Photograph by Wesley Law
Whenever I visit Blueberry Hill, I get intoxicated by the nostalgia of bygone eras (and I wasn’t even born until 1979). I wonder if, when I’m 60, there will be restaurants with walls bedecked with the detritus from my generation—New Kids on the Block posters, Garbage Pail Kids cards, Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” nipple ring—and if it will have the same charm.
If you remember doing the Watusi, you undoubtedly love Blueberry Hill with genuine and fond recollection. But it's also a time capsule for any St. Louisan: The main rooms look just as they did decades ago. The juke joint has a special place in the heart of every local.
This Saturday marks the 40th birthday of the rock ‘n roll relic. The 40th anniversary bash, which kicks off at 8 p.m., will boast footage from the opening night in 1972 as well as karaoke, a best party-hat contest, best logo-dancer lookalike contest, as well as drinks and prizes. The whole night promises to be a gas with all contests being judged by an Applause-O-Meter.
September 8 birthday babies get special treatment, and the man and woman born closest to opening day in ‘72 will be crowned—er, rather, bonneted and helicopter beanied—as the Blueberry Hill Baby.
Creative attire is encouraged so dust of your chaps and saddle shoes and wish Blueberry Hill a much-deserved happy birthday!
