Salvation

I was a bartender at San Francisco's in Miami and always went to Salvation after we closed. Miami, Ft Lauderdale had great clubs like Copa and Backstreet but Salvation was the best.

Hi Billy - many of us are still in touch. Nice to see you here, I am on FB if you would like to get in contact.

Warm regards,
Lisa Koger
"Lisa My Dear"

Wow this is a trip. I never made it to Salvation but I grew up hearing about it. I made it to SEDA, FIRE & ICE, HORIZONS and was good friends with The Spinners : Cecilia, Eddie, Juanqui, Edgar, Rudy, and George Rubio (RIP). I remember Lisa My Dear, Bazil, Jose El Negro, Fernando, and I recognize alot of the names mentioned here. If theres ever some kind of reunion party. I'm interested. I stay in touch with Nancy Nova (The Force) for those who remember that track. She's still making music. I did a remix of "The Force" for her about 5 or 6 years ago that I'll post up online sometime. Rudy get in touch with me. I moving back to Miami sometime next year. Mystic Bill (Billy)

i absolutely agree, if they only knew what went on in that place, i know i will never forget.

Thanks Johnny for your response on the building. Since I believe that the piece of earth where Salvations stood is enchanted,magical and charged with energy beyond the "normal"spectrum, I hope the people who work there are having a spectacular work experience. It's all about the energy! :)))))))))))))

Bldg itself was torn down, only the front facade was left standing, a building was added behind and it houses offices now :-(

While coming back on a late August 2011 night from a sports event,drove by a downtown st and caught a glimpse of the Salvation building. It looked like one of those buildings that you see in the series that show what the world will be like after people are gone. It made me a sad:( Its been years since I've seen it in the day time,does anyone know what the building is used for now?

Does anyone know of where I can get old David Magazines from the late 60s early 70s?
Looking for any and all memorabilia about the Warehouse VII, Torchy Lane, Tiffany Jones, Daphne Delight, Scagnolia The Great, Tracy Lee. Other publications, Flyers, Videos, etc. Thanks

calling him now, love you!

Lisa My DEAR!!!!

Please call Alex 305-308-4631, he is home right now.
I told him you would call him.
I have a concert tonite and another on sunday, Im really busy.

He called Idania to get your # :)

Alex, I am in the wells fargo!! Love it!! Right across the street...MUAH!!! Waiting for your call

OMG Lisa My DEAR!!!!! Alex is calling Idania to get your #
I work at the Knight Center across the street from Wells Fargo..

Hi Carlos, call me. Idania has my number, been looking for you...

There were 3 brides then, Jose el negro,
Alex and Carlos... anyone rememeber us?

Salvation!!!! wow, I remember we were part of a group when there were no club kids and WE were the kids back the.
Jose el negro, Guillermo, Nilo, Madam Ponpon (Idania), Cecilia and ofcourse
Carlos & Alex, which by the way, we are still together almost 33 years....

WOW. Those were the days! The MDA (from Wade) was pure,pure,pure and the parties were always the best. My running group was George C., Hector, Jose, Randy, Jay, etc. God did we have fun. Randy and I would always stop at the BK and just order a water for our mda and take it and by the time we were done paying the nice old lady at the Copa it was game on. The SEDA parties, dancing in strange warehouses to "Do you really want to hurt me" seeing Madonna at the Copa and wanting her off stage because I was about to peak and really wanted to dance. The Grove for sunday brunch. Grove Isle, Turnberry, I could go on and on............. some of my best memories.

Wow !!! Those were the days. All you Guys might remember my Brother and me. Danny & Kiki... Yes were are still here and remember those FABULOUS DAYS.

PEACE.....

• salvation®'81 • "what becomes a legend most®" •
... what a delight to see so many names from the past ... I was a bartender w/Kenny & Bruce when we opened-and, it was indeed, well before it's time ... got the tee shirts and music of bobby's to share, will keep looking for best place for doing that... remember, after 'The Force' bobby would go into 'How Does It Feel to Be Warlord' ..... and I go.... 'walking in the rain..." (on CD)...
... DAViD®

yes it was back in the EIGHTYS. I had the best time of my life and the drugs were much better i use to do pure mda. the people that i use to hang out were ricardo, wahkin, hernan. ricado use to have the best mda in the club. then i went to new york got settled in a relationship and when i broke up with my girlfriend. I started to hang out in twilo and started to experiment xtacy. not even close to mda like salvation. and did some what they call it circuit partys but still my best memorys was salvation what a club it was ahead of its time

Candy nice seein you are still around i wish we could talk.Remeber Artie the cttage in thegrove Salvation on Saturday morningand of course Josr and Frank.Vaughn

I remember going there with all my girls, Gloria Klein, Rhapsodia Bluesky, Sarita, Sandy Lawrence. OMG those were the days, triping on acid and walking across the street by the railroad tracks going to that other gay club that was close by to see all the boys dressed in leather. so many good memories

Johnny "Willie Wear" - Gilbert "La Mulata" - Jorge "Piggy" - Jorge "La Sabaleta" - Henry "La Ricky" - Sandra Mastrapa, Rene Rodriguez & Carlos. WOW!!!! I have spent the last hour reading this thread. I ended up crying.... Thanks for the memories!!!!

