Digest

This podcast delves into the haunted history of the Chicago Metro venue, sharing numerous firsthand accounts of paranormal activity from staff members. Stories include sightings of apparitions like Marilyn and the "Legless Guy," unexplained moving objects, strange noises, and a confirmed child's death in an elevator. The venue is also celebrated for its significant role in music history, hosting legendary DJs and bands, and serving as a recording site for Guns N' Roses. The podcast explores the evolution of music at Smart Bar, memorable performances, and the unique architecture of the venue, while staff members share their evolving beliefs and experiences with the supernatural.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction to the Haunted Metro Venue and Its Music Legacy

The podcast begins by introducing the Chicago Metro venue, a place steeped in both music history and paranormal lore. Hosts and staff, including long-time believer Joe, prepare to explore its potentially haunted areas, setting a spooky tone while acknowledging the venue's significance in hosting legendary performances and developing various music genres.

00:02:58

Exploring the Historic Theater Spaces and Their Darker Tales

The tour progresses through the impressive and historic theater spaces, including a hidden fourth-floor theater filled with old equipment. The conversation touches upon the venue's beautiful yet potentially dark nature, hinting at the legends and hauntings associated with these areas, most notably the story of Marilyn.

00:07:05

Music History: Guns N' Roses, Iconic Performances, and Smart Bar's Evolution

The podcast highlights the venue's rich musical past, including Guns N' Roses recording their "Use Your Illusion" albums and numerous memorable shows by diverse artists. Smart Bar's basement club is discussed for its pivotal role in house, techno, and industrial music, and its own rumored paranormal activity.

00:11:46

Staff Apprehension, Labyrinthine Layouts, and the Scary Elevator

Staff members express apprehension about certain areas, particularly the fourth floor, due to the building's confusing, labyrinthine layout. The discussion intensifies with the story of the scary elevator and the confirmed death of the caretaker's child, adding a chilling layer to the venue's haunted reputation.

00:17:51

Smart Bar's Haunted Restroom and Basement Mysteries

The focus shifts to the basement's Smart Bar, particularly a restroom rumored to be haunted. Reports include apparitions, disappearing figures in mirrors, and malfunctioning lights, contributing to Smart Bar's reputation for paranormal "action" due to its public accessibility.

00:21:51

Unique Architecture, Legendary DJs, and Venue Hospitality

A unique architectural fact about the basement's structure is revealed. The legendary DJ booth is highlighted, honoring pioneers like Frankie Knuckles. The podcast also praises the Metro's excellent hospitality and professional treatment of bands, emphasizing its commitment to a positive experience.

00:25:01

Venue Capacity, Incidents, and Recalling Intense Shows

The Metro's capacity and its unusual practice of hosting local shows are discussed, noting its forgiving atmosphere for crowds. The conversation touches upon venue incidents like stage dives and lawsuits, and revisits intense past performances and festivals, including a rained-out event that led to a makeup show.

00:28:40

Wild Performances, Celebrity Sightings, and Venue Resilience

Audacious performances, like a guitarist surfing on his instrument, are recounted. The venue's history is further explored with mentions of celebrity sightings and iconic Chicago musicians. Despite a history of external brawls, the venue itself has surprisingly seen few major fights internally.

00:33:47

Supernatural Experiences: Christy's Accounts and Ghostly Apparitions

Production manager Christy shares compelling personal supernatural experiences, including hearing music and footsteps, and witnessing a clipboard fly across a balcony, attributed to Marilyn. She also recounts seeing the apparition of a child and the distinct "Legless Man."

00:39:37

Security's Perspective: Skunk's Encounters and Photographic Evidence

Skunk, the security coordinator, shares his role and personal supernatural encounters, including a flying clipboard and the mysterious "Legless Guy." The discussion touches upon photographic evidence of apparitions and Skunk's view that the spirits are not malicious, just unprepared.

00:46:55

Head of Security Drew's Transformation and Ghostly Lore

Head of Security Drew recounts terrifying encounters, including a black mist and the story of a woman who allegedly hung herself on the fourth floor. His initial skepticism transformed into belief after experiencing phenomena like moving chairs and knocking sounds, reinforcing the venue's haunted nature.

00:49:51

Tragic Events, Lingering Presences, and Staff Comfort

The lore of "Marilyn" and the "Legless Guy" is revisited, alongside tragic events like a child's death in an elevator and a girl crushed at a barricade, suggesting these may contribute to the paranormal activity. Drew shares his comfort working at the venue, believing the spirits are harmless.

00:53:05

Final Reflections on the Metro's Haunted Nature

The participants conclude by reflecting on the numerous supernatural accounts, the credibility of multiple witnesses, and the overall consensus that the Chicago Metro venue is indeed a deeply haunted location.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the reported paranormal occurrences at the Metro venue?

  Reports include sightings of a floating orb spirit named Marilyn, unexplained music and footsteps, a clipboard flying across a room, a child apparition, and the "Legless Man" apparition.

• What is the legend behind the ghost of Marilyn at the Metro?

  Marilyn is said to have hung herself in the fourth-floor theater in the 1940s. Her spirit is believed to manifest as a floating orb and is sometimes associated with the smell of rose oil.

• Can you describe the incident involving the caretaker's child at the venue?

  The caretaker's child is reported to have been crushed in the venue's old elevator, a confirmed death that adds to the building's haunted history and contributes to staff apprehension.

• What is the significance of Smart Bar in relation to paranormal activity?

  Smart Bar, located in the basement, is considered to have the most "action" due to public access. Reports include a woman's apparition disappearing from mirrors and the lights in the restroom acting strangely.

• How has the Metro venue been a significant location for music history?

  The venue has hosted legendary DJs like Frankie Knuckles, been a site for the recording of Guns N' Roses' "Use Your Illusion" albums, and played a role in the development of various music genres like house, techno, and industrial music.

• What are some of the specific supernatural entities or phenomena reported at the Chicago Metro?

  Reports include the "Elevator Boy" ghost, the "Legless Guy" apparition with pinstriped legs, a ghostly mist, unexplained moving objects like clipboards and chairs, and the legend of "Marilyn."

• How do the staff members at the Metro generally feel about the reported hauntings?

  Many staff members, initially skeptical, have become believers due to personal experiences. While some find the encounters terrifying, others feel the spirits are not malicious and may even be drawn to the energy of the venue.

• What evidence supports the claims of the Metro being haunted?

  Evidence includes multiple staff members reporting similar unique phenomena from different locations, a photograph of a full apparition, and consistent reports of unexplained noises and movements.

• Can you describe the "Legless Guy" apparition?

  The "Legless Guy" is described as a shadowy, gray apparition consisting only of legs, appearing to wear pinstriped suit pants. It was seen walking towards a staff member, with the garbage cans behind it still visible.

• What is the story behind the ghost known as "Marilyn"?

  Marilyn is said to be a spirit who favors older gentlemen. One story suggests she followed a former manager home, requiring his house to be exorcised and blessed.

Show Notes