One of Austin’s most storied music venues is getting the big screen treatment, and a notable Texan is helping make it happen.
Woody Harrelson is among a team of producers behind an upcoming documentary on Austin’s Armadillo World Headquarters. The historic venue closed in 1980 and helped foster the city’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World, welcoming huge names including Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, ZZ Top, Ray Charles and Bruce Springsteen.
“The Armadillo wasn’t just a music venue,” Harrelson told Deadline, which first reported the documentary. “It was where all kinds of worlds came together: artists, outlaws, hippies, students, dreamers, everyone under one roof. Careers got started there, genres mixed, and what really sticks with me is how it made people feel like they belonged.”
The center of the Live Music Capital of the World
Joey Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone after performing at the Armadillo World Headquarters in 1977 in Austin, Texas. An upcoming documentary will cover the history of the venue. (Nicolas Russell/Getty Images)
The Armadillo World Headquarters was located at 525½ Barton Springs Rd. from 1970 to 1980. Over 10 years, it helped establish Austin’s progressive country, or “Cosmic Cowboy,” sound. But it also was the center of several notable events in music history:
AC/DC played their first-ever U.S. concert there on July 27, 1977, as the opener for Canadian band Moxy.
The Clash performed with Joe Ely on October 4, 1979, a photo from which was featured in the jacket of the band’s album London Calling. (The band later returned to Austin to film the video for “Rock the Casbah.”)
Several live albums were recorded there, including albums from Waylon Jennings and Frank Zappa.
Its closing show on Dec. 31, 1980 featured a raucous party of Asleep at the Wheel, Maria Muldaur, Turk Pipkin, Kenneth Threadgill and headliners Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. “The energy was absolutely off the charts,” Pipkin later said. “The champagne and Ray [Benson]’s weed has fogged my memory, but I don’t think the show ended till something like 4 a.m.”
American blues harmonica player, singer and bandleader Paul Butterfield backstage fixing his attire for his show at the Armadillo World Headquarters. Legendary musicians took the stage at the venue over its 10 years. (Nicolas Russell/Getty Images)
Trouble (and a rebirth) of the Armadillo World Headquarters
However, the Armadillo World Headquarters constantly faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in 1976. The building was sold out from under owner Eddie Wilson, forcing the club’s closure. A high-rise office building soon replaced the old armory that was AWHQ.
However, the brand has been revitalized with Wilson’s blessing, including with a special edition kit for Austin FC, a pop-up shop on South Congress, events and merchandise.
Former promoter and Armadillo World Headquarters owner Eddie Wilson in his home in Austin, Texas, on May 26, 2011. Wilson battled several financial difficulties as the venue’s owner. (John Anderson/Getty Images)
The documentary is still in development and does not have a release date but will be directed and edited by Los Angeles-based filmmaker David Brodie. Harrelson, a Texas native whose Austin-set series with Matthew McConaughey premieres in September, noted the kinship found at AWHQ as a big draw for him.
“People came for the music, but what they found was each other,” Harrelson said, according to Deadline. “The Armadillo represented something we don’t see much anymore, and that’s a big part of why I wanted to be involved with this film.”
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This article originally published at One of Texas’ most historic venues is getting a documentary.