This venue, active between 1979 and 1987, was totally off my radar, A) because it violates my 1974 cut-off date for this site, and B) I didn’t live in the ‘Cities in the ’80s.  But there were some fabulous acts that performed there, so I’ll break my rule.  There are way more than I expected, so this is still a very incomplete list.

 

The Carlton Celebrity Dinner Theater was located at 8350 24th Ave. So.  It was built in 1961 as a venue for the National Bowling League, which was only active from 1961-1962.  It was built with a terraced spectators’ section.  Our Twin City Skippers competed in the League, before it went bankrupt in 1962.  (Ken Anderson) 

The building sat vacant for almost 18 years until it was finally repurposed by Carl G. Berndt, who had operated two other Carlton Inns in Wisconsin.  He was the co-owner of this third one, possibly with Kenneth Olson, who was from a furniture store background and was in the real estate business.

The wedge-shaped auditorium held about 2,200 people:  1,270 in the terraced dinner level and 920 in the balcony.  In addition to the main room, there was the Backstage Room, which featured up-and-coming acts, many of which went on to become stars.  It has also been described as a disco and semi-private club.  There was also the All-Star Lounge.

In 1983 the Carlton built a three-story addition to create a new Las Vegas Room and Marquee Room to facilitate banquets and meetings.

From 1983 to 1986, the Carlton was also the location of the Minnesota Music Awards. 

 

 

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SHOWS AT THE CARLTON

Please note that show dates are taken from ads and shows may have been postponed or cancelled.

1979

• Mel Tillis, February 23 – March 3, 1979 – first act
• Rocco Ferrante Organ Concert, March 22, 1979
• Pat Boone with the Ben Arden Orchestra, March 23 – 31, 1979.  Apparently the Ben Arden Orchestra was the new house Big Band and the Pat Boone show was the first time it was used.  One member said that the performers would often leave the band members gifts, such as bottles of wine.  Bob Newhart left them bottles of Dewars Scotch!
• David Brenner with Edna Lev, April 20 – 28, 1979
• Mills Brothers, May 4 – 12, 1979
• Freddie Fender, May 18 – 19, 1979
• Blood, Sweat and Tears, May 31 – June 2, 1979
• Connie Stevens, June 8 – 16, 1979
• Superpickers, June 17, 1979
• Kingston Trio, June 28 – 30, 1979 (Bob Shane was the only original member)
• Frank Gorshin, replacing Joan Rivers, July 13 – 21, 1979
• Jerry Lee Lewis, July 6 – 7, 1979
• Conway Twitty, July 27 – 28, 1979
• James Brown and the JB’s, Willie and the Bumblebees, July 29, 1979.  People complained about the $2 cost to park.  Brown showed up that Saturday at the Union Bar and played with the Lonnie Brooks Band.
• Lesley Uggams, August 3 – 11, 1979
• Rodney Dangerfield, August 17 – 24, 1979
• Bill Anderson, August 31 – September 1, 1979
• Faron Young, September 7 – 9, 1979
• Mills Brothers, September 14-20, 1979
• Lettermen, September 21 – 29, 1979
• Seals and Crofts, October 5 – 13, 1979
• Danny Thomas, replacing Joan Rivers, October 19 – 27, 1979
• Charley Pride, November 2 – 3, 1979
• Mel Tillis, November 9 – 18, 1979
• Ben Vereen, November 23 – 30, 1979
• Sandler and Young, November 30 – December 3, 1979
• Bobby Goldsboro, December 7 – 9, 1979
• James Darren with Fred Travelena, December 14 – 22, 1979
• Sandler and Young, December 28 – 31, 1979

