When The Red Baron opened in June 1977, it was celebrated as a premier disco. "Where St. Paul ends, disco theater begins," screamed the ads. Owned by nightlife personality Bobby Bell, the discerning disco faced discrimination complaints from women and Black men. The Red Baron was one of the most popular gay discos of the era, especially after Grace Jones delivered a legendary performance on March 4, 1978. In April 1980, the Red Baron was sold to L&M Productions, who rebranded as The Baron to lose its gay reputation. The Baron closed permanently on January 31, 1981.