Throwback Thursday: Brassy’s Night Club

By  //  July 18, 2013

WAS AMONG BREVARD COUNTY'S MOST POPULAR CONCERT VENUES DURING THE 1980'S

ABOVE VIDEO: A promo video of Bachmann Turner Overdrive – one of many iconic 70’s and 80’s rock bands that played at Brassy’s Night Club in Cocoa Beach. 

(The Romantics were one of many popular rock bands to play at Brassy's Night Club during the 1980's. Image courtesy of Georgie Rockwood & www.nwoutpost.com)
The Romantics were one of many popular rock bands to play at Brassy’s Night Club during the 1980’s. (Image courtesy of Georgie Rockwood and www.nwoutpost.com)

From 1979 to 1987, legends of classic rock graced a former grocery store in Cocoa Beach. Brassy’s Night Club in Cocoa Beach touted one of the top nightlife hotspots for the Space Coast’s youth.

Teens and college-aged youth throughout central Florida flocked to Brassy’s to see a variety of events, from boxing matches to rock concerts featuring chart-topping performers ranging from Blue Oyster Cult, Hank Williams to Greg Allman, Bachmann Turner Overdrive, Joe Cocker, the Romantics,  Joan Jett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Winter Brothers and Three-Dog Night and others.

Brassy’s was located in the area that is now home to the Cocoa Beach Public Library and post office. The original building was home to a grocery store and was owned by Alan Hemenway and his family.  During an interview with the Orlando Sentinel in 1986, Hemenway said the club was spending up to $150,000 a year on the name bands, but made up to $1.5 million a year.

CITY PLANNED TO CONVERT ORIGINAL BUILDING INTO A TERRORIST REHAB CENTER

In 1994, the Orlando Sentinel reported an interesting conversion for the building that was originally home to Brassy’s.

“Brevard commissioners reportedly are ready to buy the former Brassy’s nightclub building in Cocoa Beach. But not for a library, as you might have heard. The federal government is going to lease it from the county and plans to turn it into a halfway house for rehabilitated terrorists. Which should provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the beachside economy.”

– Orlando Sentinel, April 1, 1994

NOTABLE CONCERT DATES ACCORDING TO SONGKICK.COM

• Blue Oyster Cult – February 5, 1989 and July 21, 1988 

• Joan Jett & the Blackhearts  – January 23, 1987      

• 10,000 Maniacs – March 27, 1986

• The Blasters – March 13, 1986        

BELOW, WE HAVE POSTED PICTURES THAT WERE ON VARIOUS FORUMS THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET. SHARE YOUR MEMORIES OF BRASSY’S BY LEAVING A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Donnie Hair vs. Bill Kase- the first full-contact event filmed for ESPN just before his First Rnd KO of Bill Kase.  Don Wilson was MAIN EVENT. James Wilson promoted the show. - 1981
Donnie Hair vs. Bill Kase in 1981 – the first full-contact event filmed for ESPN just before his first round KO of Bill Kase. Don Wilson was the main event and James Wilson promoted the show.
Psychedelic Furs at Brassy's in Cocoa Beach Fla.,1982. Image courtesy of Georgie Rockwood &; www.nwoutpost.com)
Psychedelic Furs at Brassy’s in Cocoa Beach Florida in 1982. (Image courtesy of Georgie Rockwood and www.nwoutpost.com)
brassys-night-club-500
(Image courtesy of Woody Stevens)
robin-trower-brassys
(Songkick.com)