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1980

• Lola Falana, January 11  –  19, 1980
• Loretta Lynn, January 25 – February 2, 1980
• Oak Ridge Boys, February 8 – 16, 1980:  Drew 16,000 people
• Joan Rivers, February 22 – March 1, 1980
• Robert Goulet and Marty Allen, March 4 – 9, 1980
• Charo, March 11 – 16, 1980
• Rodney Dangerfield, March 21 – 29, 1980
• Eddie Rabbit, Dottie West, April 8 – 13, 1980
• Roy Clark, April 16 – 20, 1980
• Mills Brothers, April 22 – 30, 1980
• David Brenner, May 2 – 10, 1980
• Julius Wechter and the Baja Marimba Band, May 15 – 18, 1980
• Pat Boone, May 22 – 25, 1980
• Ronnie Milsap, May 29 – June 1, 1980
• Kingston Trio, June 5 – 7, 1980
• Rich Little, June 13 – 18, 1980
• Bob Newhart, June 20 – 28, 1980
• Mac Davis, July 10 – 15, 1980
• Conway Twitty, July 23 – 26, 1980
• Frankie Laine and Patti Page, August 1 – 9, 1980
• Tina Turner and Fred Travelena, August 15  –  23, 1980
• Bob Hope, August 26 – 31, 1980
• Tom Jones, September 9 – 14, 1980
• Dom DeLuise, September 19, 20, 25-27, 1980
• Mills Brothers, October 3 – 11, 1980
• Mel Tillis, October 19, 1980:  Benefit for the Twin Cities Diabetes Association raised $75,000
• Mel Tillis, October 20 – 26, 1980
• Lettermen, October 31 – November 8, 1980
• Charley Pride & Janie Fricke, November 12 – 16, 1980  [Don Williams]
• Mitzi Gaynor, November 21 – 29, 1980
• Oak Ridge Boys, December 2 – 13, 1980
• Sandler and Young, December 16 – 21, 1980

 

The Backstage Disco became the Backstage Lounge in 1980

• Whisper, May 1 – 4, 1980
• Ric Evans and the Reflections, May 6 – 11, 1980
• Muglestons, May 13 – 18, May 25, 1980
• Whisper, May 20 – 29, 1980
• Wright Bros., May 30 – June 7, 1980
• Italian 5 Plus 1, June 11 – 29, 1980
• Facts of Five, July 1 – 17, 1980
• Steve Miller & Diamondhead, July 18 – August 2, August 5-31, 1980
• Muglestons, August 26 – September 7, 1980
• Lloyd Owens, September 9 – September 21, 1980
• Betty Rydell, September 23 – October 5, 1980
• Memories, October 7 – October 19, 1980
• Colleagues, October 21 – 22, 1980

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1981

• Roger Williams and Robert Goulet, January 1 – 4, 1981
• Johnny Cash with Frankie Bush, January 7 – 10, 1981
• Engelbert Humperdinck cancelled
• Harry Chapin, January 13 – 14, 1981
• Sammy Davis, Jr., January 16 – 18, 1981
• Debbie Boone and Fred Travelena, January 23 – 31, 1981
• Roy Clark, February 6 – 14, 1981  [10 – 15]
• Bobby Vinton, February 20 – 21, 1981
• Loretta Lynn, February 27 and March 7, 1981
• Ben Vereen, March 13 – 21, 1981
• Stars of the Grand Ole Opry, March 24 – 29, 1981
• Lola Falana, March 31 – April 5, 1981
• Beatlemania, April 14 – 19, 1981
• Don Williams, April 22 – 25, 1981
• Don Rickles, April 19 – May 2, 1981
• Rich Little, May 5 – 10, 1981
• Rodney Dangerfield, May 21 and 22, 1981
• George Jones & Tammy Wynette, May 26 – 31, 1981
• Lou Rawls, June 2 – 6, 1981
• Captain & Tenille, June 25 – 27, 1981

The Celebrity Room was closed during the week of June 29, 1981, for construction of the three-story addition.

• Mel Tillis had been scheduled for July 3 – 4, but was rescheduled for December 17 – 18 due to delays in construction.
• Mac Davis, July 7 – 12, 1981
• Barbara Mandrell, July 16 – 17, 1981
• Mickey Gilley/Johnny Lee and the Urban Cowboy Band, July 18 – 19, 1981
• The Original Three Dog Night/Michael Johnson, July 23 – 25, 1981
• Tom Jones, July 28 – August 2, 1981
• Charlie Rich/Gail Davies, August 6 – 8, 1981
• Dinah Shore, August 11 – 15, 1981
• Roy Orbison, August 16, 1981 ONLY
• James Brown, August 19, 1981 ONLY
• Harry Chapin, August 21 – 22, 1981
• Oak Ridge Boys, August 25 – 30, 1981

 

• Bob Hope, September 1 – 6, 1981.  September 1 was designated  “An Evening With Hope” was a benefit for the Methodist Hospital Foundation. On September 6, Hope was presented in his dressing room with a plaque from the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).  At the time their National Secretary Master Sergeant Anthony Nathe.

