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New York venue that hosted iconic reggae shows closes its doors

Bob Marley booked for first reggae gig at The Chance in 1979

Published:Sunday | November 5, 2023 | 12:06 AMAnthony Turner - Sunday Gleaner Writer
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Reggae superstar, the late Dennis Brown, was one of the performers at The Chance on the Reggae Superfest tour in 1989.
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Reggae superstar, the late Dennis Brown, was one of the performers at The Chance on the Reggae Superfest tour in 1989.
In 1989, tour manager and reggae historian Copeland Forbes’ Reggae Superfest tour with Dennis Brown, Freddy McGregor and Lt. Stitchie backed by Lloyd Parks, played at The Chance.
Contributed
In 1989, tour manager and reggae historian Copeland Forbes’ Reggae Superfest tour with Dennis Brown, Freddy McGregor and Lt. Stitchie backed by Lloyd Parks, played at The Chance.
The Chance in downtown Poughkeepsie, New York,
Contributed
The Chance in downtown Poughkeepsie, New York,
Bob Marley’s picture on the Wall of Fame at the Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. The picture is from his sold-out performance in 1979.
Contributed
Bob Marley’s picture on the Wall of Fame at the Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. The picture is from his sold-out performance in 1979.
Leah Boss, a long-time promoter of reggae in the Hudson Valley, area has many fantastic memories of reggae acts performing at The Chance.
Contributed
Leah Boss, a long-time promoter of reggae in the Hudson Valley, area has many fantastic memories of reggae acts performing at The Chance.
Bob Marley was booked for the first reggae gig at The Chance in 1979 but the organisers had to move to a bigger venue because of robust ticket sales. However, the Marley gig, though it did not happen at The Chance, paved the way for other reggae gigs in t
File
Bob Marley was booked for the first reggae gig at The Chance in 1979 but the organisers had to move to a bigger venue because of robust ticket sales. However, the Marley gig, though it did not happen at The Chance, paved the way for other reggae gigs in that space, which quickly became a must-stop for reggae tours in the northeast region.
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NEW YORK:

The Chance, an iconic concert and theatre complex located in downtown Poughkeepsie, New York, and which has hosted reggae events since the late 1970s, closed its doors on Sunday, October 29. The death of owner Frank Pallett (who passed away in 2021), followed by that of his sister, Carolyn Brophy, who died a few weeks later, dealt a one-two punch to the longevity of the historic concert building.

For reggae lovers, the closure marked the end of an era.

“Mention any big name in reggae and they have played The Chance,” Leah Boss, chief executive officer of Upstate Reggae of Woodstock, New York, told The Sunday Gleaner.

George Strachan, an event promoter in Poughkeepsie, New York concurred.

“I have promoted many big events at The Chance. Beres Hammond was the last big one I did. The event was totally sold out. No one could move inside the venue. It is sad to see the venue close,” Strachan lamented.

Built in 1912, The Chance Theater was a popular New York establishment that showcased some of the biggest acts in music, including Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Ted Nugent, Rick James, The Police, The Ramones, Muddy Waters, Pete Seeger, Charles Mingus and countless other contemporary and classic rock bands. Celebrated reggae superstars like Burning Spear, Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, Yellowman, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Buju Banton, The Wailers band, Capleton, Mykal Rose, Tarrus Riley and Sister Carol have also performed at The Chance.

After Pallett’s death, reggae events at The Chance dwindled. Reports are that the venue’s new owners plan to renovate the interior and keep the theatre to cater to more general public events.

It is unclear if reggae events will still be part of the offering at The Chance.

Boss, a long-time promoter of reggae in the Hudson Valley area is optimistic. She has many fantastic memories of reggae acts performing at The Chance. She recalled with glee the time Robert Marley was booked for the first reggae gig there in 1979.

“Ticket sales were through the roof,” she recalled. “They had to quickly move the event to the Mid Hudson Civic Center which was a much bigger venue.”

The Marley gig, though it did not happen at The Chance, paved the way for other reggae gigs at that space, which quickly became a must-stop for reggae tours in the northeast region.

On February 25, 2004, Marley’s son, Grammy Award-winning reggae star Ziggy Marley got his opportunity to play The Chance. Times Herald-Record reporter Sandy Tomcho listed Ziggy’s performance as one of “the best local shows of 2004” saying, “It’s Bob Marley’s son! What else is there to say? Oh yeah, he doesn’t rely on covering his dad’s music because his originals are impressive enough.”

In 1989, tour manager and reggae historian Copeland Forbes’ Reggae Superfest tour with Dennis Brown, Freddy McGregor, Lt. Stitchie backed by Lloyd Parks played The Chance. Forbes, who has worked with the who is who in reggae, took many other acts to The Chance including Third World; Reggae Queen, Marcia Griffiths; Sly & Robbie and the Taxi gang, but the Reggae Superfest stop with Brown and McGregor proved to be the most memorable for him.

“I remember when we did what was our first Reggae Superfest tour in 1989 it was special” Forbes shared.

“The Marleys attended The Chance concert. It was memorable because that was where Danny Pinto [Skip Marley’s] dad and Cedella Marley [Skip’s mom] met. That chance meeting of the two sparked a long friendship. By the time we got back to the hotel, I remember seeing Danny ... a member of the Reggae Superfest support staff ... and Cedella talking. A new generation of the Marleys was born from that meeting” Forbes declared.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com