Salvation I loved it!! I was a student at IFAC and we went every Saturday night, we got sooooo high. I remember tripping one night and that drag queen Tiffany A evelashes attackied me :) I can only remember 3 songs, Let's Start The Dance by Hamilton Bohannon, Native Love by Divine and the last one I don't remember the title or artist but it went like this - Can you move, can you move, can you shake to the rhythm of the latin grrove. Anyone know that song? It's not the song by Modern Romance. Anyway - Universe in SF was almost as fun!

I started going to Salvations in 1980 and was hooked. I've seen several clubs come and go but, nothing compared to Salvations. People put such thought into what they were going to wear the next week. You actually could just sit back and be amazed at the outfits. I don't think I'll ever forget my experience. That feeling that anything was possible and not having HIV in our vocabulary. Amazing to think there was a time HIV was not part of our lives. Unfortunately some very good people from that time are gone. BUT THE MUSIC PLAYS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Everyone

Salvation was great and so was the MDA

We were there every night until 11 am the next morning screaming for more I have some pictures I will post.

I remember Halloween when Tiffany Ariegaus in her little bo peppe outfit sang Boys town Gang Aint no Mountain High enough

This was the hottest club in the Country

Sorry the title is "RAIN" and the band's name is GOOMBAY DANCE BAND, it is available on itunes for 99 cents, 4:06 minute version off the album "SUN OF JAMAICA". Enjoy.

Rain, rain, rain by gombay dance band, check out iTunes

I didn't go to Salvation very often, but it did leave memories. First: HOT. As in sweat your a** off. Yet somehow it was worth it. Long flowing white curtains and high ceilings. The lights were mostly a wash on the white walls.

There's a song that, to this day, haunts me. I think I only heard it at Salvation. I think the name was "Rain" but not the one most people think of. It had a sort of scary all male chorus to it. Sort of a mix between disco and Gregorian chant. Does anyone have any idea what song I'm thinking of?

Hi Albert, Candice, Lisa My Dear, Fidel & Everyone

It is Virgil Romagosa! Saw your post. In Miami. Please email me at VRomagosa@aol.com

Juan, I'm sorry but I have no idea. Candice is the person that can probably help you out.

Fidel, please let me know if you have any luck contacting Alan T. I am also interested in hearing Bobby's music. Thanks.

Widow McCoys!!! I was seventeen, you must have been thirteen lol

Alan does not sell them but he has all of the music.
perhaps if you write him he will be happy to share
with you. if anyone can find Carmelina and give me her info that would be awesome. we are thinking about having a widow McCoys reunion. we are trying to get that whole group together for a night of champagne and story telling.....

Are you guy's asking for Carmelina? ...If so, Maria Diez, knows of her.

hi candice, you mention that alan t. on fb has bobby eckenwilers music for sale, can you direct me there i could not find bobbys music listed on alan t's website. would love to hear a whole night again. thanks for sharing.

Greetings,

Candice, thank you for such an informative and prompt post. Perhaps you, or someone else, will remember, and/or tell me what became of Tony Lavin, Virgil Romagoza, and Jose "Kidda" Casanova? They were the friends of my youth and I can't help but remember the fun had at Salvations. Thank you all.

hello everyone,
its candice. jose is living on sobe with his lover and still fabulous as ever. you can find him at a club in the design district. lisa my dear is doing great and has an amazing daughter. lisa will always be fabulous.george cortina is the editor of italian vogue. lord only knows what became of carmen. george cadinas married and divorced marta batista the ex prime minister of cubas daughter. for those of you who crave bobbies music. alan t has every night he ever played on cds. facebook alan t. one day i will write my book. salvation and the fab miami days will be a huge part of it. i would love to see more photos.
oooxxx
candice

All these comments are killing me! I thought I was one of the few that had survived.

I remember Jose, Carmencita, Lisa My Dear, Jose Cortina,and so many others. I, too, went to 13 Buttons, San Francisco, Backstreet, the Warehouse, Uncle Charlie's downtown and other early Miami clubs. I've gotten a ph.d, lived in London and New York and have been to many of the clubs you've mentioned. But, I guess it's because we were all so young, Salvations was Amazing!

