The Metro St. Louis Live Music
Historical Society
Tony Velasco's
8233 Airport Road, Berkeley MO
Herman Grimes onstage at Tony's
Post from Jerry Frank (5/12/2010):
...and a post from Fred S, 11/26/12:
I just saw your
post about Velasco's in Berkeley.
I lived about two blocks from there and went to see Ike Turner many times.
I remember when Tina first showed up.
It was a "teen town" at that time, no one over 19 could go in. No alcohol, just
coke, fries, etc.
and a lot of dancing.
...and here's more info from Sax player Russ Knapp:
I played tenor with Bob Kuban for a while before he became famous in St. Louis, and I guess it was in 1960, we played at Velasco's basement Teen Town on Saturday nights. I clearly remember being there with my wife Toni, when Ike and Tina Turner were headlining on Thursday nights, in her music infancy, long before she became famous.
I thought it turned very interesting that we had the hot night on Saturday, and the Turners had second best on Thursday - it turned out good for Tina !
I don't think Velasco's remained open very long after
that.
If you have any photos, facts or memories of this club, please email me at: greg@dejawho.com