DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Atlanta is known for its music scene and some iconic venues. One long-forgotten night spot drew big name artists in the 1980s, but now the building is coming down.
The legendary Moonshadow Saloon sat on Johnson Road near Emory University and had live music seven nights a week.
“It was really the local music scene that made us successful,” Bruce Piefke told Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach.
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Piefke owned the huge bar and concert hall that was in business from 1980 to 1986. He later sold the property to Emory University. The building sat empty or was used as storage for nearly 40 years until last week when demolition began.
“Brought back a whole rush of memories,” Piefke said as he showed posters and articles he collected over the years.
The Moonshadow Saloon attracted big touring artists, but also unknown college bands at the time like The Indigo Girls and R.E.M. Music fans could see a wide range of acts at a bargain.
“I think we charged $6 to see Whitney Houston. $10 was the highest ticket we ever had for like Emily Lou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughn,” Piefke said.
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But he will never forget the night a legend surprised his daughter, Rosanne, on stage.
“It was Johnny Cash walking in the front door, sticking his hand out and saying ‘Hi I’m Johnny Cash,’” Piefke said.
The demolition crew promised to salvage a few bricks from the old Moonshadow to save a piece of Atlanta’s music history.
“Just driving by and knowing it was still here, so it was a little sad,” Piefke said. “But the outpouring from people, the thanks I’ve been getting, the stories I’ve been hearing make it worth the while.”
Once the site is clear, Emory University will use the site as a new electric bus charging station.
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