Built in 1929, the historic Ritz Theatre is being restored to once again inspire, unite, and spotlight Corpus Christi’s atmospheric theatre. The effort is in the "Revival" phase, raising money for the multi-million dollar rehabilitation. Once the money is raised and the theatre is restored, The Ritz will be operated as a performance and presentation facility with a variety of events, including:
•
Professional Performance – Vocal, instrumental, and/or dance artists will enjoy performing in a facility with outstanding acoustics, stage, facilities, and seating
• Broadcast Performace – Original music performances broadcast to the public through an “Austin City Limits” type show.
• Cinema—The Ritz will show classic cinema and art films presented in the “movie palace” style. Vintage films, silent film festivals, current foreign films, art films, and documentaries will also be exhibited.
• Cultural Productions – Performances will include those of local groups such as ballet, choir, community theatre, dance, concerts, and plays.
• Educational Services - The Ritz will be utilized as much as possible as an educational facility, holding classes, internships, and programming for youth, adults, and seniors.
• Conventions, Meetings, and Lectures – Corporations, churches, and civic groups can use the theatre. Lectures and other such events will be held, including motivational, instructional or career training seminars. Hi-tech communication interfacing capabilities with other facilities throughout the country are planned.
• Private Events – The Ritz will be available to rent for private parties, benefits, and other gatherings. Past Performers during The Ritz Music Hall Days ('70s and 80s)
38 Special
AC/DC (opened for Moxy, 1977 and headlined 1978)
Accept (1985)
Alvin Lee & Company (1978)
Amboy Dukes
Angel (1977)
Anthrax (1986)
Armored Saint (1985? and opened for Saxon, 1986)
Axe (opened for Motley Crue, 1983)
The Babys (1977)
B.B. King
Be Bop Deluxe (1977)
Black Oak Arkansas
Blackfoot
Blue Ӧyster Cult
Bo Diddley
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen (Nov. 8, 1974)
Brushy Creek
Budgie (1979)
Captain Beyond (1977)
Charlie Daniels
Charlie Sexton (1986)
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Crippled Duck
David Allan Coe (1974)
Def Leppard
Denim
Devastation (1986)
Doak Snead (with Willie)
Doug Kershaw (1975)
Dusty Drapes and the Dusters
Ellen Shipley (opened for Gamma, 1980)
Elvis (early 1950's - undocumented)
Emerald (opened for Pat Travers, 1984)
EZO (opened for Keel, 1987)
Faster Pussycat (opened for Y&T, 1987)
Fist (opened for Krokus, 1982)
Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids (1974)
Fools (opened for Point Blank, 1976)
Foreigner
Freddie King
Gamma (1980)
George Thorogood
Greezy Wheels (1974)
Grim Reaper (1985)
Grinders Switch
Hank Thompson and The Brazos Valley Boys
Head East
Helix (opened for Accept, 1985)
Helstar (1986)
Heyoka (opened for Be Bop Deluxe, 1977 and again for Trapeze, 1981)
Hoyt Axton
Hydra
Iggy Pop (1977)
Illusion (1985)
Jay Boy Adams (opened for Point Blank, 1976 and also opened for Joe Cocker, 1978)
Jimmy Buffett
Joan Jett
Joe Cocker (1978)
John Campbell
Journey
Keel (1987)
Killer Dwarfs (opened for Saxon, 1987)
King Diamond
Kris Kristofferson
Krokus (1982, 1988)
Lady Smith
Legs Diamond (1977)
Leon Russel
Lillian Axe (opened for Krokus, 1988)
Lizzy Borden
Loudness (1985)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Marty Robbins Country Show (1976)
Megadeth
Metal Church
Metallica (Feb. 22, 1985)
Metroplex
Michael Murphy
Mohogany Rush
Mӧtley Crϋe (1983)
Motorhead
Moxy (1976)
Mystery (opened for Journey, 1976)
Narita (opened for Loudness, 1985)
New Riders of the Purple Sage
Night Ranger
Patti Smith (1978)
Pat Travers (1978 and again in 1984)
Piper (opened for The Babys, 1977)
Point Blank (1976)
The Pointer Sisters
Potters Wheel (opened for Pure Prairie League, 1978)
Pousette Dart Band (opened for Robert Palmer, 1978)
Pure Prairie League (1978)
Ratt
Richie Havens
Robert Palmer (1978)
Rocky Hill (opened for UFO, 1978)
Rogue Male (opened for Illusion, 1985)
Ronnie James Dio
Rory Gallagher (8/8/1974)
Rush (1976)
Rusty Wier (1974)
Sam Neely (1983?)
Savatage (opened for Illusion, 1985)
Saxon (1986 and 1987)
Shawn Phillips
Silver City Saddle Tramps
Sirius (opened for Budgie, 1979)
Squeeze (opened for Patti Smith, 1978)
St. James Group
Stallion (opened for Angel, 1977)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stone Ground
Styx
Sugarloaf
Ted Nugent
Ten Years After
The Reynolds Sisters (1975)
Thin Lizzy
Too Smooth (opened for Rush and again for Flash Cadillac, 1976, and again for Captain Beyond, 1977)
Trapeze (1981)
UFO (1978)
U.K. (opened for Patti Smith and also headlined, 1978)
Ultra (opened for Moxy, 1976 and again for Legs Diamond, 1977 and again for Pat Travers and also Alvin Lee & Company, 1978)
Underground Blues
Victory (opened for Grim Reaper, 1985)
W.A.S.P. (opened for Metallica, Feb. 22 1985)
Wanda Jackson and Her Party Timers
Warren Zevon
Waylon Jennings
Will and the Kill (opened for Charlie Sexton, 1986)
Willie Nelson (Oct 11 & 12, 1974)
Y&T (Yesterday & Today) (1977 and opened for AC-DC, 1978, headlined 1987)
Yngwie Malmsteen?
