Dome Shadows
We are remembering one of Houston's most famous night clubs...
We are remembering one of Houston's most famous night clubs...
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Customers Remember
February 13, 2008 9:31 PM
My name is Robert Guercio.
I grew up less than a half mile from the club. I was too young to work at the club when it first opened.
However, I do have a couple of stories about it.
My friends and I collected empty cigarette packs. (It's a long story.) We would dig thru the trash there to find exotic cigarette brands.
It was also the first night club I ever went to. We were under-age, but slipped the person at the door a couple of bucks and we got in. This was 1972-73.
We then started going to the 2nd Office Club - Buffalo Speedway and the Southwest Freeway, because they played better music.
Once the law changed and allowed 18 year olds to drink, we stopped going. It was more fun to sneak in.
Also, everything in that area in the mid 60's had a Dome or Astro in its name.
I guess if you could get in touch with the grocery store that was there - it was called Wards, or the drug store - I think it was called Buffalo drug store, they might give you some more info.
I am 53 and graduated from Bellaire High School in 1973. I lived on Bluegate Street, about 1/2 mile east of the club.
This is from Charlie Bailey, April 1, 2008:
Me and one of my employees were talking about the old days and when I told him I used to frequent the Dome Shadows he said he also was there a lot. I actually met my third wife there. My youngest brother and I were there every Friday and Saturday around 1972 and 1973. There was a waitress there named Mary and when we came in she would run the patrons that were at the table to the far entrance to the dance floor off because we tipped so well. I was there many a night when Paul Berlin would host the "leg contest". I remember most of the winners came from the Crystal Pistol because they were just a little less shy than the regulars. It was great memories, the lighted dance floor, the leg contests, and all the pretty gals to dance with. Unfortunately, I have no pictures. I would really like to see some pics of the place back then.
Charlie Bailey
Gary-
I remember the DOMESHADOWS club from the 60's. I went to the U of Houston in the mid sixties and was married at the time. She worked for Braniff Airlines at Hobby Airport and I worked for Eastern Airlines (downtown) at night (I went to school during the day), along with other airline employees (American, Continental, National, Pan Am, as well as Braniff and Eastern). We would close the joint down, but we had a helluva time.
I especially remember Paul Berlin emceeing (actually, I have always thought that he owned the club).
Also, we almost always went there after a ball game, either the Astros or the Oilers.
GOOD TIMES!!!!
Jimbo
God, I grew up there, my sister Vickie was a bartender and I was to young to get in, but I did!!! I was there when T.C. and the Good Stuff played and then when Bill Hershey took over..i'm sure there were others but those r the 2 I remember the most. Before we ever set foot in the Dome Shadows we use to walk to the 7/11 and walk behind in the ally to hear the music. I was probably only 13 yrs old!!! I remember the leg contest and the beer bust night. my sister won one night, as did a friend of mine Cynthia. Vickie's pix is outstanding, I'm not sure if she still has but if she does I'll have my husband scan it and send it to you. This is so cool that you've done this, brings back allot of memories, good and bad, but mostly GOOD!!! It was one of the best times of my young life!!!!
Thank-You,
Debbie
Hello!
We loved Dome Shadows...My friends and I had some wonderful times in this great club...back in the late 70's-early 80's. I must go see if I can find any pictures!
Good luck with the website!
Rose Ann
Dear Mr. Marshall:
Dome shadows was one of the best clubs we went to in the late 70's and early 80's. The club was packed every Friday and Saturday with Houston bands such as The Steve Long Group, The Texas boogie Band, the Rovers, Sky King, Firewater, and Blitz (to name a few).
One band stood above the rest. The band that was the number one grossing band (at that time for a local band) was LIC. LIC had such a following that when the Houston Fire Department knew they were playing at the Dome Shadows, they would be there to stop patrons from coming in due to the limit of people the club could hold. The reason for this was the band used flash pots (4 across the front of the stage), for their last set, by that time it was concern of the HFD that no one was hurt. My sister and I were usually up front and would get our cue from Louis aka Johnnie Fixx to move someone back, or turn off the switch so no would get hurt. the band was extremely considerate of their friends, fans and themselves. Plus my sister and I were fortunate to meet Louis' family and they took us in like we were their two daughters.
