Inspiration comes from everywhere, and in Slim’s case, it struck while @stephen.starr revisited some favorite scenes from the golden age of cinema.
We’re officially open! Find us on @resy .
Cheers, Miami.
“It was 20 years ago today.” @buddakannyc
This was my Sgt. Pepper. Looking forward to our next 20 with Chef @danny_bowien . Special thanks to our original GM and Director, the late and so very great, Steve Scott.
One of the things I did at the start of my career at age 22 was open a nightclub called Stars which was a comedy club that featured two comedians and one musical act a night. The musical act on one of my first nights was Pat Benatar who was billed at the time as Patty Benatar and Firehorse. I met her and took her phone number after her set at Catch A Rising Star in New York City. I owned Stars and also worked the lights every night. One night Pat Benatar sang the Roy Orbison song “Crying” to me on stage. She sang it to me 3 inches away from my face. What a memory! P.S. that’s me announcing her in the audio attached.
Before I owned restaurants I was a concert promoter and had nightclubs featuring live music. I had a club called the Ripley Music Hall at 608 South Street.
This is the press release that I wrote to announce the closing of my club.
My lease had ended with no renewal. I look back at the amazing acts I booked and wonder at what incredible talent passed through this venue. This list is by no means comprehensive. Miss those times!
6/27/84
THE RIPLEY MUSIC HALL WILL CLOSE ITS DOORS. ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 1984.
THE RIPLEY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, RADIO AND TELEVISION FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.
THE RIPLEY
ESPECIALLY THANKS THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS FOR THEIR DEVOTED PATRONAGE OVER
THE LAST THREE YEARS.
THE RIPLEY WOULD LIKE TO THANK AND ALSO FONDLY REMEMBER SOME OF THE CITY’S AND WORLD’S BIGGEST STARS WHO PLAYED OUR STAGE.
CULTURE CLUB, MEN AT WORK, U2, EURYTHMICS, CYNDI LAUPER, THOMPSON IWINS, JOAN JETT, MARSHALL CRENSHAW, JIMMY CLIFF, PETER TOSH, BERLIN, JOE PISCOPO, MILES DAVIS, THE ROMANTICS, ROBERT HAZARD, THE HOOTERS, CHAKA KAHN, CHUCK BERRY, STEVE FORBERT, POINTER SISTERS, THE TEMPTATIONS, FOUR TOPS, JAMES BROWN, QUIET RIOT, RAY CHARLES, RENAISSANCE, DAVE MASON, SCANDEL, HERBIE HANCOCK, CHICK COREA, NILS LOFGREN, PAT METHENY, KID CREOLE, COUNT BASIE, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE AND OF COURSE THAT MAGICAL EVENING WITH BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN.
THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF OTHER PERFORMERS WHO HAVE ENTERTAINED AT THIS 500 SEAT CLUB ON SOUTH STREET AND TO THEM WE EXTEND OUR THANKS.
SO, WITH HEARTFELT THANKS AND WONDERFUL MEMORIES,
“THE CITY’S HOTTEST CLUB ON THE HIPPEST STREET IN TOWN” BIDS YOU A FOND FAREWELL.
THANK YOU.
I spoke at @harvardhbs last night.
Was reflecting on what a treasure it is to our nation, bringing in the best and the brightest from all over the world, contributing so much and with so much potential. Was an absolute pleasure to meet the students and even share a meal with them afterward. It makes me hopeful for the future. I wish I could bring every one of them to work at Starr Restaurants back in Philadelphia!
Special thank you @benhorwitz who reached out to set this up.
It must be kismet. I’m in London looking at locations for two new concepts and I stumbled upon my favorite David Bowie song. It was also great to get to catch up with @robaikens1 , the original chef at @thedandelionpub who is also a dear friend.
At @lvcafenyc I had the pleasure of enjoying an exquisite lunch served by chef @arnauddonckele and the entire Louis Vuitton Chef team from Paris and New York. Vive la France! 🇫🇷
