Situated just over the town line in Stockbridge among the barns and outbuildings of the 1901 Wheatleigh estate, the Music Inn was opened in 1950 by Stephanie and Phillip Barber as a groundbreaking stage for jazz and blues performers, and the short-lived but culturally significant Lenox School of Jazz.
In 1979, long after evolving into the Berkshire Music Barn as an open-air stage for rock acts, the Music Inn closed. By the mid-1980s, the grounds were transformed into the White Pines condominium complex near Stockbridge Bowl.
Among the many performers featured during the venue's three-decade heyday: Woody Guthrie, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Carly and Lucy Simon, Don McLean, The Band, Arlo Guthrie, The Kinks, Bob Marley and the Allman Brothers, to name just a few.
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7500 people attended the concert on Aug. 26, 1979
7500 people attended the Allman Brothers' concert on Aug. 26, 1979
76 security people were on hand to help with the Allman Brothers' concert at Music Inn on Aug. 26, 1979
76 security people were on hand to help with the Allman Brothers' concert at Music Inn on Aug. 26, 1979
Dave Brubeck, July 17, 1959
Dave Brubeck, July 17, 1959
Music Inn opened its 9th season, the weekend of June 17, 1978. Performers included Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Climax Blues Band
Music Inn opened its 9th season, the weekend of June 17, 1978. Performers included Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Climax Blues Band
Music Inn, August 1979
Music Inn, August 1979
Music Inn, circa 1979
Music Inn, circa 1979
Music Inn, May 17, 1960
Music Inn, May 17, 1960
Performers Pete Seeger, pictured, and Arlo Guthrie entertained a crowd of approximately 2700 people at Music Inn, Sept. 16, 1978
Performers Arlo Guthrie, pictured, and Pete Seeger, entertained a crowd of approximately 2700 people at Music Inn, Sept. 16, 1978
Sound engineers monitor decibel levels from the stage of Music Inn, which opened its 1976 season on June 12, 1976 under court edict to suppress sound lefel to not exceed 65 decibels at the property line. 2500 people attended
Sound engineers monitor decibel levels from the stage of Music Inn, which opened its 1976 season on June 12, 1976 under court edict to suppress sound lefel to not exceed 65 decibels at the property line. 2500 people attended
The Outlaws drew a crowd for the 1979 opening concert at Music Inn
The Outlaws drew a crowd for the 1979 opening concert at Music Inn
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The late Derek Gentile originally shared this column in October 2014.
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