Does anyone know what happend to many of these personalities? It was one special magical moment in space and time, that will never be repeated. Remember how beautiful, carefree, liberal and liberated you felt?

October 31,2009. Saturday night and Halloween PERFECT!!!!!! Who ever you are going to be and where ever you will be celebrating, HAVE A GREAT TIME. October 1981 in Salvation's Halloween was celebrated both friday the 30th which was the "Ball", OMG the Productions!!!!!On saturday 31st was more the" party night". The costumes were not as elaborate but they were hillarious and much much comfortable, so we the regulars could really party down as accustomed. What sticks out in my memory is two of the regulars(guys) dressed up as Hare Krishas.By the end of the night, they, maybe us too?were doing ethyl chloride from the clean part of the sheets that were their robes. That night was typical Salvation's :light,funny and of course FUN,FUN,FUN! There is a saying in spanish which says "Juventud Divino Tesoro" which translate to "Youth,Divine Treasure". Thank God we have this treasure to reach into and pull out priceless gems like this one. Have a Great Time and please stay safe.

johnny lariosa..my name is carlos paz and i used to live in rick mallardi's house in hollywood for a while...i need to get in touch with him..if you get this message please have him get in touch with me paz747@aol.com

How could I forget to mention that after we danced to Viola Wills "If you could read my mind", the very next song that we danced to was "Love is in the air" by John Paul Young.

I have been trying to remember the name of this club for years now. I looked forward to going to Salvation all week, them Saturday night arrived. The party started at home in Ft Lauderdale around 6 then we were off to Miami around 10 to arrive for a magical night. The men were all beautiful , MDA was everywhere. I remember dancing with my handsome man to Viola Wills "if you could read my mind", our eyes locked, tears came to both of us and we fell in love that exact moment. When the song was over we stood and just melted into each others arms. My life changed forever that night.

I found this site while searching the internet for anything about the club I met my lover in 29 years ago today. . . SALVATION My sincerest gratitude to the people that created this website.

Charles

Candy took me to Salvation when it first opened. I think I still have my membership card in some box somewhere. All the comments are right on. It was truly magical.

My most vivid memory was for the Christmas party when all the Christmas trees were hanging from the ceiling. I too miss Bob Harris and Contantine. Candy, you certainly shared a colorful part of your life with me and for that I am thankful!

I do not have pictures and/or music from that magical time to share with you guys and gals,but I do have lots of memories!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I found this web site.Cleaning my house,listening to some Direct TV disco station,it came to me.I wonder if there is a website for SALVATION'S and though I'm not computer "savy" in a 123 I found you guys.I'm so HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all for taking the time to do this. As soon as I know how I will be downloading or uploading all the music and hopefully chatting on line.Again Thank You.Bea

Hello everyone,
its candice solomon. its so funny how when i want to feel disco fabulous i go back to the days of when i first met Bob Harris at uncle charlies dancing to bobby's music. I remember the first thing he said to me. kiddo lets get out of here and open a club i was 16. that was the beginning of salvation.
I remember selling charter memberships 2 years before we opened and brainstorming every night until
our dream came true. bob harris was a genoius and a visionary. he was mt fairy god father and i miss him
very much. he believed in me and gave me the most wonderful opportunity to run a club. i still have visions of our opening and all the fabulous people
dancing to bobby's music. he was one of the original greats when it came to music. a true force.
i will miss him always. constantine and his ribbons and fabulous fans. i met constantine when i was 11 he worked for my aunt iris at thing a dings at the omni. he was such a lovely man. artie jacobs wow!!
such memories and great morning parties at his cottage in the grove then seda his disco dream come true. thanks for bringing me home. i love you all!!

johnny-i loved the "spooky" analogy. you are right
there was a certain vibe at that time period...a memory of a Salvations Night for me was in 1980's-during the days of the Mariel Boat lift (or shortly there after) on very packed, high energy night full of magic (as always!) the dj played "They're coming to America" Niel Diamond-a shirteless,gorgeus boy/man by the name of Jesus (fresh off the boat)came on to the dance floor waving and dancing with a huge American flag! WOW...!...what sweet nights!!Fan dancers...tamborine boys...drag queens...lovely "f** hags"..pretty girls....ms jane attending to us all in the bathroom...!the "tinker belles" of the day with their magic dusts!

