The Belly Up celebrates 50 years of bringing rock, reggae and rowdy good times to Solana Beach

As I delve deeper into the captivating tale of the Belly Up, I find myself awestruck by the resilience and passion that has kept this venue alive for half a century. From its humble beginnings as a Quonset hut to its current status as a beacon of live music in Solana Beach, the Belly Up has weathered the test of time like a seasoned sailor navigating stormy seas.

1974 found Dave Hodges reminiscing with an old buddy over some drinks, and it struck him that the nightlife scene in North San Diego County was lacking in trendy spots.

Instead of choosing an accounting profession after graduating from the University of San Diego, he opted to establish a bar instead.

Following an extensive hunt for a suitable spot, Hodges stumbled upon a Quonset hut on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach. This curved steel structure, once utilized by the Navy during World War II and later by a waterbed company that ceased operations, became the perfect canvas for Hodges’ new venture. With a touch of whimsy referencing its history, he christened his latest establishment as the Belly Up Tavern.

In a 1989 interview with The Times, Hodges expressed that they were searching for a spot where a couple of old buddies could grab a few drinks. He described it as being similar to an English pub, but not too dim or dingy, and definitely not having any unpleasant odors.

Initially, the bar’s regular customers were primarily manual laborers, who frequented it for its chess and checkers boards, pool tables, and dartboards. It also had a small library where people could borrow books for leisurely reading while at the bar, as Hodges remembered.

He mentioned that we had assistance from plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, individuals who desired a tranquil area for some drinks,” he stated. “The atmosphere was relaxed.

Later, it transformed into one of Southern California’s longest-standing (and most boisterous) music stages, hosting numerous iconic performances ranging from Tom Jones to Snoop Dogg.

This month signifies the 50th anniversary of Belly Up, and instead of celebrating this milestone with a single event, they’ve been hosting a string of concerts – 50 in total. The series kicked off in July with performances from bands like the Aggrolites, War, and X, and will wrap up in October with three consecutive nights dedicated to Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals. This eclectic mix of artists mirrors Belly Up’s rich and vibrant past.

Initially, this establishment specialized in featuring roots music and attracted a dedicated audience. Hodges constructed a modest stage with spare resources from his waterbed business, making it possible for the venue to host artists specializing in blues, bluegrass, and rock ‘n’ roll.

As a film enthusiast of blues music, I’d be quick to reminisce about the golden era when gems like Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, and Albert Collins graced the stage at the Belly Up. Even amidst the disco craze, this venue managed to stand out by cultivating a dedicated reggae following through their impressive bookings of iconic Jamaican artists such as Eek-A-Mouse, U-Roy, Toots, and the Maytals in North County.

By the 1990s, The Belly Up began welcoming artists who had gained broader popularity, with acts such as George Clinton, No Doubt, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers gracing its stage.

At approximately the same period, Hodges encountered Steve Goldberg and Phil Berkovitz, proprietors of a nearby eatery known as Pacific Coast Grill. Some acts from the Belly Up Tavern would perform at this restaurant on Thursdays under different monikers. One such group was the well-known San Diego band the Beat Farmers, who graced the stage at the restaurant under the alias Incredible Hayseeds. Hodges, Goldberg, and Berkovitz formed a bond and often visited each other’s establishments regularly.

Goldberg proposes becoming friends, “and we responded, ‘Listen buddy, if you’re considering a sale in the future, count us in. We comprehend your vision, and we assure you we won’t compromise it.’

In 2003, Hodges transferred ownership of the Belly Up Tavern and a connected eatery to Goldberg and Berkovitz.

They’ve faithfully upheld the venue’s essence and fostered its expansion, resulting in numerous employees who have been part of Belly Up for decades, even before the present management took over. (Word count: 58)

Over time, The Belly Up has experienced numerous transformations, for instance, discarding “The Tavern” from its name and featuring live shows by renowned acts including Jones, Snoop Dogg, and The Rolling Stones.

During the shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Goldberg and Berkovitz utilized their free time to refurbish the eatery located nearby, which they named the Belly Up Tavern. However, the original venue kept its name as the Belly Up. Nowadays, posters from previous performances adorn the walls of the restaurant, giving patrons a sense of the club’s past.

