Galactic is reportedly working to purchase the historic New Orleans club Tipitina’s. According to local CBS affiliate WWLTV, current owner Roland Von Kurnatowski is prepared to sell the venue to the local funk outfit.
Von Kurnatowski is facing several lawsuits alleging he owes investors nearly $3 million. He purchased Tipitina’s in 1996, around the same time Galactic – then known as Galactic Prophylactic – was formed and made their Tipitina’s debut. The group has played Tipitina’s numerous times in the years since and will ring in the new year with a December 31 concert at the venue.
According to WWLTV, “Members of [Galactic] declined to confirm that the deal was in the works, but people with direct knowledge of the negotiations said it has been for some time and could be finalized soon.”
Opened in 1977 by a group of local music fans, Tipitina’s originally served as a performance space for local piano legend Professor Longhair. The beloved musician was a regular at the spot named after his song “Tipitina,” until his death in 1980.
