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House of Blues is an American chain of live music concert halls and restaurants. It was founded by Isaac Tigrett, the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, co-star of the 1980 film The Blues Brothers.[1] The first location opened at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 26, 1992 (Thanksgiving Day).[2] The chain has been a division of Live Nation Entertainment since July 2006,[3] and there are 11 locations throughout the United States as of 2024.
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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | November 26, 1992 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , U.S. |
Number of locations | 11 |
| Parent | Live Nation Entertainment |
| Website | houseofblues |
The first House of Blues opened on November 26, 1992, in the Harvard Square commercial district and retail area of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a live music concert hall and restaurant.[4] The company was financed by Dan Aykroyd, Aerosmith, Paul Shaffer, River Phoenix, Jim Belushi, and Harvard University, among others.[5] This location closed in 2003 as the company sought a larger Boston venue.[6] However, the hands-in-concrete driveway where members of the Blues Brothers and others left their mark, remains. Aykroyd is still associated with the brand and attends most openings, performing as one half of The Blues Brothers.[7]
In 1993 House of Blues launched a 501(c)(3) non-profit called International House of Blues Foundation which provided arts programs, resources and musical instruments for youths. The Music Forward Foundation continues to provide services for youth and has generated more than $20 million of support for these programs over its 20+ year existence.[8] Also in 1993, the syndicated program The House of Blues Radio Hour launched in partnership with CBS Radio Hour. The show is hosted by Aykroyd, in character as Elwood Blues, and focuses on the history of blues music and the contemporary artists honoring the art form. Its final episode aired in July 2017.[9]
In 1999, House of Blues acquired Universal Concerts from Seagram.[10] On July 5, 2006, Live Nation acquired House of Blues Entertainment and created the Live Nation Club and Theater Division.[11] As a division of Live Nation, the company operates 11 clubs throughout North America.
Active
| Metro vicinity | Venue location | Address | Opened | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | French Quarter | 225 Decatur St New Orleans, LA 70130 |
1994 | 1,000 |
| Chicago | Marina City | 329 N Dearborn St Chicago, IL 60654 |
1996 | 1,400 |
| Myrtle Beach | Barefoot Landing | 4640 Hwy 17 S North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 |
1997 | 2,100 |
| Orlando | Disney Springs | 1490 E Buena Vista Dr Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 |
1997 | 2,600 |
| Las Vegas | Las Vegas Strip (inside Mandalay Bay) |
3950 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119 |
1999 | 2,000 |
| Cleveland | Downtown Cleveland | 308 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44114 |
2004 | 1,300 |
| San Diego | Downtown San Diego | 1055 5th Ave San Diego, CA 92101 |
2005 | 1,500 |
| Dallas–Ft. Worth | Victory Park | 2200 N Lamar St Dallas, TX 75202 |
2007 | 1,750 |
| Houston | Downtown Houston | 1204 Caroline St Houston, TX 77002 |
2008 | 1,800 |
| Boston | Kenmore Square | 15 Lansdowne St Boston, MA 02215 |
2009 | 2,600 |
| Los Angeles | Anaheim GardenWalk | 400 West Disney Way #337 Anaheim, CA 92802 |
2017 | 2,200 |
Former
| Metro vicinity | Venue location | Address | Opened | Closed | Notes | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Harvard Square | 96 Winthrop St Cambridge, MA 02138 |
1992 | 2003 | Replaced by Kenmore Square location in 2009. | 180 |
| Los Angeles / Orange County | Sunset Strip | 8430 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 |
1994 | 2015 | 1,100 | |
| Downtown Disney | 1530 Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA 92802 |
2001 | 2016 | Relocated to nearby Anaheim GardenWalk in 2017. | 1,100 | |
| Atlanta | Downtown Atlanta | 152 Luckie St NW Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
1996 | 1997 | Re-branded as The Tabernacle in 1997. | 2,000 |
| Atlantic City | Atlantic City Boardwalk (inside Showboat Atlantic City) |
801 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
2005 | 2014 | Fully intact, used for private events. | 2,380 |
The following is a list of venues operated by Live Nation:[12]
San Diego House of Blues in San Diego, California near Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter and the ocean.
House of Blues across the street from Fenway Park in Boston
House of Blues Sunset in West Hollywood.
Former location at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California.
House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach.
House of Blues at Disney Springs in Florida.
House of Blues at Disney Springs in Florida.
American rock band Drive Thru Society from Dallas, Texas performing at the House of Blues.
American rock band Like Bridges We Burn from Dallas, Texas performing at the House of Blues.
- Live From the House of Blues, A 1995 TBS television series made in conjunction with the chain
- List of music venues
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