be a movie theatre in 1955, and flipped between various usages over the next three decades. It was a furniture store, a theatre space, a warehouse, and from 1971-76 a strip club called “Pandora’s Box”. When that club was condemned, in stepped new ownership and management. This is where Gord and Sherry Rhodes entered the picture. They had come to Ottawa from


Kincardin, Ontario, where they had worked in an entertainment lounge. The owners had named the re-furbished club Barrymore’s after the famous acting dynasty, a nod back to the origins of the club. Patrons dined on fine food prepared by a former NAC Chef while dancers spun to the latest disco hits under two 30-foot palm trees. That concept didn’t last long, and it was Gord who decided to take a stab at turning Barrymore’s into a rock and roll hall. The dance floor was turned into a stage, there was lots of rewiring and remodelling done, and the Golden Age of Barrymore’s was born. The first band to play


Barrymore’s was an Ottawa Metal band called Fist. They drew well and started the ball rolling, but it was a band from Kingston that helped the club get on firm financial footing in those early years. It was Sherry’s father, the legendary Sonny Thompson, who called Barrymore’s “The House the Blushing Brides Built”. It was no joke. The Stones cover band sold out the club once or twice a month, and, with similar success with Canadian artists David Wilcox and Doug and the Slugs, Gord was able to take a chance on international acts and up-and- coming artists. Those included R.E.M, Stevie Ray Vaughn and a new band from Ireland called U2. Sherry remembers a call from


their management firm in New contiinued on page 60


www.bounder.ca BOUNDER MAGAZINE 51


Ottawa’s Oldest Sports Bar & Restaurant 613-232-4217


www.theprescott.com 379 Preston Street, Ottawa


Certified Home Inspectors • wood energy technical trained • plumbing & electrical • on site report • construction consulting • wood stoves & fireplaces • Canadian Lumbermans Association trained


• environmental - radon gas • structural - roofs & floors • mold inspections • level 1 thermographer


WAYNE CORBIN home inspector


Cell: 613.406.7400 • Fax: 613.836.6382 Phone: 613


836.6500


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