# Club Baron > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Club_Baron > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Club_Baron.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Baron > Source revision: 1344452489 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Club Baron** was a nightclub in [Nashville, Tennessee](/source/Nashville,_Tennessee). Built in 1955 in an African-American commercial district on Jefferson Street, the club was owned by local pharmacist Jackson H. Brown. Ithosted notable artists such as [Jimi Hendrix](/source/Jimi_Hendrix), [Ray Charles](/source/Ray_Charles), and [Joe Henderson](/source/Joe_Henderson). Patrons were primarily from [Fisk University](/source/Fisk_University), [Tennessee State University](/source/Tennessee_State_University), and [Meharry Medical College](/source/Meharry_Medical_College).[1] After its heyday, the club became an [Elks](/source/Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks) lodge. It survived demolition in the 2010s.[2] The building was listed on the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 2026.[3] ## Performances Notable performances[4] Artist Music genre Date(s) performed Fats Domino Rock & Roll / Blues 7/25/1955, 7/26/1955, 5/4/1959 Sonny Thompson Rhythm & Blues 9/4/1955 The "5" Royales Rhythm & Blues 10/11/1955, 12/25/1955 Muddy Waters Blues 10/27/1955 Roy Brown Blues 11/23/1955, 11/24/1955 Etta James Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll, Soul 12/13/1955, 12/14/1955 Bill Doggett Jazz, Blues 2/29/1956 Ray Charles Soul, Rhythm & Blues 10/24/1956 Little Walter Blues 12/12/1956 Jay Hawkins Blues & Rock 6/5/1960 The Isley Brothers Rhythm & Blues, Soul 6/5/1960 Jimmy Jones Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll 6/5/1960 Al Brown's Tune Toppers Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll 6/5/1960 Ruth McFadden Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Pop 7/21/1960 Jackie Wilson Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Pop 7/21/1960 Arthur Prysock Rhythm & Blues, Jazz 7/21/1960 Chris Colombo & Orchestra Jazz 7/21/1960 Larry Birdsong Rhythm & Blues 12/7/1961 Joe Henderson Jazz 7/15/1962 ## Other notable occurrences - On September 16, 1963, [Cassius Clay](/source/Muhammad_Ali) visited Club Baron while traveling from Miami, FL to his hometown of Louisville, KY. He engaged with reported outside of the Club Del Morocco, and read them a [poem](/source/Sonny_Liston_vs._Cassius_Clay#Pre-fight_publicity) about his [upcoming fight](/source/Sonny_Liston_vs._Cassius_Clay) with [Sonny Liston](/source/Sonny_Liston) in 1964.[4] - [Jimi Hendrix](/source/Jimi_Hendrix) was a frequent patron of Club Del Morocco. However, in 1963 he visited Club Baron to challenge renowned Nashville guitarist Johnny Jones to a guitar duel. While Jones beat Hendrix, Jones covered "[Purple Haze](/source/Purple_Haze)" in 1969 as a tribute to Hendrix.[5] - On September 25, 1963, Joel Vradenberg, the operator of the Club Baron at the time, was forced to forfeit $100 in bonds due to charges of disorderly conduct. He was said to have a "disorderly house" and allowing minors and intoxicated persons to loiter on his property.[4] - On April 29, 1965, the Davidson Country Grand Jury pushed for the closing of the Club Baron, calling it the "crossroads of crime in our city".[4] - On May 2, 1965, a woman from North Nashville was stabbed to death at the club.[4] - On August 5, 1965, the Club Baron reopened after closing in June for remodeling. The owner, Jackson H. Brown, chose to begin personally running the club.[4] - On October 11, 1966, the Club baron was auctioned off by Jim Stevens Realty and Auction Associates.[4] ## Danger of demolition Club Baron went into disrepair due to neglect and storm damage, raising concerns about its demolition. The structure, which had hosted the Elks Lodge #1102 since the 1960s. However, its deteriorating condition, which included a falling roof and considerable water damage, earned it a spot on Historic Nashville, Inc.'s endangered property list.[6] Given the loss of numerous historic landmarks along [Jefferson Street](/source/Jefferson_Street_(Nashville)), there was growing concern that Club Baron, like others before it, would be destroyed.[citation needed] Efforts to save the building gained traction when Butch Spyridon, CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp., became involved. The neighborhood was skeptical at first since prior promises of assistance had not been delivered. However, Spyridon quickly raised over $300,000 through personal outreach and online campaigns, securing cash for critical repairs. The roof and awning were repaired and electrical and plumbing issues were addressed.[6] The project aimed not only to save the building, but also to restore its use as a community place.[citation needed] ## References 1. ["Club Baron Historical Marker"](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=147885). *[Historical Marker Database](/source/Historical_Marker_Database)*. Retrieved 2025-03-17. 1. Wynn, Ron (2022-10-13). ["Club Baron Revitalization"](https://www.nashvillescene.com/bon/2022/music/writers-choice/club-baron-revitalization/article_374dca36-48d9-11ed-90e6-ff59252cdf13.html). *Nashville Scene*. Retrieved 2025-03-17. 1. ["WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 3/9/2026 THROUGH 3/13/2026"](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/weekly-list-2026-03-13.htm). National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-03-20. 1. ["History of Club Baron from the archives of The Tennessean"](https://www.tennessean.com/picture-gallery/money/2016/08/02/history-of-club-baron-from-the-archives-of-the-tennessean/87969584/). *The Tennessean*. Retrieved 2025-03-17. 1. Lind, J. R. (2021-02-18). ["Walk a Mile: Jefferson Street"](https://www.nashvillescene.com/in_print/walk-a-mile-jefferson-street/article_74ceb393-526f-568a-bb05-2ace85d97664.html). *Nashville Scene*. Retrieved 2025-03-17. 1. Littman, Margaret (2023-02-09). ["Jefferson Street jams"](https://theemancipator.org/2023/02/09/topics/histories/jefferson-street-jams/). *The Emancipator*. Retrieved 2025-03-17. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Club Baron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Baron) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Baron?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.