 

• Tanya Tucker, September 10 – 12, 1981
• Conway Twitty/Lacy J. Dalton, September 16 – 19, 1981
• Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band, September 28 – October 3, 1981
• Suzanne Somers, October 6 – 10, 1981
• Dolly Parton, October 15 – 20, 1981
• Joan Rivers/David Brenner, October 21 – 25, 1981
• Stars of the Grand Ole Opry, October 27 – November 1, 1981

Pictured in the ad for the Stars of the Grand Ole Opry Show were:

• • • Bill Anderson
    • Jimmy C. Newman & Cajun Country
    • Jean Shepard & the Second Fiddles
    • Del Wood
    • Wilma Lee Cooper & the Clinch Mountain Clan
    • Lonzo & Oscar
    • The Tennessee Travelers with Melvin Sloan

 

• Carol Channing, November 3 – 7, 1981
• Maynard Ferguson, November 8, 1981
• George Carlin, November 10 – 11, 1981
• Marty Robbins, November 12 – 14, 1981
• T.G. Sheppard, November 20 – 21, 1981
• You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, November 22 – 24, 1981
• Tony Bennett/Peggy Lee, November 27 – December 5, 1981
• Andy Williams, December 8, 1981 – Benefit for the Boys Club of Minneapolis – raised $83,000
• Andy Williams, December 9 – 13, 1981
• Mel Tillis and the Statesiders, December 17 – 19, 1981

Backstage 1981

When the Carlton opened, the Backstage was originally a disco, but it never really caught on, so in the winter of 1980/1981 it was remodeled into a 250 seat lounge to showcase Country acts.  Jon Bream described it as a multi-tiered room tucked under the balcony of the Celebrity Room.  The stage is on the top/third level, with a bar on the first level and tables and chairs on a lower level where dinner is served. It opened in January 1981.  (Minneapolis Star, April 10, 1981)

The Backstage featured “Tuesday Nights Live” and remote spots on WDGY, then a Country station.  “Beefeater” Shows were priced from $9.95, and “Nightcap” Shows started at $4.95.

• Helen Cornelius, January 13 – 18, 20 – 21, 1981
• Wright Brothers, January 22 – 24, 27 – 31, February 3 – 7, 1981
• Billy “Crash” Craddock, February 10 – 15, 1981
• Dave Rowland & Sugar, March 10 – 15, 17 – 22, 1981
• Alabama,  March 23 – 28, 1981
• Jerry Lee Lewis, March 31 to April 5, 1981
• Thrasher Brothers, April 7 – 12, 14 – 19, 1981
• Soupy Sales, April 21 – May 2, 1981
• Louise Mandrell, May 5 – 9, 1981
• Bellamy Bros., May 12 – 17, 1981
• John Conlee, May 19 – 24, 1981
• The Treniers, May 26 – June 7, 1981
• The Kingston Trio, June 9 – 14, 1981
• Buddy Greco, June 16 – 21, 1981
• Four Aces, June 23 – 28, June 30 – July 5, 1981
• Wright Brothers, July 7 – 11, 14 – 18, and 21 – 25, 1981
• Baja Marimba Band, August 11 – 16, 18 – 22, and 25 – 26, 1981
• Tompall & the Glaser Brothers, October 27 – 31, 1981
• Jeanne Pruett, November 3 – 7, 10 – 14,1981
• Wright Brothers, November 17 – 21, 24 – 28, December 1 – 5, 1981
• Kenny Burrell, December 8 – 12, 1981
• Terri Gibbs, December 15 – 19, 1981
• Paul New & Steel City, December 29, 1981 – January 2, 1982

