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LEGENDARY GEORGIA THEATRE BURNS

Abstract:
The Georgia Theatre, a venerable venue which has hosted musical luminaries such as B.B. King, The Police, R.E.M. and Phish, was engulfed in flames Friday morning, losing its roof and suffering massive internal damage....

jason

posted 6/19/09 @ 8:47 AM EST

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wade Koch

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:53 PM EST

I think it is funny all the papers omit the fact I was drunk as a sailor. The 911 operator took a few seconds to understand me. And I have a fantastic phone.

Perhaps it is the reason police immediately, upon arrival, ordered me away. I was practically the only one there. Obviously I was mistaken for a drunken terd, following sirens. I have to give them credit- I had no business being in public.
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wow

posted 6/19/09 @ 8:47 AM EST

that sucks
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Jd shelnut

posted 6/19/09 @ 8:54 AM EST

Well atleast there won't be a bunch of wookies loitering around there for swanky ass p groove
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Townie

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:47 AM EST

Originally posted by

Jd shelnut

 Well atleast there won't be a bunch of wookies loitering around there for swanky ass p groove


lol
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Robert

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:04 AM EST

NOOO! Of all the place to burn. Why not bourbon street or the loft? What a great, historic venue. So much fun. Athens became a little less today.
Jd Shelnut, you are a terrible person.
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VIP

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:18 PM EST

Originally posted by

Robert

 NOOO! Of all the place to burn. Why not bourbon street or the loft? What a great, historic venue. So much fun. Athens became a little less today.
Jd Shelnut, you are a terrible person.


Bite your tongue a$$hole. Bourbon Street is an Athens landmark and where I contracted 75% of my STDs. Staffdaddy would agree. I wouldn't wish for your house to burn down.
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DT

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:21 AM EST

This is TRAGIC!!!
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Steve

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:25 AM EST

Everybody's thinking it, I'm just saying it - insurance fraud.
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Maureen

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:27 AM EST

Thanks for the ongoing coverage via twitter and this site. This is a sad day for the Athens community.
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Robert

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:30 AM EST

Steve,
I was thinking that too initially. However, I kinda know the owner and he works really hard and loves that place. I just can't see him doing it. He has been striving to make the Theater better and it has been doing well. If he did, though, he should be immediately shot in the head. The Theater is one of my top-5 favorite places.
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Amanda Hugginkiss

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:59 AM EST

I wonder if the guys at the globe were drinking a guinness this morning watching it go up in flames?

Can anyone say arson/insurance fraud?
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Reuben

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:15 AM EST

I agree with Robert, why couldn't it have been somewhere else! :( Sad day.
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alan

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:21 AM EST

i would love to slap all you inconsiderate ass holes that want to say insurance fraud on a sad day like this. get a life
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Andy

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:22 AM EST

The owner would never do that. Be real. The Theater was something special, an old funky, hot, mess that will always be a part of Athens and many peoples memories. Pour one out. RIP.
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retuga03

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:53 AM EST

Anyone want to mention how convenient it is that the building is gone just when they want to totally develop that block?
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B-rock

posted 6/19/09 @ 1:19 PM EST

Originally posted by

retuga03

 Anyone want to mention how convenient it is that the building is gone just when they want to totally develop that block?


Who is "They?"
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Brit

posted 6/19/09 @ 4:26 PM EST

Originally posted by

retuga03

 Anyone want to mention how convenient it is that the building is gone just when they want to totally develop that block?


The area behind the Georgia Theatre is in the works of a renovation. It'll be a parking deck with retail and some offices on top. Can't remember if there's condos or not. But the plans are already in the design process so it's stupid to say that they'd burn down the Georgia Theatre to make the building easier. If anything it'll make it harder.

And before people start giving me a hard time, I'm on the design team for the project. That's how I know about it.
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Thinky

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:54 AM EST

Owner didn't seem upset and emphasized in an interview that he has insurance. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
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Matt

posted 6/19/09 @ 12:07 PM EST

Originally posted by

Thinky

 Owner didn't seem upset and emphasized in an interview that he has insurance. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....



Seriously? You're gonna blame the dude because it was mentioned that he had insurance? Were you there during the interview? How do you know that the reported didn't ask the owner.. "Do you have insurance?"

Don't be so quick to pass judgment.
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Chris

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:56 AM EST

Hey Robert, why would you intentionally wish another place burned down? All businesses provide jobs and income to SOMEBODY, and still provide happy memories to the people who frequent them.

