RIP Highway 99 Blues Club

“Don’t cry becus it over, smile becus it happened.”

Recently, thanks to a well-connected friend, we were able to see one of the last live music events at the iconic Highway 99 Blues Club in downtown Seattle.  I wish we had made the effort earlier to check the place out, for with its Juke Joint décor and quality sound, it really was a terrific venue for live Blues.  The band for the evening was Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, and dang were they good! I’ve heard Zydeco before, but never like that!  Soulful, yet high energy, with a beat that just made you want to dance.  Indeed, our waitress said she’d never seen so many club patrons on their feet and dancing before.  

It was a bittersweet night experiencing the Highway 99 Blues Club for both the first and last time.  The increasingly high rents of Seattle have forced its closure, and it’s like will never be seen again.  But I’ll carry forward the reflection posted on their website on their final day: “Don’t cry becus it over, smile becus it happened.”

P.S. The blues club may be closed, but Curly and his band will still be playing at clubs and festivals around the country.  They may sing the blues, but they make broad audiences happy.  Check ‘em out!

Dang! They were good!

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