Threadgill's

Threadgill's

Threadgill's
6416 N. Lamar
Austin, TX 78752

In 1933 John Kenneth Threadgill from Peniel, Texas, moved to Austin, Texas, where he began working at an old service station on Dallas Highway (later called Lamar Blvd). On December 06, he had bought the establishment and changed it to Threadgill's Tavern. He received Travis county beer license # 1. It has been at this location ever since. He and his wife, Mildred (Greer), ran the restaurant and tavern until World War II, when they closed for a few years. Threadgill's Tavern opened again after the war. Kenneth closed Threadgill's in 1980. On January 01, 1981 Eddie Wilson reopened Threadgill's, this time as a restaurant. Kenneth died on March 20, 1987.

Kenneth Threadgill & Janis, 10 July 1970

A The Waller Creek Boys Plus One session was taped there by Roy C. Ames on an Ampex portable in December 1962. They were Powell St. John harp, Lanny Wiggins guitar, and Janis Joplin vocals, guitar. Three songs Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, St. James Infirmary, and Walk Right In were released after her death.

Another The Waller Creek Boys Plus One session was taped there again by Jack Jackson in early 1963. Six songs Trouble in Mind, What Good Can Drinkin' Do, Silver Threads and Golden Needles, Mississippi River, Stealin' Stealin', and No Reason for Livin' were released after her death.

On July 10, 1970, a huge concert in the park near Oak Hill was held to celebrate Threadgill's 70th birthday. Janis Joplin, who had been in Hawaii on July 06, canceled a $15,000 show to fly to Austin. She sang two Kris Kristofferson tunes, Sunday Morning Coming Down and Me & Bobby McGee for the crowd.