W
orking the club scene since the tender age of fourteen, Lyons knows a thing or two about how to keep a venue ever-evolving and successful. He’s not only a proven master manipulator of sound and lighting magic, but is also the inventor of a successful line of speakers (called, as it happens, “The Avalon Series”) that reside in thousands of venues around the world. In addition, he’s helped to define and redefine tony nightlife in several major cities during his long and prolific career.
system, a state-of-the-art 1,000 square feet installment of 6mm LED panels, a beautiful new lobby lounge and bar, and a very exclusive two floor VIP area with private access to the stage. Not to mention that he accomplished all of this while never closing the Avalon’s doors to the public.
His latest undertaking is an epic Vegas-style renovation of Avalon which includes the first and only installation of EAW Club One series speakers, a brand new top-notch sound
In a casual interview, Bello Mag Senior Lifestyle Editor, Jasmine Vo, sat with John Lyons. He tells our readers a little more about it…
JL: Is this 619 I’m calling you from your mobile? Are you from San Diego? JV: Yes I am but I’ve kept the 619 area code to make it easier for my Asian mother to get a hold of me when she needs to. JL: I’ve been taking the train down to San Diego a lot. I recently acquired a venue down there. I’m turning the old nightclub 4th and B into an Avalon. JV: I heard you renovated the Avalon in Hollywood, what made you decide to give this venue a revamp? JL: I’ve owned the Avalon for about 12 years now. I wanted to do it about 2-3 years ago, but I got caught up in projects around the world. I didn’t have the time so I put it off. But I realized I needed to make the time so I created an open schedule to work on my venue. JV: How do you know when its time to revamp? JL: I’ve built 55 nightclubs in my lifetime. After so many years of doing it, I just get this instinctive sense to do it. The right time isn’t when the business has failed. The right time is to do it before people start to notice the things I notice. The nightclub business can be fickle. I learned early in my career to create a venue that not only inherits a great design but one that can provide many things. I like to provide entertainment. One of my first venues I owned before technology is what it is today and DJ’s played records. Sound couldn’t produce bass so I hired a 127
Given his ongoing success and exemplary understanding of the urban nightlife culture, we can expect to see the famous Avalon Hollywood dazzling and delighting current and future clubgoers for many more years to come.
I’ve built 55 nightclubs in my lifetime. After so many years of doing it, I just get this instinctive sense to do it. drummer to drum along with the DJ’s songs to create bass. JV: Have you always owned venues that specialize in EDM? JL: No. Music has trends in every decade. I use to own a Punk Rock club called PIT. They played Ska as well. Another one specialized in Deep House then there was trance. I always tried to have something that was relevant and ahead of the curve. My audience has driven the boat. JV: I’m sure you get approached by many artist. Do you have any upcoming artist we should be looking out for? JL: The next big thing could be really subtle. I remember when Skrillex launched his career at Avalon. When he started, he was going against what was going on at the time…music wise. It was a breath of fresh air. I think of myself as a quarterback of music. I like to fund and encourage artist. I never turn my eyes and ears off to anyone. Because the new kid could be the next Skrillex. But to answer your question, Gladiator is a local artist here in Los Angeles, CA. Mack J is great too. JV: I read in your bio you are a lighting and sound designer. Do you have any
recommendations for a great at home sound system? Just in case we want to bring Avalon home [I laugh]. JL: I will let you know a dirty little secret about speakers that the industry doesn’t want you to know. It’s not about the name brand of the speaker its about looking at the space you want to fill up sound with. Take a look at the room you want to put sound in. Remember sound hits the walls and bounce back to you. But AW and Falcon speakers are great. JV: What is your favorite place to be when you need to shut the world out? JL: I am loving San Diego, CA. I’m always in a good mood there. I do a lot of projects in Vegas. I always drive when I have to be there for work. I love to get the right music playing and in the zone because I love the feeling of solitary peace when I am driving. JV: What is your favorite place to eat in Los Angeles? JL: I don’t really have one. It’s hard to say since I just got back from Italy. I like simple and healthy. I’m thinking of opening a few Mediterranean restaurants over the next few years. JV: Keep us posted! We love food. September 2014 - BELLO