Oh my God, how do I get in there?!? That is a photographer’s paradise down there, and I’d love to do some model shoots down there.

Velvet Underground? That seems unlikely to me, as does David Bowie. I will add Dead Kennedys, MDC, Joan Jett,, X, Sonic Youth and SWANS to the list of bands that performed at the Pier.

There was a fire in Underground Atlanta at some point and fear of that liability, mixed with the clientele attracted by video arcades and live music venues, was the undoing of The Village Subway. Cameron Village security wasn’t keen on the crowd attracted by Black Flag and Dead Kennedys fans – they didn’t mesh well with the retail environment.

Great post. Thanks for the great photos!

I remember the Frog and Nightgown and the Pier very well. Both had great acts from New York nightclubs, jazz and popular. I remember fondly attending a couple of shows at the Frog and Nightgown for a little known Bette Midler and her unknown pianist, Barry Manilow. Those were great times.

I definitely remember it, except nobody used the term “Underground”. Everyone called it The Subway or The Village Subway. I liked Battlestations, the tucked away closet with about 15 video games.

Awesome post! Are those recent pictures? I’d long assumed that the space had been taken over for storage, etc

I went down there via the side door just past Johnson-Lambe back in 2000. They said, “go ahead, not much to see”, but to me it was very moving to be down there again. I saw bands down there at the various clubs from about ’79 – ’84. I went back in 2004 or so, but this time, I didn’t ask permission, I just walked in via the same door. That’s probably not recommended, but I did anyway. It looked pretty much 8 years ago and four years ago as the photos on this page. Thanks so much for documenting this. I didn’t have a camera either time I went.

You can add Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins to that list. They both played The Frog and Nightgown. By the way, Raleigh was more than just the home of punk and indie rock. The jazz scene in Raleigh has been on the map for a good 60 years at least, and Raleigh was always a stop on the “chitlin’ circuit” in the 50′s and 60′s by Motown, Stax, and jazz artisits alike.

Man – what memories! Add David Allen Coe, Chic Corea, Arlo Guthrie as well as local bands like Glass Moon and Lariet Sam. I remember (I think I remember) Wednesday nights at the Deja Vu was bluegrass night – hippies, rednecks, rock and rollers and even a few Hells Angels would all mix tgether to hear Roby Huffman and the Bluegrass Cutups! Mondays were Rock and Roll night at the Frog and Nightdown, showcasinfg local bands. Man, I’d like to get back in thee just to feel the vibe!!!

A friend told me about seeing Cold Chisel at the Pier. One of the only times they ever toured in America. If anyone knows who them, I will be shocked.

I frequented the area from mid 1982 until it closed. There was Soundhaus a stereo store, The Peir which had national acts and the biggest local bands, mostly original music such as The Fabulous Knobs, The Snap, X-teens, Rick Rock and others. I saw The Lords Of the New Church there, Chris Stamey> that I remember. And many others. I believe the Bad Brains played. I know a version of Stepenwolf played. The scene was happening. I believe I was at the the Cafe deja Vu when the Connells opened for someone and where mostly instrumental-maybe the first show. They may have opened for Johnny Quest. The Deja Vu had smaller bands and some rhythm-n blues. One of my favorites was Jimmy and the Jones and the alter ego Subliminal Surge-great. Another band of the time was Export A from Durham which later became Safehouse-Sonar & Terry McInturf. There was another bar there that was mainly just a bar. There was the Bear’s Den. They had some cover bands and a mixture- Mostly Rock. I did see Stever Morse of the then broken up Dixie Dregs play with Raleigh’s Jerry Peek and Doug Morgan from the great fusion band 3PM. I believe the x-teens opened. I saw Bryce Street there. There was Battlestations the arcade. It was FUN. There was an entrance from the Parking lot on the Library side and an entrance on the side of Woodburn next to where the Mandarin House was. I always knew of it as the Cameron Village Subway or the Subway. I never heard of it called the Underground. As I remember The Pier close first, later to reopen in Mision Valley for a short time, Then The Bears Den moved and lasted only briefly. The Deja Vu kept going for a little while after that. The seperations and the beginnings of local Punk and original music bands along with the New Wave style that was taking shape led to it dying. By this time The Culture Club on Morgan St. had opened and was taking alot of business away with original local bands and traveling national acts that weren’t that big yet. Also PC Goodtimes was letting punk bands and local original bands play- That later became the Brewery.

The list of people who MIGHT have played at the Underground is amazing. I think most of Bette and Barry’s gigs were at the old Frog & Nightgown on Medlin Drive – but Stan Getz crammed his big band in there in 1971-2. My rock solid memories: David Bromberg performing and sitting at the bar on break, being incredibly gracious with his conversations, Tom Waits growling out some of his classics, and Laura Nyro being sold out or a no-show – can’t remember which, just the disappointment. Cafe Deja Vu was the highlight of Raleigh’s 70′s culture – my best memory being listening to Chip Crawford bang out his jazz version of “I shot the Sherriff.” Great spots, great post and comments.

OOO – forgot. Taj Mahal also played the Pier.

Great memories and enjoyed reading them all. There’s a lot of history at Cameron Village and we need to protect what’s left. Are any of you aware of the 9 story apartment building proposed for the corner of Clark and Oberlin where the old Balantines used to be? Read up and get involved. I’m forming a webstie “Save Our Village” and should have it up by next week. Your comments will be welcome.

I saw Proctor and Bergman (of The Firesign Theatre) at the Pier in the late seventies.

I remember driving over from UNC to see Jimmy Buffett at least a couple of times – maybe at The Pier. It was just him and one other guy the first time, and I think he had a couple female backup singers the other time. I sure wish I could remember when it was other than “sometime between 1974-77.”

Enigma – I’ve talked with the current owners, and can confirm that they are interested in doing something with that space that has sat idle for so long. The space has been inspected and they are confident that it can be brought up to code and the egress and ingress can be worked out. The challenge is that in order to invest the necessary resources to do this, there has to be willing tenants who will come to the table.

The first thing that comes to my mind is King’s Barcade, but I have no idea if the former owners would even be remotely interested in such a venture. It also remains to be seen if the current owners are interested in any sort of traffic in that space that isn’t what Cameron Village has traditionally been associated with for the past 20 years.

I would think the history of that place alone would be enough collateral to bring forward potential tenants. Giiven the fact that the music scene of this area is especially thin with the relative age of the population and incredibly high growth rate, it seems like it would be a great opportunity for someone to take the risk.

The Pier , DeJaVu, Frog and Nightgown were home of some very special nights of great entertainment. I worked at the Pier (if you could call it work) and we were privileged to have so many great bands play all during the week. I remember Jimmy Buffett, Joan Jett, Huey Lewis, David Alan Coe, Warren Zevon, Truckers, 2 B’s Please, JJ Cale, Muddy Waters to name a few. We also loved having the local bands play like Tumbleweed, Lariat Sam, Super Grit, Glass Moon and Mike Cross. Seems like pitchers of beer were less than $3.00 and you could brown bag since we did not have mixed drinks. It’s a great joy to see this site that brings back so many great memories. We had a Pier Reunion 14 years ago. Wouldn’t it be great to have a Village Subway Reunion?
Deby1010@nc.rr.com

This isn’t “music”, but I know that Lily Tomlin did a comedy gig at the Frog & Nightgown one weekend in 1974; I was in 5th grade and my mother took me and a friend to the Sunday afternoon show, but she had not thought to get advance tickets and it was sold out. I remember being able to see a blurred image of her through thin yellow plastic “windows” and hear her, but not get in.

As for fact-checking what acts player there–it’s a task, but just get microfilm of old News & Observers and look through the entertainment pages. Just grab a reel and page through a week at a time, and you’ll find not only the acts, but the dates. That’s a task that could very easily be delegated out to a crew of dedicated folks with an interest in local history.

I hadn’t heard about this before… too bad I missed it! Sounds AMAZING.

I remember the underground very well. I was priveleged to play the Deja vu, Pier, The Frog and Nightgown, and the Bears Den with various groups such as Terra Nova, Glassmoon, The Steve Morse Band, and of course the band that change the dynamics of the North Carolina music scene, 3PM. The underground became a musicians collective the likes of which will never be repeated again. I am honored that I was a part of it from it’s inception to it’s demise and ro have met and played with some of the greatest musicians to ever be esembled under one roof.

