7 Years Underground: A 60’s Tale — In 1964 the Café Au Go Go opened its doors on February 7, to little or no fan fare. Six weeks later with mounting legal bills and depleting funds the couple were quickly going out of business. With few options, Howard and Elly made a desperate, last minute attempt to keep the new club open and reached out to popular comedian, Lenny Bruce. Lenny and Howard struck a deal and Lenny Bruce opened at the Go Go in March of 64’ for a six week stand. Two days into Lenny’s performance, he was arrested and booked for obscenity charges, along with Howard and Elly Solomon. From 1964 to 1969 the Café Au Go Go was a Beacon in the night for many a disenfranchised performer. A few obscure and relatively unknown musicians and comics like Jimi Hendrix, Steven Stills, The Grateful Dead, The Cream, Jefferson’s Airplane, Blood Sweat and Tears, Mothers of Invention, George Carlin, Richard Prior, Lily Tomlin, would all get their start down at the legendary Café Au Go Go at 152 Bleeker Street.