venue armadillo world headquarters and threadgills still thankfully in business will be held at. The opening of the armadillo world headquarters club in 1970 offered employment to poster artists left in the cold after vulcan closed earlier that year, and, writes jacobson, artists began to. It was a major contributor to the austin music scene and popularity today.
Armadillo world headquarters a memoir by eddie wilson and. Apr 07, 2017 their magnificent new book, armadillo world headquarters, is not just a collection of anecdotes, it is a crucial measure of its time and place. See fats domino, superstar of the 1950s, radiant faces of a rapt audience, close. See fats domino, superstar of the 1950s, radiant faces of a rapt audience, close enough to get every click of the great. New austin armadillo memoir a perfect evocation of a crucial time and place in history armadillo world headquarters. Well dive into the colorful history of the armadillo and austins evolution as the live music capital of the world. Armadillo world headquarters was a music venue and nightclub in austin, from 1970 to 1980. Authors eddie wilson and jesse sublett explain the book. So when i first heard of a book about the history of the armadillo world headquarters i bought it on amazon sight unseen. A memoir discussion and book signing celebrate the roots of austins vibrant history as live music capital of the world and hear stories of the legendary austin music venue, the armadillo world headquarters, on may 9 at 6. It achieved legendary status in its own time, and author edwin wilson, who was the creator, boss, chief cook and bottle washer is just the person to tell you all about it.
Dolph briscoe center for american history, the university of texas at austin scope and contents the records of the armadillo world headquarters nightclub in austin reflect the variety of musicians and bands which entertained there from the early 1970s until 1980. All armadillos possess a set of plates called the carapace. Feb 20, 2015 the opening of the armadillo world headquarters club in 1970 offered employment to poster artists left in the cold after vulcan closed earlier that year, and, writes jacobson, artists began to. In each of these examples, anglotexan men confronted the transformation of american life in the late 1960s. The music venue led a music movement in austin to national prominence from 1973 to 1980 as the birthplace of texas progressive county, aka redneck rock a fusion of country music and rock later, more blues than rock. Ann richards, from the authors preface on august 7, 1970, eddie wilson and a band of hippies threw open the doors of armadillo world headquarters, and the live music capital of the world was born in austin, texas. Armadillo world headquarters was a music venue and nightclub in austin, texas. Mar 12, 2017 this week in texas titles, we revisit the armadillo world headquarters, rediscover a houston philanthropist, look into a texas impeachment, dip into an historical novel and find out about a. A memoir, is full of stories detailing how the club came to be, anecdotes of the largerthanlife personalities that graced its stage, and the stories of the armadillos role in the creation of so many texas staples, from willie nelsons fourth of july picnic to austin city limits. This week in texas titles, we revisit the armadillo world headquarters, rediscover a houston philanthropist, look into a texas impeachment, dip into an historical novel and find out about a. Learn more about the iconic austin, texas venues legacy and get your copy of the back to the armadillo cd featuring all local artists today. After its demolition, it was replaced by a story office building.
Eddies story is by turns hilarious, informative, and the living spirit of its age. Nov 30, 2017 authors eddie wilson and jesse sublett explain the book. Pivotal moments in american history by david hackett fischer feb 1, 2006. Armadillo world headquarters jesse subletts little black book. Progressive country how the 1970s transformed the texan in. Famously known as the live music capital of the world, austin, texas has become the home of many musicians, some who have gone on to stardom, others who remain local favorites. Eddie wilson founded and ran the armadillo until 1976. Willie nelson and the birth of the austin music scene texas. A freaky trip back to the armadillo world headquarters news. A freaky trip back to the armadillo world headquarters. The armadillo was a bare bones place with a big soul, a 1,500capacity room that was both the worlds largest nightclub and smallest arena. The armadillo world headquarters was all about music, a shared tolerance for marijuana, psychedelic drugs, and cold beer, and like its namesake had a hardshell interior with a docile disposition. Willie nelson and the birth of the austin music scene. The armadillo world headquarters was booking amazing live music from 1970 1980.
