Reception for "Purple Onion" was positive. He began performing as a folk singer at the famed Purple Onion. It is sometimes referred to as Live at the Purple Onion. She moved to California and continued singing, performing at the Purple Onion. His first musical engagement was at the Purple Onion in San Francisco. The show was recorded at the San Francisco club The Purple Onion in June 2005. A studio album was also released in 2002 entitled "Purple Onion". Bud Steinhoff managed the Purple Onion until his death in November 1983. In 2002, Claypool released a studio album of the Frog Brigade, "Purple Onion". The Purple Onion originally opened in 1952 under the management of Keith Rockwell. Purple Onion was released on vinyl for the first time on November 24, 2009.