Steve Paul's The Scene

In 1964, Steve Paul opened the Scene as a hangout for a Broadway crowd of actors, musicians and theater workers; live music was limited to a house pianist. But in 1966, the Scene, as Paul explained many years later, “went from what I call adult show business to rock and roll.” He had an uncanny ability to spot new rock talent. After seeing the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Monterey International Pop Festival in California, Paul booked the group at the Scene for its New York debut on July 3 and 4, 1967. Hendrix went on to lead the club’s legendary late-night jam sessions.