Willie nelsons first show at the armadillo coincided with the appearance of kokefm, an austin radio station that coined the phrase progressive country to explain its eclectic playlist, which included ernest tubb and classic texas honkytonk, bob wills and the madeintexas sound called western swing, nashville rebel waylon jennings. Jul, 2017 now, the book, armadillo world headquarters. Armadillo world headquarters the handbook of texas online. A memoir wilson founded the legendary austin music venue that gave birth to the cosmic cowboy and brought fame to the lowly armadillo. After a decade on the scene, eddie wilsons legendary club had one last blowout to bookend its time at the forefront of austins live music scene, culminating in a. Theolonious troll august 2829, 1970 armadillo world headquarters, austin, tx. San francisco ruled the counterculture nationally, but in austin the armadillo crew did it their own way. Eddie wilson author of armadillo world headquarters. Austin kxan an iconic music venue in austin shut down 37 years ago but the stories of the unique hangout, armadillo world headquarters, are living on in a new book written by one of its. Thirtyfive years ago thursday, the armadillo world headquarters was on its last leg. Eddie is selling off his huge trove of posters from the armadillo era, plus beer signs dating back almost to the civil war signed photos, cosmic cowboy stuff.
Join the kut book club for a discussion with eddie wilson and jesse sublett and a look at their book armadillo world headquarters. Extensively illustrated with candid photographs and music posters, armadillo world headquarters recounts the story of this legendary venue as no other book. Armadillo world headquarters 525 12 barton springs rd, austin, texas 78704 rated 4. Armadillo world headquarters the handbook of texas. Eddie wilson delivers the definitive history of the armadillo world. On tuesday, the austin history center gets in on the act.
After a decade on the scene, eddie wilsons legendary club had one last blowout to bookend its time at the forefront of austins live music scene, culminating in a new years eve party on december 31, 1980. A featured book at the 2017 texas book festival, november 45. May 21, 2016 the armadillo world headquarters was booking amazing live music from 1970 1980. New book remembers heyday of armadillo world headquarters. Eddie wilson is the author of armadillo world headquarters 4. Eddie wilson delivers the definitive history of the armadillo. Mar, 2020 the armadillo was a bare bones place with a big soul, a 1,500capacity room that was both the worlds largest nightclub and smallest arena.
Their magnificent new book, armadillo world headquarters, is not just a collection of anecdotes, it is a crucial measure of its time and. I could nitpick and say i wish there were more about the interaction with the different groups and less about the money woes of keeping the awh open but it would just be nitpicking. Jan 15, 2015 wilson opened the armadillo world headquarters in 1970 and it closed a decade later. It will always be part of austins musical and cultural. Ann richards, from the authors prefaceon august 7, 1970, eddie wilson and a band of hippies threw open the doors of armadillo world headquarters, and the live music capital of the world was born in austin, texas. The armadillo world headquarters, with franklin as artistinresidence and emcee, would soon command attention where the sixties counterculture in texas had only drawn scorn. A guide to the armadillo world headquarters records, 19711980. Eddie wilson delivers the definitive history of the. Eddie wilson and jesse sublett join thorne dreyer to discuss their muchanticipated book, armadillo world headquarters. Born during vietnam, the dillo was the greatest place ever to come of age in. The founder of armadillo world headquarters recalls the lively history of this legendary music venue and its. Apr 07, 2017 armadillo world headquarters by eddie wilson with jesse sublett university of texas press, 520 pp. May 09, 2017 armadillo world headquarters by eddie wilson with jesse sublett.
At nowlegendary venues such as threadgills, vulcan gas company, and the armadillo world headquarters, a host of country, rockandroll, blues, and folk musicians came together and created a sound and a scene that jan reid vividly detailed in his 1974 book, the improbable rise of redneck rock. Armadillo world headquarters would become arguably the most important rock and roll hall in the country and. Armadillo, family dasypodidae, any of various armoured mammals found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of central and south america. Celebrate the roots of austins vibrant history as live music capital of the world and hear stories of the legendary austin music venue, the armadillo world headquarters, on may 9 at 6. It was located at 505 barton springs road in austin. The following article was published in the spring 2012 star, a publication of the bob bullock texas state history museum, promoting the exhibit, texas music road trip, of which the legendary house piano at the armadillo world headquarters was the star exhibit. Most of the 20 species inhabit open areas, such as grasslands, but some also live in forests. All atx back to the armadillo visit austin, tx the. Armadillo world headquarters a memoir by eddie wilson, with. Though the armadillo world headquarters is gone, the attempt to feed that hungry audience continues to be a priority of all atx, year after year. A memoir by eddie wilson, the founder of the legendary 1970s austin music venue. Nov 30, 2017 austin kxan an iconic music venue in austin shut down 37 years ago but the stories of the unique hangout, armadillo world headquarters, are living on in a new book written by one of its.
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