Aragon Ballroom (Chicago)

History of the Aragon Ballroom

The Aragon Ballroom, located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, has been a significant cultural landmark since its inception in 1926. Built by brothers Andrew and William Karzas, the Aragon was their second venture into dance halls, following the success of the Trianon Ballroom in 1922. The brothers, who initially made their fortunes in nickelodeons and movie theaters, sought to replicate their earlier success by turning to theater architects Huszagh & Hill for the Aragon’s design. The building’s exterior was crafted in a Spanish Baroque style, while the interior was designed by John Eberson to resemble the courtyard of a Moorish castle, complete with a 21,000 square-foot dance floor.

Named after a region in Spain, the Aragon quickly became a popular destination for music lovers in Chicago. Its proximity to the Chicago ‘L’ train made it easily accessible, drawing crowds of over 18,000 during its six-day business weeks. The venue’s popularity was further amplified by WGN’s radio broadcasts, which transmitted live performances from the Aragon to audiences across the United States and Canada, and reportedly even reached listeners in Britain.

Live Music and the Aragon

The Aragon Ballroom has hosted a wide array of musical acts over the decades, becoming a staple in the live music scene. During the big band era, it welcomed nearly all the top names, with performances broadcast nationally. The 1970s saw the rise of “monster rock” shows at the Aragon, featuring marathon performances by rock music acts that often lasted six hours or more. In 1973, the venue came under the ownership of Latin promoters Willy Miranda and Jose Palomar, who collaborated with rock promoters Arny Granat and Jerry Mickelson to host rock concerts.

The Aragon has been the site of numerous live recordings by renowned artists. Notable performances include electronic band Kraftwerk in 1975, classic rock band Aerosmith in 1978, and thrash metal band Metallica in 1986. Grunge band Nirvana played their final two Chicago shows at the Aragon in 1993, and punk rock band Green Day’s 1994 performance was recorded for MTV. More recently, sludge metal band Mastodon recorded a live album and concert DVD at the venue in 2009.

Verified venue information

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Sources

Wikipedia / Wikidata / Official website

Image: locusolus / CC BY 2.0 CC BY 2.0

See the official website for the latest show information