The stage was an immense rectangle glutted with scaffolding and hundreds of klieg lights and a sound system on a board that looked like the skyline of New York at night. Deep South was incorporated in late July of 1950 with a capitalization of $60,000. "Excuse me---did I miss the ROLLING STONES STEEL WHEELS TOUR??????????????????" WMSP (740 AM, Sports Radio 740) is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, USA. Moody remembers the group mysteriously disappeared after one show and had to be retrieved to play their second gig (lead singer Peter Noone was known to enjoy a party.). We rode up the . Instead, the concert was held at the Gator Bowl under the auspices of the Brennans Jacksonville station WAPE, the Big APE. "Rolling Stones, October 5, 1989, Legion Field," said Emily A. The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. Anotherbrother, Bill Brennan, was the undisputed chief of the Jacksonville station, and had houses in Montgomery and Jacksonville. Neil Diamond. ", From Ken Cole: "I was at Jerry Lee Lewis in Boutwell in the mid '60s when I was a kid. 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 Larry Gilbreath: "I know it's been a long time ago but not one single June Jam in Fort Payne on the list unbelievable." 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. Two years later WBAM went country and the station was later sold. Nov 2011 Prime Montgomery by Bob Corley - Issuu All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. ", From Eric Pendergrass: "Grateful Dead BJCC April 4,5 1995.". In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. Home; My Books; Browse . That one was epic alright, unlike any other! His current band, The Soul Crackas, does many of the same soul hits the Rockin Gibraltar performed. FUNK-ON. Customer Help Desk I always got seats on the floor for the shows. Hendrix only played a limited number of concerts before he died and the one in Tuscaloosa blew the top off Memorial Coliseum. (The Beatles' popularity in the U.S. exploded in 1964, and that year's tour was a watershed moment for the band.). show bam - enow.com - Content Results Bottom (l-r), Ronnie Monroe, Bobby Dupree and Rusty Crumpton. If you were a teenager anywhere near Montgomery in the mid-60s and early 70s, the concert scene didnt get any better than the fanfests known as the Big BAM shows. ", From GmanGent: "Alice Cooper Von Braun in 1974's Welcome to my Nightmare Tourone of the most successful tours financially up until that time. ", From UABMBA: "One of the greatest concerts in Alabama was The Rolling Stones with Chuck Berry at Auburn Memorial Coliseum, November 14, 1969. Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs.. WBAM ~ Trax & Grooves - Blogger As a result, Captain and Tennille declined ABC's offer to do a second season. THE PROMOTIONAL POSTER OF THE WBAM, BIG BAM WINTER SPECTACULAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1967! The Big Bam shows in Montgomery were on my list," said Jack Boles. "Me and my girlfriends would get up at -- holy moly, 6 a.m. -- and get there long before the show ever started," said Connie Peek, a former Shower of Stars regular, during a 2003 interview with The Birmingham News. But it was one of many concerts organized by the Brennans, as they sought to cement listeners' loyalty to WVOK in Birmingham, WBAM-AM in Montgomery and WAPE in Jacksonville. When was the last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular? Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. "There was a little one, and a big one, and we didn't know which was which," Brennan says. I can sing as good or better now than I did then, said Grier. Moody also got to do his share of transporting stars, taking them to the Diplomat Inn, owned by Bill Brennan, older brother of Cyril and Dan and a partner in WBAM and WAPE. ", From Jeremy Don McCollough: "Guns N' Roses played the Birmingham race course, it was a muddy mess. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? He was a very special guy. Springsteen played the 'short end' of the the Beard-Eaves with the curtain up. Iron Butterfly. It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007. I dont feel like well have any problem (remembering their songs). Its a good bet theyll play some Steely Dan, Crosby, Stills & Nash, a favorite, Sweet Magnolia, and Bill Hinds rendition of Joe Walshs Rocky Mountain Way.. ", From ghostreader: "Springsteen, mobile civic center theater may 1976. We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. Skyping with a Hermit Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller), Big BAM Show. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. "One of my favorites was RUSH 1981 Mobile Municipal Auditorium," said tgfmiss. 