Venue notes: Syria Mosque, PittsburghOriginally built by the Shriners to host club events and concerts and ultimately came to be used principally as a music venue. Was located at 4400 Bigelow Boulevard in the Oakland section. Construction began in 1911, and the building was dedicated in 1916. John Philip Sousa played here in 1917, Bill Haley & the Comets in 1955, and Hüsker Dü in 1987. Despite efforts to preserve it, the building was torn down in Aug 1991 and replaced by a parking lot, as the Shriners built a replacement temple in the suburbs. There's an excellent history of the place here, and an article about the demolition of the original building here.[Do you have more information about this venue? Please email me.] Return to Hüsker Dü dates page |