VANCOUVER — If you were not yet convinced just how much of a gem Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom really is, then the folks at Billboard just provided you with another reason.

In its July 2 issue, the famed music magazine named the Commodore one of North America’s 10 most influential clubs alongside New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Chicago’s Metro, Los Angeles’ Troubadour and San Francisco’s Fillmore.

The Commodore is the only Canadian venue to make the list, which was cobbled together after Billboard consulted with influential talent agents from the Windish Agency, Billions Corp., William Morris Endeavor, the Agency Group and Paradigm Talent.

“Based on their answers, which were remarkably consistent, we chose these clubs, which can each be defined as influential, a career building block, or just plain cool,” wrote Billboard’s Ray Waddell, adding the list was then verified by Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood, who gave it his seal of approval.

The Commodore certainly fits all of the criteria: Good vibe, great sound, a seasoned history and so many other intangibles that make a club special.

“Obviously we’re very excited,” Commodore Ballroom general manager Gord Knights said. “We’ve always worked toward that goal to be in the Top 10, but we’re also very conscious of the fact that it takes a lot of work every day to make that happen.

“The Commodore has always been looked at as the cornerstone of our live music scene and a strong part of our culture in Vancouver,” he added. “I don’t think there would be a place like the Commodore in Vancouver if we didn’t have the music scene we have here.”

Opened in 1929, the Commodore is the oldest venue on the list.

With its bouncy horsehair dance floor and its ideal concert layout, the club has been the breeding ground of many local, national and international stars, from Bryan Adams to The Guess Who to U2 and beyond.

“Coming up the ranks with Canadian bands, the Commodore was easily the most exciting tour stop on a club level,” said Commodore talent buyer Erik Hoffman. “In Canada, it’s our version of the Fillmore. It’s been the launching ground of so many amazing acts, both domestic and international. There’s new history constantly brewing here.”

The 10 most influential clubs in North America according to Billboard :

1. Bowery Ballroom — New York, N.Y.

2. 9:30 Club — Washington, D.C.

3. The Troubadour — West Hollywood, CA

4. The Empty Bottle — Chicago, IL

5. Metro — Chicago, IL

6. The Fillmore — San Francisco, CA

7. Great American Music Hall — San Francisco, CA

8. The Commodore Ballroom — Vancouver, BC

9. Showbox at The Market — Seattle, WA

10. The Music Box — Los Angeles, CA

fmarchand@vancouversun.com

Blog: vancouversun.com/sound

twitter.com/AwesomeSoundVS