OH , THAT IS SO FABULOUS — AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL — !!!I KNOW JUST HOW THAT PHOTOGRAPHER FEELS I’M A PAINTER -(AN ARTIST) AND I’D LOVE TO GET HOLD OF THOSE WALLS ….I HAVEN’T BEEN IN YOUR LOVELY TOWN FOR A LONG TIME …..I MUST MAKE TIME TO GO BACK…..
JUST LOOKING AT THOSE PICTURES JUST MADE ME BLOW UP INSIDE….I KNOW THAT SOUNDS SILLY ….BUT IT SO BEAUTIFUL IT MADE ME BREATHLESS

Peter –

regarding the possible inaccuracies of artists that did or did perform here, they were gleaned from first hand accounts. I did not live in Raleigh then, and had little else to go by. There were three performers disputed by those with direct knowledge (the error was on my part and not of my sources), and as such were struck through with a line.

If you read Sean’s comments on this post, you’ll see where he added names as well as called some into question. His parents ran the Pier, so I think he would have some authority on the list.

As everything was pointed out, it was addressed in the list. Instead of throwing out blanket statements about inaccuracies, why not provide specific citations that dispute the information listed here?

The Subway – I never, ever heard anyone call it the Underground – was a huge part of my life in the early to mid 1980s. I don’t think anyone has mentioned seeing Jim Carroll at the Pier. The basketball player/addict /songwriter. Google him if you don’t know who he is. I still own his album that included “People Who Died.”

Another band I recall seeing at the Pier is 4 out of 5 Doctors, very pop sound but not totally trite. And I’m not sure about the Nighthawks. I have an autographed copy of their album that I think I got when they played the Pier, but not sure.

Has anyone mentioned the Bear’s Den? It had a fraternity vibe, but I worked for Record Bar during the heyday of the Subway, and the Pier and Bear’s Den waived the cover charge for R Bar employees. The Bear’s Den appealed to me for that reason and for one other – backgammon tables.

I was quite the backgammon player back then, taught by the BEST player, my roommate Melissa. After I played well enough to beat her once in a great while, I began hustling the frat boys for free beers for the winner. I could have a great night after work without spending a dime, except for tipping – of course.

Even though I had to pay to get in, I went to Deja Vu a LOT, too. Deja Doug was the best bartender, and the club was my favorite of all because of its intimate cafe atmosphere and the fine bands who played there. One of my roommates, Lorraine, worked there for quite awhile. Deja Vu was hip and sophisticated in a bohemian way, and it’s the one Subway club that I’d love to see deja-vu itself.

LMAO that you’re getting attacked for ‘lying’ about who performed there. Thanks for the great photos; I wish I could get down there, too. I’d pay to be takien on a tour! I used to love the Pier and Deja Vu; unfortunately the F&N was before my time.

Queensryche at the Pier, 1986ish, Rage for Order tour. Amazing show.

Lots of interesting posts here. I grew up in Raleigh, & have fond remembrances of the Subway, mine ending in ’78 when I moved away. My first cassette recorder (HiFi portable, battery powered) purchased from the stereo store there, early 1972. Briefly there was a fine book store in the Subway carrying lots of hip books heretofore only found on Franklin St.

Some was asking about the Cafe Deja Vu owner. It was originally opened by Frog & Nightgown owner Peter Ingram, who appears to have posted here on Nov 10 pointing out the musical inaccuracies – lol! Mr Ingram put the Raleigh music scene on the map with the F&N & Deja Vu. I can’t think of any other venues other than the Cat’s Cradle that did as much for local music in the 70′s.

But live music was the prime driver of the Subway. Sheryl mentioned the Cigaretz’ (god bless Byron McCay) and Sandy mentioned Steve Runkle (RIP), certainly the best songwriter I’ll ever know and with that beautiful voice. And lol, her 1st date is with Peter Eichenberger, who I knew as well (his dad a School of Design prof along with Musslewhite). Runk was also in a band called the Contenders – out of Nashville – that played the Deja Vu when in NC – 4 amazingly talented singer songwriters & a drummer. Contender Tommy Goldsmith is back in Raleigh writing for the News & Observer.

Another incredible local group & Deja Vu regulars was Jim Wann & Bland Simpson’s band, before they wrote Diamond Studs & became off- & on-Broadway darlings. In a similar vein was the big band with singer Beetle Barbour and pianist/arranger Ken Moore, regulars at Cafe Deja Vu & The Pier for several years, performing jazz & blues from the 30′s and 40′s. And I bet the New Deal String Band, or some form if it, played all 3 Subway clubs (F&N, Pier & Deja Vu ), tho I heard them so many times at so many places & parties.

Bill mentioned Rick Rock (Buddha-Buddha is a fine song), who went on to be know as Parthenon Huxley & big in the LA power-pop scene & even later in ELO Part II. Never knew him in NC but his LA performances were special.

Someone mentioned Jimmy Buffett. I think he grew sick of Let’s get Drunk & Screw” from his many week long Pier residences. I remember Steve Martin being a part of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band shows at the Pier. Also, Jerry Jeff Walker bringing down the house, again at the Pier.

I am glad to have seen Peter Ingram’s post on this site. Not only a fine drummer, he was one of the crucial elements in establishing a credible music scene in Raleigh. One must appreciate that while he helped in drawing the national jazz scene to Raleigh (and especially the Village Subway), he was also altruistic in helping new bands establishing a name for themselves through his venues, both local and national.

[...] R.E.M were regulars in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Greensboro from the band’s earliest days. The Pier was located in Cameron Village’s underground. [...]

Got nostalgic over the weekend when I accidentally ran across some ARROGANCE memorabelia on GOOGLE by accident. Then I spent the rest of the weekend GOOGLING and reminiscing.
My friends and I were there at the VILLAGE SUBWAY throughout most of the 70s. Any artists that played at either the PIER and sometimes DEJA VU I am sure that I heard at least once.
And of course when ARROGANCE played the PIER it was a no brainer as far as plans for the evening would go because the absolutely finest women in town would be there listening to the best music that the TRIANGLE had to offer.
It was a lot of fun in those days.

Thanks for the memories! Having always lived in Raleigh and having graduated from nearby Needham Broughton High School (class of ’74), just a block or so away on Clark Avenue, I have many memories of the Subway too.

Some random thoughts about The Subway and the Raleigh scene in the 1970′s:

I remembered a picture of the Subway taken by my friend and classmate, Sam Kirby and just found it–it’s on page 163 of the ’74 Broughton yearbook. It’s from near the base of the stairs that lead up the Clark Avenue entrance to the Subway–the stairway that others have already mentioned, in the middle of the parking lot, facing Clark Avenue. There’s a girl in the picture who knew Sam, but I can’t remember her name. I remember Sam’s brother too.

Early on, there was a camera store in The Subway–maybe an early incarnation of Sam Bass Camera, which is now Wolf Camera?

Soundhaus was a stereo store, one of several fine specialized audio stores in town then. I remember wanting all the ADS speakers and McIntosh and Nakamichi hardware there, as well as taking my turntable in for the free clinics.

I also remember a semi-hip clothing store in The Subway–would’ve been on your right, just before the Frog and Nightgown, if you walked in from the Clark Avenue entrance.

One thing I’ll add is that back in the 1970′s, you could buy beer and wine at age 18, which probably brought in the 18-to-21 crowd in in a profitable way to the Subway nightclubs and may have made the scene viable. My understanding from the late David Campbell (co-owner with Jerry Ellisberg of Raleigh’s Night Train nightclub, which had closed by the mid-1970′s) was that beer money is what makes it possible to profit from a bar.

I know you couldn’t buy liquor in bars in NC until that was voted in, county by county, sometime after 1983. Obviously, Wake County voted for that!

I’m guessing that a lot of the now-famous names that did play The Pier and the other Subway clubs did it because the performers got some financial support from the record labels.

Even with radio stations like WQDR, WKNC (NCSU and the sole survivor), and WDBS (Duke) catering to the rock crowd in the 1970′s, options for hearing new music and seeing new entertainers were pretty limited. News of interesting music was often by word of mouth or whatever you could glean from The Spectator (defunct local paper), Rolling Stone, Creem, etc. Hearing new music at stores like The Record Bar was a pretty important way to promote music and and I think that record labels were willing to sponsor tours to get bands out to places like The Subway so that local folks, people in record stores, radio staff, etc. could get hip to interesting music. Correct me if I’m wrong!

I remember that jazz pianist Marian McPartland, who played every year or so at the Frog & Nightgown, also used to do lunchtime shows at Broughton when she was in town–don’t know if Peter Ingram or anybody paid for her to do this, but I remember this fondly and it was probably the first exposure to live jazz for many people, including me. She was great and seemed to love being there.

