big bam shows montgomery, alabama

(In 1965, Legion Field could seat more than 68,000 people.) "Bill" Brennan, Billy Benns (Jr.) and Mrs. Luella B. Aldridge. The station's studios are . The concertlater gained a secure foothold in Alabamamusic history -- fans here still ooh and aah about it -- but it wasn't a money-making proposition. Moody remembers Roy Orbison being one of the nicer, more polite performers, and the Grass Roots, Paul Revere and Buckinghams being easy to work with. Big Bam Fall Spectacular has had 1 concert. Brennan, who understands the pull of nostalgia, says he's heard similar sentiments from many Birmingham folkswho came of age at the Shower of Stars. A guy during intermission pulled his hankee out of his pockes and a gun fell out and fired a round into the row od seats in front of us. But with two hotshot rock bandson the bill at Legion Field, the twangier acts faced a tougher crowd and some of the musicians felt like underdogs. Competition was evident between the two bands, Brennan says, as the Beach Boys returned for their splashiest date at the Shower of Stars, and the Stones made theirBirmingham debut on their first U.S. tour. "Elviswas an opening act," Brennan says. We occasionally wouldn't fill all three seatings in Birmingham, but I don't think we ever had one that was less than about 70 percent full, with all three together. Saturday, April 8, 1967 Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL Blues Magoos Brian Hyland Lou Christie The Buckinghams The Casinos The Electric Prunes The Royal Guardsmen The Turtles "I felt that I was lucky to be able to have the kind of job I had," Brennan says. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. The Other Side of Montgomery book. My personal favorite concert of all times was Billy Joel at the BJCC Concert Hall. Clipping found in Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama on Mar 24, 1966. Here, then, is a readers' choice list of 31 awesome concerts in Alabama, culled from email, Facebook and comments on the original post. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the station sponsored a series of pop/rock concerts known as "Big BAM Shows" featuring acts ranging from Paul Revere and the Raiders, Lou Christie, and The Beach Boys to comedian Pat Paulsen. But it never happened. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero for many of the major events central to the civil rights movement in this country. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. ", From Eric Pendergrass: "Grateful Dead BJCC April 4,5 1995.". By the summer of 1975 hed joined singer and keyboardist Eddie Wohlford and drummer Tommy Beavers to become part of Harvest, the precursor to the group Harmony at the Kove that spawned two major talents who made it big nationally: Tommy Shaw and Beth Nielsen Chapman. The . Her very own father was on stage, standing closeto four of the most famous musicians in the world. The bands that performed were: The Beach Boys / lou christie / Ian Whitcomb / The Happenings / the hollies / peter and gordon. (Photo courtesy of the Brennan family). I just went to the Coliseum for the music. Formed: 1963, Troy. ", From bhamboost: "Parliament Funkadelic Mothership Connection 1976. Respi Mee Sup Sabahiiat. We played all the way through college, says Long. Other notable former personalities included Bill J. Moody, Paul Simpkins, Mark Robbins, Gene Hocutt and Joe Cook. The 7 p.m.show-- billedas a music battle between the England and the United States-- also includedtheRighteous Brothers, Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Skeeter Davis, Del Reeves, Archie "Rindercella" Campbell and Cannibal and the Headhunters. He never asked forautographs. From kwe: "The best I've seen are all of the Big Bam shows during the '60s in Montgomery, Garrett Coliseum; Eagles, 1977 in Mobile: Fleetwood Mac, 1977 in Bham CC; Atlanta Rhythm Section, 1978 in Troy Sartain; Heart/America, 1985 in Montgomery CC; Stevie Ray Vaughn/Joe Cocker, 1986 in Bham Oak Mtn; Rolling Stones, 1989 in Bham Legion Field; John Fogerty/Willie Nelson, 2006 in Bham Oak Mtn; Chicago, 2011 in Mtgy MPAC. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School. He founded his own company, Brennan Video Productions, in 1982and he continues to work there, transferring VHS tapes, old films and other retro footage to DVDs. Patsy Cline. The band also played Birmingham in May 1977, according to this story by Madison Underwood. It is amazing to think that was 41 years ago. Dislike Share. We enjoyed all the years we spent in radio, said Dan Brennan, who now owns a video production company in Birmingham. WBAM signed on in 1953 as AM 740. The Rockin' Rebellions won top honors - beating out 67 other bands from throughout Alabama. The original investors in the company were William J. We had enough left over that, for a lot of our promotions after that, people