r
Previews
Rock ’n’ roll restaurant
will ‘cook 9 in Houston
HOUSTON (AP) —
Rock ’n’ roll enthusiasts
can rejoice this fall when
the world’s sixth Hard
Rock Cafe opens in Hous
ton with a down-home
barbecue and live music.
Houston joins London,
New York, San Francisco,
Los Angeles and Chicago
as home to the popular
eatery, sometimes re
ferred to as “the Smithso
nian of rock’n’ roll.”
The Houston cafe also
joins the competition of
more than 6,700 restau
rants in the Houston area
and must contend with
the city and state’s sag
ging oil-dependent econ
omy.
But the economy and
fact that two out of 10 res
taurants in Houston fail
within two years isn’t
dampening the optimism
of owner Peter Morton,
who’s been dreaming of a
Houston Hard Rock since
his London cafe opened
in 1970. It wasn’t until
two years ago, however,
that the plans became fi
nal.
“1 think it’s ridiculous to
dwell on the negative, we
should look at the posi
tive, ” he says.
Construction of the
11,000-square-foot, one-
story restaurant bordering
the affluent River Oaks
neighborhood was halted
The Houston cafe will
resemble the other Hard
Rocks, which some might
say are like a chic ’50’s-
style truck stop. However,
instead of the balconies
inside, the Houston res
taurant will feature a side
walk cafe area and a large
porch roof projecting over
a driveway at its entrance.
“It’s a quintessential
American restaurant that
serves great American
food and is filled with lots
of rock ’n’ roll memorabi
lia, ” says Morton, 38.
Although the 250-seat
eatery attracts all kinds of
people, Houston’s cafe is
prone to attract the grow
ing number of Yuppies
living in nearby West Uni
versity and River Oaks.
“The odds of restau
rants like the Hard Rock
Cafe surviving are much
better because they’re a
new capitivating idea, ”
says Glenn Rex, director
of membership services
for the Texas Restaurant
Association. “The Hard
Rock Cafe has a big ad
vantage in that it’s tren-
dy.”
All of the restaurant’s
interior walls will be
adorned with rock ’n’ roll
memorabilia when it
opens Nov. 7.
“It’ll be a down-home
barbecue and great enter
tainment,” he says. Singer
from Waylon Jennings,
ZZ Top, and Willie Nel
son, who is an investor in
the restaurant. Astronaut
John Glenn’s space suit
and Bill Haley’s guitar
also will add to the decor.
Along with Nelson,
filmmaker Steven Spiel
berg is among the inves
tors in the restaurant that
features burgers and fries,
ribs, salads, chili, fish and
sandwiches.
“All at fair and honest
prices,” Morton boasts,
saying patrons could or
der a hamburger and fries
for $5.
Aside from getting
great revenues from his
restaurants in Los An
geles, San Francisco and
Chicago, Morton also
makes millions each year
from souvenir T-shirts
emblazoned with the
Hard Rock logo, along
with sweatshirts, guitar
pins, watermelon barbe
cue sauce, ribs, hats and
beach towels.
Morton is already plan
ning other Hard Rock
openings in San Diego,
New Orleans and Hono
lulu. Isacc Tigrett, Mor
ton’s ex-business partner,
owns the cafes in New
York and London. Tigrett
plans to open a Dallas
Hard Rock in December.
Iflilll
^
Congratulations, you made it to the weekend.
It’s time to sit back, relax and rest those weary brain
cells. On tap for this weekend’s entertainment is the
A&M vs. Texas Tech football game at 2 p.m. in Kyle
Field. If you’ve got some extra time on your hands
before or after the game, why not treat yourself to
some live music?
Creole Cafe
This restaurant serves up live, music on weekends.
It’s in Culpepper Plaza on Texas Avenue. If you
want more info, call 764-0567. All ages admitted.
Friday - Jazz Plus. Jazz. Cover $3.
Saturday - Roadhouse Kings. Rhythm and Blues.
Cover $3.
Eastgate Live
Located on Texas Avenue across from the east en
trance of Texas A&M, Under 21 admitted. Legal
drinkers can purchase wine or beer or bring their
own liquor - Eastgate Live provides setups. Call
764-2095 for more information.
Friday - Foot Notes. Rock. Cover $4.
Saturday - Pet Peeves. Dance Rock. Cover $3.50.
Thursday - 4 Hams on Rye. Rock. Cover $4.
Le Cabaret
Le Cabaret is in the Westgate Shopping Center on
Wellborn Road. 21 and older admitted. Call 846-
1427 for more info. • • •• ; •
Friday - Slippery When Wet. Classic Rock. Cover
$2.
Saturday - Numbers. Rock. Cover $4.
Wednesday - Lippman Music Co, Jam Session —lo
cal musicians. No cover charge.
Morgenstem’s
This dub is about one-half mile north of campus on
College Main. Those 21 and over are admitted.
Beer, wine and setups. For more information, call
846-1812.
Friday - Preston Reed. Originai guitarist Opening:
Pattie Perry Schuman, poetry recitation. Cover $4.
Saturday - Pavlov’s Band, Rock. Cover $4.
Thursday - Miss Molly & the Pa$sions<J: Raunchy
Rhythm and Blues. Cover $4.
Sunset Grill
Sunset Grill is between Charlie’s Grocery and The
Cow Hop at Northgate. Under 21 admitted. Serves
beer, wine and setups for legal drinkers. For infor
mation on cover charges, call 846-9351.
Friday - Starvin Marvin and the Dexitrims. Classic
rock.
Saturday - Bad Sneakers. Rock,
Sunday - Pat Foster. Rock guitarist.
Wednesday - Sneaky Pete. ’50s and ’60s rock.
Thursday - Authorized Personnel. R&S|f