Speaking of jazz and Chick Corea (who’s already been mentioned), I remember seeing Return to Forever at The Pier. RTF was a very hot jazz-rock band that included Corea on keyboards, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Al DiMeola, and drummer (first name?) White (?).

I also remember seeing Warren Zevon (already mentioned) playing “Werewolves of London,” which was new at the time, at The Pier. I’ll add that his band included guitarist Waddy Wachtel and some other hot L.A. studio musicians of the time. (Wachtel was on David Letterman last week, playing with Adam Sandler. Wachtel still has the wire-rim glasses and long, wavy blonde hair.)

Country-rock was huge in the 1970′s and at least one person in the audience kept yelling for an older Zevon song, “Billy the Kid” (title?). Zevon clearly found this irritating, but finally said “All right! I’ll play it!” rather angrily. It’s the only time I’ve heard the song.

Hear’s a name that hasn’t been mentioned yet: Zevon’s opening act, Richard Belzer, who was trying standup comedy then. Belzer’s an actor now and a regular playing Detective Munch on TV, first on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” then reprising the same role on “Law & Order: SVU.”

Did Mother’s Finest ever play The Subway nightclubs? They were another big local band; they eventually got a record deal–can’t remember what label.

I don’t remember where The Ramones played locally, but I remember seeing them in The Record Bar in Cameron Village in 1978 or 1979, hanging out and promoting themselves, I guess. The Ramones were so pale that they looked like they’d never seen sunlight. Bands like The Ramones and punk bands were kind of an oddity back then. My limited experience with punk rock was that it could work well live–I saw Th’ Cigaretz do an awesome live show at an upstairs nightclub (name escapes me now; it was above DJ’s newstand) on Hillsborough Street once–but that punk rock didn’t seem to work well on record. Punk rock never reallygot big here in Raleigh.

Getting back to Broughton people, bassist Jerry Peek was a year or two ahead of me. I remember Jerry and Doug Morgan too, who made some incredible music. Jerry was in the pit band for an Ira David Wood play at Broughton; I loaned Jerry my Ampeg B-15 fliptop bass amp. I knew Jerry’s younger sister too–she was a year or so behind me. I remember Jerry in either Terra Nova or 3PM playing a cool version of The Guess Who’s jazzy “Undun” at NCSU’s School of Design in the mid-1970′s.

Guitarists John Wheless (sp?) (with Glass Moon?) and Tommy Goldsmith (then touring with The Contenders) were some other fine local folks who I saw at The Pier.

My friend/classmate Paul Rhudy was a bartender at The Pier for awhile too. I remember being in The Subway with many, many other Broughton folks or bumping into them there. In the late 1970′s, I lived a block or two away on Smallwood Drive, in the same apartment building as The Bargain Box, a charity store operated by the Junior League, so I was in the neighborhood and sometimes just walked through The Subway at night to hear a little of whoever was playing.

I don’t really know what caused the demise of The Subway; maybe Cameron Village management didn’t want to continue in that direction. By 1980 or so, there was another big competitor in the nightclub scene, namely discos, like the one that had several different names, including 2001, on Hodges Street. I think perhaps the fashion of going to The Subway for entertainment had passed.

By 1980 or so, people I knew seemed to have lost interest in The Subway or maybe just gotten older and less interested in going to nightclubs. Maybe the then-popular yuppie/preppy fashions and lifestyle, Reagan’s popularity, etc. seemed to make the whole longhaired-bands-in-nightclubs scene look old, perhaps.

R.E.M. fans are probably already aware that YouTube.com has video of the band at Meredith College in 1985. You can find that, Arrrogance, Marti Jones, Connells, Don Dixon, Pressure Boys, and more at YouTube.

Speaking of colleges, if anyone wants to expand further on the Raleigh music scene of the early ’70′s, we could discuss NCSU’s All Campus, a big annual outdoor show every spring that ran from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. Kind of like a rock festival.

Some of the folks who played there: The Byrds, Badfinger (awesome show–I later learned that lead guitarist was probably playing George Harrison’s Gibson SG Standard guitar; for even more trivia, bassist had Marshall amp and speaker from The Who), BB King, the late Nick Drake, John Hartford, Steve Miller Band, Blue Oyster Cult, Grin (band with Nils Lofgren and his brother too, I think), Goose Creek Symphony, Alice Cooper…that’s all I can remember now…I met BB King too–a wonderful, friendly guy…

Duke (Joe College) and UNC-CH (can’t remember the name) had comparable events too, all in the spring.

Sorry I’ve rambled on so long!

Hey, Tilla!

Merry Xmas and I hope you and your family are doing well. I think of you and your family fondly whenever I drive by your parents’ old house, which i live near now.

I seen a website where it had pictures of The Underground when it was open and it looked like a good place to check out.

Oh wow, someone mentioned Louise Ruth, who worked at Cafe Deja Vu. She was our next-door neighbor and our daughters are still buddies. Hard to believe she’s been gone for 15 years.
I saw Super Grit at Deja Vu once with a friend who was drunk and pissed off about something. She called the police and reported the bar was crowded beyond fire dept guidelines. Response, “So? Whaddya, want us to shut the place down on a Saturday night with a bunch of crazy drunk cowboys in there? We’d have a riot on our hands.” The Pier, F&N, and Deja Vu bring back many memories. I saw Weather Report either at the Pier or F&N, can’t remember which, but they’re not on the list of performers. And how about Beetle Barbour? Someone also mentioned Free Advice as being in Underground, but that was on Hillsborough St.

I remember sitting in my apartment after a night of studying, looking in the local paper and seeing Charlie Byrd was playing at Deja Vu. I rushed over and got a front row seat; it was during the week. He and his band put on a great concert. I also saw Doc and Merle Watson and Jonathan Edwards at the Pier. I even played at an open mic night at a place down there; I think it was called the Madi Gras. I missed the Underground and never knew why it closed until now.

i spent many a day down there. both good and bad. someone sent me this…..i did’nt know i would miss so. xoxoxodebknob

Thanks for this board. I was living in Raleigh and going to NCSU from 81-86, so I spent many nights and days down in the subway. Used to hang out in Battlestations some and saw PKM in one of their very first shows at the Pier. Oh those days were so great, Glassmoon, Arrogance, Let’s Active, The Connells, Luky Owens, etc. The subway was a magic place. Very sad to see it just sitting empty. Could the magic be recreated again with new clubs, who knows, but I kinda doubt it. Comboland was a great place to be. The stars were aligned perfectly.

I was fortunate to have witnessed many great shows at the Pier and Deja Vu, and also to have played both venues in a number of bands (Secret Service, Subliminal Surge/Jimmy and the Joneses). Secret Service was on stage playing the night Reagan won the presidency – we had a TV on stage with the returns during the show. The Surge opened for NRBQ there in maybe 84? What a treat (we opened for the Ramones the same year at the theater at N.C. State – where they hung a big banner out that said “N.C. State Welcomes the Ranmoes” ahahahaha. Also, saw young pre-Dexter/FDJ with the Kamikazees open for X at the Pier – he must have been about 12.
AND at the John Cale show at the Pier – Cale left the stage after about 20 minutes pleading illness – and the joint almost got torn apart!!
It was always a treat to play in Cameron Village!

It’s too bad they don’t capitalize on space like that now. That area is pretty dead at night and people don’t seem so unhappy with clientele these days like back then.

Having been to the Underground Mall in Atlanta, and it is NOT doing well, I hope they DON’T ever model that :)

What great memories…My husband’s band, Badge, played many times at the Pier. A scary sight was hundreds of inebriated people packed like sardines standing on chairs holding their lit BICS towards the ceiling (while Gayle’s folks were trying to get them down from the chairs..lol!) ..always made Gayle nervous but boy did they sell the beer! Shout out to Gayle,Sean and Doug M. – “hey” guys!
One name missing from the list of Pier performers is Delbert McClinton.

The Bear’s Den was the spot for a while. (one of the owners,Steve Miltsakakis – who we all called “The Greek”- could be seen years later as a regular bad guy on “Nash Bridges – catch the reruns)

When the drinking age was raised it killed a lot of business everywhere. Also back in those days club owners wanted bands to be loyal to their club. If you played the Pier they didn’t want you to play the Silver Bullet, if you played the Silver Bullet, don’t play The Switch…behind the scenes politics. Towards the end of the great club scene in Raleigh that policy fell away as everyone was trying to get business anyway they could.