i was always a copa fan, a friend took me one night to salvation, i found it to be very strange, almost spooky, the music, the vibe. did not go back for a few months,but this time around i had started experimenting with chemistry (if ya know what i say'n) and i kept coming back. got there at midnight for the early music and stayed til they threw us out (loving that morning music). mda was my drug of choice sometimes rainbow, never flash (too scary)and of course poppers, i remember getting home in the morning having to pass my parents eating breakfast and i was blue in the face and my nose raw from sniffing stale poppers all night because jerry dropped the cap AGAIN(love and miss him). i remember when phyllis hyman sang there and the old retro movies they would show on the big screen. me and my friends gilbert, jerry, ricky, jorge zabaleta, and piggy used to shred paper and fill garbage bags full of paper and throw it off the balcony at the peak of the night until we were told not to bring them again (don't think they liked having to sweep it all up), i remember one night someone had a long rope and it was over peoples heads from one end to the other and just moved slowly over everyones heads, or the night someone lit a candle in the middle of the dance floor and everyone danced around it. after reading everyones thoughts i have to say i had a smile on my face, i remember alot of the names listed, what characters, our hangout was to the front-right side, i was called little johnny and i was best friends with lisa selner, rick mallardi and his brother brad. my favoite music memories were when bobby played "take it to the limit" by the eagles and "white rabbit" by jefferson airplane. and of course the house favorites which have been mentioned from "the force" to "lift off" to "strange desires" i still have 2 tee shirts, white with the outline of the bldg on the front, in the late 80's some of my old group went by to see what was left and the bldg was still there we peaked inside and could still see the light tracks on the ceiling and we took a picture outside . funny i work downtown 1 block frome where it all happened. i have no regrets of those times, what a great chapter in my life, good friends, good times and good spooky music. some one else said it best when they wrote that "trippin on the moon" really sums it all up. here's to "megatron man" forever.

I too remember Salvation and all the eclectic people mentioned previously. It really was a magical place, the venue, the lights and the music. It really was ahead of its time. Working for the airlines I was able to party at The Saint, Studio 54 and Salvation. I was always happy when I returned to Salvation, it felt familiar. When Salvation closed, I felt like no other club around was as good enough. Not until WARSAW and LIQUID opened on South Beach, and after that it was PUMP on South Beach. They had the same energy and vibe Salvation had. After PUMP I stopped going to the clubs. You gotta know when to "bow out" gracefully. I trully miss all my friends that have passed but it's really wonderful to know that there are still people out there that experienced this trully magical club.

Carlos

I truly have enjoyed reading allthe comments and
memories of all. Salvation was so much fun and it seemed as if we were in a very special place that was just for us.
the lighting was bright the men were incredible
the drugs were fantastic.
The song trippin on the moon is the song that represents this wonderful memory of Salvation.
Met all of my hottest boyfriends for the night!
remember the fireman "Oscar Gonzalez" YUM!!
Thanks for letting me go back in time. Danny Powers

Here is the Salvation ad

http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy219/Miamidiscolover/?action=view¤t=salcationad.jpg

I also remember Salvation fondly as my favorite bar. Me and my bf Eddie used to go frequently to the New Wave Lounge in Ft Lauderdale and then to the Copa. On alternating weekends we would go to Salvation. I remember friends like Carmen New Wave, Lisa My Dear, Annie Too Much, Little Johnnie, Rupert, and many others. Contrary to the earlier post, Salvation wasnt in Little Havana, it was smack dab in downtown right around the corner from the channel 6 building. It was off 1st avenue and nw 5th street....in fact the facade of the building is still there , near a metromover station. Only the front of the building with Salvation over the door remains. The rest of the building was razed after it burned down. Hey Disco Carlos its "Billy". I also remember fondly the drag show at Windward and the Poop Deck..especially the tea dances they were fabuloue. I will try to upload a Salvation ad that I have from an old disco magazine Vinyl Tracks. I still have my old Salvation membership card too. It was the BEST bar that I can remember!!
William (Billy)
[img]http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy219/Miamidiscolover/?action=view¤t=salcationad.jpg

Miami was indeed a magical place! Some else mentioned the great mix of people all coming together..the club scene was divine(!) We partied
non-stop every night of the week. You could go to the Limelight and see Grace Jones on a Tuesday night, Village People would show up at Uncle Charlies downtown, Felipe..jingling his bells! The Warehouse with Chico guarding the back door and cafe Cubano served across the street at Versalles, Virgina Beach, The Trip, The Poop Deck, Copa..and Key West..Larry Formica at La Te Da's ..SALVATIONS was the CROWN JEWEL of the scene..Bobby Eckewiller played at STUDIO 54-I was on his guest list on that night! Constantino was my friend and Jose El Negro took the unbrella from my bedroom that night getting dressed at my neighbor Lisa My Dear's House! We are the original "Club Kids" carry on and never let the music die...! Can we all get together some time soon and DANCE???

