Underground, The

Wow, the Underground, I had my first job there. I was lucky enough to be related to Tommy Depaola, he was married to my sister Nancy. I was the 2nd Maitre d' there and also spent some time behind the Bar with Eddie Taylor and the boys. Great nights, great music, and great friends. The music was hot, I have the tapes to prove it.
2500 people a night, unbelieveable. Sorry to hear about Tommy D., he will be missed.
Vinny " Mortadela" was that you? Best Club Ever.

Wow...what great memories I have of The Underground. Although I lost my one true love, Tommy DiPaolo, during this era and the effects were very long lasting, I will always remember the awesome nights and mornings of dancing until 6 am and not having any qualms about the end result. I was a sidekick of Tommy DiPaola,being his high school sweetheart but it turns out he had so much more to offer :)and I wasn't part of the future. No regrets...only that he was a great guy I'm so sorry to hear of his passing...my sincerest sympathies to his wonderful family...too young & too soon!
Regards, Susan

A few things I remember about the Underground
1) It was the disco to go to after 54 closed the first time
In the early 80's due their tax/drug dramas
2) My gal pal Karen remembers me being totally cruised
by Andy Warhol, which makes perfect sense cause one
of his "factories" was upstairs.
3) My dear friend Alan dropping trou in the back room area
and I thought that was so "sexually generous" of him!
4)And, of course, the lights, the music, and the metal stairs
for some reason!
It was a great club in the early 80's if you wanted dance music
or else we would go to CBGB's, Hurrah's, or The Mudd Club!

Mike H,

I remember that day as well. It was Big John and yes Charlie was the lucky one that the gun jammed on. Shuman was a part time model who got his calf blown away.
Angelo, John and Leon was head of security at the time. Sterlin is still going strong and still looks the same. Doing very well and working in the city.
I enjoyed my time there as well except for these days that happen more than once.

I worked security during the summer of '87. Worked for a guy named Angelo, he had a contract for one guy at Under Ground/Union Square and the rest worked for Steele.

We had one shooting while I was there, two bouncers got shot but I was told later they both survived. One shot in the back twice and the other shot in the leg by a shotgun. I still remember it like yesterday, especially since the poor guy that got shot by the shotgun was stand right next to me.

I remember Tracy the manager, she was outside the door at the hotdog cart. Two other guys had gone for a walk around the corner and the shooters ran right into them. I remember one of the bouncers saying the shooter pointed s 9mm right at him but the gun jammed. He and the other bouncer, who I think was named Charlie, ran back around the corner and we got them inside.

Only other name I remember from then was a bouncer named Sterling.

Shooting incident aside, I really enjoyed my time working there. I went back years later and saw the shotgun slug hole in a yellow sign next door to the club was still there long after the location became a Herman's sporting goods store.

Hi Bernie Thanks so much helping me find out about Tommy D. Anthony

Rudy:
I check this site from time to time and today I see a posting about Tommy's passing. Please accept my sympathies. It has been so so many years but I remember the fun times and those were even before the days at the Underground. We were 'kids" actually fter grade school and we used to ride the "N" train in the morning to the city, second car from the back I believe and we'd all meet from time to time. Certainly later years at the Underground we continued to enjoy every minute. I remember you guys inviting to go to Mardi Gras one year, I still regret not making that trip. Be well, my thoughts and prayers.

Steve

Dear Rudy An e-mail noted by vinny confirms the passing of your brother Tommy. So sorry. I was very fond of him.Great people,really. So young. Rudy can you shed any light to me about it.Its been a long time yet i can fondly recall his sweet demeaner,handsome and quit delightful.Rudy,one story about you.One Sunday tea early in the day a boy come in wearing a short shelve shirt, On his arm was a tatoo of a p**** in red ink. When he went to pay and you saw it you throw the man a very sudle beating.I laughed my head off.I know you would never forget that.Dear Rudy while again let me say I greive with you. Time heals all things. God love you . Besty of life .Anthony

In regard to the death of Timmy. Can you tell me about the e-mail of jan 29 by pete . I understood that Tommy D. passed away.Was that true. Was Pete referring instead to Timmy. Thank you.A.A.