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. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. Wed ask them, Who would you like to see? Then wed select artists for the shows from this listener input.. ", From Shapeshiftinhmojo: "Jimi Hendrix played Alabama twice in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn in 1968 or 69. ", From Denniswingo: "The Grateful Dead in 1978 at the Boutwell Auditorium. He and his wife live north of Prattville in a 1930s shack, have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild. The only multiple-act show in the country similar to what the Brennans offered were those produced by Dick Clark. "Cyril's idea was, 'Tell them to sing, just a little bit, and make sure that we get the right one.' WBAM-FM - Wikipedia Welcome to my Nightmare in Huntsville Von Braun 1975 and KISS in 1976 at Von Braun. 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. Clipping found in Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama on Mar 24, 1966. Pin on The Old Record Case - pinterest.com Big Bam Fall Spectacular has had 1 concert. by Lenore Vickrey If you were a teenager in south-central Alabama in the 1960s, chances are you danced the jerk, flirted with that cute boy, or made out in the corner of the high school gym to the music of a live band of local erstwhile musicians. Shower of Stars audiences were accustomed to seeing a mix of rock, pop and country acts on stage, and the lineup for every show had a pecking order. big bam shows montgomery, alabama - joannascottcreative.com According to Dan, the only surviving brother, it was Bill's decision to offer$50,000 to the Beatles for their appearance at the Gator Bowl. The Beatles were paid a fee of $50,000 -- a hefty sum in those days, Brennan says -- and in the thick of the civil rights movement, the band's contract specified that they wouldn't perform for a segregated audience. Steve Lander, who originally booked Harvest at the Kove in 1975, has offered the Blue Iguana free for the night. They actually were already signed to join, when Peace Concerts booked the January 31, 1975 show. "I'm so old. They enjoy reminiscing about the stars, the shows and the fans who made it possible. WMSP - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia It was electric. 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. Your favorite concerts in Alabama music history - al.com 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. Best Review Site for Digital Cameras. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. big bam shows montgomery, alabama That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows! Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists | setlist.fm "I remember the Rolling Stones came up to me, and they said, 'You don't really expect us to get into the same RV that the Beach Boys are in, do you?' One of the Beach Boys told me it was the biggest talent show hed ever been in!. HOW COME PAUL GODDARD PUSHES HIS GLASSES UP THE BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE? 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. at 3126 Jasmine Road, was built in the early 1960s by William J. Back then, thats what music was about, remembers Bobby Dupree, 63, drummer with The Rockin Gibraltars, a popular Montgomery-based group in the 60s. recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows, according to this story by Madison Underwood, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Shop Now Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "There was a police line for the Beatles to run through, and the stage was built up so people couldn't get to them.". Now sales manager for a Dothan radio station, Moody fondly remembers working as a teenager at a 1959 WBAM concert featuring singer Connie Francis. Jerry Lee Lewis. His wild antics while playing the piano, including jumping on the keyboard, whipped the audience into a frenzy, making his act the most exciting at the time, Cyril Brennan added. 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. It was the summer after my senior year, said Grier, who was joined by Keith Brewer on bass, Bobby Dupree on drums, Rusty Crumpton on guitar, Ronnie Monroe on trumpet and Ed Sanford on keyboards. When I got on stage the drum kit seat was way too high. