The Bitter End: Hanging Out at America's Nightclub [Hardcover]

The tale of the famous Greenwich Village coffeehouse turned nightclub,The Bitter Endis also the story of the club's manager and owner, Paul Colby. From the early 60s to the 90s, the Bitter End hosted a wide range of influential music and comedy acts that reflected the changing creative atmosphere of the Village, and the country beyond. Pete Seeger made frequent appearances and Peter, Paul, and Mary debuted at the club during the height of the folk music boom, around the same time that Woody Allen and Bill Cosby were headlining with their very different—but equally popular—stand-up acts. After the British Invasion made rock the pre-eminent music in the land, Colby booked electrified folk and rock performers such as Neil Young, Carly Simon, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. Throughout the years, Colby kept up such strong friendships with the artists that they often returned as patrons when they weren't performing—the most famous local regular being Bob Dylan.

The stories Colby shares of his amazing years running the Bitter End provide an insider's personal perspective on several decades of American entertainment. Told with fondness and flair,The Bitter Endacquaints the world with a man beloved by performers for years.Paul Colby has managed The Bitter End since 1968, and has owned it since 1974. Martin Fitzpatrick is currently collaborating with Tommy James on the singer's autobiography. They both reside in Montclair, New Jersey.Paul Colby... shares enough behind-the-scenes anecdotes to satisfy nostalgic and aficionado alike.Like a fly on the Bitter End's famous red-brick wall, Paul Colby has seen it all through six decades in the entertainment business. Pull up a stool and listen as he spins tale after revealing tale of the many musicians and comics who launched their careers at his landmark Greenwich Village nightspot.You'll meet them all in the pages ofThe Bitter End: Paxton, Gibson-Cap, McGuinn, the Mitchell Trio, anlS*