Gerde's Folk City

The story

A restaurant called Gerdes became a music venue almost by accident. Mike Porco opened it in 1960, then partnered with Folklore Center director Izzy Young to present occasional music under the name The Fifth Peg. After Porco and Young fell out, Gerdes Folk City was officially born on June 1, 1960, with folk singers Carolyn Hester and Logan English on the bill. From that West Village address, the club helped launch careers from Bob Dylan to Sonic Youth before closing in 1987 — proof that a falling-out can sometimes open the right door.