The Belly Up in San Diego Attracts Music Royalty, Hosting Legends from The Rolling Stones to Snoop Dogg

For four months in 2015, the management of The Belly Up, a renowned music venue in Solana Beach, California, kept a significant secret. The Rolling Stones were set to perform at the intimate 600-capacity venue. Chris Goldsmith, president of Belly Up Entertainment, along with owners Steve Goldberg and Phil Berkovitz, pledged to keep the news under wraps until the week of the show. Goldsmith did inform his wife to save the date for what would become one of the band’s most exclusive performances on their tour.

The concert was scheduled for May 27, 2015, coinciding with the Stones’ Zip Code stadium tour, just three days after they played to over 40,000 fans at Petco Park in San Diego. The event was particularly low-key, as tickets were not available to the general public. Instead, Ralph Whitworth, former chairman of Hewlett-Packard, hired the band for a private event benefiting immunotherapy cancer research. As rumors about the event began to circulate, The Belly Up installed privacy screens to ensure the band could maintain their privacy.

Mick Jagger requested that the stage be extended by four feet for the performance, a modification that has remained in place since. Goldsmith remarked that if it worked for the Stones, it should work for everyone.

A Legacy of Legendary Performances

The ethos of accommodating artists has been a hallmark of The Belly Up since its inception in 1974. Founders Dave Hodges and Greg Gilholm opened the venue in Quonset huts that were previously a waterbed manufacturing space. Initially, the bar served beer and wine alongside Polish sausage sandwiches and pickled eggs, catering to patrons engaged in ping-pong, pool, and board games.

In 1976, the venue hosted its first live band, Squatters Last Rights, which led to the construction of a small stage from leftover materials. This marked the beginning of a tradition of live music, focusing on blues, jazz, and rock’n’roll.

Hodges, who passed away earlier this year at 79, was passionate about blues music and sought to create a space where he could see the artists he admired. He successfully brought numerous legends to The Belly Up, including Johnny Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, and Etta James, the latter of whom also requested stage modifications for her performances.

Goldsmith noted that the venue’s history of attracting high-profile acts reflects the owners’ understanding of the music business as a relationship-driven industry. The booking of The Rolling Stones was made possible through a long-standing relationship with Whitworth. Former talent buyer Mac Falk also fostered connections with managers who frequently brought artists to the venue.

The Impact of Relationships in the Music Industry

Goldsmith emphasized the importance of nurturing relationships with both artists and their management teams. He stated that taking good care of artists is crucial, which includes accommodating their requests without question. Additionally, maintaining good relationships with agents and managers is essential for the business side of operations. Timely communication and responsiveness to requests are vital components of successful partnerships in the music industry.

The Belly Up has consistently attracted major names in music, including Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, and B.B. King, among others. The venue has also been a launching pad for future stars, such as Jack Johnson and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Private shows, like the one featuring The Rolling Stones, have further solidified its reputation as a premier location for live performances.

Navigating Challenges in a Competitive Market

Belly Up Entertainment promotes around 800 shows annually at its namesake venue and other local spots, including The Music Box and The Observatory North Park. The company also operates The Sound, a 1,900-capacity venue at the Del Mar Fairgrounds that opened in 2023. Goldsmith praised his team for their ability to manage multiple venues and shows, attributing their success to a significant investment in talent buying and marketing.

The venue faces challenges, particularly during warmer months when residents prefer outdoor activities and nearby festivals. Despite these hurdles, Goldsmith believes that live entertainment at the club level remains one of the best values for audiences. The Belly Up offers free parking, coat check, and affordable drink prices, striving to keep ticket costs low.

Goldsmith noted that during economic downturns, there tends to be a return to value, and the venue often performs well during such times. He emphasized that the focus is not solely on profit but on creating enjoyable experiences for patrons and artists alike.

As reported by www.billboard.com.

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Published on 2026-07-31 18:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk