Jack Moelmann - Paramount Music Palace, Indianapolis

4/42 Wurlitzer, 1984 ATOS Convention Jam Session, an Indianapolis Pizza Parlour (organ now in Florida in another Pizza Parlour)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Organ
• Theatre
• Wurlitzer

[VaanRatsbane99]

I grew up on the East Side of Indy, and remember my parents taking me there very often (my favorite at that time was Chattanooga Choo-Choo). From what I know, this organ is not in Florida anymore, and is in Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona. Also I believe Lew Williams (who I believe played the organ at the Paramount Music Palace) is still with the organ.

[JackMoelmann]

The organ is still in Ellenton, Florida at the Roaring 20's Pizza and Pipes. Dwight Thomas and Bill Vlasek are the organists and were the organists in Indianapolis. Don't believe Lew Williams ever played regularly there. J A C K Moelmann

[LeviWood5]

@you99tubejimking 1 

that really, really sucks... thanks for the response though, but wow, feels like a big part of my childhood is gone for good.

[windnchgo]

I remember going there in 1979 with a date before we saw "Alien". A cool place but maybe not the best place for a first date since you can't hear each other from across the table, lol!

[you99tubejimking]

@LeviWood5 - No Levi...Sorry to say the building was razed to the ground in 1995. A hotel now occupies the location.

[MommaEvans02]

That breaks my heart!!! Someone needs to buy it and bring it back to Indianapolis!!!!! Donna, Bill, Dwight, and Ken all need to come back with it!!!!! I was raised with them, since my mom was the manager and I worked in the ice cream shoppe.... I want to scream every time I drive down Washington St!!! Wouldn't it be awesome to open a NEW Paramount Music Palace in Downtown Indy.... Now that would be something to have during Superbowl.... OH YEAHHHHHHH!!!!

[kingjames8283]

@JackMoelmann This is only an update this July 29th, 2011. The original Oakland Paramount Mighty Wurlitzer which called Indianapolis home at the PMP from 1978 to 1995 had been playing at the Roaring 20's in Ellenton, FL but that business went belly up in July 2010. As of four months ago, the organ has been bought again in it's entirety and is being moved to a new theatre in Jacksonville, FL. Indy organist included Donna Parker, Bill Vlasak, Dwight Thomas, Ken Double plus a few spares like Jack.

[furrypeanut1]

I haven't heard it confirmed but last i heard, the pipework of the instrument was in storage, with the wurlitzer privately owned, and the console being converted to control Walker Digital Organ Samples.... What a waste of a fantastic instrument

[mseangunn]

We had sooo many birthday parties at Paramount Music Palace!!! I love the memories that this has brought back...thanks!!!!

[LeviWood5]

anyone know if the original building is still around by chance?

[joetrackside]

Where is the organ now? I heard the Roaring 20's in Florida closed down.

[hateangel666]

OMG the memories of the Paramount just come flooding back!!! I loved that place and was so sad to see it go.