AFTR/IMG · ROOM · THE-CHEETAH · CONF VERIFIED
The Cheetah
Overview
Broadway discotheque (1966–c.1972) that evolved from a go-go-era nightclub into a major salsa venue, where the Fania All-Stars' August 1971 concert became the founding myth of the salsa movement.
The Cheetah opened in spring 1966 at 1686 Broadway near 53rd Street, backed by Borden Stevenson (son of politician Adlai Stevenson) and Olivier Coquelin; its exact opening date is given variously as April 27 or May 28 in period sources. Launched in the go-go/psychedelic discotheque wave, it initially catered to a rock and pop crowd (Jimi Hendrix is among the early performers cited) but by the late 1960s the club had become a major venue for Latin music, boogaloo, and what would be named salsa. On the night of August 26, 1971, the Fania All-Stars headlined the Cheetah for a concert filmed by Leon Gast that became the documentary 'Nuestra Cosa' / 'Our Latin Thing' (1972); the live recordings were released as 'Live at the Cheetah, Vol. 1 & 2.' That event is widely credited as the moment salsa (a pan-Latino synthesis developed by New York's Puerto Rican and Cuban communities) announced itself as an international commercial force, and the Cheetah is often cited as the venue where the word 'salsa' entered common use to describe this music. The club closed circa 1972.
Oral histories & archival media
Archive plates
Plates fill in as scans clear rights
Sonic profile
Cultural role
DJs, promoters & people
Olivier Coquelin
Owner · Co-backer and creative force behind The Cheetah's launch.
Jerry Masucci
Promoter · Fania Records co-founder; organized the 1971 All-Stars concert at the Cheetah.
Johnny Pacheco
Performer · Fania Records co-founder and bandleader; performed at the August 26, 1971 concert.
Celia Cruz
Performer · Performed with the Fania All-Stars. Her specific role in 'Our Latin Thing' filming needs confirmation against the documentary's credits.
Follow a name to see other rooms they connect to