Why The Living Room?
Why did I name my newsletter The Living Room? When I was a kid, the living room was the place to be in the house. It had Atari and a VCR. It hosted holidays, sleepover parties, and legendary Nerf basketball games. Nowadays, it’s a comfy place to sit and read or listen to music.
The Living Room was also the name of an (in)famous rock club in Providence, Rhode Island. Much to my parents’ chagrin, I used to see Max Creek there every Wednesday night when I was in high school. To this day, when I listen to Windows, I’m instantly transported back in time to the “Big Bubble.” Back to when I was seventeen and didn’t have a care in the world. I can almost smell the patchouli oil—almost taste a Pearl Harbor with pineapple juice—when I listen to that album. God, I miss those Walk on the Wild Side Wednesdays.
I saw a ton of other great bands at The Living Room too. I saw Phish play their very first gig in Rhode Island at the club. It was jaw dropping. It felt like there were more people on stage than there were in the audience, and I had never seen a band cover Frank Zappa before, let alone play on trampolines. I saw Hot Tuna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roomful of Blues, Throwing Muses, and Tower of Power. It was an eclectic underground scene where hippies, metalheads, punks, Rastafarians, and the occasional outlaw all converged. As a wide-eyed teenager, it was an unworldly place.
The Living Room had three locations over the years. The first club opened in 1975 and the third and final iteration closed its doors in 2006 when the owner, Randy Hein, was tragically killed by a motorist close to his home.
I didn’t know it at the time, but Randy was more than just a notorious rock club owner. He was a community leader. He was a dedicated baseball coach who took not one, but two teams to the Little League World Series. There’s even a baseball field in his hometown of Lincoln named after him. I also just learned that Randy was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2009. Quite the honor.
Anyway, this was the inspiration for the name of my newsletter. I think The Living Room has a nice ring to it. Don’t you?
-Tom
P.S. Did you ever see a show at the second Living Room (the Big Bubble) on Promenade Street in Providence? If so, leave a comment!
I played a ton of shows and saw a ton more. As well as being a musician (Neutral Nation), I also worked there. The Living Room (Big Bubble) was a magical place with an incredible staff and amazing owners. Sadly, Randy, Ma Hein and very recently, Brian Hein have passed away. The Rhode Island musical world owes so much to this family. P.S.: My wife took the photo that you are using on your page.