Thank you for creating a place that was safe, fun and gave two sisters not only memories that will last a lifetime, friendships and love and support of Houston musicians not as groupies but as "two very naive young ladies that were taken care of by gentlemen that just happened to be musicians. They just took care of us.
I wanted to let you know that my sister and I have very fond memories of Dome Shadows. We actually were just talking about the club this past Saturday.
Sincerely,
Mary Kay and Rose Ann
[The sisters submitted photos which are being loaded on the photo page]
Hello!
My name is Robert Garcia. My only connections to the Dome Shadows are the memories of my aunt and her husband going there (I think in the very late 60's or early 70's) and the fact that I now live just off of Buffalo Speedway on Castlewood St., less than a quarter mile away from where Dome Shadows once stood.
When my wife and I were house hunting we were leery of the dilapidated strip mall that eventually got torn down and has become a gated townhouse community.
I smile every time I pass that site knowing that a lot of fun was had there.
I love all of the Astrodome related trivia. There are still fragments of signage that intrigue me as well as the period era palm trees.
If you have the time to share information as to what some of the places were I would be most grateful.
Best wishes,
Robert Garcia
I grew up less than a half mile from the club. I was too young to work at the club when it first opened.
However, I do have a couple of stories about it.
My friends and I collected empty cigarette packs. (It's a long story.) We would dig thru the trash there to find exotic cigarette brands.
It was also the first night club I ever went to. We were under-age, but slipped the person at the door a couple of bucks and we got in. This was 1972-73.
We then started going to the 2nd Office Club - Buffalo Speedway and the Southwest Freeway, because they played better music.
Once the law changed and allowed 18 year olds to drink, we stopped going. It was more fun to sneak in.
Also, everything in that area in the mid 60's had a Dome or Astro in its name.
I guess if you could get in touch with the grocery store that was there - it was called Wards, or the drug store - I think it was called Buffalo drug store, they might give you some more info.
I am 53 and graduated from Bellaire High School in 1973. I lived on Bluegate Street, about 1/2 mile east of the club.
This is from Charlie Bailey, April 1, 2008:
Me and one of my employees were talking about the old days and when I told him I used to frequent the Dome Shadows he said he also was there a lot. I actually met my third wife there. My youngest brother and I were there every Friday and Saturday around 1972 and 1973. There was a waitress there named Mary and when we came in she would run the patrons that were at the table to the far entrance to the dance floor off because we tipped so well. I was there many a night when Paul Berlin would host the "leg contest". I remember most of the winners came from the Crystal Pistol because they were just a little less shy than the regulars. It was great memories, the lighted dance floor, the leg contests, and all the pretty gals to dance with. Unfortunately, I have no pictures. I would really like to see some pics of the place back then.
Charlie Bailey
Gary-
I remember the DOMESHADOWS club from the 60's. I went to the U of Houston in the mid sixties and was married at the time. She worked for Braniff Airlines at Hobby Airport and I worked for Eastern Airlines (downtown) at night (I went to school during the day), along with other airline employees (American, Continental, National, Pan Am, as well as Braniff and Eastern). We would close the joint down, but we had a helluva time.
I especially remember Paul Berlin emceeing (actually, I have always thought that he owned the club).
Also, we almost always went there after a ball game, either the Astros or the Oilers.
GOOD TIMES!!!!
Jimbo
God, I grew up there, my sister Vickie was a bartender and I was to young to get in, but I did!!! I was there when T.C. and the Good Stuff played and then when Bill Hershey took over..i'm sure there were others but those r the 2 I remember the most. Before we ever set foot in the Dome Shadows we use to walk to the 7/11 and walk behind in the ally to hear the music. I was probably only 13 yrs old!!! I remember the leg contest and the beer bust night. my sister won one night, as did a friend of mine Cynthia. Vickie's pix is outstanding, I'm not sure if she still has but if she does I'll have my husband scan it and send it to you. This is so cool that you've done this, brings back allot of memories, good and bad, but mostly GOOD!!! It was one of the best times of my young life!!!!
