14 episodes
Boston Venue: The Channel Story Harry Booras, Chris O’Keeffe and David Ginsburg
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This podcast tells the true and complete story of the Channel nightclub in Boston, bringing the truth to light! Based on the vivid recollections of club founder Harry Booras, you’ll learn the too-true-to-believe tale, from the club's beginning in 1980 to its inglorious end at the hands of Boston's most ruthless mobsters. Over the years, there’s been a lot of rewriting of the club's history. Harry led the operation of the club for eleven of its eleven & a half years of existence. It's time to set the record straight once and for all. Learn more at www.thechannelstory.com.
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SEASON ONE, EPISODE TEN, Part 2: “The Not-So-Great Finale”
In the long-awaited conclusion of Boston Venue: The Channel Story, the club is going to be auctioned off in bankruptcy--again. Just like everything else in this sordid tale, nothing adds up, the mob is always lurking, and the end of the club--and a life--is imminent.
This is the second part of the tenth and final episode of Boston Venue: The Channel Story, Season 1, the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.
Music featured in this episode: Wargasm, New Models, Bim Skala Bim, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Kevin Aylmer, Steve Marullo, Casey Lindstrom, Dan Vitale, and Peter Booras.
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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writers: David Ginsburg and Jennifer Sea Booras. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti. -
SEASON ONE, EPISODE TEN, Part 1: “What The **** Happened?”
In Part One of Episode 10, new money and new partners have forced Harry Booras OUT of The Channel. But the new regime quickly found themselves underwater as the local mob started skimming 80% of the revenue while stiffing vendors, artists and staff. Harry and his brother Peter try to save the club, but guns and cocaine--not to mention a psychotic mafia member--complicate matters.
This is the first part of the tenth and final episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.
Music featured in this episode: Wargasm and The New Models. Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Steve Marullo, Casey Lindstrom, and Peter Booras.
Listen & Subscribe:
RadioPublic
Apple Podcasts
Android
Spotify
Stitcher
Tune-In
Google Podcasts
Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writers: David Ginsburg and Jennifer Sea Booras. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti. -
SEASON ONE, EPISODE NINE: “Heavy Metal & Heavy Trouble”
Heavy Metal was a mainstay at The Channel. In 2015 VH1 named it one of the Top 10 venues for heavy metal ever. National acts including Metallica, Slayer, Motorhead and Alice in Chains played the club. Locals including Wargasm, Meliah Rage and Extreme rocked to packed houses. Yet expenses kept going up, and The Channel needed an infusion of new cash to survive. An old acquaintance reemerged to help bail out the club. He ended up having some dangerous ties...
This is the ninth episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.
Music featured in this episode: Wargasm. Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Chachi LoPrete, Bob Mayo, Mike Colucci, Peter Booras, Tony Capobianco, Joanne Cody and Steve Marullo.
Listen & Subscribe:
RadioPublic
Apple Podcasts
Android
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Tune-In
Google Podcasts
Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writers: David Ginsburg and Sean McNally. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti. -
Boston Venue: Season One Bonus Episode: Peter Tosh, In His Own Words
Crafting each episode of Boston Venue: The Channel Story is a painstaking process involving hours of research, combing through a ton of archival material. Occasionally, some incredible hidden gems pop up...like this long-lost interview with reggae icon Peter Tosh. Harry Booras and author Kevin Aylmer drove to New York City one day in the late 80’s to meet with Tosh, albeit each with their own agenda.
You heard a small portion of this previously unheard tape in Episode 7, “Mama Africa.” Now, as a bonus between Episode 8 and Episode 9, we’re giving you a chance to listen to the full raw audio--it’s like eavesdropping on a piece of history. Peter Tosh muses on everything from race relations to human spirituality to rap music to, yes, the vast difference between “the herb” and “drugs.”
This is the second bonus episode from Boston Venue: The Channel Story. If you like it, please leave a review on your favorite podcast site or on https://thechannelstory.com/.
Please show your support for Boston Venue: The Channel Story Podcast by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.
Music featured in this episode: “Where’d You Go,” provided by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Peter Tosh, Kevin Almer.
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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written and edited by Harry Booras. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic Design by Lisa St. John-Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti. -
SEASON ONE, EPISODE EIGHT: “Nights to Remember. Days to Forget”
By the mid-80s, The Channel was a successful venue. Big-name acts played The Channel in lieu of theatre and even arena shows. The legendary Roy Orbison played his final shows at the club. Bo Diddley and Ron Wood brought their “Gunslinger’s Tour.” Management increasingly relied on alcohol sales to subsidize the ever-growing costs. Rent was climbing. Slam-dancing was a regular occurrence, as were rising insurance costs. Ownership was distracted with other endeavors, leaving the club exposed. And since nature abhors a vacuum…
This is the eighth episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.
Music featured in this episode: T.H. and The Wreckage, “Certified Love,” and SS Decontrol, “The Kids Will Have Their Say.” Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Tom Hambridge, Sal Baglio, John Boy Franklin, Peter Booras and Jack Burke.
Listen & Subscribe:
RadioPublic
Apple Podcasts
Android
Spotify
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Tune-In
Google Podcasts
Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe and Jennifer Booras. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tory Lam. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti. -
SEASON ONE, EPISODE SEVEN: “Mama Africa”
From the beginning, black music was a primary feature of The Channel’s eclectic lineup of headliners. Episode 7 explores The Channel’s embrace of early hip-hop, reggae, funk and R&B acts--and the impact it had on a still racially segregated Boston, where outsiders feared going to South Boston and black audiences in particular feared visiting Southie for any reason. The Channel’s embrace of this music, along with inside accounts from some of the people who were there, highlights this special episode--including commentary from reggae legend Peter Tosh.
This is the seventh episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.
Boston Venue: The Channel Story has been nominated by the Boston Music Awards 2019 for “Music Podcast of the Year.” Be sure to cast your vote and don’t forget to subscribe! If you like the show, leave a review, we really appreciate it.
Music featured in this episode: Danny Tucker, “Tell It Out,” Zion Initiation, “Call It Down,” Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, “Georgia Slop.” Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Peter Tosh, Danny Tucker, Kevin Aylmer, Chachi LoPrete, Rick Anderson, Dart Adams, Peter Booras, Barrence Whitfield, Cosmo Macero Jr.
Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts
Android
Spotify
Stitcher
Tune-In
Google Podcasts
Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe and Jennifer Booras. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Your narrator, John Laurenti.