The Rhythm Room returns to active duty on Thursday, Aug. 27, for its final round of shows before closing forever at the end of May 2027. The home of the blues and more in Phoenix took its first summer off in an amazing 35-year run this year.
So how does it feel to come back for the last hurrah?
“You know what? It's really exciting,” venue owner and veteran bluesman Bob Corritore says in a voice that definitely does not sound like he’s just saying that.
“And the reason for this is that there seems to be a real appreciation of the Rhythm Room and an enthusiasm happening right now as people know that it's now a finite experience.”
Ticket sales are up.
“And people seem genuinely happy to come embrace the Rhythm Room," Corritore says. "There's obviously
people who are sad that it's closing, but I don't think you could have a more perfectly written story. I just feel like it's just the perfect time to exit and call it a beautiful storyline.”
Bob Corritore says, 'It just feels like we're doing the right thing'
The first show back, on Thursday, Aug. 27, is, as Corritore calls, “a cool indie show” with Electric Ramble, AJ Odneal and Lunes. Then, on Friday, it’s back to the blues for the first of two nights with a Rhythm Room favorite, the Danielle Nicole Band.
As Corittore says, it’s a great way to kick off a season whose other highlights 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 Wayne Hancock, a Halloween show with Southern Culture on the Skids, Fred Eaglesmith and the Gary “Ho-Ho” Hoey Christmas show.
“I just think it's a powerful thing that we're reopening and doing it in such a way that we're giving people an opportunity to really savor the Rhythm Room in this final season,” Corritore says.
“We've got a number of great shows we're announcing each week, a bunch of stuff that's in the works. It just feels like we're doing the right thing. And by announcing it in such a way, it feels like the staff feels like we're really going out as a celebration.”
It’s certainly a bittersweet occasion for the staff.
“Obviously people who have worked for me for years feel sad that it won't be there indefinitely,” Corritore says. “But at the same time, they understand.”
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Rhythm Room owner says, 'Apparently, this has a lot of sentimental value'
Ticket sales have been brisk for that 35th anniversary birthday bash.
“That will probably be selling out,” Corritore says.
“Every day, there’s a whole bunch more tickets sold. And it's a month away. So it's exciting that there's that kind of interest in that. It such a milestone with a lineup that makes it like a festival in a small club. We've got people coming in from all around the country and a number of Europeans coming in. Apparently, this has a lot of sentimental value.”
After dropping the bombshell earlier this year that the club would be closed for the summer, Corritore announce in late July that after coming back in August, it would close again – this time for good – in May 2027.
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."
Bob Corritore says, 'It’s been just one amazing show after another'
Having launched his career in his hometown, Chicago, 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.
With the club closing, Corritore plans to continue to playing music, touring and recording with his band, promoting live music and hosting his long-running radio show, "Those Lowdown Blues," Sunday evenings on KJZZ-FM (91.5).
He’s philosophical about the closing of this major chapter in not only his life but the history of Phoenix music.
“It served an amazing purpose and it's still serving it,” he says. “But by putting an endpoint on it, we get to walk out and say, ‘Here is what we did.’ And it's huge what we did. I can't even believe all the shows we did. People say, ‘Remember when you had Amazing Rhythm Aces? And I'm like, ‘Oh yeah, we did have them.’ It’s been just one amazing show after another.”
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: Iconic Phoenix concert venue returns for last hurrah before shuttering
