What do you think?
Rate this book
Mississippi Nights: A History of The Music Club in St. Louis
Mississippi A History of The Music Club in St. Louis chronicles the 30-year run of the iconic venue, even diving into the pre-Mississippi Nights history of 914 North 1st Street in Laclede's Landing. Stories include The Police, Nirvana, Melissa Etheridge, Public Enemy, AC/DC, Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), and local bands such as The Urge, Pale Divine, KingoftheHill, Story of the Year, Mama's Pride, and more. The rich music history of Mississippi Nights is brought back to life with stories, photos, and memorabilia.
290 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2022
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 22, 2024
Mississippi Nights was a nightclub in St Louis that closed this month 17 years ago.
Because it’s the nightclub I most associate with youth as well as probably the one where I saw the most bands, it is my ideal layout for seeing live music. Having been to many venues now, though I still stand by that
Then perhaps it just was, it entertained every genre of music and was both intimate and big enough for most national bands. Its parking lot the only place I can think of where I got into a fistfight as an adult.
I was shocked when the place was closed down to make room for a riverfront Casino space. I mean I understand, and even now, I am a bit shocked and disappointed all these years later.
The Enloes’ book is the tribute the club needed. A colorful coffee table book filled with anecdotes and ticket stubs. It is near perfect in that its main issue is that it could just go on forever with stories.
As it stands, it’s probably the perfect size. The story of the St Louis music scene is woven throughout in a fair amount of detail. Author Garrett Enloe has a rather vanilla taste of FM Rock bands, but is smart enough to fill in some of the other genres with guest contributors
You will find unique stories throughout about Michael Stipe, Nirvana, Melissa Ethridge, Public Enemy, the Police and others. It is the nostalgia rush I needed. There’s also a reference of bands who played (I am pedantic so I noticed a couple of misses but it’s still nice to have).
I saw a wide variety of bands there - Cramps, Ramones, Gwar, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Type O Negative and it was nice to see some of those names referenced.
My prime concert going years were 1993 to 2003 but the club ran from 1976 to 2007. The scope of a book like this is it likely won’t appeal outside of the St Louis area (I know there is probably a small secondary audience of people who just love musical venue history) but the club surely had the kind of impact that if you lived in the region and went there, this book will be meaningful
And if you do fine the club meaningful then this book nails that memory. I would love to see a sequel though it would be pointless (this is the book to own) though there’s still probably enough St Louis history, the Enloes could find other routes to explore
Because it’s the nightclub I most associate with youth as well as probably the one where I saw the most bands, it is my ideal layout for seeing live music. Having been to many venues now, though I still stand by that
Then perhaps it just was, it entertained every genre of music and was both intimate and big enough for most national bands. Its parking lot the only place I can think of where I got into a fistfight as an adult.
I was shocked when the place was closed down to make room for a riverfront Casino space. I mean I understand, and even now, I am a bit shocked and disappointed all these years later.
The Enloes’ book is the tribute the club needed. A colorful coffee table book filled with anecdotes and ticket stubs. It is near perfect in that its main issue is that it could just go on forever with stories.
As it stands, it’s probably the perfect size. The story of the St Louis music scene is woven throughout in a fair amount of detail. Author Garrett Enloe has a rather vanilla taste of FM Rock bands, but is smart enough to fill in some of the other genres with guest contributors
You will find unique stories throughout about Michael Stipe, Nirvana, Melissa Ethridge, Public Enemy, the Police and others. It is the nostalgia rush I needed. There’s also a reference of bands who played (I am pedantic so I noticed a couple of misses but it’s still nice to have).
I saw a wide variety of bands there - Cramps, Ramones, Gwar, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Type O Negative and it was nice to see some of those names referenced.
My prime concert going years were 1993 to 2003 but the club ran from 1976 to 2007. The scope of a book like this is it likely won’t appeal outside of the St Louis area (I know there is probably a small secondary audience of people who just love musical venue history) but the club surely had the kind of impact that if you lived in the region and went there, this book will be meaningful
And if you do fine the club meaningful then this book nails that memory. I would love to see a sequel though it would be pointless (this is the book to own) though there’s still probably enough St Louis history, the Enloes could find other routes to explore
January 26, 2024
That was a great trip down memory lane. A lot of the text was personal stories contributed by fans, who leaned heavily toward the rock end of music, so there wasn't enough focus on the many amazing alternative and reggae shows I saw there over the years. But what a great summary of the club, including loads of pictures in a scrapbook design and a complete list of more than 4000 bands that played there. (Sadly, they misspelled The Drovers as The Donors, but no one's perfect.) The only thing missing was an essay on the bathrooms, which were VILE (ask anyone in the 1980s, they were cess pits) but had the most incredible graffiti. Oh, and the free popcorn in the under 21 section. Who could forget that?
February 20, 2023
A real gem of a book with fun nostalgia for a classic St. Louis rock club. I saw far too many shows there to mention (or remember) from 1992-2007, including Beck on the Loser tour, Midnight Oil in 2002, punk shows from Bad Religion and Rancid, the Afghan Whigs, GBV, Poi Dog Pondering, and so many other awesome bands.
Pick up this book for a great look back at the history of Mississippi Nights!
Pick up this book for a great look back at the history of Mississippi Nights!
December 26, 2022
St. Louis history intertwined with the biggest names in music across nearly 4 decades and almost every genre. I had a blast at this club from my early teens to my late 20’s. This book was excellent way for me to “relive” all the memories! Must read is you love music or if you’re from St. Louis.
January 1, 2023
If only I had a time machine…
All that history. All those artists. All those Mississippi nights.
Thankfully, Garrett and Stacy’s book serves as a window into a club’s history I largely missed out on, and a spotlight on a hole the city has been unable to fill since.
All that history. All those artists. All those Mississippi nights.
Thankfully, Garrett and Stacy’s book serves as a window into a club’s history I largely missed out on, and a spotlight on a hole the city has been unable to fill since.
January 27, 2023
I miss this place.
March 9, 2023
Great book, brought back lots of memories - and a lot of “How did I miss that show?!” feelings.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews