B’Ginnings was a large musical showcase nightclub in Schaumburg, Illinois

Schaumburg, Illinois

Schaumburg is a city located in Cook County in northeastern Illinois. A common misspelling of the city name is Schaumberg, a spelling which persists on some modern maps. Schaumburg is located just under northwest of downtown Chicago and approximately northwest of O'Hare International Airport. As...

, a suburb

Suburb

The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...

 of Chicago

Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

, that opened in approximately October, 1974 http://www.timmwood.com/scene.html. The principal and most well-known owner was Danny Seraphine

Danny Seraphine

Daniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...

, the drummer

Drummer

A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...

 for the supergroup rock band

Rock Band

Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...

 Chicago

Chicago (band)

Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...

, who had had a hit song called Beginnings.

• • Pentwater, http://www.pentwatermusic.com a band that toured in the 1970s and played B’Ginnings over 20 times, recalls on their web site that, "B’Ginnings’ interior was decorated to resemble a Chicago street scene, complete with stoplights, ‘el’ tracks, and street signs. Free drinks and big haired girls flowed."

• • Keith Nelms, former stage manager/sound engineer, recalls that, B’Ginnings(max.capacity; 936, per fire marshal); was equipped with a 16' × 32' stage, with stairs/loading ramp ; full concert P.A./monitors; & a professional lighting system, (with spotlight). The control booth was setup directly across from the stage, recessed, in the north wall; at ceiling level, with the only access being a narrow iron ladder,(anchored in floor/concrete;welded/attached to the ceiling beams)by the clubs main entrance. All the technical equipment was located here; the sound consoles/equalizers(Tascam model 10/24 channel-FOH/Neotek 24X4-monitors)and lighting console/spotlight, DJ gear/ turntables/TEAC 3340-reel to reel, house backlighting, curtain control(stage was fitted with motorized/velvet-like black curtain, that raised & lowered at the push of button). The interior(west wall) was decorated with mock building facades/windows/doors/porches; with backlighting, to resemble a residential Chicago street scene, complete with stoplights, street signs,(State & Lake/Rush & Oak). ‘L’ tracks,ran from east to west walls(with mock iron, support structures, suspended from ceiling), that looped,("The Loop")around the stainless steel, sunken dance floor(at sub-level in front of stage,with a large disco/mirror ball overhead). A very large, illuminated replica, "Chicago"(Theatre)marquee, on the ceiling, above the main/center bar(1 of 3 bars), an illuminated mural of the skyline of the city of Chicago,(as viewed from Lake Michigan, looking west), covered the entire east wall of the club. In the southwest part of the building, there were numerous Gold & Platinum record awards, from the band Chicago, lining the walls of manager Dino Koletis' 2nd floor office;(2-way mirrored glass enabled the manager a 1 way view of the club from his office desk/chair). Going down the ornamental iron, spiral staircase, from the office, on the sub-ground level, was the spacious, professional dressing room, equipped with wall to wall, lighted mirrors, thick, shag carpet, & a private shower/bathroom. Besides all these excellent features, there was also a full service restaurant/kitchen in the southeast part of the building. *** One Saturday night, in December 1976, Danny Seraphine, and the whole band Chicago, flew into O'Hare airport,(fresh, from a show in southern Illinois); with a Chicago police escort, and a long line of limousines, they drove out to B'Ginnings, to see Dannys' favorite band/pet project, "Streetplayer"; performing a showcase that night !! The club was abuzz with anticipation knowing that their, "hometown boys, made good", were coming there, at the peak of their career,(Chicago X, was certified platinum;, "If You Leave Me Now", was the #1 single, on the charts!) The band arrived, just in time for "Streetplayers" set, and immediately mingled with the crowd. Meanwhile, Danny, came up into the soundbooth ,and asked me, if he could take a turn, at the sound controls for awhile,(I agreed, of course)!! During the course of the evening, I rubbed elbows and chatted, with all of the band members; and before long, it was, "last call"! It was one of the most exciting nights at the club,(with the band socializing, not performing), since their "Grand Opening", performances in 1974!! This was the last time the whole band, together, were at the club! What fond memories !! **(Previous entry compiled/submitted by Keith Nelms-stage manager/sound/lighting engineer 1975–1977) http://www.pentwatermusic.com/highlights.html.” Another rock historian similarly remembers B’Ginnings as the “class of the suburban rock venues,” featuring “eye-candy hostesses combined with ear-piercing Marshall stacks http://www.skirealnews.com/Specials/Danger/Danger-1.html.” Owned by musicians, it was considered a great place for musicians to play because of these amenities!!, http://mandrrush.com/bios/contentview.asp?c=64527. The venue was “totally remodeled” in 1980 http://outernetweb.com/webrock/johnmellencamp/bginnings.jpg but closed soon thereafter.

