The Black Keys performing at the Beachland in 2002. Credit: Jay Brown
When photographer Jay Brown moved from Columbus to Cleveland in the ‘90s, he became a regular at Pat’s in Flats when Beachland Ballroom and Tavern co-owner Mark Leddy booked garage rock acts and retro-leaning bands to play the place. When Leddy started bringing those bands to the Beachland, Brown was there to capture the action.Now, Brown, whose photos were part of the recent Space: Rock Gallery show of photos from Pat’s in the Flats, will have his own exhibit.

On Friday, Oct. 2, the gallery opens Beachlandia: There and Back Again by jfotoman (Jay Brown). It’s a collection of photos spanning 15 years at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. “He caught the early years of the Beachland on stage and behind the scenes,” says Beachland co-owner Cindy Barber in a press release. “Although he moved to Pittsburgh for nearly a decade he continued to visit for occasional shoots.” Brown, who returned to Cleveland a few months ago, now lives in North Collinwood by the Beachland.

The exhibit will include photos of the White Stripes (from the first month the Beachland opened), Robert Lockwood Jr., Wussy, the Black Keys, Wussy, Rocket from the Tombs, Alkaline Trio, Los Straitjackets, Hank Thompson, Detroit Cobras, and “candid crowd and staff shots.” A reception takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 2. 

This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2015.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.