would get free raincoats.". The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. ", The Birmingham News file photo/Philip Barr. The Temptations and The Supremes, The TCB Tour, Auburn University, 1972. Their first gig was at the Wetumpka Recreation Center where admission was $1. The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. ", From Will-I: "Bruce Springsteen in Auburn in 1975. When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). He also helped to choose and line up some of the concert talent. One of the most powerful Shower of Stars events happened on May 7, 1965, when WVOK brought the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys to Legion Field. Montgomery resident Mike Vickery remembers getting a friends mother to drive him and others to the WBAM station to get tickets as soon as they went on sale so we could get them near the front on the floor. On one occasion, he accompanied some female friends to the Diplomat Inn where they spotted Lou Christie sitting by the pool, a secret one of them has never told her mother to this day.. She came back a few minutes later and absolutely blasted a massive bongo solo. We didn't make any money.". In the 1960's WVOK, in Birmingham Alabama, would have the top bands play at one huge concert. And so he gave them -- the only show in the whole country that did this -- we gave them a flat $50,000, which was pretty good in those days. We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people. ", From REDSEA: "While I was going to UNA back in 81, I worked on the Stage Crew on these concerts at UNA: Atlanta Rhythm Section (pictured), Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, Hotel, Crystal Gale. blues show montgomery, al 2021. guildford school of acting auditions; gilroy google font alternative; cuisinart steamer insert; Blog Post Title February 26, 2018. Several members still play in other bands for private parties, or solo at local restaurants, and on June 9, several members of Harmony plan a reunion show at the Blue Iguana in Prattville. Music you could dance to We would always find the artists who were very popular with our audience, and we would try to get them, and we usually were successful.". Their big prize was three VOX . Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). "I don't have any regrets," hesays. "It didn't matter. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. That's how we put together our shows. Any of the Yes shows in Birmingham! Rare Earth. I was very happy with doing the work I did. He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows! WBAM was a powerhouse at 50,000 watts, covering much of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.From its earliest days, WBAM put on concerts for the Montgomery area. There was this woman who was playing the bongos who literally passed out playing. Hello? Think it was 1977," says Craigmo. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. He remembers the Kove days with Harvest/Harmony fondly, not only for the bands music but the people who came to see them. Of all the concerts I've been to in my lifetime, this one was the most memorable. Brennanleft the radio business for good in 1982. Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. Rich Thomas Weather. One big favorite, however, appears to be a '70s date at Legion Field. Tommy James & the Shondells. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. A memorable night that I won't ever forget. So they both sang a few bars of the song, 'You're the Reason I'm Living," and we still couldn't decide which one was the real one. There are still a lot of local bands out there, said Sonny Grier, lead singer with the Rockin Gibraltars. I think we had at least 15,000-16,000 people there. The WMSP studios are located on the 3rd floor of . People came from several states to see these shows. JLL put on a hell of a show also. Because it was so big, we ran on stage as soon as we were introduced, grabbed our instruments and started playing before the applause died down. View the Full Page. Mosley tribes Lyndel . That way I could see the stars and hear the music better. At this point, Mick Jagger and his pals were poised to release"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," their first international smash. "I'm so. WVOK would produce another show at Legion Field before the station left the concert business -- the Osmonds and Springfield Revival appeared there on Aug. 15, 1973 -- but for the most part, Municipal Auditorium remained home base for the Shower of Stars. "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. by Lenore Reese Vickrey: photos by the Brennan Family, Lenore Vickrey, As the arena began to fill up, you could hear the noise of the crowd from backstage. As a result, Captain and Tennille declined ABC's offer to do a second season. I've seen so many good shows in Birmingham over the years! But Lewis went over his allotted time. Gobs of people have asked us when were going to do another reunion. The Quad show was FREE! That was a lot of money. "It cost enough that we were lucky to come out with just enough and break even with it," Brennan says. For fans, half the fun was trying for a glimpse of the stars at their hotel or coming to and from the coliseum. