Henry (Hank) LoConti opened the first Agora in 1966 near the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

For many years, “Monday Night Out at the Agora” was nicknamed “Golden” because of the concept of showcasing original music groups who kept the club filled.

Terry Knight & The Pack, better known as Grand Funk Railroad, The Outlaws, ZZ Top, Glass Harp, Foghat, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, Kiss, Boston, Meat Loaf, Todd Rundgren and Talking Heads (to name a few) all achieved national and international prominence after playing the Cleveland Agora stage.

On October 21, 1978, the first videotaped production, “Onstage at the Agora,” was broadcast live on television, featuring Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

This TV special went on to feature such acts as Todd Rundgren, Eddie Money, Meat Loaf, Ian Hunter with Mick Ronson, Iron City House Rockers, The Boyzz, Toto, and Charlie Daniels.

In 1975, as the syndicated recorded concert series continued to gain popularity, The Agora started a second radio program financed by major sponsors like Sansui of Japan, titled the “New World of Jazz.” This show was kicked off by syndicating a Live recorded Ronnie Laws's concert to over 50 stations in the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.

In 1978, The Agora was the first concert club to use dedicated ISDN telephone lines to broadcast a live special event to 37 progressive radio markets throughout the U.S.

Traditions were born as “Monday Night Out at the Agora” became the most successful weekly concert event in Cleveland and famous throughout the world of rock-and-roll.

The Agora's President, Hank LoConti received Billboard's Steve Wolfe Memorial Award in 1979, presented to the individual who has contributed the most to the music entertainment industry throughout the year.

It was during the 70s that Hank started a crusade to establish the international music industry's Rock-And-Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1985, Hank gathered his partners and purchased the old WHK radio studios and auditorium in the Midtown Corridor located at 5000 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland.

It was there in the WHK radio studios during 1951, that Cleveland disc jockey Allen Freed first coined the phrase “Rock-and-Roll” for the world.

At the time of the move, the Midtown Corridor Association was in its infancy, and it became a true pioneering venture to build the Agora in a neighborhood that was perceived as anything but safe.

After Hank's passing The Agora changed hands and is currently operated by AEG and carries on the long tradition of producing world-class entertainment and introducing new as well as established artists to Cleveland, Ohio.

He jump started the careers not only of musicians, but also his legendary crew members the 'Rowdy Roadies,' and the people who worked in booking, promotions, and ticketing in his office.

Ted Nugent, Measles, James Gang, My Uncles Army Buddies, Freeport, and Decembers Children were the first bands.

These neighborhood residents converged on the Agora one night like a movie scene from the Villagers storming the Frankenstein Castle, and made it well known that the club was not welcome.

Bands that played included: Grateful Dead, Genesis, King Crimson, Howling Wolf, Procol Harum, Alice Cooper, War, Chuck Berry, Eagles, Bob Seger, MC5, Beach Boys, Santana, Muddy Waters, to name a few.

Many artists such as Peter Frampton, Bruce Springsteen, Boston, Grand Funk Railroad, ZZ Top, Kiss and many others received much exposure after playing the Agora.

The onsite recording studio and the close proximity to radio station WMMS allowed for high-quality live concert broadcasts from the Agora.

It was the brainchild of Max Faetkenheuer, an opera promoter and conductor who had also been involved in the construction of the monumental Hippodrome Theatre on Euclid Avenue five years earlier.

[8][9] Following the fire which damaged the Agora Ballroom on East 24th Street, club owner Henry LoConti Sr. decided to move to the 5000 Euclid Avenue location.