The Wetlands Preserve original owner Larry Bloch, died Sunday. The Wetlands Preserve gained prominence as the center of the burgeoning jamband scene in the early 90’s, hosting bands such as Phish, The Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, moe., Strangefolk and more early in their careers. It was located at 161 Hudson Street in the TriBeCa neighborhood of NYC. The Wetlands was also a model for environmental responsibility, prominently displaying and circulating hundreds of petitions (club patrons accounted for over 30,000 signatures a year) and lobbied corporate and government leaders for action.
Larry explained his concept of The Wetlands Model in 2001: “We have proven that a for-profit enterprise can efficiently and dynamically create positive change in the world by including in its mission a purpose for being, beyond profit, and adequately funding that good work as an overhead expense. Combining music and fun with activism worked well at Wetlands, and can work wherever people who share a vision come together. With so many magical seeds sown, I am optimistic about what may grow.”
From moe.org : “…we lost a mentor to many. Larry Bloch was a great man who brought a great vision to life. Those who frequented the Wetlands in New York City got a chance to see someone build a scene like no other and understood the significance; they got to witness and be part of the vision. Nobody has been able to duplicate what Larry did. In a way, moe. lost their Bill Graham today.”
From John Popper’s Facebook page : “So sorry to hear about Larry Bloch, founder of Wetlands… He fought his cancer really hard&lived 8months longer than predicted in pretty good health&went peacefully by all accounts… We all love him&wish him well on the next phase of his journey…”
For more information on the Wetlands check out their website:
http://www.wetlands-preserve.org/
updated Oct 31st:
from the moe facebook: In memory of Larry Bloch and all the amazing memories we made at the Wetlands, we are giving away the MP3 download of the 9/23/95 show, now through Monday 11/5 at noon. Be seeing you, Larry!
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