The club was noteworthy not only for attracting national acts, but, as the following list demonstrates, for supporting local Midwest bands and, at a time when most Chicago clubs would not book new artists, punk rock

Punk rock

Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...

, or evenNew Wave

New Wave music

New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...

 bands, or little-known acts. With Windy City Productions, occasionally taking chances on them, at least for a warmup or audition night performance.(Eventually, Windy City dissolved, in late 1976, into Jam Productions & Celebration Flipside Productions, respectively); Jam hung onto B'Ginnings, & the Ivanhoe Theatre exclusively, along with many other venues in Chicago, along with exclusive booking rights with some of these embryonic artists, as well,(which has helped Jam maintain their overall power base, in the regional/national booking scene, still, today)!! Probably the biggest impediment to the club's longevity was its location, in a shopping mall nearly an hour’s drive from the Chicago city limits. While several of the members of the band Chicago, and many area musicians, hailed from the suburbs, most fans of harder and edgier rock lived in the city. The club was impossible to reach by public transportation, and to fill its capacity had to rely either on fans from the more conservative towns nearby, or on large numbers of urbanites making the long drive out. With the opening of Poplar Creek Music Theatre, just down the road from B'Ginnings, in the late spring/summer of 1980, the club had run its course of live concerts, in a cramped club atmosphere! Bands that used to headline at B'Ginnings, earlier, in the mid-late 1970s',, were now headlining or opening acts at Poplar Creek. This opened the way for its demise, & late in 1980, early 1981, The club was sold, renamed J Lennons; and not long afterwards, closed down completely; ending an almost 6½ to 7 year run of live entertainment at this location! It was soon converted into what it is today; Illinois Secretary of State drivers license testing facility. (Footnote) The floorplan & bathrooms are still the same as the club, at this facility, & upon entering I was waiting for my shoes to stick to the floor and smell(beer),, & the space heater in bathroom is from the old club days, still in the wall Some Bands That Played at B’Ginnings

• Kracker
  Kracker
  Kracker were an American rock band active in the 1970s.-Biography:The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC...
  
   circa 1973–1974
• Jade 50s (1975)
• Cryan’ Shames (1975-76)
• Spirit (Oct. 1975)
• Skafish
  Skafish
  Skafish is a Chicago punk band, fronted by Jim Skafish, cousin of Chicago area DJ Bobby Skafish. The band was formed in 1976 and had their first performance that November....
  
   Jimmy Skafish (Feb. 1976)
• Manfred Mann
  Manfred Mann
  Manfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
  
    (Nov. 10, 1976)
• Cheap Trick
  Cheap Trick
  Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
  
    (Dec. 31, 1976)
• Pentwater
  Pentwater
  Pentwater may refer to a community in the United States:* Pentwater, Michigan* Pentwater Township, Michigan...
  
    (1975–1978)
• Klokwirk  (1975–1978)
• M&R Rush (1977)
• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
  
   (c. July, 1977)
• The Dictators (c. July, 1977)
• Lou Reed
  Lou Reed
  Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
  
    (May 1978)
• Johnny Winter
  Johnny Winter
  John Dawson "Johnny" Winter III is an American blues guitarist, singer, and producer. Best known for his late 1960s and 1970s high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues legend Muddy Waters...
  
   circa 1978
• Pezband
  Pezband
  -Early career:Their first album, 1977's Pezband, received a great deal of critical acclaim, with Record World declaring them the "Most Promising New Act of the Year," with more positive reviews from Billboard and Trouser. Lyrics for all songs on this album were re-written by John Paul Morris, later...
  
    (July, 1978)
• The Police
  The Police
  The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
  
   circa 1978
• Devo
  Devo
  Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
  
    (Nov. 1978)
• Scorpions (1979)
• Rockpile w/Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe July 23, 1979
• The Ramones October 15, 1979
• Steve Forbert
  Steve Forbert
  Steve Forbert is an American pop music singer-songwriter. He is best known for his song "Romeo's Tune", which reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1980....
  
   November 15, 1979
• The Buckinghams
  The Buckinghams
  The Buckinghams are an American Sunshine Pop band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in 1966 and went on to become one of the top selling acts of 1967. The band dissolved in 1970 but reformed in 1980 and continue to tour throughout the United States....
  
   Aug. 29, 1980
• Cimmeron Show Review
  Cimmeron Show Review
  The Cimmeron Show Review was originally a 1960s Revival Band originating in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA in 1972. The group consisted of four University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students, Phil Barry, Scott Nelson, Jeff Kannenberg , and R.B.Smith. When they first started, the idea of the band was to make...
  