WOW! Salvation, Warehouse Poop Deck, Cheekers, Windward,
La Renesito, Alina Hemingway (who went by Avelina)
Gloria.
What great memeories.
And so many more... all diferent and all great.

Have you ever heard of Artie Jacobs he was a mixer who introduced me to Bobby.He was very instrumental in Miami and South Florda Kelly this during Warehouse 8 days.conwe talk Vaughn

Hi Pablo,

Your welcome. It great to re-live the memories. At times when I'm doing the mixes, my mind just takes me back, and realize how quickly 26 years have passed by.

Frank

Frank<

Thank you very much for bringing back sooo many memories with those mixes!!

Juan,

A bit of everything. Enjoy.

Frank

3 More Mixes in zip file format.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=55c7158c7a223fdfab1eab3e9fa335ca512cb27126c8638a

Hola Juan,

Great that you are enjoying the mixes, Yes, I mixed them. I was a freelance DJ in my youth many moons ago, for private parties and such. I'm constanly making them for my ex in Florida. I'm always remixing the old with the new ( Tribal Hi-NRG House ) just to give them a modern sound. I have alot already mixed so I'll post a link when I get a chance. Oh boy, to be on the dance floor again. I can dream !!!!!!!!!

Frank

Frank, you are the man! I couldn't wait to download your music. All 3 cd's are great. Please make more available. Did you make these yourself? Have you ever played any clubs we might know? Thanks. See you on the dance floor.

Thank you Mr Gonzales. I am downloading them right now. Do you have any other info on these like the year and the DJ?

Hi Gang,

As promised, my Salvations mixes. Each is about 79 minutes long so you can burn them on a CD. I do have an extensive collection from the 70's to present so maybe in the future I'll do some more if everyone likes these mixes. Enjoy and "Let The Music Live".

Frank

Get the mixes here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=55c7158c7a223fdfab1eab3e9fa335ca0e7effb2342b34db

Lisa mi chappapote!!
Its disco Carlos, I miss your brown blush and your disco bob!! Long live Oscar de la Renta Poof dress!!
I love this site, and seeing everyone from back in the days.

This has been incredible to read, how can I top all of these comments but to say, I was there and yes, what incredible times! Best part is, here we are remininsing. Enough cannot be said of the wonderful and talented people we have encountered over the years that are no longer with us. Thanks Rudy for telling me about this site....

Kevin, OMG! "Flash" and your red T-shirt just brought it all back again. Yes, it was me and Joe that gave you those fans. Last year I drove in my motor home from Seattle to Miami and visited Joe for about two months. He still has our original fans as a momento. I'm constantly making him mixed CD's of the old days. I've been meaning to do one for everyone here, but have been trying to sell my home here in North Carolina to return to Seattle. North Carolina is not my cup of tea. I do remember Bea very well. Another one was "Charo". When we couldn't get MDA or Flash from you guys, she always had Rainbow. We lost track of her in the late 80's as with so many. All these years have passed by in a heart beat, but Salvations's is still present in my heart. Thank you for being a part of me and Joe, the best times we ever had. I will call Joe this weekend and let him know. I would love to hear from you. Salvation's 4-ever!

Frank

OMG! A friend of mine e-mailed this site to me. What a blast from the past! This creep I was dateing at the time took me to Salvation for the first time and we had to be picked from the line outside in order to get in. I didn't think we had a chance, but we got in and I tried blotter acid for the first time. The experience was enough to wet my whistle for more. I dumped the creep and was back the next week and this really cute Venezuelan guy named Angel (who I started dating) gave me a hit of MDA on the dance floor. It made me puke (as it did every time afterwards), but it was worth it and from that night on, I was hooked. Bobby & Greg were the MDA guys and I became the guy with the Flash acid. I still have my red T-shirt with the black lightning bolt.
Reading all of the comments really brought back alot of fun memories and made me think about people from the club. Many of them are gone and others I just lost track of.
Manny...I use to hang out all the time with Blondie and her friend Jose. In fact, she use to cut my hair. The last time I saw her was about eight years ago at a shop on Alton Road called The Beauty Box. I ran into Jose once after that at a little bar on Biscayne Blvd.
Frank...if memory serves me, I think that you and Joe gave me my first set of fans. I had never seen anyone do that before and I use to watch you guys in amaizment and ask "do it slow and show me what your doing". Of course the set you gave me were distroyed in no time, but I was able to use them to make my my own pair.
By the way...does anyone remember a girl named Bea? She use to arrive all put together in a skirt and her long curly hair was down. When the party favors kicked in, she would hike her skirt up into her underware and tie her hair up with a bandana like Pebbles Flintstone. She was a trip!
Thanks to all who have written in and to Bernie for posting this site for the very plesent trip down memory lane. Salvation was not and never will be like no other club in the world and I am so glad that I got to be apart of the experience!!!

