Clifford Antone
Austin Music Legend

Oct. 27, 1949 – May 23, 2006

Clifford Antone, the best. Photo/©Steve Hopson

The Austin music scene was built on the back of Clifford, Eddie Wilson and James White and the musicians that performed at their venues. They are directly responsible for Austin enjoying the title of Live Music Capital of the World.

Clifford, or CJ as he preferred, didn't set out to do anything but follow his muse.

CJ loved the blues, he really enjoyed Chicago blues and what would become Austin blues.

Every major blues act in the world played at his club. The Fabulous Thunderbirds were the original house band. CJ also nurtured a young guitar hero in blues icon Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Still the best Austin music club and it's in its fourth location.

He's also the founder of Antone's Records, a great record store offering vinyl for those of us dinosaurs that still prefer grooves and a turntable.

His accomplishments are well documented. Kind and generous, he made his fellow blues affectionaros feel welcome and took his time to get to know them.

He loved telling tales about meeting his blues hero's. His Jimmy Reed story was hilarious. CJ was a good guy.

Best way to know CJ is to visit his club. It's not the original, but what Austin music club is?

The guy made Austin better. The people who knew him will never be able to sit in his club and not reminisce on fond memories.

Clifford's namesake club today, still celebrating the blues.
Blue Tuesday, Malford Milligan performing. Photo/TFDuesing

SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish

WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre

RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland

UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall

SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe

EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill

AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Townes Van Zandt :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House

MORE
Austin City Limits :: Austin Record Stores :: Music Stores :: Austin Chronicle

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