To Rodney and David Knight- I am glad I’m still with us too. Very much alive. I live in Maui and have for 16 years. I “live” most of my days in the studio as opposed to our absolutely beautiful beaches and will be the Artist in Residence for the University of Hawaii in Maui this coming fall,so music is still my priority. Although I think of that great period in Raleigh’s history often, it is hard to miss Raleigh now….when living here. By the way, hope you are well Kathy.

i saw Gotham also, they were great, Adele Foster, a great solo singer,at deja vu. it always felt like a big city place. i remember hearing the term, you are a “subway rat”? great place, wish it would return, with restaurants and music venues.

Let’s bring it back!!! ..Raleigh unite! behind a purpose that will make us proud and show us a great time!.

wow,what great images from the past,I myself have driven around back wondering if it still looked the same inside the subway.I spent alot of time in this building and its darm rooms and hallways 1977-84 till it closed as a production tech in The Cafe Deja Vu,The Pier,and The Bears Den.What a lot of great memories,does anyone remember the night John Lennon was shot and all the local musicians just kinda showed up at the Pier and had an open jam session.Doug Morgan now has a myspace presence you can find him in my friends list.Gail and Randy at the Pier were wonderful promoters of music.Doug at the Cafe Deja Vu ran a variety of acts all week long and had a great lunch.Steve and Steve operated the Bears Den and brought alot of great shows in as well as coontinuing the club on western blvd a while.I remember playing with GlassMoon the last night and the crowd in the hallways that night what a shame it was to see it end.We were told it had something to do with Smedes York becoming mayor.
Thanks for the great photos.

I also have a lot of great memories of the Subway, spent many years working with bands there and enjoying other acts on my time off. The only band I don’t see listed is Iggy Pop, and I know I saw and met him at the Pier on my birthday, which is November 2nd, but I can’t remember what year it was! Great site, keep the great work up!

I played drums in a Rocky Mount band called “Triart”. We opened for the “Triangle Titans” at the Pier. The Titans consisted of Dave Adams, Doug Morgan, Rod Abernethy (Dash)…
I’ll never forget when we were introduced, I looked to my left, and our lead guitar player, Steve, was standing in the dressing room – pantless. Another great memory was playing one particular song where I had “invented” a few unique drum riffs. As I played I could see the drummers in the crowd strain to see what I was doing. I remember looking to my right, and I saw feet, and as I turned further, Doug Morgan was crouched behind me just grinning from ear to ear as I pounded the set, with knuckles steadily spewing blood. At first I was terrified, because – well, have you ever heard Doug play??? !!! The guy is quick as lightning! But when that song concluded, as the crowd roared, Doug yelled in my ear, “How did you do that?” Now THAT was an awesome feeling!

I can add The Producers as a popular band that played at the Pier. In fact, the sound guy told my band that we “blew the Producers off the stage”. Apparently they had played there a few nights before us, circa 1983. I also saw Count Basie there in 1974, when I was in high school.

I seriously doubt anyone remembers Triart, but we were featured on Rockin Ron’s “Premiers” radio show one night. I love those memories, but I do not miss my knuckles splitting open while playing, toting a drum kit every night, and my ears ringing for days.

Go Wolfpack!!!!! Jack in Dallas

Whoops,

I wrote Drumbeat and all of you will know it was Down Beat magazine.

I should have mentioned the two great first tier cooks (not called chef in those days). Tom Stephenson and Rheinhart. I learned a lot from those two.

Robin Ingram was the gracious mother hen and held the entire place together with her wit and charm.

One of the best jazz flautists, James Moody, used to barge into the kitchen, his wide smile always in place.

For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the manequin at the bar. We had a lot of fun with her and watched many men try to pick her up with sloshing drinks in hand.

I would love to see Peter list the artists who played the Frog as well as a more complete list of the Pier.

The Romantics also played at The Pier ca. ’82 or ’83.

Buddy Rich, ah what a start to that nite!

First of all, no dressing room. The teeny-tiny office control room was it. Not even the size of a vanity bathroom in a 3.5 bedroom house.

Robin and Peter were not there, the door was locked and I did my Bruce Lee on the door.

Sound check did not go well and the food for Buddy was cold, per Buddy. Since I delivered all the food to the band, I moved out of the way knowing that Rich had a humongous temper. Plus, he was a martial arts freak of major proportions.

He has always been the ‘king of mood’ and things went downhill after that.

The band was awesome and all those players packed onto the far-too-small stage.

I always wanted to see Rich and Maynard Ferguson do a face off with their bands.

I will save my Ferguson story for another day. His Thundering Herd was always awesome.

Love the Buddy Rich story. I was at the Buddy show( at the old Frog and Nightgown) with my mom and dad, and their best freinds. During the break Buddy asked if the audience had any questions. My father’s balding friend asked him “Do you get hot play your drums underneath that toupee?” To which Buddy responded ” Yes, and I ought to take the son of bitch off and throw it at you.” He came to the table after the show and the five them had a great converstion. Buddy was cool

You are so correct. I forgot about that. I did not know Peter at that time (but soon enough). I figured Buddy was just pissed off at his drum roadie. Ouch! On another note,I had a gig you should have been at. Jerry Peek and I had a band prior to 3PM (Terra Nova) and we were so desperate to play so I booked us a gig at the Dorthea Dix Hospital playing for the mental patients. After opening with a King Crimson song( Larks Tongues in Aspic Pt. 2) , the patients stormed the stage in panic.We were shut down. Performance at mental institution, King Crimson, and being 18; Priceless. Ah, the memories of our youth. Jerry and I have brought that gig up [in conversation] from time to time. Jerry and I were always a little demented anyway.

Just a flashback to another Raleigh landmark during the late ’60s and early ’70s … does anyone remember big old purple house on Hillsboro that was in business as General Head Quarters? The place was owned and run by Tommy and “Bitsy” Honeycutt. There was a guy named Dan Breezley who also worked there and may have been a co-owner. I wonder what happened to them all?

In addition to seeing most of the other groups already listed, at The Pier I saw The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jr. Walker and All Stars (opening was the Fab Knobs, one great night!), Amazing Rhythm Aces (best show ever), Ricky Skaggs, and the Winters Brothers Band. Never saw Root Boy at the Pier,but say him at the Cat’s Cradle, also really liked Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band at the Cradle. Most fun was anywhere the Knobs played, especially Deja Vu. Nighthawks at the Pier was tribal!

I am little too young to have gone to the nightclubs but my brother saw The B-52s at the Cafe Deja Vu.

The topless bar was called “The Britespot,” and was located in the space now occupied by the Jackpot. Not that I ever frequented that place, of course, but I do remember the big flashing neon sign out front.

I too worked-”if you could call it work”-at The Pier! I also sang with Sam Milner of Lariat Sam as a duo. Someone mentioned our beloved Steve Runkel, who I sang with in some in Raleigh and also Nashville when we were both living there. Anyway, the Subway was the coolest place for music-lovers and musicians. We SHOULD have a reunion of some kind, for local musicians who used to play there and the folks who partied with them in the Village Subway! I know a lot of people who would definately go!

If it is the Doug Morgan that I knew and loved in high school (you were one of my best friends) please contact me…home # 910-270-3783 and my cell # is 910-231-5030. I’ve thought about you often.
Karla Welsh Summerlin

Lots of great memories. Thanks all for sharing. The disco club was the “blueprint” for the disco clubs that opened on and near Atlantic Avenue. That club (I apologize for not remembering the name, was owned by John Hawkins? who later went into real estate in town. They had local and regional beach bands, pajama parties, mud wrestling, lingerie shows and more.

i worked at Deja Vu and then at the Frog. Robin was an awesome “boss”! all the staff adored her. the clothing shop was Solomon Grundy. i got some really neat stuff there!
along with all the wonderful music experiences i did love Gotham. they were so much fun!
does every one remember Robert Starling?

Ted, do i know you?

Karen,

You will remember when Mike went over to bartend at the Pier. As always there was refreshment slid across the bar with a wink.

I opened Deja as day cook and jack of trades with some night work after I quit the Frog.

Names and events are beginning to slide away but not the sensation of extreme fun!

Lisa mentioned the cabaret group Gotham that played Deja Vu. Sadly I read that Gary Herb who I believe founded the group died a couple of years ago. Watching them I felt I was in a club in NYC. I don’t believe the atmosphere could be duplicated today. It was truly a product of the 70′s and early 80′s. It was great.

Coming from Chapel Hill/Durham, all the Raleigh shows blend together a bit in memory. I do remember the Ramones and Dead Kennedys. In the Subway, Steppenwolf (John Kay with new lineup), Jim Carroll Band, Violent Femmes, among others.

Does anyone know exactly where the Jim Carroll Band played, and when? He told a story about being pulled over by a VA state trooper and wondering if he’d have to “squeal like a pig.” Anyone else here go to that show?