Thank you Basil. This mp3 is priceless. I loved the genius that was Bobby Eckenwiler. I can picture myself on that dance floor right now sorrounded by music lovers like myself. Thanks again.

ladies and gentleman, I present to you...

Salvation, 82 (a bobby eckenwiler mix):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/khr0cb

Oh my god, Basil of all people. This is a scream. I used to know you and Juan Carlos and Emilio San Pedro. Nilo and Jose El Negro! Wow. What a trip. I left Miami years ago but who the hell can forget Salvation and even better the Warehouse VIII! With Alina Hemingway, Quetta and La Renesito all creating the daily dose of scandals.

Basil My Drear!!!! Disco still lives in Fort Laudardale
Disco Carlos

Hey Manny- tell Blondie to get in touch with me.

basil.racuk@gmail.com

You know what's really crazy? I lived right around the corner from Flagler and 7th/8th streets, and as I said in previous comments, never heard of Salvation. If only one could go back in time...

I actually never went to Salvation (did do Fire and Ice in the Design District, and that has the same fond memories for me that many have here of Salvation), but the mother of my first child, nicknamed Blondie by her friends, would always talk about this place in the same religious manner I (and other friends of mine) speak of Fire and Ice. She would always mention the fan dancing, and I actually still have a 12" of The Force inherited from a friend of ours who unfortunately passed away. I do actually believe, based on my own dance experiences in Miami at Fire and Ice, Warwaw, 1235), that the Miami clubs really could not be easily be beat for the sheer dance excitement, drugs or no drugs.

OMG...doesn't anybody remember the Halloween Parties? I was cinderella one year and Maid Marion the next. Who can forget the Sundays after the beach "all white" dances! All those taned beautiful people. We were the straight girls from Miami High, but enjoyed our "FagHag" status. We still miss and think of Humberto "Hums" Hernandez, Tony "el chinito" and Tony Laria gone but never forgotten! Annie Sainz, my "cousin" if you're out there please e-mail me.
Marilyn

Constantine was one special man. I loved it when he would show up with the orchids woven into his hair. Talk about regal!

Does anyone remeber Jose's lace draped umbrella?

I remember Jose in that wedding dress like it was yesterday. He was so outrageous! Does anyone remember Constantine?

This is great- the thread has gotten very close to home now. Carmen and I were pals- as were Nilo, Ceclia, Fernando, Jose...

who remembers Jose showing up in the wedding dress? That was a rough one for me- I still can't shake that image.

the years at salvation were what kept me from killing myself in that crazy Florida.
My boys Alex, Frankie, Maria, David Dancing in that corner. Sitting on the speaker next to the floor and tripping to the beat.
I will admit that the meat market side of the floor scared me but i would venture there and just pass thru. No worries, and never a problem.
Best timeof my life.

"San Fransisco" was located where HONEY FOR THE BEARS used to be. On 27th avenue as you were entering the Grove, on your right hand side, a block or two before the light on Bird Road. A GAY club that didn't last too long. But having DEVINE showcased sounds right.----- The reason you and your friends missed SALVATION, there really was no advertising. Word of Mouth mostly. SALVATIONS wasn't around too long either.Both Clubs lasted less then two years.

No, that's the thing, there was a group of us that went to numerous clubs, and Salvation was never among them. We never heard of it! How we missed it, I don't know, but I'm sorry we did.

My question, though, was about a club called "San Francisco," located somewhere in Miami, maybe near the Gables or the Grove. I really have no recollection, but it was a much smaller club, with a tiny dance floor, but not too small for an appearance by Divine.

Anyone remember that one, or where it was???

WOW, that is one hell of a statement. The MIAMI Clubs were better than the San Fransisco Clubs? With all the talk, the bragging , the fame that these places had, MIAMI CLUBS WERE BETTER!!! Cool!-- SALVATION was located just west of DOWNTOWN, in what is considered East Little Havana, along FLAGLER Street around 7Th or eighth street. The SALVATION ARMY Building?? Remember it now?

I went to COPA, Backstreet, 13 Buttons back then, too, and loved those clubs. So sad when 13 Buttons burned to the ground. How could we never have even heard of Salvation? Sounds like it was a fabulous club.

Does anyone remember where "San Francisco" was located? We went there a lot, too, and saw Divine perform there (and had our picture taken with her!), but where was it?

I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1982, and I'm telling you, none of the clubs here have ever measured up to the clubs in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Not even a candle. It's crazy.

SALVATIONS was one of the most popular clubs ever in Miami. Too many drugs for my taste, and that is saying something in itself. But everyone else loved it, so on my scale from 1 to 10, it gets a strong 9.

