This Week In Dallas Music History: Russell Hobbs Remembers Deep Ellum’s Beginnings

Russell Hobbs​This is the week that the Dallas Observer will release its annual Best Of issue, so it seems appropriate to open the vault and look back at a Best Of issue from September 2000. During this week 10 years ago, staff writer Jimmy Fowler shed light on Russell Hobbs'...
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Russell Hobbs

This is the week that the Dallas Observer will release its annual Best Of issue, so it seems appropriate to open the vault and look back at a Best Of issue from September 2000.

During this week 10 years ago, staff writer Jimmy Fowler shed light on Russell Hobbs’ then 15-year legacy as the “creator of Deep Ellum,” and focused on his then-newly opened Christian club The Door.

The article, though, refers mostly to the impressive beginnings of Theatre Gallery, the club Hobbs opened in 1984. Writes Fowler: “Hobbs and booker Jeff Liles brought in then-scary bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, 10,000 Maniacs, Wall of Voodoo, and Henry Rollins’ outfit.”

He even talks about a legendary R.E.M. jam session that took place at the Theatre Gallery after a Bronco Bowl show and a few hits of acid.

Now, 25 years after Deep Ellum’s so-called creation, and three years after he purchased the Gypsy Tea Room, Hobbs is still successfully operating The Door and The Prophet Bar.

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Check out the entire article after the jump.

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