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1982

• The Association, December 31, 1981 to January 2, 1982
• Gladys Knight and the Pips, January 7 – 9, 1982 – First Twin Cities Appearance
• Johnny Cash, January 13 – 16, 1982
• Alan King, January 21 – 23, 1982
• Don Williams, February 18 – 21, 1982
• Sha-Na-Na, March 5 – 7, 1982  [4 – 6]
• The Rovers, March 18 – 20, 1982
• Tom Jones, March 23 – 28, 1982
• Loretta Lynn, March 31 – April 4, 1982
• Buddy Rich and His Band, April 21, 1982
• Frankie Avalon’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival with Bo Diddley, Freddie Cannon, and the Coasters, April 22-24, 1982
• Louise Mandrell, April 29 to May 1, 1982
• Johnny Mathis, May 11 – 16, 1982
• Rodney Dangerfield, May 21-22, 1982
• Engelbert Humperdinck, June 10 – 13, 1982
• Roy Orbison, June 18 – 20, 1982
• The Spinners, August 13 – 14, 1982
• Liberace, August 17 – 22, 1982
• Ray Price, August 27 – 28, 1982
• Roy Orbison, September 2 – 4, 1982
• Eddy Arnold, September 9 – 11, 1982
• Dolly Parton, September 15 – 18, 1982
• Englebert, September 22 – 26, 1982
• Merle Haggard, September 30 – October 2, 1982
• Don Rickles, October 7 – 10, 1982
• Lou Rawls & Marilyn McCoo, October 13 – 16, 1982
• Tony Orlando, October 28 – 30, 1982
• Roy Clark, November 4 – 6, 1982
• Gladys Knight & the Pips, November 11 – 13, 1982
• Bobby Vinton, November 18 – 20, 1982
• Chameleon, November 24, 1982
• Oak Ridge Boys, November 26 – 28, 1982
• Maynard Ferguson, November 29, 1982
• Rich Little, December 1 – 4, 1982
• Dionne Warwick, December 6 – 11, 1982
• The Kingston Trio, December 12 – 13, 1982
• George Jones, December 16 – 19, 1982
• Sandler & Young, December 29 – 31, 1982

Backstage Dinner Theater, 1982

• Paul New and Steel City, December 29, 1981 to January 2, 1982
• Calamity Jayne, January 5 – 9, 1982

Something called the Good Humor Snackbar had been added to the Backstage, featuring Don Taft and Friends.  “Good Tunes, Good Times.”  Sounds like a Piano Bar.  The photo below is bad, but is that a monkey?

 

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1983

 

• Dolly Parton, January 5 – 8, 1983
• George Carlin, January 21 – 22, 1983
• Three Dog Night with special guest the Grass Roots, January 28 – 29, 1983
• Mickey Gilley and the Urban Cowboy Band, February 3 – 5, 1983
• Andy Williams, February 10 – 12, 1983
• Bill Cosby, February 18 – 19, 1983
• The Pointer Sisters, February 24 – 26, 1983
• Bob Hope, March 25 – 26, 1983.   Anthony R. Nathe, SGM, US Army-Retired sent the photo below of the presentation of an 80^th Birthday cake to Hope on stage (he turned 80 on May 29, 1983).  The cake it was donated by Supermom’s Bakery.  Pictured are Governor Perpich , Miss Minnesota, Nate (in the Military uniform), Rodger Brodin (Vietnam Statue Sculptor, standing behind Nathe), Dan Ojeda, Jr. in white jacket (Four Seasons Awards), and Bob Hope.

 

• The Gatlin Bros., March 31 – April 2, 1983
• John Davidson, April 10, 1983
• Loretta Lynn, April 21 – 24, 1983
• Johnny Cash, May 4 – 7, 1983
• Minnesota Music Awards, May 16, 1983
• Rodney Dangerfield, May 20-21, 1983.  A witness says that Rodney was picking on Verne Gagne, who was in the audience.

