Our dear friend Joe Patten, known in Atlanta as “The Phantom of The Fox” has finally settled his lawsuit and is being allowed to stay in his home at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta for the rest of his life.

Joe Patten,who is now 84, filed a lawsuit in the fall vs. Atlanta Landmarks, which runs the Fox Theatre, after he received a letter from the group suggesting he find an assisted living residence. The letter was sent by the president of Atlanta Landmarks, Woody White.  It was also suggested he was not physically capable of taking care of himself and the apartment his lived in.

I met Joe last fall when all this was happening.  He graciously took me into his apartment, climbed up 90 something stars and showed me around.  He got around just fine, and I could see no health risk.  His house is beautiful and he had a story for everything. From the cars he owns to the marble fountain, it all had meaning to him and I could tell he loved his house and the Fox Theatre for that matter.

Joe also saved the Fox Theatre twice, once from a horrible fire that broke out in 1996. Because Joe had worked there and lived there so long he was able to lead firefighters to the flames so the Fox could be saved.

The Backstage Beat is thrilled that our friend Joe can stay in his house! Great job Fox Theatre and Atlanta Landmarks!