Former location –
The Kinetic Playground was opened by Aaron Russo on April 3, 1968, as the Electric Theater in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Russo was an entertainment businessman, director, producer and Emmy winner that passed away on August 14, 2007.
Russo was sued by the owners of the Electric Circus in New York City, and changed the club’s name a few months after the club’s opening in August of 1968. Kinetic closed in June 1973 due to complaints from neighbors about the antics of some the concertgoers. Apparently there were code compliance issues as well.
The building that housed Kinetic at 4812 N Clark St was constructed in 1928 and demolished in 2003. At one time or another the building housed a dance hall, entertainment center and roller skating rinks.
Notable Concerts Held At Kinetic Playground Include:
5/31/1973 – Savoy Brown
5/24/1973 – Todd Rundgren
5/11/1973 – Strawbs
5/5/1973 – Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/20/1973 – King Crimson
2/18/1973 – Aerosmith
2/4/1973 – Traffic
10/31/1969 – The Who
9/5/1969 – Ten Years After
8/30/1969 – The Byrds
7/19/1969 – Jethro Tull
7/11/1969 – Spirit
7/7/1969 – Vanilla Fudge
5/24/1969 – Led Zeppelin
3/14/1969 – Jeff Beck Group
2/20/1969 – The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/17/1969 – Genesis
1/2/1969 – Fleetwood Mac
11/30/1968 – Tim Buckley
11/28/1968 – Procol Harum
11/23/1968 – Creedence Clearwater Revival
11/16/1968 – The Moody Blues
9/2/1968 – Eric Burdon & The Animals
8/17/1968 – The Mothers of Invention
8/16/1968 – Them
Kinetic Playground
4812 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
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