Merge Records, Local Musicians Band Together to Save Jackpot from Buyout
photo by John Morris of Goodnight, Raleigh
This article was posted on April Fools’ Day 2010
Over a dozen Raleigh artists, including Ivan Rosebud and Stu McLamb, will partner with Merge Records to produce “We Are the Lung,” a collaboration piece declaring general unity among all people everywhere and calling on Bev Perdue to repeal the ban on smoking.
Why?
To save the Jackpot.
The grimy Hillsborough Street icon announced today that it would succumb to ownership by local shiny nemesis Solas. The failure occurs only 4 months after the smoking ban went into affect. Health experts say that’s about how long it typically takes for the stench of cigarettes to leave a bar the size of the Jackpot.
“It’s a shame,” said Stu McLamb of The Love Language. “And we hope to use our talents to make a positive change and keep the legend alive.”
“We Are the Lung” will likely include a poorly timed rap interlude and be overplayed on WKNC for months to come. Few will actually buy the single, but those who do will contribute 20% of sales to Jackpot owner Michael Demelio, who will probably just blow the money on beer and cigarettes.
Read More
Tagged
Related
Get Raleigh Updates
-
joe
04/01 09:34 AM
pleaze bulldoze this eysore. how can these people act like this building is such a benefit to the City. It is a complete sh##hole. If you’d taken care of it, attempted to make any improvements whatsoever, perhaps you could have actually gotten some support to protect this piece of crap.
-
Scott
04/01 10:00 AM
aaaand we’ve got one! congrats joe.
-
Carver
04/01 10:49 AM
hahaha… “We Are the Lung”
-
jbroome
04/01 10:52 AM
Isn’t it “band” together?
-
robert e leebowitz
04/01 11:00 AM
Michael D’amelio has listed Jackpot on ebay with a minimum bid of $50,000. We can raise that!
-
RG
04/01 11:06 AM
Well, it’s not every day you see our governor’s first AND last name spelled incorrectly. April Fool’s!
-
kjoy
04/01 12:46 PM
What does the smoking ban have to do with The Jackpot being bought out? Jackpots business has been low because of the ban?
-
Blang blang
04/01 02:48 PM
I have a solution two words that can save the jackpot “video poker”.
-
Johnny Mack
04/01 05:30 PM
Ya just can’t tear down a s**thole and expect the generations of drunkin’ lungin’ spirits to move on. No, that place is the canvas of memories not recalled. Whoever wants to conjure the spirits of blackout land, I dare you to have a try…but remember what happened to Happy Days, when they thought it was a good idea to update Al’s Diner…Joanie and Chachi and the Jumping of the Shark. That’s what!
-
page
04/01 07:11 PM
All Raleigh needs is another over the top, over priced frat bar. not.
yeah, jackpot is a shithole.. but its a kick-ass shithole.. it has character, and the people who love it arent pretentious.. it’s a low key hole in the wall, which not everyone gets, but there isnt much like it left in Raleigh and to let it go… especially to the Solas people…. would be a damn shame. -
Captain Obvious
04/01 07:29 PM
Does anyone in this city own a calendar?
-
Rostel
04/01 09:45 PM
I think it gives that area its character. I think the bar (although I dont like it) is unique and should stay. And even though it looks bad the Greenhouse at the back of it gives it character too. They should fix that up and make it a bar and a restuarant. But they would have to keep it green though. Its kind of an icon at that spot in some weird sort of way.
-
matt
04/02 07:58 AM
Y’all suckers are cracking me up. It was an APRIL FOOLS JOKE (doesn’t matter what I say, these people don’t read the comments, the only important opinion is THEIRS, it’s giving me a little window into NewRaleighs’ readers’ worldview).
-
Johnny Mack
04/02 10:16 AM
I was enjoying the April Fools joke, til I found out that there IS some truth to the prospect of Soulless buying out Jackpot. Note to Soulless…I live in Raleigh, NC…Not Miami, Not New York, and Not Ireland. I’m not going out to be “scene”, but to hang with and meet new and interesting friends who “create” the atmosphere with each’s own ecclectic/ eccentric personallity. Though, maybe we could get the Disney folks to come in and revamp the rest of Raleigh like it’s border already has.
-
Misha
04/07 06:23 PM
LETS MAKE THIS HAPPEN :( :( :(
-
roofstain
04/07 08:02 PM
April Fools (the noun?)
As the owner of Raleigh’s oldest custom sign and graphics company (& sign museum / art gallery), which happens to be in the same spot it has occupied for 30 years, within a block entirely owned by an out of town investment company (with redevelopment plans), it seems to me that if “we” want to keep Raleigh a bit retro (which I wholeheartedly support as over the top cool and indeed part of the charm of this small city) we would need to actually organize and do some math to figure out how to protect the treasures (?) buy owning (?) the properties and securing long term leases for businesses considered “historic” by our standards. Maybe form a Community based LLC? A non-profit? Start a movement that other cities might mirror? Follow an existing example? Perhaps the solution is a political one, form some sort of progressive “preservation society”...that addresses your particular historically relevant community concerns. If you really want to do something about it other than bitch, let’s have a meeting and get involved with the developer (I have his card in my wallet) and come up with a plan to have it your way (or as close as you can get it). Keep in mind that this is first a capitalist society, so the money side is going to have to fit into the picture comfortably at some point! I think there is a solution to this issue, but it will have to be a pretty creative one.
Incidentally my previous sign business was in one of the Bolton buildings on Wakefield Ave bought up by the same developer, and I was run off to clear the way for redevelopment. My current shop will likely suffer the exact same fate with a different out of town developer.
Just random thoughts, but usually where there is enough will, there is a way. I am game to do a meeting if anyone else is. Cool Raleigh has been slowly redeveloping (aka disappearing) for many decades, this is not a new thing. The trick is likely finding a good balance.
On another note:
Solas seems to be pretty busy, which in this economy is good for Raleigh in general. If it isn’t your kinda joint, just don’t go there, but no need to drag a recent Raleigh success story through the mud online! Solas, like most small businesses in Raleigh, does it’s share to contribute to our local economy. It also happens to introduce a healthy bit of diversity, which I happen to thing is a good thing. -
Johnny Mack
04/07 08:28 PM
Tru Dat Roofstain. All successes are a gain for our fair town, and diversity makes a city. When everyone agrees on a certain way or style, how is that way appealing any longer?...but I’m still not sure how to properly pronounce Solace… or Sitti for that matter. I’ll throw some coin or effort toward the preservation pot!
-
roofstain
04/07 08:36 PM
Johnny! You da man. Let’s go to Solas and grab a drink, walk across the street and mourn the Rockford for a minute then drive drunk over to the Jackpot for cheap brews and a game of pool with velvet paintings and walnut paneling! And quit pickin’ on the Irish, my moms name (and Amir’s!)is Fitzgerald and Nial is as good as they get!
-Jim (roofstain) -
Johnny Mack
04/08 01:16 PM
Right On! Shall I propose a “Spark” for the “Syncopation Movement”, where we celbrate our burgeoning city’s shared rhythm toward identity as a center for all to enjoy the growing opportunities of “zomething different”. Sounds like a good start toward a paradoxical journey, but I think we can walk. Furthermore, toughen that skin, ya Mick! The Clan Donald hails from Scotchland, “Aye”.
Share Your Thoughts
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.