The Vulcan folks had been producing music performances for a year or so starting in the mid 1960s- at first at Doris Miller Auditorium, and then in October 1967 the Vulcan Gas Company opened at 316 Congress Avenue, headed up by Don Hyde, Gary Maxwell, Sandy Lockett and Houston White. For the next almost-three-years those young people turned musical experiences around to another dimension. Not only did they book the leading psychedelic bands like Shiva’s Headband, the 13th Floor Elevators and the Velvet Underground, masters of the blues scene appeared- young Johnny Winter and his trio, not so young Big Joe Williams, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Muddy Waters. Local bands like the Conqueroo, Greezy Wheels, Angela Strehli and the Georgetown Medical Band were regular performers. The Vulcan staff made up for somewhat rustic conditions inside with a light show that made patrons forget about the appearance of the joint. (Article continues below slideshow.)

Click through the art and photos below to take a tour of the the ending of one and the beginning of another. The photos are a preview of the latest special exhibit and tribute at the South Austin Popular Culture Center.

With the arrival of 1970, it was clear the Vulcan was failing. Even with a benefit concert by Johnny Winter in March 1970, the club would close in April.

Shiva’s Headband had a record deal and a new manager, Austinite Eddie Wilson. Eddie, along with supporters like writer Bud Shrake, young attorney Mike Tolleson and key people from the Vulcan, including Jim Franklin and Bobby Hedderman, used a portion of the funds from Shiva’s record deal advance (yes, they were young, and it’s a good thing; if they’d been older and wiser they’d never have embarked down that path) and opened the Armadillo World Headquarters on August 7, 1970.

The contribution made by Spencer & Susan Perskin and the rest of Shiva’s Headband cannot be understated. Using their record production advance meant they had to cut corners in the production of their record, and they chose to make that sacrifice. Shiva’s was the defacto house band at the ‘dillo and supplied listeners with their special brand of psychedelic rock.

Armadillo World Headquarters began a 10 year ride, booking an eclectic mix of national and local bands, hosted the Austin Ballet Theatre once a month and the Friends of Traditional Music. A musician referral service was started and an art gallery sprung forth. Onion Audio, Hank Alrich’s recording studio, was housed inside the former armory building.

The ‘Dillo staff were also instrumental in the birth of the television show Austin City Limits. A body of music related artwork was amassed that was like no other before it…or after. Due to increasing financial difficulties a major shift in management occurred in fall 1976 –the joint regrouped and was actually stronger than before, successfully working through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization lead by musician and Onion Audio owner Hank Alrich. After the landlord, MK Hage, sold the property in 1979, the Armadillo World Headquarters closed December 31, 1980.

What is shown here is a mere overview of the two music venues, focusing primarily on the artwork created. Although there are over 400 items being exhibited, it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what is available to document these two music clubs. Hopefully with the art, the press clippings and photographs on display visitors will get a sense of what the clubs were about and the impact they had on Austin and its culture. The showcase opens June 5 and runs through August 28.

This year’s celebration of all things 709 took place Friday, July 9, 2010. We all gathered at the South Austin Popular Culture Center to have a toast and watch a performance of the Uranium Savages.

The band started at 7:09 p.m.

What’s the significance of 709? “Those that say don’t know, those that know don’t say.”

Thanks to George Cummings and Trish Taylor for the photos:

Join us for an evening of music, poetry and consciousness-raising in her honor on Friday, June 25 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 3105 E. Cesar Chavez Street in Austin (on the north bank of the Colorado River between Pleasant Valley Rd. & Tillery St. Ample parking is available.). Click here for the Facebook event page.

The event will feature hip hop artist/warriors Riders Against the Storm, award-winning singer-songwriter Karen Abrahams and activist/performance artist Joe P. Carr.

We’ll also highlight the word power of Chicano poets Jorge Antonio Renaud and Henry Gonzalez, along with special guest speaker and former political prisoner Robert King, one of the prisoners known collectively as the Angola 3. Alma de Mujer Council member Maria Elena Martinez will lead a healing ceremony. The benefit will include a silent art auction, prize raffles, books and CDs of Marilyn’s work, food, and refreshments. All proceeds go towards Marilyn’s urgent post-release medical support.

A $10 donation is suggested. Advance tickets are available at Resistencia Bookstore and Planet K, and contributions can be made online after June 18 at the YES, Inc./Phogg Phoundation website. Hosts include Ex-pinta Support Alliance (ESA), NOKOA The Observer, Resistencia Bookstore, One Love Kitchen, South Austin Popular Culture Center, Ecology Action, the Rag Blog/NJP, and YES, Inc./Phogg Phoundation. Sponsors include Austin Cab, Book Woman, Code Pink, the Angola 3, Monkey Wrench Books, Movement for a Democratic Society, Oat Willie’s, Ruby’s Bar-B-Que, Teatro Vivo, Threadgill’s, Vulcan Video, and many others.

Buck, an award-winning poet originally from Austin, was convicted of politically-motivated crimes in the 1970s and 1980s. She earned two college degrees, taught herself Spanish in order to communicate with and for Latina prisoners, and organized AIDS education and literacy classes in prison. She won respect as a principled voice for the rights of oppressed people, especially women, people of color, and other political prisoners. Slated for release on parole this August, Buck was diagnosed with cancer late last year. Her plans for starting life over at age 62 now must be amended to allow for recuperation and healing.

This free event showcases thought-provoking films every month.

Films are viewed under the stars, so please bring your own chair to assure seating.

This month’s movie premier will take place on Saturday, June 12 at 8 p.m. The film starts at 8:30 p.m. The “rain day” is June 13.

ATTENDEES MUST PARK NEXT DOOR ON COLLIER STREET

Presented By: ANOMALY ARCHIVES

Bruce Springsteen
Year: 1974
Location: 23rd and Guadalupe
Painted by: Kerry Awn, Rick Turner, Tommy Bee
Funded by: The Fog Foundation of the Pursuit of Happiness

I don’t know how those people got the video but here’s the story behind the original: Freddie was in Austin to play at the Armadillo World Headquarters. Richard Halpin (Jail Arts & Education Project) got Freddie and his brother Bennie to play for the inmates at the Travis Co. Jail. The prisoners loved it. So did the musicians.

I shot it with help from William McLellan & Linda Evans. It was shot with a single tube camera and recorded on a 1/2″ reel-reel portapack.

It is funky old video but a record of a terrific performance and selfless act by the late great artist, Freddie King.”