   (Sept 1978)
• The Boyzz (Aug. 29, 1980)
• Average White Band (Oct. 1980)
• John Cougar Mellencamp (Oct. 1980)
• http://www.freddietieken.com/Freddie%20Tieken/Photos/Photo-TTT.jpg In B'ginnings dressing room

External links

• http://www.classic-rock-concerts.com/system/production/photos/459/RoryGallagher6a-1975.fullpage.jpg?1251405579 Rory Gallagher @ B'Ginnings 11/7/1974
• http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/74oct12_billboardad.jpg Rush Billboard ad
• http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/76aug26_collage.jpg (Photo of B'Ginnings marquee & ticket stub from Rush concert 8/26/76) I setup marquee/letters, & ran sound/effects for the show; also sat in on Neil Pearts' drum kit for the soundcheck !! Keith Nelms-stage manager/sound/lighting engineer 1975–1977
• Sept. 12, 1974 interview with Robert Lamm
• ‘’The Jack of Dangerous Clubs’’

Prism c. 1975
Europe c. 1977–1979 **Following list compiled by Keith Nelms-stage manager/sound engineer/technical assistant 1975–1977. Many of these shows were recorded by Chicago FM radio station, WXRT; 7UP sponsored,Un-concerts, Engineered by Ken Racek; who would setup recording/mixer in the clubs dressing room. ** Other notable entertainers, who also appeared in concert at B'Ginnings Concert Club at 1227 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, Il. (in the Woodfield Commons shopping center)

• Chicago (2 Nights, Grand Opening) 1974
• Rare Earth (Grand Opening week) 1974
• Santana 1974
• Rory Gallagher / Rush 11/7/1974
• Buddy Miles 1974
• Canned Heat 1974
• John Mayall 1974
• Black Oak Arkansas w/Ruby Starr 1974
• Flo & Eddie (Turtles) 1975
• Nazareth 1975
• Charlie Daniels Band 1975
• Leo Sayer 1975
• Outlaws 1975
• Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 1975
• Caravan / Flock 1975
• Dion 1975 * Association 1975
• Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen 1975
• Michael Martin Murphey 1975
• Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show 1975
• Dave Mason 1975
• Billy Joel 1976 (performed in residency, several nights in a row)
• Captain Beyond 1976
• Be-Bop Deluxe 1976
• Tower of Power 1976
• Pablo Cruise 1976
• Brecker Brothers 1976
• Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band 6/23/1976
• Tommy James 1976
• Savoy Brown / Starz 1976
• Bellamy Brothers 1976 (band equipment/truck was stolen from their hotel after show, it was never recovered)
• Vogues 1976
• Rush 8/26/76
• Angel 1976
• Wayne Cochran & the CC Riders 1976
• Jay Ferguson 1976
• Atlanta Rhythm Section (twice) 1976
• Ambrosia (5 times) 1976–1978
• Richie Furay 1976
• Tom Jans 1976
• Luther Allison 1976
• James Gang 12/04/76 (former guitarist, Tommy Bolin died earlier in the day, in Florida, & the band was informed prior to the soundcheck; They were utterly devastated, & dedicated the show to his memory, & especially, dedicated his song, "Standing In The Rain", to him!
• Wild Cherry 12/76
• Gasolin' 1976
• Cheap Trick / Streetplayer 1976 (New Year's Eve Bash!)
• Stormy Weather 1977
• Shoes 1977
• Pointblank 1977
• Runaways 2/5/77
• Headhunters (Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius) 1977
• Scorpions(AC/DC opened) 1977
• Mink DeVille 1977
• Elvis Costello & the Attractions 1977
• Talking Heads 1977
• Warren Zevon 1977
• Pat Travers 1977
• Max Webster 1977
• UFO 1977
• Rick Nelson 1977
• Brand X (Phil Collins-twice) 1977-1978
• Van Halen / WLUP 1st Anniversary Party 3/20/1978
• Van Morrison 1978
• Boomtown Rats 1978
• Ian Dury & The Blockheads 1978
• Sea Level / Dixie Dregs 1978
• Survivor 1978–1980
• Budgie 1978
• Molly Hatchet 1978
• B-52S 1978
• Cars 1978
• Pat Benatar 1978
• Police 3/13/79
• Elton John "One Man & his piano" (solo)1979
• Knack 1979
• Babys 1979
• Triumph 1979
• Prism 1979
• Joe Jackson 1979
• New Riders of the Purple Sage 1979
• NRBQ 1979
• Romantics 1979(opened for Rockpile)
• Judas Priest 1979
• Scorpions 1979
• Robert Palmer 1979
• Eddie Money 1979
• Iggy Pop / Skafish 1979
• Iron Butterfly / Savoy Brown 1979
• Joe Cocker 1979
• Jan Hammer 1979
• John (Cougar) Mellencamp 1980