VIDEO: Firefighters spent just more than an hour battling flames at a vacant building at 2612 W. State St. on Thursday evening. The two-alarm fire gutted what once was the State Theater (1915-1955) and eventually a well-known music club where several big names started their careers in the late 70s and early 80s. "To people interested in music and theater history it's iconic and a terrible loss," said Bobby Tanzilo, senior editor and writer at OnMilwaukee.com. Tanzilo researched the building's history and even toured the site a few years ago for a story. "By 1979 it's called The Palms and U2 plays their first show in Milwaukee there. The Police play their first show in Milwaukee there. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers played there." Elvis Costello played at the club when it was called Electric Ballroom. Tanzilo said admission to see U2 on its first American tour was $4.50. Tanzilo describes seeing the inside of the building in 2015.