• Don Williams, May 25 – 28, 1983
• Kool and the Gang, May 29, 1983
• Danny Thomas, June 9 – 11, 1983.  June 9’s performance was a benefit for the Make a Wish Foundation.
• John Conlee, June 12, 1983
• Swedes in Town, June 15, 1983
• Conway Twitty, June 16 – 18, 1983
• Gladys Knight and the Pips, June 24 – 25, 1983
• Pure Prairie League, opened by Rue Nouveau, June 26, 1983.  Gary Rue of Rue Nouveau remembered:  “We went backstage to the lounge immediately after our set, and  PPL’s manager came back and said: “I look at you guys, and I think “Flock of Seagulls.”
• Mac Davis, June 29 – July 2, 1983
• Melissa Manchester – July 5 -6, 1983
• Don Rickles, July 15 – 16, 1983
• BJ Thomas, July 19, 1983
• Ray Price, July 22 – 23, 1983
• Ronny Robbins, July 31, 1983
• Sha-Na-Na, August 5 – 6, 1983
• Merle Haggard, August 11 – 13, 1983
• Ronnie Milsap, August 14, 1983
• Laura Branigan, August 17, 1983
• Wayne Newton, August 22 – 28, 1983
• Johnny Mathis – Postponed
• Jerry Lee Lewis with Paul Revere and the Raiders, August 31 to September 3, 1983
• James Brown with Mary Wilson and the Supremes, September 8 – 10, 1983
• Helen Reddy, September 22, 1983
• Roy Orbison, September 23 and 24, 1983
• Smokey Robinson, September 27 and 28, 1983
• Roberta Flack, September 30 to October 1, 1983
• Johnny Mathis – Postponed
• Eddie Rabbit, October 6 – 7, 1983  (October 6 cancelled)
• Maynard Ferguson, October 8, 1983
• Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, October 14 and 15, 1983
• Charlie Daniels, October 17 and 18, 1983
• Charlie Pride, October 20 – 22, 1983
• Liberace, October 25 – 30, 1983.  This year’s show featured Shani Wallis, Rick and Barbara, and Dancing Waters.
• The Commodores, November 3 – 5, 1983
• Andy Gibb, November 11 – 12, 1983
• Ronnie Milsap, November 13 – 14, 1983
• Lefty Frizzell and Dottie West, November 18 – 19, 1983
• Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter, November 25 – 26, 1983
• Phyllis Diller with Jerry Vale, December 1 – 4, 1983
• Oak Ridge Boys with Williams and Ree, December 7 – 11, 1983
• Tony Bennett with the Woody Herman Orchestra, December 13 – 18, 1983
• The Ink Spots, December 20 – 23, 1983
• Lee Greenwood with Terry Gibbs, December 28 to 30, 1983
• Marilyn Sellars and the Dick Whitbeck Orchestra, December 31, 1983

Backstage, 1983

• Prince, May 16, 1983
• Crosswind,  May 20 – 21, 1983
• Crosswind,  June 16 – 18, 1983
• Crosswind,  July 5 – 6, 15 – 16, 22 – 23, 30 – 31, 1983
• Crosswind,  August 11 – 13, 17, 22 – 28, 31, 1983
• Crosswind,  September 1 – 3, 9 – 11, 23 – 24, 27 – 28, 30, 1983
• Crosswind,  October 1, 7 – 8, 14 – 15, 17 – 18, 20 – 22, 25 – 30, 1983
• Crosswind,  November 4 – 5, 11 – 14, 18 – 19, 25 – 16, 30, 1983
• Crosswind,  December 2 – 3, 7 – 11, 15 – 18, 1983

Thank you to Dale Schultz for the dates for Crosswind!

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1984

• Don Rickles, January 13 – 14, 1984
• Mickey Gilley, January 19 – 21, 1984
• Sammy Davis, Jr., January 27 – 29, 1984
• Jerry Jeff Walker, February 12, 1984
• Mel Tillis, February 24 – 25, 1984
• James Brown, February 26, 1984
• Blackstone (Magician), March 9 – 10, 1984
• Englebert, March 14 – 17, 1984
• John Conlee, April 1, 1984
• Leon Russell, April 29, 1984
• Eddie Rabbitt, May 18 – 19, 1984
• Minnesota Music Awards, May 21, 1984
• Johnny Mathis, May 23, 1984
• Don Williams, June 13 – 16, 1984
• Perry Como, June 19 – 24, 1984
• B.J. Thomas, June 25 – 26, 1984
• Hank Williams, Jr., June 28 – 29, 1984
• Roy Orbison, June 30, 1984
• Mills Brothers and Patti Page, July 11 – 14, 1984
• Crystal Gayle, July 19 – 21, 1984
• Ronny Robbins, July 22, 1984
• Little River Band, August 17-18, 1984
• Conway Twitty, September 6 – 8, 1984
• Bill Cosby, September 14 and 15, 1984
• Kool and the Gang, September 21 and 22, 1984
• Johnny Cash with Marty Stuart, September 26-29, 1984
• Roy Clark, November 9 – 10, 1984
• Sandler and Young, December 28 – 31, 1984

