Live at the Commodore: The Story of Vancouver’s Historic Commodore Ballroom

Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom is, like New York’s CBGB’s and Los Angeles’s Whiskey a Go-Go, one of the most venerated rock clubs in the world; originally built in 1930, it’s hosted a who’s-who of music greats before they made it big: The Police, The Clash, Blondie, Talking Heads, Nirvana, New York Dolls, U2, and, more recently, Lady Gaga and the White Stripes. Filled with never-before-published photographs, posters, and paraphernalia, Live at the Commodore is a visceral, energetic portrait of one of the world’s great rock venues.

Aaron Chapman is a musician and journalist, and the author of Liquor, Lust, and the Law.