Skyliner Ballroom

The Skyliner Ballroom was a nightclub located on Jacksboro Highway in Fort Worth, Texas. It was opened in the late 1930s and operated until 1966. The Skyliner evolved over the years evolved from hosting big bands, jazz, burlesque, blues, and eventually rock & roll acts.

History

The Skyliner Ballroom was opened by recording artist George Campbell and his partner Gene Hames who wanted to capitalize on the growing entertainment business in Fort Worth.[1] When it opened, the Skyliner was the largest dance hall in Fort Worth with a capacity of 500.[1] The venue featured a mural of the Fort Worth skyline.[2]

Popular local bands and national acts performed at the Skyliner such as Denny Beckner and Louis Armstrong.[1] The Skyliner entertained black and white audiences, but not on the same night.[3] In 1953, the venue was raided for "moral perversions" when authorities were notified that white men were performing with black women.[3]

Hames and Campbell couldn't afford to continue operating the Skyliner, so they sold it to F. A. Florence, who eventually sold it to W. D. Satterwhite.[1] Satterwhite hired a cast of female impersonators called the Jewel Box Revue, which increased business. By 1954, Satterwhite sold the Skyliner to Jimmy Levens and his partner, Emmett Spinks. Levens hired strippers Sherry Lynn and Tammi True to entertain guests.[4]

In 1964, Ike & Tina Turner recorded their performance at the Skyliner (along with their show at Lovall's Ballroom in Dallas), and the recordings were subsequently released as two volumes.[1]

The Skyliner closed after Levens died in 1966. In 1969, the abandoned building was condemned by city inspectors and demolished.[1]

Notable performers

Live albums

References
  1. Anderson, Jahue E. "Skyliner Ballroom". Texas State Historical Assocation. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  2. staff, FWTX (January 31, 2013). "Highway to Hell". Fort Worth Magazine. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  3. Selcer, Richard F. (2015). A History of Fort Worth in Black & White: 165 Years of African-American Life. University of North Texas Press. pp. 421, 424. ISBN 978-1-57441-616-9.
  4. Hopkins, David (March 2011). "Why Dallas Burlesque Owes a Debt to Tammi True". D Magazine. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  5. Nobles, Mark A. (2011). Fort Worth's Rock and Roll Roots. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 14, 30. ISBN 978-0-7385-8499-7.
  6. Johnny, Sippel (October 20, 1951). "Folk Talent and Tunes". Billboard: 32.
  7. Sachs, Bill (April 13, 1963). "Country Music Corner". Billboard: 22.
  8. "Delbert McClinton & Bill Kirchen: Will the Real Texan Please Stand Up?". Elmore Magazine. September 5, 2013. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
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