Founded in 1964 by Paul Sampson, a local record store owner who later became a music promoter and manager, The Cellar primarily featured early rock and roll acts, although some Chicago blues bands also performed there.
It later moved to the empty Bill Cook Buick at 835 W. Davis, across the tracks from the old Arlington High School.
The Cellar became a popular venue, providing teenagers from the region with a place to congregate, listen to British-tinged Chicago blues rock, and to dance.
[3] It also hosted talented psychedelic rock regional house bands, such as the Shadows of Knight (who recorded their Raw 'n' Alive at the Cellar, Chicago 1966!
Lovecraft,[5] Saturday's Children, Ted Nugent[6] with The Amboy Dukes, The Huns, The Flock, The Raevns, The Other Half,[7] and The Little Boy Blues.