LAWRENCE ‘LARRY’ GHOUGASIAN
LAWRENCE ‘LARRY’ GHOUGASIAN
Larry Ghougasian was born on January 13 1938, in Niagara Falls New York. He lived here for 36 years and is most notably known for owning and operating The Main Restaurant on Main and Falls Streets in the 60s and early 70s.
In 1964, Larry began featuring live music at The Main. He hired bands from all over Western New York and is credited for giving many young, local musicians and bands their start in the music industry. Many of these musicians went on to become very successful locally as well as nationwide. One musician remembered, “The Main Restaurant served dinners to tourists during the day, turning into a rock and roll venue at night.”
Another musician said “Larry was a tremendous person to work for and always treated the musicians with the utmost respect and kindness. Larry is remembered as having advanced money to pay musicians prior to playing; one of the reasons why groups appreciated playing The Main.”
It was the birth of the music scene in Niagara Falls and remembered to this day as one of the best local venues for live music in the 60s and 70s; truly one of the icons of Niagara Falls. Due to the city’s urban renewal projects in the mid 70’s, the building was torn down and The Main was briefly located to another location in Niagara Falls. Unfortunately it did not have the success of the original location.
In 1974, Larry moved to Pembroke Pines Florida, where he still lives today with his wife Nadine. In 1966, they met at The Main, fell in love and have been happily married for the past 56 years. Larry was admired by musicians, his employees and customers and is remembered fondly to this day in Niagara Falls New York. It is with great pleasure to honor and induct Lawrence ‘Larry” Ghougasian into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.