Hi Judy I am sorry about the lost of your brother Timmy. I did not know him unfortunitly.I worked the opening of Underground in 1980. Back then we did a mockup for the opening and meet with Johnny,Rudy and Tommy DiPaolo,Maurice and his wife along with the other staff members.I was very fond Tommy D. How sad to hear he passed away.I worked my first club in 1970 called The Forbidden Fruit on W77 and Central part west. Marvin Ginsberg was the manager and I followed him working club afterclub. I did the opening of Funhouse in 1978, for about 14 months .I met Maurice for an interview for Underground and was there for quite a long time.All the people that you mentioned I knew.My capacity with crowd control was what I did.Underground was redhot every night.Basiclly passive.Homosexual only.I worked the money window,door,and patroling the room from time to time. Ihad moved on in 1988 where I worked for Jim Merry and Donald Armetti both deceaced at the Red Parrot 7 days a week for 13 months.Always bar people,unassuming lowkey staff member.Once again so sorry about Timmy.Keep your chin up. Best of life. Anthony abbott

Hey Mars thank you !!! I just sent you a email =) judy

Judy and Bruce,

My e-mail is frontstreetlounge@gmail.com

Thanks Mars I tried clicking on you but I cant seem to locate your email address if i figure it out I will email you or if you locate mine please shoot me an email thank again for all your help. Judy

Hey Mars it would be great to have a reunion, most of the players are all over the place left NY. Alot like Eric Ericson, Jim Burgess, Timmy, Curtis and qiute a few more from the beginning have passed on to a better place.
Like I said in my piece the U was my favorite place.
My email is on my profile, contact me there. we can talk more

Judy,
I can not tell you that. Bruce is correct that this is a open to all. Sorry maybe the report may have it. If not contact me on my e-mail address.

Bruce,
Would you be interested in a reunion and maybe work together to get it done.

Bruce,
How are you. I worked with you for about a week or two. I was send to Red Zone by Maurice when Underground was going to become Le Palace and Mr. Lewis was to become the promoter. It was a crazy time that era.
I had great respect for Curtis he was my manager and also trained me to become a manager. I also worked for Claire in the daytime because they wanted me trained to do everything at that time. As you may already know Curtis passed away while working at Expo for Matty. I kept up my friendship with him threw out the years and wish he was alive to help me now with my place. It was nice helping Timmy's sister and will try to get that report for her. Thank you for the heads up, that is why I don't write any last names.

Hey Mars - Judy, this is Bruce glad you found each other- remember this is a public forum, and everyone can read what is written, so please out of respect to each other, and Timmy be careful what is written here..
It is nice to see all the love that was had for Tim. even tho I was not there at the time, Curtis and I had known each other since he was at bonds and I was at the Underground at the beginning, When I came back I worked nights and Curtis mostly days, all these names I knew when I came back, as i said in my piece, when we work together like this we become tight and close, and when someone gets hurt or in the case of Tim, dies, a piece of us goes with him, as we are human also. I wish I knew Tim, but i wasn't there, but he was a good man.

mars who was the other bouncer ???? the bouncer that threw the guy out ????

Thank you so much !!!!!!

OMG if you could email me the police report that would be awsome !!! thank you so much if you need my email let me know thank you !!!!!

Judy,
Yes, Your family was very angry and upset with all of us. I don't blame them, the only thing we could do was to respect there wishes.

I will try to find that police report and e-mail it to you.

p.s. I am sorry if my parents kept you guys away there grief was so bad all they could do was have anger I am so sorry .

yes It does but I kinda already new that atleast thats how i felt all these years and i pretty sure I know who the bullet was ment for but dont worry I know for a fact he lives a very torchered life recent contact with whom i persume we are both speaking of proved that to me it was pretty werid funny how people who do bad things turn to god , thanks tho i really mean it when i say i appericate it , Judy

Judy,
John B. was never the same after the death of your brother. I cannot really remember if John was there at that exact time cause he may of been off it did happen late night early morning. But this Gladiator was brought to his knees and cryed in front of us cause of his dying friend. He did quit and we lost contact. Last time I saw John was at the Tunnel night club in 1995 and he slimed down, I could not tell it was him. Once he spoke I said that's John B. with that deep voice. Working in Wall Street, keeping up his work out but slim not big anymore.
Mars

Judy,
I am sorry "Melody and Tim work with each other every weekend not every day." (Friday and Sat. nights) I remember that night with sadness and cause it brought back a memory I wish I did not have to remember. I remember how happy he was weeks before because he bought himself a 4 door Cadi seville. He was doing construction and it was going well for him. Always said what's da matter wit ya! I feel terrible cause that bullet was not meant for Tim, it was meant for another bouncer that threw out the person who shot your brother. He was just protecting the door and the guys. He did have a temper and you couldn't control that. He may not of been tall but he was as strong as anyone 7 feet tall. Your family did not want anyone from the club attending his funeral or when we went to visit him at the hospital. Once again sorry for your great loss.
I hope this helps a little.