At the Belly Up, the deep respect for history and the cozy, intimate atmosphere of the 600-seater venue, encourages attendees not only to observe shows but truly live the concert experience instead.

As a devoted cinephile, I wholeheartedly concur with Goldberg and Berkovitz’s perspective on the Belly Up’s triumph. Their philosophy, encapsulated in the term “noncorporate professionalism,” has been the cornerstone of their success. In essence, they have consistently prioritized authenticity and expertise over corporate homogenization. The relentless consolidation in the industry is a stark contrast to their unwavering commitment to remaining unique, not just another faceless entity. They are, and always will be, the embodiment of the experience we cherish and the ambiance they curate.

That’s not to say that they’re opposed to reaching a wider audience. Last year, the Belly Up started exclusively booking concerts at the Sound, a 1,900-capacity concert hall on the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Beyond the Belly Up, they’re also involved in producing numerous shows, often collaborating with larger corporations for events across Southern California. As Goldberg explains, “We see these corporate promoters not as adversaries, but as partners. We find no distaste in working together, rather we view it as an opportunity to create exceptional experiences.

Another of the Belly Up’s not-so-secret weapons is Grammy Award-winning producer Chris Goldsmith.

Following Mongo Santamaria’s performance at the Belly Up on Goldsmith’s 21st birthday, he began performing there with his band, Borracho y Loco. This opportunity subsequently led to employment with the venue’s booking agency in 1988. Over the next six years, Goldsmith showcased a variety of blues, reggae, and world music artists on stage at the venue. After relocating, he shifted his focus to album production, collaborating with acts such as the Blind Boys of Alabama, Charlie Musselwhite, and Harper.

Goldsmith quickly moved back to Southern California following the acquisition of the Belly Up by Goldberg and Berkovitz, who resumed hosting events there. Later, he collaborated with a professor and San Diego State students to create “Live at the Belly Up,” a television show that broadcasts concerts, which is still running on KPBS, our local public TV station.

He states that the entire production is handled by students themselves. They wouldn’t be able to accomplish this feat without the backing of the university, he notes. This opportunity enables film students to enhance their portfolios and connect with fellow artists, he further mentions.

In his role as the club’s president, Goldsmith found himself responsible for organizing a jubilee to mark the 50th birthday of Belly Up, inspired by their 50-concert series.

Goldsmith stated, “If each of our 50 shows manages to sell out with an audience of 600, that’s a total of 30,000 attendees. But since our venue can only hold 600 people at a time, we’re planning to celebrate the anniversary over a period of four months instead.

For many performers appearing in the concert series, Steel Pulse, renowned for their roots reggae music, are not newcomers to the Belly Up venue. Frontman and songwriter David Hinds refers to it as feeling like home. “It’s more like a family,” he jokes, “If it were a house, I’d be a resident or a lodger – whatever you call it in America.

In August, Steel Pulse performed to a fully packed audience. From the initial beat right up until the finale, attendees swayed and moved their heads rhythmically, mirroring the motion of the surrounding sea.

To this day, the Belly Up is a stronghold for reggae, blues and roots music.

According to Goldsmith, the club’s origins can be traced back to the initial seed sown by its first owner, Dave Hodges, and his original crew. They were deeply rooted in traditional music, and they devoted significant effort to sharing this genre with the local San Diego community. I believe that their influence created a lasting impression on the club and the community that remains evident today.

The musical performances will carry on until October, featuring acts like Built to Spill, Jason Mraz, and the Wallflowers. More artists are scheduled to perform over the next few weeks, and you can find ticket information along with the full lineup on the Belly Up’s official website.

Fifty years later, Hodges remains the proprietor of the Quonset hut, where the club resides. Goldberg and Berkovitz take great pride in preserving the Belly Up’s heritage and are excited to provide live music entertainment in Solana Beach for decades ahead.

“Dave Hodges, we proved him wrong, man,” Goldberg says with a laugh. “We never went belly up.”

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2024-09-19 13:34