Let’s give the last word to Dix Steele:
I began working at the club in March of 1975 when it was Uncle Sam’s, part of a string of national discotheques. I stayed until December of 1983 when it had become First Avenue, and continued in a freelance graphic artist capacity until December of 1993.
By far and away, the period of the most fun were the Sam’s years. Nobody knew what they were doing, no one knew what direction we were headed in, lots of times we didn’t know if the payroll would be met.
But was it ever exciting! We got to see bands and listen to music no one else had heard in these parts. It was total chaos at times, and I wouldn’t have traded anything in my life for the amount of fun we all had then.
From female mud wrestling, to building a swimming pool on the dance floor, to being kicked in the chest by Johnny Ramone, this was probably the best time of my life. It was like the wild west at times, lots of fights, lots of parties, and lots of mayhem.
I was happy to have been there.