 

Backstage, 1984

• Crosswind, January 6 – 7, 1984
• Wright Brothers, April 11 – 14, 1984
• Prince, May 21, 1984

 

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1985

• Janie Fricke and Exile, January 12 – 13, 1985
• Mac Davis, May 31 – June 2, 1985
• Johnny Mathis with Jeannine Burnier, June 5 – 9, 1985
• Rodney Dangerfield, June 12 – 15, 1985
• Tony Orlando, June 20 – 22, 1985
• Ricky Skaggs, June 28 – 30, 1985
• Ray Charles, July 3, 1985
• Donny & Marie Osmond, July 5 – 6, 1985
• Marshall Tucker Band – July 7, 1985
• Mickey Gilley, July 26 – 27, 1985
• Sammy Davis, Jr. with Suzette Charles, (1984 Miss America), August
• George Burns, September 10 – 15, 1985
• Minnesota Black Music Awards, September 26, 1985
• Mel Tillis and Reba McEntire, October 5 – 6, 1985
• B.J. Thomas and the Judds, October 8 – 9, 1985
• Charlie Pride, October 18-20, 1985
• Debbie Reynolds, October 23 – 26, 1985
• Eddie Rabbitt, November 1 -2, 1985
• Pearl Bailey with Louie Bellson, November 7 – 8, 1985
• Connie Francis, November 9 – 10, 1985
• Crystal Gayle, November 14 – 16, 1985
• The Temptations and the Four Tops, November 30 – December 1, 1985
• Johnny Cash with June Carter Cash, December 4 – 7, 1985
• Manhattan Transfer, December 17 – 22, 1985
• Oak Ridge Boys with Williams and Ree, December 10 – 15, 1985

Backstage, 1985

• Three’s Comedy:  Alex Cole, Joel Madison, Sid Youngers, with Tom Baumgartner, Tom Arnold, Mike Lewis, and Dean Johnson.  Also appearing:  Tom Arnold, Tom Baumgartner, Mike Lewis, and Dean Johnson – May 23 – June 1, 1985.
• All Pro Comedy Show, with Alex Cole, Joel Madison, Sid Youngers, and Susan Voss – June 6, 1985
• Paul Rodriguez, July 19 – 20, 1985
• Henny Youngman, August 9 – 10, 1985
• Jerry Lee Lewis, August 12, 1985
• John Waite, September 1985

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1986

• Roy Clark, January 10 – 11, 1986
• Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, January 23 – 25, 1986
• Lee Greenwood, February 13 – 16, 1986
• Johnny Cash, May 1 – 3, 1986
• Minnesota Music Awards, May 20, 1986
• Tony Bennett, July 18 – 19, 1986
• The Monkees 20th Anniversary Show, with Gary Puckett, Herman’s Hermits, and the Grass Roots, August 20-22, 1986

Backstage, 1986

• Prince, May 20, 1986

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1987

• Chuck Berry, January 1, 1987
• The Allman Brothers with the Dickey Betts Band, January 31, 1987
• Johnny Cash, April 1-4, 1987
• Arlo Guthrie, May 1, 1987
• David Brenner, May 2, 1987
• Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison, May 8 – 9, 1987
• Wayne Newton, May 20 – 24, 1987
• Swinging Ambassadors 20th Anniversary Show, June 4, 1987
• Ray Charles, June 18, 1987

 

Other shows that folks remember include:

• The Mitzi Gaynor Review
• Jose Feliciano
• Gallagher
• Spandau Ballet

 

The Carlton went bankrupt in 1986 and was razed for the Mall of America in 1987.

 

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FARGO

The Carlton was immortalized in the Coen Brothers film “Fargo,” when Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) brings a date to see José Feliciano. The scene was actually staged in the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.

 

Know any others or have any memories of the place?  Contact me!