There's a brick building at 31st and Gillham, which has stood for more than eight decades. Most of the time it's been known as the El Torreon, but for three years in the early '70s, it was transformed into the Cowtown Ballroom.
By Fish Fry host Chuck Haddix (edited by Michael Byars)
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-838921.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Listen to the extended interview in the Fish Fry archives
The Cowtown Ballroom hosted an array of artists including Frank Zappa, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, B.B. King, and Steve Martin. A new documentary, "Cowtown Ballroom...Sweet Jesus," tells the story behind the concert hall that played an important role in the musical and social history of Kansas City.
Recently on KCUR's "The Fish Fry," Chuck Haddix sat down with writer/director Joe Heyen and editor/cinematographer Anthony Ladesich to talk about the making of the film.
"Cowtown Ballroom...Sweet Jesus" screens at the Tivoli starting May 22, 2009; the run expands to the Rio May 29, 2009.
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