I agree the Ga Theatre is very important, but don't wish awful things for other businesses that put food on the table for other people. Jackass.
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B-Rock

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:07 AM EST

It's George Bush's Fault!
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bubba

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:56 AM EST

Originally posted by

B-Rock

 It's George Bush's Fault!


you are an idiot.
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B-rock

posted 6/19/09 @ 1:24 PM EST

Originally posted by

B-Rock

 It's George Bush's Fault!


Awww Bubba, I thought you would find some humor in that.
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Henry Glascock

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:19 AM EST

The Georgia Theatre was a great friend, and is the reason I work in the music industry. I will miss its smell in the morning, and its sounds at night. People dont love many buildings, perhaps the house they grew up in, and Georgia Theatre.
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MichaelM

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:26 AM EST

I remember in '96 when the Brazilians rented it out during the Olympics and the music was pumping.
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Leda

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:28 AM EST

AthFest is right around the corner. Whether through a cut in the wristbands or people paying to see individual shows, why would someone burn down their own venue when they're about to see a spike in profits? I doubt it's insurance fraud. Also, denial is a stage of grief/method of coping. Just because the owner didn't appear upset doesn't mean jack. Drop the 1950's PI logic plzkthx. Arson is less of a stretch and definitely something I'd look into.

Seriously sad thing to wake up to though. It's good that it's been contained, bad that it hit a venue with so much history. Here's to hoping we haven't heard the last of the Georgia Theater.
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Stephanie

posted 6/19/09 @ 11:36 AM EST

I know the owner and its not insurance fraud. He wouldn't do that! Its a really sad day for Athens and all of Dawgnation.
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Melissa

posted 6/19/09 @ 12:02 PM EST

Why doesn't any article address anything REMOTELY about the cause?
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bubba

posted 6/19/09 @ 12:10 PM EST

because this story was posted at like 8:30am. athens banner-herald has the scoop. they said the employees think it was an ac unit that has been acting up was left on overnight because of the hot day today.
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/061909/bre_452521217.shtml
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Clay P.

posted 6/19/09 @ 12:46 PM EST

I saw this story this morning and have been in the dumps ever since. Though I currently live in Atlanta, I spent nearly 15 years living in Athens and the theatre was a big part of my life in this great town. Luckily no one seems to have been injured and hopefully it can be rebuilt, though it will never be the same.

So many memories in that building.
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Saxon

posted 6/19/09 @ 12:49 PM EST

Seriously.....THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
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jason (again)

posted 6/19/09 @ 1:02 PM EST

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lahoma VanZandt

posted 6/19/09 @ 1:05 PM EST

Oh yes, "REM played there", "REM played there","REM played there", "REM played there", REM,REM,REM,REM, (repeat mindlessly for 5 more minutes), Blah blah blah.

One of the B-52s' very few shows in Athens was in that theater, a night of pure magic and hilarity. Too bad you were clueless then, just like you are today, and you missed it.

Beyond that, the place stank of rotting beer and vomit for at least the past 25 years; let's be a little realistic about this. No big whup. And yes, I bet it was arson.
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duder

posted 6/19/09 @ 1:32 PM EST

Originally posted by

Lahoma VanZandt

 Oh yes, "REM played there", "REM played there","REM played there", "REM played there", REM,REM,REM,REM, (repeat mindlessly for 5 more minutes), Blah blah blah.

One of the B-52s' very few shows in Athens was in that theater, a night of pure magic and hilarity. Too bad you were clueless then, just like you are today, and you missed it.

Beyond that, the place stank of rotting beer and vomit for at least the past 25 years; let's be a little realistic about this. No big whup. And yes, I bet it was arson.



who pissed in your cereal this morning?
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Townie

posted 6/19/09 @ 5:40 PM EST

Originally posted by

Lahoma VanZandt

 Oh yes, "REM played there", "REM played there","REM played there", "REM played there", REM,REM,REM,REM, (repeat mindlessly for 5 more minutes), Blah blah blah.

One of the B-52s' very few shows in Athens was in that theater, a night of pure magic and hilarity. Too bad you were clueless then, just like you are today, and you missed it.

