I had plans of writing silly sarcastic thoughts today. However that has since become incredibly inappropriate. An Athens icon has left us. Hopefully temporarily, but we’ve lost it nonetheless.

At 7am this morning, the Georgia Theatre, an iconic venue began as a YMCA in the 19th century, turned Cinema, living as music center of one of the nation’s greatest music towns… has burned. The roof has collapsed, and with it my heart.

The articulation of my college social scene. Athens is known for giving birth to historic acts – the likes of REM, the B-52s, Widespread Panic and Jennifer Nettles. But even more specifically the Georgia Theatre is also known for giving the necessary career jumpstart to all kinds of well known musicians from all over – Dave Matthews being the obvious one I will mention.

I’ve marked time with Blues Traveler, The Samples, Pat McGee Band, John Mayer, Better Than Ezra, Sister Hazel, and countless other examples of rock, folk, punk, jam and cover band forms. Watching the Wizard of Oz/Dark Side of the Moon phenomenon. Some of my favorite memories from college arise from the Theatre. Surely they will raise it once again, but it definitely adds a touch of sadness to my day.

They don’t make em like they used to. I hope this Phoenix will make its way upward again soon.