I saw Tom Waits at the Pier in the late 70′s. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen but I can’t remember the date he was there. Does anyone know the date Waits performed at the Pier?

Sue and I went to the Village Subway in ’74 & ’75. Visited Deja Vu many times to see Super Grit Cowboy Band. They had an awesome singer. She didn’t stay with the band very long after that. We also saw Gotham there, I think, it’s hard to remember those days. We also saw Gil Eagles (psychic) at the Frog, which we visited many times. A good friend had seen Steve Martin and Bette Midler there as well. We went to the Pier a few times too. It was a great place, the photos bring back many good memories. Thanks to whoever put up this site..

Many happy Skyline memories as a Peace student (1976 – 1978) – anyone remember “Selectocution” on Wednesday nights?? My college roommate won the coveted title several times.

Also, mixed drinks were served in their signature “Skyline” glasses – still hanging on to that keepsake.

Partied some at Elliott’s Nest which came a bit later but it never seemed to come close to replicating the Skyline atmosphere.

Was it “Arrogance” who played “Money Can’t Buy Me Love”?
And, yes, we used to see Mike Cross as often as we could.

I remember going backstage with Leon Redbone at The Pier and doing shots with him while he entertained the aftershow crowd. Little Feat was a highlight show also and the $3 Long Island Iced Teas at The Bears Den were nothing but trouble!!

It is true about Sounhaus, they were high end stereo store, I worked as salesmen there. They had three stores in research triangle area. The best brands, Mcintosh,Tandberg,Braun,Yamaha, Nakimichi, ect. (forgive the spelling). Sad it is all gone!

Mike Cross, again:

He would come down to Dallas to play with the Thompsons from time to time. It has been a long time since I can recall Mike passing through.

Between the venue’s in the RDU area and Cat’s Cradle in CH, the bands who played Boston, Richmond, RDU and Austin would also play in the street clubs of Dallas. So, when I moved here in 1981 it was almost like home.

Heya Bill,

Nother old Camp Lejeune/Jacksonville cum Raleigh, and enviorns person checks in.

You of all persons out there who used to run around the globe in submarines knows that Marine Brats make anywhere their luggage rests, homeplate.

Remember when you lived above the barbershop in Cary?

Folks, what was the name of the roadside club on the old Cary road that was a live music venue in the late 70′s early 80′s. Tons of good local music was to be had by all.

I played Foosball with John the drummer from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Pier one night…they showed up late with Vassar Clements after a gig at NC State and played some with a group on stage from Denver…even the Piano Bar is gone from the PR…

I spend many, many hours at the Pier watching the likes of Arrogance and the Knobs consuming mega doses of beer.

BTW, Peter and Robin Ingram were the owners of the Frog and Nightgown and Cafe Deja Vu. I grew up with their son Russell and we frequented the place in the off hours. Peter was/is quite a jazz drummer from what I remember.

Great, great memories!

There was a NYC post-punk band called The Stimulators that released a live recording of a show recorded at The Pier in 1981. It was released on the then-cassette-only ROIR label in the early 1980s and it is one of the few recorded documents of this band.

What an perfect Christmas present–this whole site has been a blast. I remember taking my best friends brothers car when we were 15(living in Cary) and of course we went to the subway. Also met Jackie Wilson at Night Train when I was about 15…ID’s were not such a big deal then. Many nights at Pier, Cafe, Bears Den, Skyline, Switch, Berkeley as time passed. They have indeed paved paradise and put up a yuppie lot. Da-yum. We were blessed to be there, also w/the original WQDR all album station–first time I heard it I was 13!! Still crazy after all the years about some good jams.

I haven’t finished reading all the 2009 comments yet, but PKM should be added to the list. Although two members were from Nantucket, Mike Gardner was added (with Pee Wee Watson and Kenny Soule) to form this incredible local trio of power rock music (that easily earned its own identity separate from Nantucket). I saw them at either the Bear’s Den or Pier, can’t remember which, as well as many other venues across North Carolina (Raleigh, Greenville, Atlantic Beach) during the early 80′s.

Currently a resident of Charlotte at 20 years and counting, I went to the NCSU/Winthrop game over the Holiday break (12/29/2009) and decided (after listening to my new, or rather old, PKM CD my wife got me for Christmas) to take a look at the place I frequented quite often as a high school senior (in nearby Franklinton NC) and college freshman at NCSU (1982 and 1983). I had a Bear’s Den membership for roughly two years (drinking age was 18 during this time), and I went here and many other places in the subway to see a lot of local bands (Glass Moon, PKM, Mike Cross, Fabulous Knobs, etc.) that were promoted heavily in those days on WQDR radio (a country station nowadays) as Nan pointed out in the previous comment. Local bands are hardly even played on radio stations today, much less promoted like WQDR did, but this was a different time. Anyway, to my surprise (although not really), I could no longer locate the entrance (which I remembered being near the intersection of clark and woodburn). So, I decided to do a little snooping on google, and found this website. Sure enough, as has been documented here, I was sitting right in front of the new library last Tuesday after the NCSU/Winthrop game saying to myself, “Where the hell did it go?”

Anyway, this website has been a true blessing to me, as I continue reading through the comments today. By the way, PKM’s CD (previously released on album in the 80′s as Rock Erotica) can be purchased at http://www.pkmrocks.com for about $20. The previous Christmas, my wife ordered me the “Dave Adams’ Glass Moon – Moon Hits and More” CD from http://www.cdbaby.com. I cannot count how many times I’ve seen this band in person as well. Dave Adams currently plays 80′s music in the triangle with a band called “Suicide Blonde”, which has its own web page at myspace.

While I missed a lot of the Subway’s heyday in the 70′s, I can tell you that the early 80′s were awesome at this place as well. I have two older brothers that experienced the 70′s Subway, and each had told me this was the place to go see good music and have a good time.

As one last side note. I rarely missed an NCSU home basketball game in our NCAA championship year of 1983. However, I did miss our last loss of that historic season, at home to Maryland just one game prior to our blowing out Wake 130-89 in the last game of the season. For the Maryland game, I had to be away from school on ticket pickup day, and therefore did not have a ticket So, I went to the Bear’s Den instead and ended up playing backgammon while watching this last loss on television there. Little did I know at that time what was about to happen.

I spent alot of time there as a teenager and some more when I became of legal drinking age.

Lily Tomlin, Spongetones are a couple of acts I remember that were not mentioned.

I also remember an arcade near the current Johnson and Lambe store and I have blurred memories of time spent at the Cafe Deja Vu on 1 dollar long island nights.

- good times

Wasnʻt their band the Red Clay Ramblers?

carol wrote:
> Someone mentioned Jim Wann and Bland Simpson’s band, I’m thinking it was called “the Southern States Fidelity Choir”. Always loved to hear them.

That was me, long time back. Thank you Carol. I still have the 4-song EP they self-released along with Cass Morgan, of Diamond Studs songs before the musical began it’s 1st run in Chapel Hill. The EP only shows pictures of the 3 of them on front, and lists those 3 plus Joe Deluca & Michael Sachs on back.

Sheryl replied:
>Wasnʻt their band the Red Clay Ramblers?

The Red Clay Ramblers was Tommy Thompson, Bill Hicks & Jim Watson, and I think later Mike Craver. They were part of the Diamond Studs cast. I think Bland is a Red Clay now, but not back in the 70s.

That was a wonderful time, I played guitar in a group called Modern Manners, we played at Deju Vu
Pier, Bears Den , Frog and Nightgown many times.
Charlie Goodnights was another club that we played as well as many other great Bands….

HOW ABOUT PAPA JOHN CREECH?

Cameron Village was the in place to be. You had a variety of clubs to see underground. It was great!!! I remember seeing christopher Cross, Doc Watson, and of course Nantucket and Glass moon. Robbin Thompson Band, Sweet Virgina Breeze. Does anyone remember the club The Experience in Raleigh back in early 1970′s?

I was down there just after it opened every weekend. Drank a lot of beer at Deja Vu and heard some good music. The Raleigh music scene was terrific after the Underground opened and it was all kinds of music. Jazz, rock, folk, you name it, you could hear it. A lot like what Asheville has today. As some others have posted I don’t think the vibe would be the same these days. I’m glad I got to experience it.

The Romantics didn’t play anywhere in the Subway in ’81 or ’82. They did play the old Civic Center, and afterwards, came down to the Pier and then to the Cafe Deja Vu. If I am not mistaken, the B-52s were playing the Vu that night.

This I remember like it was yesterday – a rather infamous groupie that belonged to a group that my roomate David Matos of The Snap called “Cling-Ons” because those ladies would follow him around like they were stuck to him.