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). Fees for the other acts were in the $300-$400 range, he says. Shower of Stars - Bhamwiki . Where else could you scream your head off while watching a dozen live acts play the hit songs you listened to on your transistor radio for the whopping ticket price of $2.50? Herman's Hermits. Brennan and his wife, Clara, who handled ticketing, estimate that one-third of the tickets for any Shower of Stars datewere purchased on faith, before the lineup was ever announced. THE 5 BEST Upcoming Concerts & Shows in Montgomery - Tripadvisor 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. "We had a room set up at our house that had little cubbyholes, like a post office has, and Clara would be back there, stuffing these envelopes, and getting the tickets," Brennan says. snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. The Fabulous Shades Tickets to these shows were typically $3 to $4. The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. Some of the items will go on exhibit starting Thursday at the Alabama. When Peter Noone left Hermans Hermits in 1971, Hermits drummer Barry Whitwam keep going, and today continues to lead his own Hermans Hermits band (as does Noone performing as Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noone). The WMSP studios are located on the 3rd floor of . Date:Sun, 5 Jun 2005 09:12:45 -0400 I'll tell you a story about that WBAM show in Montgomery. The early concert didn't begin until it was time for the second one, but it was worth the wait. From:"Rodney Justo" To:"robert register" Subject:Re: HEY EL NIXO! Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists Apr 8 1967 Date Saturday, April 8, 1967 Venue Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA Report festival So far there are setlists of 9 gigs. Tommy James, of Tommy James and the Shondells, describing his appearance at the WBAM and WVOK Summer Shows in 1966 (from Me, the Mob and the Music). "The level of excitement was unbelievable," Bartoletti says. "It was rewarding, because people seemed to respond to some of the things I was doing. The . And didn't ever explain to the people what had happened. But theres not a whole lot of money because theres no place for them to play. Elvis Presley. I had to play the whole set standing up!. Edgar Winter Group with the Frankenstein tour," said Rick Allen. Wish I had gotten one. The bands that performed were: The Beach Boys / lou christie / Ian Whitcomb / The Happenings / the hollies / peter and gordon. Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. 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. Renamed Rock Hull Band in 77 before reclaiming original name in 90. Instant Help Questions? This book takes a thought-provoking, even-handed look at those days from the perspective of a typical white kid growing up in Montgomery during that . The station's transmitter is located in the town of Grady, Alabama. ", From dassani: "I was there Could not have been better! Most recently they performed earlier this year for a benefit show for ailing former bandmate Keith Brewer, who died in April of cancer. The group recorded a few songs at Muscle Shoals FAME Studios, played around the Los Angeles area with big name bands like Vanilla Fudge and Three Dog Night, and once opened for Jimi Hendrix. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. She remembers her father's words with startling clarity, along with the thrill she experiencedwhile sitting in the front row. "He said, 'Dan, I like to play for you here in town, but I don't want you to ever book me on a show like this again. The band's management initially asked for 85 percent of the ticket proceeds or $25,000, whichever was greater, Brennan says. My personal favorite concert of all times was Billy Joel at the BJCC Concert Hall. Music of a Generation: Big BAM Shows | Prime Montgomery 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. Studio Phone Number: (334) 244-9898. Business Office/Studios 4101-A Wall Street Montgomery, AL 36106. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. The venue? For more, visit Rich's YouTube Channel . I never chased the stars around to hotels or anything. The Righteous Brothers. The Show That Almost Happened The detailed map shows the US state of Alabama with boundaries, the location of the state capital Montgomery, major cities and populated places, rivers and lakes, interstate highways, principal highways, railroads and major airports. "Probably the most famous and beloved would be Buckingham Nicks at Boutwell in January of 1975. Several others mentioned seeing the Rolling Stones in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. fireworks at the end while playing freebird.??? Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. And the Shower of Stars concerts still linger in localmemory. Oh, and some guy named David on slide. I play music half the time, the other half Im a toilet salesman, Jones said, which means hes in wholesale plumbing with Thompson Supply Co. "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. Famous quotes containing the words historical and/or videos: Yet. