The Legendary Toad's Place

Lovers of the last 50 years of rock band evolutionary history will want to include “The Legendary Toad’s Place” in their libraries for its nostalgia and bringing out of obscurity an unforgotten rock history.– “Wisconsin Bookwatch”

Brian Phelps was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His music background was nothing more than listening to AM radio or watching an Elvis Presley flick. He had no idea where his path in life was about to lead. Brian met Mike Spoerndle, owner of the new Toad’s Place in 1975. One year later Big Mike invited Brian to start working at the club, following college. Several years later, Mike made Brian an offer to become business partners. In January 1995 Brian took control of the company and bought the rest of the business in 1998. Brian later met with longtime associate Randall Beach and decided to write a memoir. He took “a road less traveled,” but one we think you will enjoy reading about.

Randall Beach was the rock music critic for the New Haven Register from 1978 to 1984, covering many shows at Toad’s Place. He later wrote about rock music for the New Haven Advocate, the Hartford Courant, and Billboard magazine. He was also a reporter and columnist for the New Haven Register from 1997 to 2020. In addition, he writes the “Beachcombing” column for Connecticut magazine. He lives in New Haven.