Soul Asylum in Minneapolis, 1990; Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Three people were injured when part of the ceiling collapsed Wednesday night at the famed First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis, where bands including Soul Asylum and The Replacements got their start.
The Minneapolis Fire Department reports they responded about 10:15 last night and “discovered an approximately 30' by 30' section of lathe and plaster ceiling had given away and collapsed during an music event.” The collapsed section was located at the back of the club’s dance floor, over the balcony and DJ booth. Theory of a Deadman was performing at the time of the collapse, according to Minneapolis ABC News television affiliate KSTP.
Two of the injured were taken to a local hospital, though firefighters say none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening. About 750 patrons were evacuated from the club following the ceiling collapse.
KSTP quotes a source as saying the collapse may have been caused by leaky pipes in the ceiling, which weakened the sheet rock. A tweet from the Minneapolis Fire Department about a half-hour after they arrived at the club declares “partial ceiling collapse, crews have shutoff water flow to pipes in the ceiling area & continue to check bldg, 3-4 injured.”
A message on First Avenue’s Twitter last night says simply, “Thanks for the well wishes, everyone. We'll post more info as we get it.”
In addition to Soul Asylum and The Replacements, who hail from Minneapolis, other local bands who used First Avenue as a springboard to wider fame include American Head Charge, Hüsker Dü, and Semisonic. The venue is also where Minneapolis native Prince filmed club performance scenes for his 1984 film, Purple Rain. The venue opened in a former Greyhound Bus station in 1970.
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