Provided by John Dixon
Audio By Carbonatix
Country music’s popularity may wax and wane, but it will always find a home in the Valley’s countless country bars.
Honky-tonks, roadhouses and other joints featuring twangy tunes have been a part of the metro Phoenix landscape for several decades, from the rustic saloons and dance halls of the 1950s and ’60s to the neon-lighted nightclubs that sprung up in the ’80s and ’90s.
Honky-tonks, roadhouses and other spots serving up twangy tunes have been a part of the metro Phoenix landscape for decades. From the rustic saloons and dance halls of the 1950s and ’60s to the neon-lit nightclubs of the ’80s and ’90s, locals have flocked to these spots for drinks, dancing and live music.
In honor of the Valley’s newest country spot, Not My First Rodeo, opening in Scottsdale this week, Phoenix New Times is taking a look back at some iconic cowboy and cowgirl joints. Grab your boots and get ready to amble through local country bar history.
Buster Fite’s Western Playboys performing at the Riverside Park Ballroom in 1949.
Provided by John Dixon
The late Glen Campbell performs at the Riverside Park Ballroom in the early 1960s.
Provided by John Dixon
Dick Van Dyke performing with friends and musicians at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral in the 1970s. The legendary actor was living in the Valley at the time and was a regular at the bar.
Daniel Piacquadio
The later Buck Owens, center, during a performance at JD’s in Tempe.
Tempe History Museum
An early 1960s photo of Dave Curtis and the Wild Bills, the house band from the Scottsdale saloon and restaurant of the same name. The establishment, named for owner William “Wild Bill” Bird became Handlebar J in 1967.
Provided by Ray Herndon
The Red Dog Saloon in Scottsdale, a two-story bar and restaurant that offered live music and dancing during its 15-year lifespan from 1960 to 1975.
Scottsdale Historical Society/Scottsdale Public Library
The exterior of The Rusty Spur Saloon in Scottsdale, which first opened in 1951.
Scottsdale Historical Society/Scottsdale Public Library
The inside of The Rusty Spur in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Historical Society/Scottsdale Public Library
Western steakhouse and saloon Rustler’s Rooste, which has hosted live country music regularly over the years.
Tempe History Museum
A 1973 photo of R’Gee’s Cocktails along Apache Boulevard in Tempe.
Tempe History Museum
The sign outside of Mr. Lucky’s on the night in 1980 when outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings recorded his ABC television special at the nightclub.
Marianne Gilbert
A KNIX-sponsored event at Mr. Lucky’s in the early ’80s.
Courtesy of Jim West
Country dance club Cowboys in Tempe back in the 1980s.
Tempe History Museum
Cactus Country Saloon in Tempe back in 1980.
Tempe History Museum
The late Waylon Jennings, left, with Rips owner Jim Ames.
Provided by Davey Tanberg
DJ Russ Knight (center) with beauty pageant contestants at Graham Central Station in the early ’80s.
Provided by Russ Knight
Country legend Charley Pride, center, with Rips owner Jim Ames.
Provided by Davey Tanberg
The exterior of Graham Central Station’s original Phoenix location in the early ’80s.
Dann Frank
The exterior of Roosters Country in Mesa. The long-running honky-tonk was opened by the Luge family in 1972 and is now operated by Steve and Cherie Dunn.
Provided by Cherie Dunn
An aerial photo of Mesa honky-tonk Roosters Country in the ’80s.
Provided by Cherie Dunn
A 1991 photo of Tempe restaurant and nightclub Neon Cowboy. The property is now Spokes on Southern.
Tempe History Museum
A 1996 concert celebrating Arizona music historian John Dixon’s birthday at The Rocking Horse in Scottsdale.
Provided by John Dixon
Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, left, signs the upright bass of local musician Ruth Wilson, right, at The Rocking Horse in Scottsdale.
Provided by Tucker Woodbury
Bill Bachand, owner of Toolie’s County, in 1999. The country nightclub was originally opened in 1981 by the late Roman Comer.
Doug Hoeschler
An undated photo of local country music fans on the dance floor at Mr. Lucky’s.
Jaylon Shane Kretchmar
The late Kris Kristofferson, right, and Jessi Colter, center, during a 2002 performance at Handlebar J in Scottsdale.
Provided by Ray Herndon
A 2004 photo of legendary Goodyear country bar Roman’s Oasis.
Provided by Myra Curtis
Greasewood Flats in north Scottsdale had many hallmarks of a memorable country bar: dollars stapled to the walls and twangy tunes performed there on the regular.
Brad/CC BY 2.0/Flickr
North Phoenix joint Whiskey River Saloon in 2010.
Benjamin Leatherman
The Tempe location of Graham Central Station, which closed in 2012.
Benjamin Leatherman
Legendary Queen Creek bar Norton’s Country Corner, which closed in 2020 after decades in business.
Norton’s Country Corner