Beyond that, the place stank of rotting beer and vomit for at least the past 25 years; let's be a little realistic about this. No big whup. And yes, I bet it was arson.


http://www.nataliedee.com/081304/athens.jpg
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Athens Townie

posted 6/19/09 @ 1:20 PM EST

I heard there's this one homeless man who would sneak in there every night. I wonder if he started the fire. Did they find a body?
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Benjamin Ferguson

posted 6/19/09 @ 4:15 PM EST

All of you who are jumping to claim insurance fraud should shut your mouths. Get a life. Wil Green and the staff of the theatre put their heart and souls into improving the venue and any mention of fraud should be put down. Give me a break and have a little respect. The Athens music community just suffered a huge loss, as did the downtown scene in general. I know I'm not the only one here who raced to the back page of the Flagpole each week to see what those guys had planned for us in the way of entertainment. This is a horrible loss for the folks of Athens.
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Mike Adams

posted 6/19/09 @ 5:06 PM EST

I did it.
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Mark Richt

posted 6/19/09 @ 5:38 PM EST

Originally posted by

Mike Adams

 I did it.


Shh!
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Jim

posted 6/19/09 @ 5:56 PM EST

Such a sad day in Athens! Anyone who frequented the GATH should feel privileged that they were a part of such an awesome venue. I know I do! Some of the best shows i have ever witnessed have been there along with some of the best nights of my life. It is terribly unfortunate that it had to end like this but I am looking forward to the reopening of the new and improved GATH!! My heart goes out to the great staff, bands, and people who made it the Athens monument it was.

Wonder who they will have for the first show back.....REM.....Panic.....B52s.....Lets hope
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gay

posted 6/19/09 @ 5:58 PM EST

Who cares?
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Jeff

posted 6/19/09 @ 6:30 PM EST

On his way home from a party at 7 AM...God I miss college
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Julie P

posted 6/19/09 @ 8:31 PM EST

Originally posted by

Jeff

 On his way home from a party at 7 AM...God I miss college


I caught that, too. Seriously, can we forget adulthood and party like it's 1991 again?
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Brittany

posted 6/19/09 @ 6:58 PM EST

This is very sad

But did anyone else noticed the phrase "cat-corner" in the article?? Durr...

http://wsu.edu/~brians/errors/caddy.html
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Mario

posted 6/19/09 @ 8:06 PM EST

I graduated in '08 and this was such sad news when I saw it! I remember going to a bunch of shows there and have a couple pictures of my friends and I in front of the marquee. Beyond Tomorrow held a ton of shows there over their 3-4 years in business and I had some amazing nights at/after those shows! But hands down the best show I saw there was Collective Soul and Michael Tolcher in 2005...absolutely amazing! I hope Mr. Greene is able to rebuild so future generations of Dawgs can enjoy it!
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J

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:06 PM EST

Don't forget that the Dave Matthews Band played there a number of times in the early 90s before really making it big!
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Reverend Hatchet

posted 6/19/09 @ 9:08 PM EST

I know Wil Greene and the entire staff of the GA Theatre, as my girlfriend has been an employee there for over three years. There has been an added 30+ unemployed people to the Athens community as of this morning. It is reprehensible that some people on here make such thoughtless, inconsiderate, and, downright, libelous comments on this thread. I would invite those of you who have done so to the GA Bar this evening to continue this discussion in person. I'll be the guy behind the bar.
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Phil85

posted 6/19/09 @ 10:58 PM EST

Originally posted by

Reverend Hatchet

 I know Wil Greene and the entire staff of the GA Theatre, as my girlfriend has been an employee there for over three years. There has been an added 30+ unemployed people to the Athens community as of this morning. It is reprehensible that some people on here make such thoughtless, inconsiderate, and, downright, libelous comments on this thread. I would invite those of you who have done so to the GA Bar this evening to continue this discussion in person. I'll be the guy behind the bar.


Are you the fat guy with the dyed blonde hair? If so, good luck finding another job punk.
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Brother Man

posted 6/20/09 @ 12:38 PM EST

Originally posted by

Reverend Hatchet

 I know Wil Greene and the entire staff of the GA Theatre, as my girlfriend has been an employee there for over three years. There has been an added 30+ unemployed people to the Athens community as of this morning. It is reprehensible that some people on here make such thoughtless, inconsiderate, and, downright, libelous comments on this thread. I would invite those of you who have done so to the GA Bar this evening to continue this discussion in person. I'll be the guy behind the bar.


Your girlfriend found another job last night. A blow job. Don't worry. I tipped her a five 'cause she said she needed to go buy you a Subway. You might want to take your eyes off the TV every once and a while and see who your girl follows into the men's room.
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