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Boston Venue: The Channel is the story of the famed, and notorious, 1980s Boston rock club. The podcast series was created by original club founder and long-time operator Harry Booras. The club had a 12-year run hosting diverse acts — including James Brown, Iggy Pop, Run DMC, Metallica, The Ramones, The Wailers, Roy Orbison, Minor Threat, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, along with local bands of the era — on the waterfront along the edge of “Southie,” home to Whitey Bulger and his gang. It ends with a mob murder that would remain unsolved for 25-plus years.
“We wanted a club to showcase all genres of music,” Booras said. “Boston’s club scene at that time was very segregated. Discos didn’t book rock shows. Rock clubs wouldn’t book reggae shows. There was a need for a club like The Channel, and we filled it.”
Season One of Boston Venue: The Channel Story features police shakedowns, wild booze- and drug-fueled glory years, and the bitter end when mafia goons managed to get control and drove The Channel into the ground.
Episodes are available on all podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Radio Public.
More information can be found HERE.