![]() ![]() Burke and his team attempted to claim the El Mocambo name and use it elsewhere. This ignited a war of words between them and Jahangari. Dan Burke and his partners were removed from booking. Jahangari announced that he planned to turn the upstairs into a dance studio and the other areas would be transformed into a spiritual centre and women’s shelter. His ownership would turn into one of the most controversial and turbulent times in the club’s history. In 2001, Abbas Jahangari bought the El Mocambo. Musician Peaches regularly performed at Vazaleen before gaining international recognition. Several artists used this feature to launch their international careers. The show became a regular feature at the El Mocambo. Declining yearsĪrtist Will Munro hosted a monthly queer rock and roll party at the El Mocambo called Vazaleen. Arguably, it’s what the El Mocambo is best known for. The concerts are now celebrated for the expert planning and spontaneity of the event. The crowd loved it, and part of the set was included on the live album Love You Live. ![]() The Rolling Stones played their two shows at the El Mocambo. Some Canadians were shocked that the Prime Minister’s wife was partying with the bad boys of rock. Maragaret Trudeau’s appearance with the Stones garnered international tabloid headlines. She was also photographed with Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. She was spotted in the Rolling Stones’ dressing room, conversing with various band members. Trudeau and his wife Maragaret were estranged, which was well known to the public. ![]() The second controversy revolved around then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Richards narrowly avoided jail time and the show went on, but his bust was front page news. During the week leading up to concert, guitarist Keith Richards was busted for possessing 26 grams of heroin. The surprise concert had its share of controversies. All of this would have to be directed via a ruse. As a solution, Rudge devised a plan: a secret, two-show agreement at the El Mocambo with only die-hard fans in attendance. If word got out that the Rolling Stones, the world’s greatest rock and roll band, were playing the El Mocambo, the building would surely be overrun by thousands of fans. It was the perfect place to record the Stones’ album. Finally, the two discovered the El Mocambo. Lead singer Mick Jagger and his manager, Peter Rudge, scoured for the perfect night club. And they wanted to record part of the album in a small club in order to capture an intimate atmosphere. In 1976, the Stones were planning to record a live album. The El Mocambo is either famous or infamous for a surprise concert held by the Rolling Stones. And in 1976, the greatest rock and roll band played a surprise gig at the El Mo. Acts like the Ramones, Devo, Joan Jett, and Blondie performed at the club. However, the El Mocambo was the one club in Toronto to feature blues and rock music and still attract large audiences. Disco not only dominated the airwaves, disco clubs were the primary music venues. The mid to late 1970s was also the time of disco. Those two elements soon became the El Mocambo’s calling card. ![]() The name and neon sign stood out from the other Toronto nightclubs. Brown’s inspiration for the El Mocambo name and neon palm tree sign came from a San Fransisco nightclub he frequented. The origin of the club’s name lies with Joseph Brown. Lastly, the El Mocambo held the distinction of being one of Toronto’s first cocktail bars. These two men were also responsible for the club’s name. Restaurants Joseph Brown and John Lang bought the building and installed the club’s famous neon palm tree sign. The owners of the El Mocambo took full advantage of the new act. This act permitted the sale of liquor in taverns and restaurants in the province for the first time since World War I. In 1946, Ontario passed the Liquor License Act. Multiple businesses operated out of the building: a barbershop, a grocery store, and a restaurant. The current building was constructed in 1910. It opened in 1850, and was first used as a haven for escaped slaves from the American South. The original El Mocambo was located at 462 Spandia avenu. ![]()
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