Anyway, the guys from The Romantics were coming down the stairs as we were all leaving for parts forgotten for the rest of the evening. They started hitting of her and MUCH to our surprise she blew them off and sent them on down the road. All of us were shocked when we asked her why she didn’t want to party with The Romantics. She just shrugged and said “let’s go.”

I played a Battle of the Bands at The Experience on a Sunday afternoon in ’69 when I was 16…
I also played “Monday Rock Night” at the Frog and Nightgown many times with Glass Moon…and The Pier as well.
I saw chick corea and Return to Forever at the Pier…manager was named Gayle I believe..
I also saw Weather Report at The Frog with Stanley Clarke who was reportedly dope-sick that night…
D

This is so heartwarming. Others who remember the days of the Subway. Remember the nights at Deja Vu with Supergrit? The entire bar would have arms around each other by the end of the night singing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”!

What memories…I spent nearly every weekend in the underground listening to some of the best music ever. But the thing I remember most fondly was working for Dr. Crawford, a local dentist who moonlighted as a saxophone player. I spent many a weekend listening to his jazz band play down in the subway. Those were fun days…

i played at an airguitar contest at the pier,came in the top ten,that place was packed,lines of people trying to get in,so much fun.i’m now a professional airbrush artist,got my start in painting when i helped a friend paint battlestations arcade.lots of memories of the subway,wish it was still open.airbrushkim

I worked at the Frog 4 nights a week for four years until the night it closed. I don’t remember anyone named Jackie.

The Fresh Market and other stores share storage and delivery locations down there. From Cameron Street you can see the underground parking deck that faces East and the apartments/condos.

The memories that shake loose when reading a thread like this bring a warm smile. I was a State student in the day, and I remember spending many days at Soundhaus, trying to put together my ultimate component system. I wanted McIntosh amp, Bose 901s, w/ JBL Studio speakers a close second. I can’t remember if they had the Dual turntable I ended up buying, w/ the Shure V15 type III cartridge, but that store was the place for sound systems.
I did catch a few acts at The Pier, but don’t remember who. HA…it was the 70′s and I was very familiar w/ the zigzag, so you’ll have to forgive me.

Keith
Thursday I was listening to Free Bird on radio and remembered a weeknight in 1972 when a friend of mine and myself walked into Cafe Deja Vu at about 10pm and a group called Singletree was playing this country rock sound. The place was full, with folks standing everywhere. It was the greatest music I had ever heard to that point in my life. I never saw them again.

The Pier is special in my memory because on Valentines Day, 1974 I gave my beautiful wife her diamond. Arrogance was playing that night. We have been married 35 years now.

I would love for the space at the Underground be renovated and opened back up to the public.

Let’s not forget BETTE MIDLER ! She performed at the Frog & Nightgown.

WOW…thanks for the memories…..ncsu student wife from ’82-’85….loved the BEAR’S DEN &DEJA VU…..loved THE SNAP & CONTROL GROUP…..spent many a quarter at BATTLESTATIONS…out of state now but still get back to THE LINCOLN to see CARBON LEAF…..nothing like LIVE music…keeps me young…

I am really glad to see folks continue to post on the Underground.

I have been threatening for years to write about the great times at the Frog, Deja-Vu and the Pier. I recently watched the HBO special by Bette Midler. I lost my tape that Ingram made of her first show, rats.

I just found the song list for the 73 revist she made. By that time she was famous and did not like having to go back and honor her contract. Peter was really good at the contract side.

On a sad note, Jazz Great, James Moody, a regualar visitor to the Frog has passed away. Carol Sloane wrote some moving comments about him. Check Google for James and Carol. Both of them were great assets to the Raleigh music scene.

Thank you, Yes I remember the underground. All the memories I have of unique shopping , going to the Pier, the Frog and Nightgown, Deja Vu are extremely special. I have wondered why it closed. I was 18 at the time I first went to the Pier. The Jazz at the Deja Vu. It was the ultimate venue for “everything”. I would love to see it reopened now that I am 58…. it would be awesome to have a special place to go and sit and just be.

Does anyone know of what the plans are for the subway (underground)?

I loved reading this and the memories of the subway. I went many times in the 70′s particularly to the Pier, and the Frog and Nightgown and heard many of the artists on your lists. Of course, at the time, I didn’t know just how popular they would turn out to be.

I ate my first cheesecake at the Frog and Nightgown……can’t beat that~ great music AND great cheesecake.

Thanks so much for this post and the walk down memory lane!

Al mentioned the bootleg tape of Midler and Manilow. Too bad Melissa Manchester was not with the band when they did the two Frog gigs.

But both tours were fantastic as was the NYC Carnegie Hall concert she did in 72. What a week that was in NYC.

Nothing going to come of it….spent 4 days with owners in opening back up this past Jan. Unless someone buys out the village it will just be a basement tax write off. York is firm on this. But hell, that subway bought me a house and times do change…doug.3PM, Terra Nova, Glassmoon, Steve morse band

wow, just saw ther post from NBHS class 72 site,
as the guy that did lots of the lights, sound electrical for all those places, knew the Yorks, and my Uncle was Wilson Cofield electric and did all their work
I have hundreds of stories, I would like to post

from being there the night Jimmy B started the coral reefer band, having fun with the Go go’s bass player, big time with Joan Jett
Taj would always have a big joint for me, we would climb the steep stairs out the back up the brick wall, on and on, basically as a rock and roller, and then having my own electrical gig, since 1979, and being the license and engineer for lots of Stage and Studio, over 15 years[G.Shriver, RIP} I saw almost each and every act,
lots of stories, and we were the folks that put on the annual ‘End of the World’ party at Willard palace,until itz end in 1985, when I move dback to Wrightsville beach-Wilmington, and now in El Salvador and Guatemala, since 1994 surfing,working, and now working with small scale fishermen/women in latin America

if you know me, and are cool, and revolutionary, you are welcome
senorpescado.com,
fairtradefish.org
geodomehome.com,
earthpeoplefoundation.org, tropicooltours.com,
coastalcarolinaseafood.com,
yourhealthisyouronlyrealwealth.com, etc etc

thanks SO MUCH for this post
I was all over,under and in the Subway in those days

One of the great shows for me was Rod Abernathy (later with Arrogance) playing solo guitar as a warm up to Livingston Taylor (James’ younger brother) at The Pier. Not so much for Livingston, but as a young guitarist, Rod was amazing.

I went to a few shows at the Pier and I would add Mike Cross and The Busboys to the list. Doc Watson played with his son Merle.

The Subway had the best music scene around during the 70′s. Use to bartend at Deja Vu and Mardi Gras during college. Outstanding performers at Frog & Nightgown, Pier, Bear’s Den, and Deja Vu. Great music every weekend and everyone had fun. Remember Buffett and the Coral Reefers getting started together at the Pier. Mike Cross and Doc Watson concerts, Arrogance, Super Grit Cowboy Band, Tumbleweeds, Lariat Sam,……. Awesome place.

Yeah – the Underground. My old roommate Cliff managed Deja Vu for a while in the early 70′s. Peter Ingram of the Frog and Nightgown owned it. Along with all the acts listed and in people’s replies, I recall Delbert McClinton many times, Dave Brubeck and son doing “Take 5″, saw Muddy Waters, Lily Tomlin at F&N. Michael Franks at Pier along with so many other groups. Remember always trying to get in free but paid for the main acts. Love Roger McGuinn playing 12 string and singing Chestnut Mare. Those were some fun times.

A few bands that I don’t see on the list are The Amazing Rhthym Aces (they were awsome), Weather Report and Sea Leavell

great list, saw them all, and in such an intimate settings, and…. still have the LP’s, hope to use them in the walls of the 60 ft dome Bubba’s BBQ and Roadhouse in San Salvador,
great to here all the posts, great remembrances will relate some of my personal story’s with the artists some day, maybe in the book

Peace Out and keep on rocking

Doug, you got your first start jamming on the drums in your basement! (still have fond memories of Karla and I visiting there. Maui no ko oi!). I grew up in Cameron Village and wandered the basement and parking lot below Boylan Pierce as a kid. I saw so, so many of those great bands and shows at the Subway (that’s what we always called it)! For me, at the Pier (70s), the Mike Cross shows were the best. When I moved to Orlando, and later Dallas, I would show up to see him, and sometimes meet Raleigh (Broughton!) folks there. When I told Mike that he had followed me to every city, he signed my album, “John, I’ll follow you anywhere. See ya in Tibet!” We laughed and went crazy at those Pier shows. Scotsman and the kilt, anybody?…

For me, absolutely nothing could top the Fabulous Knobs at the Déjà Vu (Du Javvee, we called it :). We danced at Free Advice on hot summer nights (when they asked for requests and we said Stones!, and they played “Carol”), until the Knobs moved up to the Déjà Vu. You didn’t need a date; I could just show up in town, go there, and magic would happen.

