Writer-musician Aaron Chapman found himself sitting at the Penthouse Nightclub with Sting following the former Police-man’s show at Rogers Arena last Friday (February 21). Chapman wanted to pick his brains about playing at the Commodore Ballroom back in the ‘80s, something the reportedly “affable fellow” was happy to do after telling Chapman that he had a copy of his 2012 history of the Penthouse, Liquor, Lust and the Law.

“So I said, ‘Well, I have a couple of your records,’” Chapman told the Straight. “Sting recalled a few things. Even better was the 90-year-old grandmother I interviewed the day before who used to jitterbug at the Commodore in 1938!”

As you may have gathered, Chapman’s newest book project is a history of the venerable Commodore—a gig he got when Arsenal Pulp Press, with three reprints of Liquor, Lust and the Law already in the bag, asked; “Do you have any other ideas, young Chapman?”

With the Commodore turning 85 next year, Chapman knows it’s “a bit like the local music history equivalent of climbing Kilimanjaro”. But he got the bug after researching and then launching the amazing 40-year show archive last year for the Ballroom’s website. He added that he’s keen at this point to talk to anyone who worked, played, or just partied there.

Got any stories? Chapman can be reached at aaron@aaronchapman.net.