Slaytanic Fits at the Ritz in `86

Technically, the building is still there, but it’s just not The Ritz anymore. Today – and for the past several years – it’s a club called Webster Hall (actually, I think the venue was always called Webster Hall – the name dates back to the building’s origins in the 1880s.) Regardless, from 1980 until 1989, the address at 124 East 11th Street was The Ritz. I’ve waxed rhapsodic about it here many times, but a friend of mine from high school put up a clip on Facebook yesterday that brought the memories flowin’ back.

I’m not sure why, but I wasn’t able to attend the show captured in the clip below. By this point, I believe Elizabeth was going to NYU whilst I was sequestered off in Ohio at Denison University. In any case, Elizabeth braved the angry hordes to witness the mighty Slayer tread the boards of the Ritz. Below is her brave preamble.

Went to this very concert with Caitlin and Liz, and of all the life threatening situations I have been in (car accidents, gun point muggings, ocean undertows), this was by far the scariest thing I have ever encountered. Within 40 seconds of the show opening we were knocked to the ground and stomped on unknowingly by some seriously possessed fans. Thank God for Gavin Van Vlack for pulling us off the floor!! Slayer mosh pits are no joke. It was still awesome!

Evidently, shortly afterwards (recounts a friend of Liz’s) Tom Araya stopped singing, looked down and said “Uhh, babes? If you can’t stand the heat, GET THE HELL OUT OF THE KITCHEN!”

Enjoy a little slice of Slayer … at the Ritz in `86.

Comments

[Steve H]

Once when I was interviewing Henry Rollins, he told me that he'd been asking security at the venues the Rollins Band played which shows had the most violent audiences, and the most common answer by far was Slayer.

[GEF]

I'm thinking the name "the ritz" was around as early as 78 if not earlier, you know for us old timers the difference of a year or two is an eternity - and you forgot to mention, after the Ritz it was called "the Rock Hotel" for a number of years... I think even in 86, maybe it was "The Rock Hotel at The Ritz"?

[GEF]

and oh yeah, a great show there circa '86, '87 was Motorhead with the Cro-mags opening (only time i ever saw the Cro-mags when they were actually pretty good). Slayer indeed were peaking during this era, i saw them a irving plaza a year before or after with BARK MARKET opening (extremely underrated) First show i remember there was the Stimulators - not even enough of us to line the front of the stage!

[Alex in NYC]

The Rock Hotel started off on Jane Street and then re-located to The Ritz on certain nights (i.e. they were synonymous).

IT was Motorhead, The Cro-Mags, Wendy O. Williams and S.O.D. (I still have the flyer).

Barkmarket -- Dave Sardy's band -- EXTREMELY underrated!!!