Athens’ Georgia Theatre Burns
Decatur Metro | June 19, 2009
Photo from Red and Black
Jumping outside the city limits for a moment…
Robert writes in to report that “the Georgia Theatre in Athens has burned to the ground this morning.”
The news of the fire is all over Twitter this morning and the AJC has eyewitness reports. As Paste Magazine notes, “The Georgia Theatre has been home to countless shows from notable Athens acts such as R.E.M., Pylon, The B-52s and Drive-By Truckers, as well as myriad national touring acts. The venue was set to host several bands at next weekend’s AthFest.”
There are no reports of injuries.
This tragedy will undoubtably affect many. Musicians, preservationists, Athens-lovers, Georgians. A sad day.
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Oh No! Thirty-four years ago I had my first date with the love of my life there. He took me to see, “Diamonds Are Forever,” followed by a Varsity ice cream cone, and I still married him. Rest in Peace, Ga Theater.
Major bummer. Spent numerous nights drinking cheap beer and seeing acts ranging from Dick Dale to Kinchafoonee Cowboys to Matthew Sweet there back in the 90’s. Always one of my favorite venues and a real cornerstone of the downtown Athens scene.
WSB has the best selection of pics of the damage that I’ve seen thus far.
Some older photos of the Theatre
http://www.joshdweiss.com/photoblog/tag/georgia-theatre/