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End of the Line for The Bottom Line?

A revered nightclub in New York's West Village is being threatened with eviction due to $185,000 owed in back rent.

The Bottom Line Cabaret opened in 1974, with a show featuring Dr. John and Stevie Wonder. An astonishing variety of artists followed over the years: Bruce Springsteen. Neil Young. Dolly Parton. Aaron Copland. The Ramones. A parade of jazz greats and many lesser lights who can still say they made an appearance at The Bottom Line.

Allan Pepper is a co-founder of The Bottom Line, and he's been at almost every show since the club opened. Now he's in a court battle with the building's owner, New York University, as he tries to keep the venue open. NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks to Pepper about the club's past and future.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

NPR National Correspondent Jennifer Ludden covers economic inequality, exploring systemic disparities in housing, food insecurity and wealth.