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. "Play It All Night Long." Wish I had gotten one. Bobby Goldsboro was having a nice run of hits in the mid-'60s when suddenly, with the release of a song called "Honey" in 1968, he became a major star. Music lovers would line up at each venue, some arriving hours in advance, then rush inside to secure their favorite general-admission seats. In 2020, the median property value in Montgomery, AL was $121,100, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%. "Put You Down" was written by lead guitarist Max Kendrick and vocalist Rich Gainer. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I said, 'Elvis, I'm sorry, but we can't accommodate you, because it is his show.' Carl Perkins. The Fabulous Shades Classics such as Midnight Hour, (Wilson Pickett), Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd), and Mr. During a recent show some ladies, obviously a few years older than him, recognized Grier from the early Gibraltar days. Fees for the other acts were in the $300-$400 range, he says. I believe that city has a particular significance to you. We stayed at the same hotel as them. 6 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. By today's standards, his solution to the latter problemseems charmingly old-school. "It was a promotional thing for us. Many who danced the night away to the Rockin Gibraltars or who nursed a beer and smoked a cigarette listening to Harmony, recall those days with particular fondness and with nostalgia for a time that wont likely return. The Beatles in Alabama? Pitiful (Otis Redding) sound so much better with real horns.. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The Captain and Tennille Show became a network hit and featured guest stars such as John Travolta, Don Knotts, The Pointer Sisters, and Red Foxx. The other name band on the show was the Allman Brothers, they had just released their first album. ", From Art Meripol: "U2's Zoo Tour at Legion was pretty fun from the floor.". "It was cold outside, show was to begin at 6 but began at 9; coeds from T-town waited for 2nd show which was to begin at 9 but began at about 2 next morning, had to get permission to stay in those days and freeze outside at Auburn University Coliseum. He showed up about five minutes before his show was to go on. There were a lot of fun people.. big bam shows montgomery, alabamasmart search field in safari. It gave them a voice. (The station's nickname, "the Mighty 690," referred to its spot on the AM dial.). One show in particular stands out. said donnna. He didn't insist onphotos. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' Wed go all over, even the Old Dutch in Panama City.. "His 'side' men was the entire Little Feat rhythm section. I can sing as good or better now than I did then, said Grier. I always was impressed about how well the bands performed when they were live, even though the Coliseum acoustics werent so good.. And not just the concerts, but the whole experience building up to it. Montgomery's home for country music favorites like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert . [2] Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. Tickets were priced at$1.50-$5.50 per show, Brennan says, and artists' fees usually ran about $300-$7,500 per act. Despite her young age -- she was 7 that year -- Bartoletti felt another emotion at the Gator Bowl: extreme pride. Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller), Big BAM Show. Blue arcs of electricity knocked him unconscious and the show ended 15 minutes early. We put on a heck of a show, said Grier. Jerry Lee Lewis, the Brennans said. Although he admits to anoccasional pang of longing, looking back on his previouscareer, Brennan is far from retired. Saw them at the University of Alabama home coming in 1978 as well. The Hollies. I said, 'Well, this is Roy's show. Disbanded in 66, reunited 76, returned to active performance 1991. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. No one came down to buy scalped tickets at the price everyone thought they were going to have to pay.. hehehehe .", From Mark Keppler: "Eagles 1977 Hotel California Tour Civic Center. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. ", From Ken Cole: "I was at Jerry Lee Lewis in Boutwell in the mid '60s when I was a kid. "There was a little office backstage, and I remember seeing my father and uncles back there with a security guard," Bartoletti says.

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