Hey Frank, the club you're referring to in the Design District was "Fire and Ice". Great memories of that club as well.

This is a short list of the songs that"took" me places at Salvations.
Let's Start to Dance by Bohannon,Hills of Katmandy, by Tantra, Lay all your love on me by ABBA, Tripping on the Moon, Cerrone, Tanited Love/where did our love go remix, by Soft Cell, Situation by YAZ, Just can't get enough by Depeche Mode, Megatron Man by P Cowley, Strange Desires by P Richards, Remeber by Gino Soccio, oh god i could go on and on ... So glad to find this site and read all of your comments.

Wow!
Carmen "New Wave". Now that has taken me back. Partied many a night's with this fun loving person. If there is one song that was Carmen for me, "Quasimodo". She would really get into this song, plus her attire matched her to the "T". So full of life!

Hey guys
It is so great to hear all the wonderful comments about the club.My partner (Peter) and I installed the sound there as well as The Saint, Troc and 12 West
We loved the place.
Anybody know what became of the owner Bob Harris? Would Like to know-Keep the comments coming

i've traveled and met people all over. Each time i encountered someone that partied at Salvations the memories are intense and wonderful. Trully, there has never been a club like Salvations ever again in Miami or the Beach. I'll drop a few "character" names to make some of you smile. Remember Lisa my Dear, Cecilia, Jose el negro, bob martinez, luis castro, carmen"new wave" kuki, tony sampson, jorge alonso, jorge lario, fernando garcia, guillermo, nilo, etc.. What great nights we had there.

Hey Hey ! What a thrill to get the responses to my post. There is only one other club that was a little like Salvation's to me, "The Saint" in New York. All other clubs were smoke and mirrors. There was one place that sprang up after Salvation's closed, but I can't remember the name. It was located in decorators row north of 36th street in Miami. The old crowd transfered there but it was not the same. The music was different, what was known back then as "Progressive", gone was the Hi-nrg and the "SLEAZE", well you all know what I mean here. The 90's version of Salvation's is not even in my vocabulary, shame for using the name. By the late 90's I was out of the club scene but my heart was still in the music. Constantine, oh yes! What really surprises me is how long Salvation's lasted, considering the Miani PD was down the street. I personally feel it became just too comfortable, and the going on just got out of hand. I too would travel far for another Salvation's type club, but in truth, it's wishful thinking if another one came along, today's youth does not know how to party! This is why I mix my own music and re-live it all. I've settled in Reidsville, it's about 20 miles north of Greensboro. I became the care giver to my handicapped sister at the beginning of 2007, moved her up to Spokane, WA and quickly realized that taking care of her was going to be a challenge. My heart is still in the Pacific Northwest, taxes drove me out, plus I needed to be closer to family. I've been here in Reidsville about a month and have adapted well, considering it's a small town. Nice people, but waiting to see how tolerant they are. I can still hear "Standing Right Here" by Melba Moore during that final hour before last call in the mist of a great "High". Well all this has gotten me in the mood for music. I'm off to make a new mix, Salvation's style. Keep the post coming ! Who know's, we just might party again.

It's incredible reading all these comments about Salvation. And we have to clarify that we are not speaking about the same Salvation that popped up in Miami in the 90's. They were 2 very different clubs. I used to think that I was the only one that thought that there has never been another club like it. Everthing that Frank said is true. It was such an event every Saturday night and into Sunday morning. I remember hearing "Changin'" by Sharon Ridley for the first time there and thinking what an amazing feeling that was. Hey Frank, what part of Caroline are you in? I am in Raleigh myself. Does anybody remember Constantine?

Frank, you are not alone on not only thinking Salvation is indescribable. I've yet to go to another club(even studio 54) that had the energy of Salvation. I too have ended up in North Carolina. I really long for a place to groove like Salvation. I would travel far to do it.

What a great Christmas present to find this site. My partner "Joe" and I have many memories of Salvation's during the 80's. The music has never died for both of us. My song " Trippin On The Moon" says it all. MDA, Rainbow, 714, and yes, the fans. We were both into " Fan Dancing ". Our thing was to get ready by Wednesday by getting our clothes and fans cordinated for the weekend which usually was 3 changes in clothing since tripping made us sweat, hence the change in clothing. Joe used to call this ritual " Tune Up Wednesday ". Salvation's was home to many. There were many clubs, COPA, Backstreet, 13 Buttons ( showing my age here ), 1235, Club Z any many more that I can't remember, but none could ever compare to Salvation's. I've always wondered where the old crowd ended up, As for me, the Pacific Northwest ( the next best thing that ever happened to me ) and now the state of North Carolina (still figuring this one out), yet the topic of Salvation's was always present in conversation. In meeting new friends, they couldn't understand my feelings toward's this club, I just would say, " You had to have been there ". Today the music lives in my mixes ( I mix my own CD's on my PC ) and at times, it's like being there again. Joe and I are no longer together but remain very close and have a very strong friendship, after all, we did spend twenty plus years together. So, if the old crowd is out there, let me here from you or from anyone who was there. Salvation's, there will be nothing like it ever again. Joe, thanks for the best time of my life. Te Quiero !