Great posts on this thread! It’s like old home week, as I recognize people I shared so many happy memories with. And those are just the memories I remember!!! Mike J., are you still amped at 220 volts?! No wonder those shows had so much electricity!

Spent many nights in the 1970-1980 there. Amongst the acts not on the list that I saw there was of source Mike Cross, The Go-Go’s Don McClean, 999, The Romantics. Along with the original Cat’s Cradle on Rosmary’s Street in Chapel Hill – this was a major club area then.

May have been mentioned already, but Liittle Feat played in the Underground before it was closed. Of course, this was well after the untimely death of lead singer, Lowell George. But, great show nonetheless.

Also, interestingly, within the past 2-3 days, remembrances of the various Underground nightclubs & the many bands & acts that performed down there, has become a very hot topic in response to a post on the Facebook Group: “You know you grew up in Raleigh when you remember______”. There have been numerous posts & many calls for a revival – or, at least, a reunion – of those of us who so loved that locale. This blog site was just posted there this afternoon.

Unite! Revive The Underground! Perhaps Cameron Village’s new owners & management are looking for additional sources of income. If they can build a 2-story Chik-Fil-A in the Rite-Aid parking lot, surely they can renovate & re-open the Underground!

I was the bassist for Luky Owens & Revolver and we played many gigs in the Subway in the early 80′s. In fact, our first gig was the “Rising Stars” show on Sundays sponsored by WQDR. In addition to our own shows, we opened quite a few times for Arrogance, did the John Lennon Tribute (where I met my wife of 29 years) and we also played the Bear’s Den later on (Revolver opened for Steve Morse, not the X-teens). Gayle, the owner of the Pier was very kind to us and opened a lot of doors for us. Being a totally original music band was a tough road to travel, but people like Gayle and clubs like the Pier (and the Cat’s Cradle) gave us a place to showcase our music. A great place and a great time.

My friends & I loved the Village Subway/Underground as we called it then & the best bands we ever saw there were Robin Trower & Pat Travers!!!! It was one of the greatest memories of my great homnetown of Raleigh. Loved The Pier, The Frog & the Nightgown, The Bears Den & Deja Vu. None of these transplant yankees that have invaded our city since ever got a taste of the good times down under the streets of Cameron Village!! Yeah Baby!!!!

Does anyone know if Peter Ingram, owner of the Frog & Nightgown is these days? He use to play drums with visiting bands in his club.

Peter Ingram is alive and well…at least he was well enough to accompany jazz pianist Lenore Raphael on drums with bassist Rick Eckberg at a Sunday afternoon concert on Oct. 2 at NC Museum of Art. Great concert…too bad there were so many other things going on that day; auditorium was only about half full, audience was enthusiastic nonetheless. Setting did seem a little odd…maybe better atmosphere to be had in a club like F&G, ha.

The ‘Underground’ was every weekend’s destination. It was vibrant and way so cool. My young wife and I would saunter over from Ashe Ave knowing We’d have a good time. In fact, the Cafe DeJaVu is where I proposed to Her. Also had a few times playing the Cafe and once at the Pier (aka Frog & Nightgown) in a band named ‘Rollin Hand’ opening for the Artemus Pyle Band (drummer for Lynard Skynard doing a solo thingy)
Many great memories of that era. Heard many artists. Some not mentioned in previous recollections; Robin Trower and Gamble Rodgers. I’m sure there were others but the persistence of memory is slightly blurred after 40 bazzillion years! All said and done, the Underground was a sweet time. Too bad it’s now essentially a parking lot for memories filled with stored crap. Were Regency and York smart enough they’d capitalize on the history and re-open the Underground. For those of Us that have treasured memories and for they who could enjoy such a place and build their own memories, I say open Her up. ‘Nuff said.

Every show was memorable, and it was as much about the ambience and the people as it was about the music. The Subway was the place to go if you loved good tunes and good fun. The homegrown talent flourished underground…The Pier was a great place to enjoy the cream of the crop…Sam Milner (Lariat Sam), Mike Cross (best version of Tennessee Stud ever), Arrogance, and Adele Foster were my personal favorite locals… I was fortunate enough to waitress at the Pier for a entertainment and camaraderie filled college semester or two late 70’s(I honestly can’t seem to pinpoint the year…such a fun filled haze). It was, without question, the best job I could possibly have had at that age! My favorite out-of-town talent Pier shows included Warren Zevon (he tipped all the waitresses 20.00), Loudon Wainwright, Tom Waits (I appreciate him more now than I did then), Leon Redbone, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee (again, appreciated more now than then), Trucks (Butch Trucks from the Allman Bros) just to name a few. Indeed, those were the days.

My son is a musician, and I lament often that he doesn’t have a parallel to our Subway experiences…good times, good people, good music…great memories!

FYI…Woody Hayes, ’70s-’80s Pier security unsurpassed, is 70 plus years young and a Graphic Design instructor at Wake Tech…

I loved the Bear’s Den and the Deja Vu and The Pier. Loved the underground at Cameron Village. Am glad that I lived in that era. I saw someone mentioned The Fabulous Knobs and Debra DeMilo. The greatest of many great bands in my opinion.

missinraleigh: Bears Den, where is Brownie? How about his chili?

Ah, the times in the basement, no further comment.

Hey former denizens of the Underground. Wish I stil had my bootleg of Bette that Peter made!!

I grew up (literally) as an infant and toddler in the underground listening to my father Chip Crawford play piano. I was very young but I remember it being a very special place. This has been such a treat to read about all the people and names I grew up hearing like Brother Yusef, Peter Ingram, Jim Crawford (my dentist as a child), Willy T, Greg Gelb and Rodney Marsh. If your interested, Chip is in New York playing better than ever. His band got a grammy nom last year and he’s about the coolest Dad you can imagine.

What a special place this underground coffin of dreams was. I think of it every time I pass Cameron Village.

I so remember the ladies night on Thursday nights at the Skyline Disco! What fun we all had there! Wednesday nights were fun as well. I remember Pier I, Deja Vu, Elliott Nest, a whole bunch of places came and went but several stayed.

Lucky me. I had the best of all three worlds. I waited tables and tended bar at Cafe Deja Vu and cooked in the kitchen with Reinhardt at The Pier and years earlier my brother Mike worked at the F and N so I got to keep up with the goings on there as well. I had been away from Raleigh since 1977 so when I returned for a visit many years later to take my soon-to-be husband to see the sights of my glory years, there was, alas, nothing to behold. That was a right shock to the system.

Dave Youngman, I have wondered about Adele for years and have always wondered what happened to her. Sad to hear that you lost touch as well.

Does anyone remember the glorious soups that Lou used to cook at Deja Vu? And Reinhardt’s cheesecake at the Pier. I lost the recipe years ago…if anyone has it, send it, please.

I’m kinda’ laughing to myself when I claim to have tended bar at Deja Vu. At that time mixed drinks were verboten–so it was Schlitz, Bud, setups, and wine. Except for lunch time when the ladies who lunched came in and ordered Dubonnet.

So nice to come across the names of bands that were such a part of my life back then–Terra Nova, Glass Moon, Mike Cross, Adele Foster Trio, Lariat Sam, Arrogance, etc.

Hey Carol,
I remember you running around the Underground in the glory days of 1973. Remember me and Karl – Raleigh Boy – Kim Sasser, and Annie P. and the Dupont Circle gang?
Best,
Mark Herdter

That place was awesome – the first place I found after I moved from New York, after the Switch. The Pier and Bears Den were where I hung out for bands, and I drank a lot at Midnight Express.
Raleigh had so much variety then – also the Silver Bullet, the bar next to the Keg, and of course the Deja Vu….I miss all the variety.

We visited the Village Subway often in the early 1970s. I recall seeing the Dukes of Dixieland at the Frog & Nightgown, and Bette Midler appeared there as well. We also saw Charlie Byrd at the Cafe Deja Vu.

FYI, I just stumbled upon this flickr album someone posted a while back that contains numerous photos of the Subway ruins as well as page scans of the Cameron Village history book that this article refers to.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12533190@N00/sets/72157600258083003/with/512203883/

Wow, glad I stumbled across this page! The Underground was the place to be in the late 70′s and early 80′s. Great memories.

