Joe Shanahan

Joe Shanahan’s first musical investment was a 45 record of the Rolling Stone’s “Under My Thumb,” purchased as a pre-teen from the independent record shop in his South Side Chicago neighborhood. That record would inspire a lifelong love of the arts, and a desire to bring music to the Chicago masses. Almost four decades later, Shanahan is an arts community leader in Chicago, known for his independent clubs Metro and Smart Bar, as well as his leadership in the field of the arts in the city and beyond.

Coming from a music-loving Irish Catholic family, Shanahan was encouraged in his love of the arts. He studied photography at Southern Illinois University and Columbia College Chicago. After college, he created his own independent study program, living and working in New York City’s art, music, and dance community for one year. At the conclusion of the year, he was inspired to bring the sense of community and interaction between various arts fields to Chicago. Returning to his hometown, Shanahan began hosting parties for the arts and music community in his loft. The parties quickly outgrew his apartment, and soon Shanahan was directed to 3730 North Clark Street, the building that would become Metro and Smart Bar.

In July 1982, he opened Smart Bar, and in August of that year he promoted his first show in Metro, a five dollar night featuring a then little known band from Athens, Georgia – R.E.M. The show was a success and soon Shanahan and a small staff of like-minded music fans took over the building, moving Smart Bar from the fourth floor to the lower level and opening Metro in the main floor as the a live music venue in the fall of 1982. Focusing on a mission of bringing local and emerging talent from the region, nation and ultimately the world to Chicago, Metro and Smart Bar became quick successes and made their mark on Chicago. From hosting future music heavyweights to constantly seeking out the best new and emerging artists, Metro and Smart Bar have thrived and survived to be the oldest continually owned and operated independent clubs in America.

With Metro and Smart Bar’s success, Shanahan looked at other ways he could bring more of the arts to Chicago audiences. In 1993, he started Lincoln Square’s Daily Bar and Grill, and in 1994, he opened the Double Door, a small music venue. In response to City of Chicago requests, Shanahan co-founded the North Clark Street Business Owners Association, and serves as President of the group, which seeks to improve relations between businesses, residents, and the City of Chicago. He has been a guest speaker on panels and conferences at DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, Pollstar’s Concert Industry Consortium, South By SouthWest and Canadian Music Week. In 2007, he was awarded the Recording Academy Honors from the Chicago Chapter of The Recording Academy in recognition of Metro's 25 years in the Chicago music community.

Whether it is through providing musicians with a place to play or developing small businesses in Chicago, Shanahan feels it is important to give back to the community that has given him so much. He serves on the boards of several charities, including Rock for Kids, which provides toys and clothes for underprivileged children. He also serves on the Arts Council for Sacred Heart Schools. Through benefit concerts at Metro and Smart Bar, Shanahan has been able to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations including Heartland Alliance’s Neon Street Shelter for Teens, Pediatric AIDS, Special Olympics, Girls Rock Chicago Summer Camp, Music Cares, National Suicide Prevention Hotline, CONCERN and the American Red Cross.