Thank-You,
Debbie
Hello!
We loved Dome Shadows...My friends and I had some wonderful times in this great club...back in the late 70's-early 80's. I must go see if I can find any pictures!
Good luck with the website!
Rose Ann
Dear Mr. Marshall:
Dome shadows was one of the best clubs we went to in the late 70's and early 80's. The club was packed every Friday and Saturday with Houston bands such as The Steve Long Group, The Texas boogie Band, the Rovers, Sky King, Firewater, and Blitz (to name a few).
One band stood above the rest. The band that was the number one grossing band (at that time for a local band) was LIC. LIC had such a following that when the Houston Fire Department knew they were playing at the Dome Shadows, they would be there to stop patrons from coming in due to the limit of people the club could hold. The reason for this was the band used flash pots (4 across the front of the stage), for their last set, by that time it was concern of the HFD that no one was hurt. My sister and I were usually up front and would get our cue from Louis aka Johnnie Fixx to move someone back, or turn off the switch so no would get hurt. the band was extremely considerate of their friends, fans and themselves. Plus my sister and I were fortunate to meet Louis' family and they took us in like we were their two daughters.
Thank you for creating a place that was safe, fun and gave two sisters not only memories that will last a lifetime, friendships and love and support of Houston musicians not as groupies but as "two very naive young ladies that were taken care of by gentlemen that just happened to be musicians. They just took care of us.
I wanted to let you know that my sister and I have very fond memories of Dome Shadows. We actually were just talking about the club this past Saturday.
Sincerely,
Mary Kay and Rose Ann
[The sisters submitted photos which are being loaded on the photo page]
Hello!
My name is Robert Garcia. My only connections to the Dome Shadows are the memories of my aunt and her husband going there (I think in the very late 60's or early 70's) and the fact that I now live just off of Buffalo Speedway on Castlewood St., less than a quarter mile away from where Dome Shadows once stood.
When my wife and I were house hunting we were leery of the dilapidated strip mall that eventually got torn down and has become a gated townhouse community.
I smile every time I pass that site knowing that a lot of fun was had there.
I love all of the Astrodome related trivia. There are still fragments of signage that intrigue me as well as the period era palm trees.
If you have the time to share information as to what some of the places were I would be most grateful.
Best wishes,
Robert Garcia
I went to Dome Shadows twice.
In 1977, on Thanksgiving Eve, my good friend, his co-worker at that
time and I, all students at University of Houston, went to Dome Shadows after
the Houston Rocket game at the Summit. We must have arrived around 10 or 11 PM
to partake in Beer Bust Night. When we arrived there was only two other patrons,
two beautiful young women.
I only drank half-a-cup of beer, because I am not a beer drinker. When
my friend's co-worker was not looking, I passed my beer to my friend, so that he
was drinking twice as much as his co-worker. The co-worker was convinced I was
drunk.
After a while, the co-worker went up to the two women and asked for a
dance. They both turned him down. A while later, I approached the two women and
asked for a dance, but was also turned down.
The co-worker badgered my friend all night for not approaching the two
women. We soon left and the co-worker drove us home. On the way to my friend's
home, I could hear my friend throwing up in the back of the car. And so
on.
The second time I went to the Dome Shadows was in late 1980 or maybe
the first half of 1981. I took my former wife when we were dating to see a band.
I believe the band was New Orleans, Red Rockers, a Clash-like punk band. I saw
one of my brothers at the club.
- -Michael Jozwiak
Please email me at jackharris@att.net Copyright . Gary Yantis. All rights reserved. To see my other work go to SkilCrafted.com
Dome Shadows Forum