Chicago’s Home for Local Music and Impromptu Stones Gigs

Chicago’s beloved Double Door opened in its current form on June 12, 1994. Talent buyer Phil Kosch arrived in 2002. Kosch tells the story of the Rolling Stones’ legendary “surprise gig” at Double Door in 1997, the night Jack Black threw him a beer, and what Double Door brings to Chicago.

“The Stones came in the night before, their crew, and were like, ‘We want to do a show here. You’re going to post it on the billboard – Rolling Stones 7 o’clock.’ They paid the bands one hundred bucks each and said, ‘You guys aren’t playing. Here are some tickets for the show.’ They helped build that stage out a little more, and the Stones played here.

People were giving deeds to their house, titles to their car and their car keys to employees. People were throwing thousands of dollars down for tickets. They blocked off all the streets on both sides. The Rolling Stones came in their limo, hung out in the dressing rooms in the basement with everyone, shook hands, and played a full set.

From that point on, it really hit. Muse played a show. Queens of the Stone Age. The Kills. The Pumpkins would do like three nights here. Tenacious D several years ago did a secret show opening for Urge Overkill. I was here for that.

It was phenomenal. Jack Black was running around with PBRs or Old Styles, and I was in the coat check just working. He was like [imitates Jack Black], ‘You look like you’re working hard! Here-’ and he tossed me a tall boy. It’s one of the best moments I’ve ever had at Double Door. Jack Black just threw a beer at me. He was wasted, but hugging everybody and having a blast.

We try to make people feel like stars. We want them to come back and be like, ‘Holy cow, that was one of the better sounding stages I’ve ever played on.’ This is your time to shine. Unless you’re playing at a thousand-cap room, the things we do here you can’t do. You’re walking on a stage that the Rolling Stones played. You’re stepping on a piece of history.”

BOOKING

Phil Kosch

phil@doubledoor.com

(773) 489-3160

Mon–Fri: 12-5 p.m.

CAPACITY:

500, standing room only

STAGE SIZE:

16’x 20’

3 feet high

EQUIPMENT:

As told by Kosch: “Full PA. Separate monitor mixes, with up to eight on stage. Three dressing rooms. We have a super amazing light guy. You can record your whole set here. We’ll give you the tracks. Free filming. Stream your whole show live. That’s free. And if you want the actual DVD, there’s a little bit of a cost.”

photo by Ryan Gac