One more thing I forgot to mention in my previous post. Although not a fan of the genre,I was coaxed to the Skyline disco in the Underground a few times by girls i was dating in the mid-to-late seventies. Once a beautiful barely dressed girl,who had been having wardrobe malfunctions on the dance floor near our table all night,came over with fire in her eyes,I assumed for me,but then she asked my date to dance. Like real close personal dancing. A small town NC boy like me had never seen that type of thing in public before and was enjoying it immensely. The rest of the night, the whole night, was one of those memories that’s just sorta burned in lol

I saw Lightin Hopkins at the Frog just him playing on a stool and Tower of Power at another place maybe the Pier both in 1974. I remember it had a upstairs to watch bands. Does anyone has any pics or song list for these shows.Thanks

I remember the underground well. My senior class party was held at the Skyline, Garner High 1977. Cafe deja vu watching The Snap. Also adding to Zappa thoughts I seem to think it was Moon Unit doing a gig there. After the close music just was not the same here. Raleigh city limits and other bars just did not have the same feel

You can find Doug on facebook he has been living in Hawaii for a few years and come home for the holidays usually

Gongaware = pimping his blog here.

i swear i saw the pretenders down there. and i’m positive i saw the dixie dregs at the pier…

My mother worked at The Frog & NightGown and Cafe Deja Vu. My first memories are the age of 6. I’ve often thought over the last 20 years(2nd generation bartender) What a “gold mine” this property could be! I hope it doesn’t remain hidden to this generation!

The Nighthawks definitely played at the Pier, several times. I saw them there at least twice, I think. Also, I saw 666 a punk band and Tim Weisberg at the Pier (now that is a contrast).

Pretty sure I saw the Jerry Garcia Band in one of those venues. Think it was the F&N.
But maybe it was the drugs of the time instead.

Nantucket played the Pier (Underground) all the time and in fact they showed case for Epic Records there back in 1977. Also, I saw Jimmy Buffet there as a solo act in the late 1970′s.

Also, the number one drawing band at the Deja Vu was Super Grit Cowboy Band all during the late 1970′s.

Wow, I just discovered this site. Such great memories of the Underground, Bear’s Den, The Pier, etc.

In addition to all of the other artists mentioned, Steve Forbert played there. Also, Al Stewart played there, which is one I regret missing.

Best wishes to all.

Heard Bette Midler at the Frog several times. Always great shows. Had a chance to meet her there once too. I remember being surprised at how short she was. Also talked to Barry Manilow during a break between sets. He told me that he was planning to leave Bette and start his own band etc. I thought to myself – you ought to stay with Bette, you won’t have as much opportunity on your own. Shows how much I knew then. Not much more now!

It is great to see so many posts that have stirred the old brain cells.
I was 2nd cook at the Frog at night for four years and it took me awhile to really appreciate where I was at that time.
Peter and Robin were great to work for and the people there were always fun. Linda and I lived in a house on Blount Street that housed many Frog people.
I remember Dave, Darius, and Dan Brubeck along with Perry Robinson and Madcat Ruth that made up Sky King. They were so much fun and I would love to see them again.
Cheers!

I worked at the Frog and Nightgown from the Medlin Drive days until it closed in 75. Started washing dishes and wound up being in charge of the food operations – as Ted said, not called ‘chef’ in those days. Led to an almost 40 year career in the food industry though.
Great place to work – wonderful people to work for and with!
Remember when we first moved to the subway/underground we were so busy we could barely keep up. We just had a first and second cook, no preps then, and Rodney Marsh and I would stay until the wee hours snapping green beans and shelling shrimp, getting ready for the next night. Needless to say, we convinced Robin we needed more people quickly!
Looking to some of the earlier posts – Ted – the people in the kitchen you worked with were Reinhart and I – there was no Tom Stephenson. I think that’s a mix of myself and Jim Stephenson who was at the bar.
Sadly, Eric Farnum passed away a few years ago, I think in Thailand.
If memory serves me right, the mannequin at the bar was named Samantha.
Don’t forget the Ace Trucking Company – ‘Raymond J Johnson, RJ or Jay’
Definitely remember Robert Starling, aka ‘Buzzard’. Regular performer at the Frog.
Many wonderful late nights listening to impromptu jam sessions.

I filled in at The Frog as dishwasher one night in ’71 or ’72 (for Bob Evans — “Bevans” as we called him). Loved it so much I stayed, washed dishes, and subsequently became a bartender and cook. I never worked anywhere before or since where I hung out when I wasn’t working. I adored The Frog. I was very immature and unaware. I didn’t realize how special that time and place was. Wish I could go back….

good to see you are alive and well Tom and actually I remember that story about the tennis shoe, wow,I guess I am not brain dead yet,

Frog persons:

I don’t think Eric Farnum ever really told the story of a lunch episode with Beef Tongue in which we beame embroilded. One should never send anything back to a grumpy head cook who has a flaming red beard. I will relate that and a naughty episode with Samantha coming up.

Big Howdy to Bill and Karl and Linda Delama, Three Musketeers if ever there were.

I knew a few folks who played in local bands in 70s-80s. One thing I recall is that they could not “light up” mother nature in the tiny Deja Vu band dressing room. The ventilation fan blew the smoke directly outside to the hallway where the Police Officer patrolled. Doobage had to be smoked out back on the loading dock behind the Pier to be safe, lol.

Oops, Robin Thompson Band did Brite Eyes

I don’t remember a punk band called 666, but i saw 999 there. They were from England and they were great. The guitarist was playing a single pick up Gibson and was bending the neck like crazy. I was amazed it didn’t snap off. Amazing sounds coming from a guitar like that.
They had a big hit with “Homicide” on college radio at the time.

Can’t believe I just read “the whole thing!!”. I was at NC State in late ’60′s and lived in Raleigh till ’77. So much great music at the time and we really didn’t know what a legacy we were leaving. If Raleigh had had liquor-by-the-drink back then we would probably still have “Underground”.
I saw so many great acts at the Frog and always felt like I was “uptown” every time I went. Oh, and the food was great, too.
I was dating a “Broughton Girl” and rooming with three guys who worked at the “Frog” so I so I felt like a local. Ended up marrying the “Broughton Girl”.
Got turned on to Bluegrass (as well as other things) at The Pier listening to Tommy Edwards and “The Bluegrass Experience”. Also, fell in love with Doc Watson and his inimitable style of picking. I still go to bluegrass festivals as far away as Gettysburg, Pa. I am a “groupie” of The Seldom Scene and recall them performing at Underground. Does anyone remember where or when. Also, remember hanging out with Robert White (aka “Quail”) and his band The New Deal String Band.
We are losing so many of “our” music icons. Too bad Raleigh doesn’t have a venue for us old folks and our music.

Such great memories of the Pier and the Frog & Nightgown!
Wish it could be brought back to life – think it would do well in this age.

I remember seeing Weather Report at the Frog & Nightgown.

This was a great page to stumble upon. I went to the subway in the early 80s, mostly to the Bear’s Den and The Pier. I remember a number of the groups mentioned, but wanted to give a shout out to Control Group, a favorite of mine. Thanks for the memories, and I hope that someone is able to re-open the subway one day.

[...] it was…anyhow, they'll bring back memories! I found this lin about the Cameron Village subway The Raleigh Underground: A Lost Phenomenon | Goodnight Raleigh and here is another cool blog enrevanche: Memories of The Frog and Nightgown PS – And I may have [...]

I’m 33 now and I look at this and it reminds me of so many things…

Jeff Watson I believe it was A&L (Audio and Lights) the music store on Beryl Rd.

Does anybody remember the music store that was in a house (in the basement, I think) on Western Blvd that later became AL&M?

I was at Frog and Nightgown for Weather Report in late ’74 or early ’75

It’s a shame a good thing like the subway can’t be allowed to prosper. I remember waking up Sunday morning to pour over the N&O, hoping that I’d see that the Fab Knobs, the Snap, or Mike Cross would be performing the next weekend. The coolest thing was to have one band close for the evening and to just rollover to another venue for another half hour.
I’ll never forget: watching the Wolfpack win it all in ’83 at the Cafe Deja Vu, Arrogance doing it’s “final show” there (where the F&N was), and Lily Tomlin at the Frog and Nightgown. Peter Ingram really set the mark with that joint. I was a friend of one of his kids, and I am amazed at the things that I had access to, but didn’t have the brains (yet) to understand the value of what I was experiencing.

I moved to raleigh in January 1985 and know for a fact that the Bears Den was still open atleast until March or April?? I saw NRBQ there and also Robin Trower on another occassion. Everything else was already closed up.