The End of an Era: Zaphod's is closing? REALLY?

1st Things 1st: NOTHING in this article has been confirmed from CREDIBLE sources yet, just a massive rant that may all be for naught…

Still.

Everyone from your brother’s terrible high school band to U2, from A dude who plays his entire band’s parts using only ONE GUITAR and his own ingenuity to THE ROLLING STONES hit that same stage.

It’s been a staple venue in this city for DECADES.   In it’s currently location since 1992.

1992.

And now, reports are saying that, last night at their popular “Trailer park bingo” night, patrons were told over the P.A. that Zaphod Beeblebrox, THE BAR AT THE END OF THE GALAXY, would be closing it’s doors in two weeks time.

The bar that, when I was but a young warthog, I had dreamed of one day making it into because my sister had an EPIC GWAR-concert story there…

(No, I’m not sharing HER story. Just one of mine…)

Let’s travel WAY back in time, shall we?

It was 1998.  I, a punk 16 year-old kid, halfway through my tenure at Gloucester High School, playing in a band with some of my high school pals, got a chance to set foot, for the VERY FIRST TIME ON A REAL STAGE, to share our music with the world.

Were we amazing? No.

Did we have an absolute RIOT, rocking out to a room filled with quite a few parents, and THEIR friends, and older siblings and THEIR friends?

We sure as poop did.

EVEN IF I GOT STUCK BEHIND “THE PILLAR” most times, for the first few years we played shows… (Anyone who ever played there OR saw a show there… you know “THE PILLAR”).

Over the years, we managed to hit that stage pretty darned regularly, and got paid (sometimes MORE than $20!!!!) for it, and learned valuable lessons about the industry… it honestly WAS, THE PLACE that local bands got their first real shot in.

I was there a few times over the last year, celebrating the passing of the torch from Eugene Haslam, the man BEHIND the magic there… And seeing some good friends who are still crushin’ shows all over the city.

And now: it’s en route (allegedly) to being Gone?

This sucks.

May have to go pound at least One more Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster before it shuts the doors for good.

If it’s all true, Farewell, Zaphod’s.

You did more for the music scene in this city than many people will realize after you’re gone. :(

-R