Thats ok I understand . yeah John I know him very well... Thanks for answering I really appericate it I can not begin to tell you the pain I still feel from loosing timmy , he was the best brother anyone could ask for and i am not just saying that cause he is dead he truly was always protected me always always made me feel safe and always had time for me ! For some reason I just keep hitting a block wall everytime i get a litte closer to maybe getting an answer and maybe thats just the way he wants it , i dont know but I appericate you responding , I guess one day ill find out regardless we all gotta die sometime and when I see him again he will tell me. Thanks for saying he was a good guy i appericate it! If you ever talk to melody tell her I said thank you for loving my brother so much and I am sorry for her loss. P.s. the funny thing is John says he wasnt there , dont you find that a little odd , considering how much they looked a like and that they were like brothers always wonder about that one , maybe its just me tho. I probably shouldnt think that way or say that sorry . Thanks again Judy

Judy,
Yes, John B. is correct they were best friends. I worked with your brother and considered him a friend. My heart goes out to you cause you lost a great brother. We called him the white Mike Tyson cause he could TKO anyone with one punch. He was our cashier guard worked part time as that. Tracy was the Asst. Manager and Andy if not John was head of security for John Steel Security company. Curtis was the manager that night but he passed away years ago. Melody was the cashier at that time and took it the hardest when Tim passed away. They worked with each other every day. I cannot use last names cause they may not want it to be posted.

Hi thank you for responding , this is Timmy youngest sister Judy , I have had no luck getting the police report I havent written to nyc police I just keep getting letters of denial , I dont know tracy or anthony and if you were talking about john bellomo I have spoken with him not much help at all . But peoples stories vary so much I really just want to know what really happened to my brother I was so young when it happened only 16yrs I just was looking for some closure , if you know anything or are able to help i will be forever grateful Thank you so much JudY

Bruce and Judy,

I worked with Timmy in the underground and he was a great person. If you get in contact with Tracy, John or Anthony they may be able to help you. They were there the night it happen. If you need the police report I may be able to help.

GIRLS WERE ALWAYS IN THE GUYS BATHROOM.

hey bruce i will , thanks for your help , it was my brother not cousin , if i do here anything from them on what happened to the case and what robert fox got for shooting my brother i will most certainly let you know , thanks for listening and trying to help

Judy there has to be a resolution to the court case of the cold blooded shooting of your cousin outside the club a lawyer would probably be able to look up in documents what happened in the case. Whether this David Fox was brought to trail and convicted.
Now after reading what happened in the New York Times I would like to know the resolution myself.
Keep me posted please.
All the best

Bruce

Oh Bruce thank you so much for your help and yes i did contact the police but just recently i guess i finally got the courage that was almost 3 months ago i am still waiting i did get one letter from the saying that i should be able to get a copy of the police report and would have it sometime in june and blah blah but if i didnt have it by than to call there could be underlying reasons for me not getting it. I cant thank you enough for trying i miss him everyday everday !!!! even though its so long ago it still hurts i know let go and i have but oh well ... I did read an article that was just published like 6 months ago in the ny times archives that states robert fox 21 arrested and charge in timmy lorenzo shooting however the police never contacted my family we never heard a word and that article states they arrested him in june 1989 or something like that ... thank you so much for trying to help me , maybe one day i will have peace and closure regardless of what if anything i find .

HI Judy-

Very sorry for your loss, I was not working at the club at this time I was employed just after the first anniversary of the club till around 1984. I did return at a later date, but it was just after this tragic incident. Everyone who worked at the club was quite stricken with what happened. When we work at a club we all are a close knit group of people and we all try to look out for each other . I want to believe that the members of the club or the guys who worked with him on security, had his back, were there for him at that time.
I have sent an email out to a couple of people I think worked at that time if they answer I will forward info to you.
The man who owned the security company died a couple of years ago so I cannot put you in touch with him. Did you contact the police to find out the determination of his case? did they find the person who did it? I have been away from New YOrk for a while.

