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04/27/2024 11:20:04 am

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Co-Founder of Café Wha? Manny Roth Dies at 94

American nightclub owner and entertainment entrepreneur Manny Roth, who is also the renowned owner of the New York establishment Café Wha?, passed away on July 25 at the age of 94.

The Café Wha? founder and 60s rock figure died of natural causes in his home in Ojai, California, according to his daughter Jodi Roth in a statement she released to the media last Friday.

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Manny Roth is from New Castle, Indiana. He was said to be someone who didn't have remarkable talents except for his willingness to take risks.

After high school, Roth went to Miami and attended university where he acquired his taste for performance. He also served with the Army Air Corps during World War II.

In the 1950s, Manny Roth, also the uncle of Van Halen's David Lee Roth, co-founded the establishment, naming it Café Wha? due to how it had turned out after he helped renovate the former stable.

The café didn't start big, didn't sell liquor and had too little space, but the stage at the establishment was an essential stop for young performers looking for a shot at the music industry.

In 1961, renowned music artist Bob Dylan who later made hits like 'Ring Them Bells' and 'Blowing in the Wind', showed up fresh from Minnesota.

"The first time I heard Dylan get up on an open mic, I'm thinking to myself, 'This kid doesn't have a prayer. He can't sing, can't play and certainly doesn't have any stage presence,'" Manny Roth said before in an interview.

In 1966, the band that famous guitarist Jimi Hendrix used to play for, Jimmy James and the Flames, performed at Café Wha?, and his future manager was in the audience. The following year, Jimmy James became Jimi Hendrix and has become a rock icon over the years.

A lot of artists who performed at Roth's establishment later made it big in the music industry including Bruce Springsteen. He was also able to help boost the careers of stand-up comedians such as Bill Cosby and George Carlin.

Café Wha? made headlines when Van Halen chose his the place as the venue of their reunion in 2012 where Roth was one of the guests.

Manny Roth left behind both his first and second wives, three children and his following of rock enthusiasts.

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