The Rhythm Room will close its doors for good at the end of May 2027, less than year after celebrating its 35th anniversary.
The Rhythm Room has been on summer break since June 1 for the first time in the venue's history.
As Corritore explained to the The Arizona Republic in May, “We found that the attendance drops so much due to people leaving town that it was just not justifiable to be open anymore. And this, of course, has been accelerated by the exceptionally hot summers that we’ve had. The experience over the last two summers has told us that this is not a time that is in any way profitable.”
The idea was to come back strong this fall after avoiding summer losses.
The club reopens Thursday, Aug. 27, for what Corritore now says will be its final
run.
Bob Corritore explains decision to 'retire' the Rhythm Room after 35 years
The harmonica-playing bandleader issued a statement concerning his decision to, in his words, "retire" the club.
"After 35-plus fantastic years of running the Rhythm Room," he wrote, "I have decided to retire the club and enter into the next chapter of my life."
He's promised "a glorious final season" with "numerous amazing shows."
Those shows include “a blues party like none other” to celebrate Corritore's 70th birthday with an all-star bash that doubles as an anniversary celebration for the Rhythm Room on Friday, Sept. 25.
Other shows of note include a Halloween show with Southern Culture on the Skids and the Gary “Ho-Ho” Hoey Christmas show.
Corritore shared his hope that local music fans will "celebrate the legendary legacy of this Phoenix music institution in our last run."
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Bob Corritore will continue to play music and host his show at KJZZ-FM
Corritore moved to Phoenix in 1981, opening the Rhythm Room a decade later at 1019 E. Indian School Road, the former site of another music venue called the Purple Turtle, where he'd booked his first show in the Valley with Louisiana Red.
A sign outside the Rhythm Room proclaims it "Phoenix's Roots & Blues Concert Club."
As to what the future holds for Corritore, he said, "I plan to continue to play music, keep my great band working, keep recording and releasing music, promote music events, and of course continue my Blues Radio Show."
Corritore hosts "Those Lowdown Blues" Sunday evenings on KJZZ-FM (91.5).
"In reflection, the Rhythm Room has enabled decades of wonderful music and meaningful community gatherings," the club owner continued.
"We look back at all the amazing concerts, shows, and events that we have presented over these last 3 1/2 decades. I have experienced no better feeling than getting on that stage with my favorite musicians to play my heart out to a room filled with dear friends. And gathering great musicians has led to some great recording sessions, which in turn have created album releases that have had worldwide impact and recognition! We are very proud of the amazing list of renowned talent that has blessed our stage!"
Owner calls acts who played the Rhythm Room 'beloved family to us'
The musicians who have graced that stage, he said, "have become beloved family to us. And we have been blessed with an amazing staff who believe in the Rhythm Room’s cause."
He also shared his gratitude for those who made the venue what it's been.
"I must mention current RR manager Lynsey Curtis who has been a part of the Rhythm Room for over 20 years and who represents with charm and kindness," he said.
"And thank you to the great artists, promoters and booking agents who are crucial in this endeavor. And we are especially thankful for the fantastic audiences that have come to gather to enjoy music, friendship, and camaraderie."
To say he'll miss it, he said, would be a "huge" understatement.
"But this year I will celebrate my 70th birthday, and I’m going to give myself permission to live life with a more measured, less hectic pace," he said in closing.
"I look back at the many amazing achievements of the Rhythm Room and all of the people that it’s touched and I have nothing but gratitude. Thank you to the Phoenix music community for allowing me the honor of serving you. And even though this is a big change, I assure you that I still have much more to give. We hope that you will join myself, Lynsey and the great Rhythm Room staff in celebration of our final season from August 27, 2026 to May 30, 2027."
If you have memories of photos of the Rhythm Room that you would like to share, please reach out to Ed Masley at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why this iconic Phoenix music venue is ‘retiring’ after 35 years
