The occasion was somber. A group of friends had gathered in an Atlanta bar to toast the memory of one of their comrades who had tragically died earlier that same day. As the drinks flowed, a plan was hatched to memorialize their friend by having a street in Atlanta named after him. Despite the fact the city didn’t think their comrade was exactly street name worthy, the friends persisted and ultimately succeeded beyond anything they could have imagined. As you’ll see in this week’s Stories of Atlanta.
Lance Russell is an Atlanta-based filmmaker and media communicator who, for over three decades, has been entrusted by clients to tell their stories. A seasoned producer with an innate ability to cut to... More by Lance Russell
Yes, Kennys Alley has seen much history during its existence there in the “Underground”. Things were fairly quiet until about 1969 or so when the place seemed to explode with crowds of Atlanta’s nightlife patrons…crowding places like Muhlenbrink’s Saloon, where albino ‘Piano Red’ could be glimpsed pounding the ivories most nights. Dante’s Down the Hatch was the place to be, and the raucous Dixieland Band at Ruby Red’s Warehouse ensured that icy mugs full of golden libations would continue to be enjoyed late into the night. And in a small room tucked away off to the side, a certain bald-headed former governor could be seen tending his shop.
By the late 1970’s, however, the whole area began to wane after MARTA came thru and wiped out a third of the place…and Kenny’s Alley became quiet once again.
But just maybe, new insight (and a lot of money) might once again attract a new generation of revelers to Mr. Kenny’s little street ….. down beneath the city.
Well said, Greg. thanks for commenting. I have many memories of my times at Underground but, oddly, one of the best was a little, wooden stand tucked away in a corner of Underground where some folks sold corn on the cob. I know, not exactly what should come to mind when reminiscing about a place that was party central, and it was probably more the atmosphere than the vegetable but, man, I sure did like that corn. What can I say, the heart wants what the heart wants.