Comments on: Ed Pearl: Back to the Ash Grove

By: Jay Peitzer

Jay Peitzer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:41:55 +0000

Anybody who was at the AshGrove in it’s heyday misses it. It was a place where musicians were born and came to hear each other. It was a venue for music lovers run by a music lover. If Ed Pearl had been a better businessman he could have been LA’s answer to Bill Graham. I’m so glad he wasn’t. I remember seeing Mance Lipscomb and Brownie and Sonny who’s playing belied the enmity they had for eachother. The Chambers Brothers were a revelation. My freshman year at Fairfax HS saw the Byrds playing in the HS auditorium. I remember quite fondly i fine sprinkling of dust that was dislodged from the rafters by the sound. The Byrds of course were largely AshGrove alums. I also remeber hearing Spirit several times during 1968. They seemed to be opening for everyone. It’s possible that if they had played Woodstock they may have really taken off. But that is ancient history as am I.

By: Janet Wolfe

Janet Wolfe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:05:04 +0000

This was my uncle Edwin’s club and I was so fortunate to be a kid running around in the club with my cousin Marni (Ed’s) step daughter….many of the artist’s stayed at our home while they were in town, that is where my brother Randy got his education in the blues ….Mance Lipscomb, Brownie McGee Sonny Terry, Lightning Hopkins…it is a tragedy that the “real” music has been shoved to the wayside and most people don’t know what real music is anymore…I am so grateful for the life I have had and am having…..all we can do is educate others by sharing music and stories…:) Janet Wolfe

By: suzeesg

suzeesg — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:40:34 +0000

whenever I hear Dave do his Ashgrove piece, I get chills, every single time. What a great club and sure wish I could’ve gone there just once! As always, another article well written, chock full of info, a lesson in history/rock’n'roll/culture.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:11:10 +0000

Awesome piece on the venue. While it was before my time, getting to hear the audio on this website and reading about the artists who came through makes me quite jealous of those who got a chance to go see those shows.
Seeing Bessie Jones there would have been unreal..

By: Jason Van Meter

Jason Van Meter — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:15:07 +0000

I’m surprised that there was no mention in this article about Ed Pearl’s somewhat famous nephew – The widely underrated guitarist, Randy California and the band, Spirit which started at the Ash Grove as The Red Roosters. The drummer for Spirit and also Randy’s step-dad, Ed Cassidy, was the original drummer for Cannonball Adderly and The Rising Sons (Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder).

By: Toby

Toby — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:21:43 +0000

A fascinating story! I knew the Ash Grove by name, but was not completely familiar with its rich legacy. I applaud Pearl’s taste, his commitment to the artists, and his respect for the establishment’s clientele. As San Frannie said, it’s ashame that venues like this will never be seen again. Clubs like his were simply open universities for anyone with ears big enough to absorb the living history on its stage.

By: San Frannie

San Frannie — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:49:31 +0000

Great piece! How I wish there were still a venue like the Ash Grove ANYWHERE in the United States – if so, I’m not aware of it. San Francisco rock promoter Bill Graham seemed to understand the significance of these performers and turned the young white audiences of the 60’s on to the likes of Big Momma Mae Thornton, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and more.

Used to be a comfy dive here in San Francisco called Jack’s where folks of all ages and ethnicities swung together listening to great jazz and blues. It’s been gone a long time now and I still grieve for it.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:29:13 +0000

Great piece. I’ve heard rumours that there are recordings of some of this stuff out there.

By: Erik Elder

Erik Elder — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:14:52 +0000

I grew up in Los Angeles, so reading this well written article was taking a musical ride back to the homeland. The dialogue is so well done that I almost feel like Pearl is talking directly to me.

Nice.