I will keep trying for you

Bruce G

Hi Bruce thanks for replying sorry his name was timmy lorenzo he was a bouncer there in 1989 he got shot in front of the club on jan 29th 1989 and than died fed 15 1989 he was in a comma the whole time he never woke up , so just wondering if you new him or had any info on that night never really got any closure dont really know what happend i was only 16 when he died , thanks for anything you may know would be great than maybe i could have some peace . thanks again ..... Judy

Hi Judes you would have to give me a little more info on Timmy as there were hundreds of employees thru the Underground during my years there. What was his job there and what was his last name.
Bruce G.

Hey Bruce G... did you know my brother Timmy he worked at the underground in 1989.

To those of you who keep using Baird Jones name he passed away Feb of 2008.

Another one Bites the dust.

Bruce "G"
Former GM Underground

did anybody ever go to the underground in 1989?? if so please let me know , or if anybody worked there in 1989?

I used to work at the club from 82 till 84 at the bar downstairs by the mens room. I was shocked when i heard tommy passed he was so cool,so was Rudy my boss.Wow the memories of that place are unforgettable. I meet maddona,the weather girls,Col. abrams, so many stars.my favorite spot was under the steps by the mirror that covered the whole wall that were most of the break dancing was done.THE MOMORIES.

In the late seventies and early eighties, I like millions more was a hardcore club goer and The Underground became one of my favorite clubs. Great lighting system, the atmosphere was radiant and the music was pounding into your soul. I used to dance there so much that my white sneakers would be blue from my jeans in the morning. WOW! I used to drive in from Queens and as I reached the Bowery and made my right turn...The rest of the night was history.

when Blair Jones ever passes away they should sprinke his ashes over that building!!!!

Every Sunday was like a pilgrimage to (gay) Tea. Saw Two Tons of Fun there, and who remembers who else--the hottest crowd (before the Saint opened around '82), the absolute best lights -- classic police-car like things that would rotate and go up and down, best sound, steam on the dancefloor! Life was sweet! I could never get myself to go into the hot tubs (yep, they were there in the early days -- boys only at the time -- left of the dance floor, otherside of the room from the DJ booth.)Even now, when pass by just have to go in (its a Petco now...yikes!) and down the metal stairs (still there) to the dance floor. Last time I was there, the dance floor still in place in the fishtank section. Sad...but great memories come flooding back among the blowfish...great times...

I just looked up some articles on this site. NY Times has some articles you can read online. One article is from Jan. 1990 reporting on crime outside of the club.

Another article from August 1990 says the club's name had recently changed to La Palace de Beaute.

I never knew that this space was a club! How cool it must have been. Sigh.

This was a happening club back in the 80's. ALmostcCutting edge considering it's MTV affiliation and club cache! Where have all my old club buddies gone. Please reach out and say hi!

When did the club finally close?

I remember being fifteen years old in 1986 and getting into this club. This was the first real club I went to also. I went with a bunch of kids from my high school. I remember taking the L train from Canarsie right into Union Square. Don't ask me how we got in, we just did. I guess we looked older. I remember seeing all the real clubbers dancing for the first time. Alot of really good, professional like dancers - I was very impressed. I was wearing my New Wave best: electric blue blazer with shoulder pads, skinny tie, straight, straight, STRAIGHT leg pants, LOL! Oh, and long bangs over one eye. Too much :-D

Did anyone ever see the "TV Show" that Baird Jones would film early on in the evening? Good club, but could get rowdy. I remember having to crawl out of there on my hands and knees when 2 chinese gangs started shooting at each other across the dance floor.

So many memories....sometimes I can feel pretty sad...especially since we lost My best friend Tommy who used to work the front foor while his brother Rudy managed inside. I used to go all the time........I finally got sober..thank God...and have 2 kids today...but i still miss those days.
Bye Tommy...I love you

I still have passes to get in! I'll pst them later...

OH What Memories of the Underground during the late 80s. It was my first real NYC club experience. My girlfriends and I used to rush by subway to the club from Brooklyn, to make sure we'd get in free before 11 (I think). Then I'd find someone to buy my drinks for me and get drunk - how horrible. But I met my first "true love" there and have so many great memories - straight and drunk!