I am looking for old David Magazines from 1975-1980. I ran some ads in them. It was a wild time in history and would like to make sure it is preserved.

People talk about "The Garage" in NY, Muzic Box & Warehouse in Chicago, Trucadero Transfer in SF, but no one can touch the original "Salvation" in Miami. I remember walking in and people offering you sugar cubes of acid and MDA. People would stand in line to get there stuff leave and come back in the middle of the night. By that time the music had gone absolutely bezerk. Krishnas would be outside. It was a great mix of gay, straight. It was all about the music first and foremost. I remember many nights walking around asking people "what is this song" it was always either "The Force" By Nancy Nova (Thanks to Mystic Bill), "Seahunt" by Patrick Cowley, And all the trippy disco classics mixed with the ryhthmic disco. That was the Miami Sound!!! and the best club to this day!!

where's Jorge now???????
Martin

I noticed a post from basil back in February. I have made it a point to collect as much music that I heard at Salvation as I can. I may be able to identify some of the songs for you.

I started going to Salvations Downtown Miami when I was 14 years old. It was my 1st time in a gay bar. I couldn't believe the music, the energy and the celebration of life. I don't know if it was because of it being my 1st bar or what but, I know that I've never had such fun again. My music was true ear candy (lay all your love on me, sing sing sing, the visitors, situation, tripping on the moon, the force and many more. I have a David magazine from 1981 with a drawing of the club on the front cover with a turn table for the roof.

yep...in all the years that I was a clubber, Salvation became the standard against which all others were held.

I'm fortunate to have a cassette of Bobby from that time- the choice of tunes is totally Miami- some of the tunes I've yet to identify. One of the songs on there is "Deetour" by Karen Young, which still holds it's own.

Saturdays at Salvation were legendary. It was an interesting mix of Preppies, leathermen, twinks and Cubans. All together in absolute harmony. We used to drive down from FtL.

The songs that stood out for me were "Rain, Rain, Rain" by Gombay Dance Band, "I Wanna Take You Home" by P Cowley and , of course, "The Visitors" by ABBA.

Coke, MDA, acid, poppers and ethyl were plentiful and added to the groove.

I came out when I was 14 and started to attend Miami clubs shortly thereafter. I frequented every Miami hot spot and never has there been a club like Salvations. It was amazing. Everyone dressed to the nine's and most everyone took a lot of drugs. The music, the energy, the space was truely magical! I remember the pounding of Abba's Lay all your love on me vibrating off the wall and into your heart. So many friends, so many of them gone. Salvations saved so many of us. I, occasionaly, drive by and gaze with transient memory at its facade and remember.

THE ORIGINAL SALVATON IN MIAMI WAS LEGENDARY. IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC! TO THIS DAY, THE BEST CLUB EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER WITNESSED. ALL BOW TO BOBBY DJ ECKENWEILER! AMAZING!

I remember one song that I never heard anywhere else, Strange Desires, by Pete Richards.

Salvation was one of the most amazing clubs in south Florida. A lot of the music that was played there were rare songs that really never made it out of the underground music scene at that time. Some of the songs that were played there: Glad To Know You, Jump Shot, The Visitors, The Force, Tripping On The Moon, Hills Of Katmandau, Atomatic Lover, Sandstorm...
danny

Downtown Salvation was the club.
Doors didnt open till 11:00 pm sometimes 12 midnight on Saturdays. You could smell the wood that had been polished before you entered the club. Sundays they use to have tdances and have a spread of food upstairs on the balcony. I remmber many nights in the bathroom talking to Jane the attendant. I miss Salvation it was a growing era for me

I know Jorge Cadenas was a guest DJ in 1982. He used to be the resident DJ at Monster in Key West at the time.

Would love to hear so much more about the club since we installed the sound system, but i was only there a few times. Who else played there?
Barry (Graebar Sound)

Yes, Bobby Eckenweiler was the DJ and he was the best!

The original Salvation from the early 80's was truly the greatest disco Miami has ever seen. Housed in the old "Salvation Army" building in downtown Miami, the people, music & overall energy of the club have never been duplicated. I believe Bob Eckenweiler was the DJ.