The Ritz was founded in 1980 byJerry Brandt in the historicWebster Hall ballroom and concert space located at 119 East 11th Street betweenThird andFourth avenues in theEast Village neighborhood of New York City. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the formerStudio 54 on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts until 1995.[1] From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz". The original 11th Street space reverted to the nameWebster Hall after The Ritz relocated.
The club received national attention after an antagonistic performance byPublic Image Limited on May 15, 1981.[3] They were a late substitution forBow Wow Wow, who were originally scheduled to perform.[3] The band was more interested in creating performance art than giving a traditional concert; to this end, they appeared onstage deliberately obscured by a projection screen and played their records through the club's public address system while playing entirely different music onstage.[3] Taunted by lead singerJohn Lydon (formerly of theSex Pistols), the Ritz's unhappy patrons rioted, throwing bottles and garbage cans, and pulling on the video screen that covered the front of the stage.[3][4][5]
The Residents played in New York for the first time at The Ritz, on January 16–17, 1986. Their album13th Anniversary Show - Ritz NY - Jan 16, 1986 was recorded there.
Guns N' Roses recorded their February 2, 1988, concert for a live video[10]
The August 13, 1988, concert byKiss was recorded and has been released several times on video, cd and vinyl[11]
White Lion made a television recording at the club in 1988. This concert was released as the second disc of the 2007 compilationThe Definitive Rock Collection.
"Memories Can't Wait" from theLiving Colour EPBiscuits was recorded live at the club on April 22, 1989.[12]