This was a great club for me to work out, LOL! During the early 80's this was my favorite place to go on Fridays night after work. Love to hear the late Silvester through those big speakers on the dance floor. This was the place as mentioned above by cozmikchuck where Baird Jones held his VIP Parties.

I was studying at F.I.T. in 1983-85 and used to go to there all the time...its were I met my now ex- husband . I met a guy there that from what I remember used to host MTV shows filmed there I think. He gave me a gold bracelet I still keep...I'm just curious. I can't remember his name.
I used to get up on the speakers to dance with my roommate. If I could turn back time.........

I used to go to the Underground most Friday and Saturday nights mostly in 1985. Every so often, the tunes of songs like "Set It Off" (Strafe), "Do Ya Wanna Funk" (Sylvester), "Meeting In the Ladies Room" (Klymaxx) or even the 12" club version of "Too Much Blood" (Rolling Stones) will pop into my head for no apparent reason, but it just goes to show how much fun we used to have at that great place. Baird Jones and his little VIP cards. I still have one in a photo album somewhere! My buddies and I would drive into the city, grab 2 quarts each of Colt 45 and chug them down before entering, so to avoid the overpriced (for the '80s) bar drinks. Years later ('89 or '90) I was working a few blocks uptown and learned that my once beloved Underground had turned into a Herman's World of Sporting Goods. All good things must end, I suppose, but the memories will live on........ Dancing on the speaker towers while some big mama kept yelling at me to shake my a**! Ahhh, those were the days. Angel Trejo or Eric Simon (Montclair State), if you're reading this, get in touch.

Used to hit this place back int he early 80's.(In High School) First real club I ever went to. I STILL have passes! Only place I knew where jersey kids could drink with no static.

what a great place if u went in the bathroom it was 2-3 deep of snorting going on great place had loads of fun

I grew up in Southampton, NY, which is an hour and a half from NYC. My cousin and I used to work from 8a to 4p, drive the 1.5 hours to NYC, party at the Underground until 6am, and make it back to Southampton in time to go to work. One night, we saw Ed Lover perform "Girl, I'll F*ck You!", Liz Torrez sing "I Can't Get Enough", Longzy D do "This Is Ska", Jomanda, and several other Acts, all in the same night. I was in Undergrad at Temple U. in Philly. T. Alford was the resident DJ at Mitten Hall, and Sean Jody Diaz was the resident DJ at UPenn. Sean was DJing at the Underground that night. The doorman at the Underground was a football player at UPenn, and we knew each other. The line was around the block, and we walked to the front of the line, and right in. That was a hell of a night.

Nothing too special here but did pack em' in.

I remember the Underground for College Night..it was on Thursdays..damn, what a great time..this was the time of "This Is Ska," "Break For Love," "Rock To The Beat" - I can hear it like it was yesterday with CeCe Rodgers performing "Someday" and that was MLK Weekend..too..LOL I LOVED THAT CLUB!!

D.J. Jose "Animal" Diaz

Was also a resident at The Underground.

We were in the same record pool at the time.

I was playing at United Skates in Brooklyn NY and others.

I went to a release party for "Mommie Dearest" in 1981. There was free admission for those dressed as either Joan Crawford or a battered child (I was on a student's budget, so I went as a battered child to save money- this was during the height of the New Romantic era, so my bruised make-up and Little Lord Fauntleroy drag wasn't much of an imposition...)

I was very intrigued by the Underground, Living in Kansas and getting my subscription to Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. Those Underground ads captured me and I had to come to the Apple for another opening. It sticks in my head the neon climbing up the brick walls while Jim Burgess was playing" Private Eyes" by Hall & Oats. I remember thinking it should be more crowded though. There was a dark backroom which I wanted to not be afraid of but was. I like the bars with the bunkbeds like in a prison. This place was sexy to me.
Years later, having become a NYer by now. I lived it all over again when celebutantes like dj Larry T., Ru Paul, & Lahoma Van Zandt took over and called it " The Love Machine" and threw parties on Tuesday nights there. It was glamorous and fabulous during that time. You had to be dressed Fierce !
That was a really cool discoteque to me. Clubs now don't seem to achieve that sensibility in their approach to designing gathering places.

the underground, geeez that was a long time ago. now there is a petco there. i once went downstairs with a fellow worker from my office and told him exactly what wasy going on where the parakeets are now.