Heavy Metal Venue to Add Shows

Michael Fell’s Industry, the Canoga Park club that has added a new heavy metal forum to the San Fernando Valley, will soon be open three or four nights a week, according to co-owner Michael Fell.

The club, which opened in November, has featured hard rock and heavy metal bands Friday and Saturday nights. But Fell, who runs the club with his wife, Catherine, said there will be shows on most Wednesday and Sunday nights starting in late May. Each week will have at least three nights of live music.

“Things are going real well here,” Fell said, “and we think it’s time to open things up more.”

Although some promoters and musicians had been concerned that the club’s location on Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the west end of the Valley might be too far away for Hollywood and Los Angeles rock fans, Fell said bands have attracted big crowds.

“Hey, we’re only five minutes away from the Country Club,” Fell said. “We’re getting people from San Bernardino.”

Fell said most of the shows have focused on Los Angeles bands, but a recent tribute to Badfinger, featuring original drummer Steve Bryans, indicates the club’s intention to spotlight national groups.

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The Country Club will hold a benefit concert Saturday to show support for putting a Ritchie Valens star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and to raise money for music scholarships in his name.

Salvador Guitarez, a professional musician and music teacher who is organizing the benefit, said Valens, 30 years after his death in a plane crash, remains an inspiration to San Fernando and Pacoima youngsters.

“Through his music, he proved that there is hope in life,” Guitarez said, “that even if the conditions around you look bad, you can triumph.”

Valens grew up in San Fernando and Pacoima. He used to take his guitar to school--Pacoima Junior High School--where he would play and sing during lunch break, former principal David Schwartz recalls.

With the stunning success of songs like “Come on Let’s Go,” “Donna” and “La Bamba,” Valens, at 17, skyrocketed to the top of the music world. He died in 1959 when his plane, which also carried Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, crashed in an Iowa cornfield.

Among the performers slated for the benefit are Dick Dale, a guitarist who played with Valens; Bobby Cochran, whose uncle, Eddie Cochran, was a close friend of Valens’ and Holly’s, and Ernie Valens, the late singer’s cousin. Ernie Valens is preparing to record his debut album for Fox Records.

Tickets for the concert are $15 and can be bought at the Country Club box office.