Robert Johnson’s Dallas Session – A Letter and a Building
Save the building. save the world…
Should 508 park Ave be made into a historic monument?
I think so.
In a letter written by Don law to Frank Driggs, which now sits sealed up in the Library of Congress, it is confirmed that 508 Park Ave is indeed the exact spot Robert Johnson recorded his Dallas Session in a makeshift recording studio. Currently, the building is unprotected, and there are rumors it is for sale. The facade is protected by part of the Harwood Street Historic District, but the rest of the building, including the room Johnson recorded in, could become condos, or torn down outright.
Glazer’s, a Dallas beverage distribution firm, has owned 508 Park Ave. since the 1950s. The company has been trying to sell it for years, to no avail. The building is currently vacant. Someone needs to buy this thing and turn it into a full time recording studio.
There are also other facts that come out of that letter.
For one, it is also now confirmed Robert Johnson was paid $25 per song. Though this seems like chump change these days, that wasn’t a bad take for a relatively unknown musician living in the deep south at the time. Often times they were paid much less. Robert probably felt like a wealthy man leaving the session.
Also in the letter, Don law describes a time when Robert Johnson asked him to give him some money to pay a prostitute. In the letter, Robert Johnson is quoted as saying “she wants 50 cents and I lacks a nickel”. Don law did indeed provide him with the money.
Though the letter is now sealed, I plan to release a copy on this site as soon as it is available.
Someone, though, needs to save this building.
It’s the homeless soup kitchen next door that’s killing this property. You get rid of that garbage and I guarantee someone would swoop in and snatch this building up.
[...] “Traveling Riverside Blues.” Coincidentally, the site Delta Blues today asks: “Should 508 Park Ave be made into a historic monument?” while lamenting the fact that, for years, it’s sat vacant and alone, save for the [...]
What Will Become of Robert Johnson’s Historic Recording Site Downtown? | Clubs in Dallas said this on October 15, 2008 at 7:56 am |
Steve,
yeah, even in the picture I can see the homeless lined up waiting for the soup kitchen to serve. I have never been to the area, but it seems a little run down and tough. However, i agree with you. In order to make the property more eye appealing, the soup kitchen would have to be relocated. However, it kind of seems to tie in with the blues, ya know?
I’m probably being incredibly naive here, but would an online petition be worth the effort? Do you think – and given the celebrity and status of some of his fans whose names might possibly appear on it, (Keith Richards, Clapton, Page, etc), would it gather enough strength to actually sway anyone’s decision over the building’s fate?
I think an online petition might help, and it might not. it depends. i am more than willing to set one up on the site. However, after we get it all signed – even by some famous people – what do we do then? Who are we petitioning? The city? The current owner?
Perhaps a better method would be to try and start a rescue fund – and we can get the money together to purchase the building.
Thoughts?
Hi, it’s Mick again…i know you may well have already seen it, but if not, take a look at this! – http://www.vanityfair.com/online/culture/2008/10/27/a-disputed-robert-johnson-photo-gets-the-csi-treatment.html
…erm….by the way, i wanna make it clear at this point, that i’m not a reader of vanity fair! (nor do i get it to just look at the pictures!!) – the robert johnson links crop up, weirdly, on the newspage of a dylan site i frequent!! I don’t know why, but for my own peace of mind (and in case my wife wonders why the hell i’ve suddenly started reading vanity fair) i just had to issue that little disclaimer lol !!!
Mick,
Disclaimer well received. I don’t read it either, but of course, am familiar with the article. Actually, I am quite sure I even link to it…..
Great article over at Vanity Fair.
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/01/last_week_while_working_on.php
Write or email the Mayor’s office and your Dallas City Council member. Just visit http://www.dallascityhall.com and follow the links from Government at the top to send an email directly to your elected official.
Blog your thoughts! Let the public know how you feel about endangered downtown properties.
Send letters to the local media.
any changes coming ?
The permits were filed in January allowing the building, along with several others, to be torn down. Due to the homeless problem, the Glazers could find no one to buy the building.
Preservations have panicked, are are trying to fight the permit filing. No date has been scheduled yet for demolition.
Sorry… Anyone wanna split it with me?
[...] This is an update to a previous post on this site, entitled “Robert Johnson’s Dallas Session – A Letter and a Building.“ [...]
Right-minded!
I enjoy the blog!
hmm. strange )
Last I heard the time to appeal the decision to condemn this building was beginning of October. I was not able to fund an update, but as of November 1st it was still there. This building is easily accessible and just on the edge of being in Deep Ellum. It was just after sunset when I was by there and it was dead quiet, save for a few homeless shuffling along for the night. It’s a crying shame that the City of Dallas doesn’t do a better job of preserving it’s heritage. Rumor has it and I would love to hear it confirmed that Charlie Parker also recorded here briefly as well as Bob Willis & the Texas Playboys and the Light Crust Doughboys.