Opened in December of 1930, Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom has had an incredible amount of history drummed into its walls. Opened with the help of the Reifel family (the same Reifels whose bird sanctuary you may have visited), visiting the place was originally a high society affair complete with a house orchestra. The venue has gone through many transitions and has been owned and managed by a number of different parties over the years, finally landing in the place where we currently know it, and that is as one of the most storied rock venues in Canada. Aaron Chapman (author of Liquor, Lust, and the Law - The Story of Vancouver's Legendary Penthouse Nightclub) tackled the venue and its colourful history in his latest book, Live at the Commodore - The Story of vancouver's Historic Commodore Ballroom. In it, he traces the roots of the place and walks us through its many phases, introducing us to the characters who made it what it is, all the while drawing on his in-depth knowledge of Vancouver's history. By reading the book you'll surmise that his research on the subject of the Commodore was insane, but it's his insights beyond the bouncy dance floor that connect the pieces of the puzzle. He manages to weave in knowledge of the varying states of our entire city throughout, making this book a must-read for not only music lovers but for anyone who wants to know more about the history of Vancouver. Below are some of the most noteworthy acts that graced the stage of the venue since 1979, all of which are featured in Aaron's book (and the photos of which he's gracefully allowed us to reprint here). More info can be found about the book HERE.