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. The WVOK Shower of Stars was a series of concerts sponsored by WVOK-AM at the Birmingham Armory and later at Birmingham's Municipal Auditorium.Program director Dan Brennan organized the shows, which gained national notice.. Concerts. WVOK is now all-sports. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. Montgomery, Alabama, United States: Apr 15, 2016 keith sweat / Juvenile / Morris Day & The Time / Cherelle: . But the moment was indelible for one of his daughters, Debbie Brennan Bartoletti. Despite her young age -- she was 7 that year -- Bartoletti felt another emotion at the Gator Bowl: extreme pride. By 1972 the heyday of the big shows had passed. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "That was before he became very big. The show is a spin-off from MTV 's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast appeared. It wasnt concerts where you played and 500 people sat down and listened to you. ", Brennan, headquartered in Birmingham, rode herd over the Shower of Stars and was the primary talent buyer for the concerts, along with his other duties at WVOK. The author recalls with fondness the casual neighborliness that existed within his community, the freedom that children enjoyed to roam and play, and the slower pace of life that prevailed. WVOK Shower Of Stars-Advertisements He remembers the Kove days with Harvest/Harmony fondly, not only for the bands music but the people who came to see them. ", From Steve Wayne: "Guns N' Roses at the Birmingham Race Course. "We'd camp out at the door, on the steps and wait. He must have played an hour and 20 minutes or more. In 1964 the Brennans Jacksonville, Florida station, WAPE, hosted the Beatles in concert at the Gator Bowl (see sidebar below). Roy Orbis. One of Brennan's favorite anecdotes concerns a young Elvis Presley, making waves and jostling for position before a concerton Dec. 3,1955, at Garrett Coliseum. Oxford American | He Made You Look into the Abyss and Like It More like this Cheerleading Pictures Cheerleading Uniforms Girls Knee Socks Saddle Shoes Long Socks Roller Derby Time Capsule Cheer Up Female Athletes Cheerleaders 1960-70s- Loving the knee socks, saddle shoes, and huge pom poms! Though theyve had other jobs over the years, neither Jones nor Beavers have stopped playing music. WMSP - Wikiwand Zero , Northwest Florida: 06/18/2006 - 06/25/2006 - Blogger So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! The Beatles in Alabama? Louise Brennan, Cyril's wife, at the Beatles' press conference in Jacksonville. With an amazing backing band, he proceeded to entertain the entire evening. Hisconcertseries rocked their worlds and shaped their music tastes, in tandem with WVOK. pigella miraculous ladybug power. They have reformed several times with different members, playing for Lee High School reunions. The Buckinghams. Bob Brennen gave me these. At the time, Sonny was interested Cher's friend, not her. The Rockin' Rebellions | Birmingham Record Collectors 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. Pitiful (Otis Redding) sound so much better with real horns.. I think we had at least 15,000-16,000 people there. Categories . 6 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. Which concerts will go down in history at Alabama music venues? FACIAL. J Jackie Culpepper 662 followers More information WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered Record Case Montgomery Growing Up 60s Old Things Teen Memories Remember Videos We didn't make any money.". ", The Birmingham News file photo/Philip Barr. BOBBY GOLDSBORO. Formed: 1963, Troy. Jones, now 59, also played school dances and armories in a group called The Drones. Dan Brennan, center, backstage at the Shower of Stars with with Paul Revere & the Raiders. Beavers has played drums for various bands, including Doc Severinson, Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett, winning a Grammy Award for Best Performance by Duo or Group in 1994 while a member of Asleep at the Wheel. Zero , Northwest Florida: 08/22/2010 - 08/29/2010 - Blogger The band also played Birmingham in May 1977, according to this story by Madison Underwood. Several readers made fond mention of multi-act shows presented by WBAM-AM, a sister station to Birmingham's WVOK-AM, during the 1960s and early '70s. Via a longstanding partnership with the Benns family, the Brennans also extended theirreach to Chattanooga, the home of WFLI-AM. But Lewis went over his allotted time. ", "I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but for the Alabama Theater I would definitely include Warren Zevon's show in, what?.1986 or '87?, said earman1. Dan'sbrother, Cyril Brennan, who lived in Montgomery, held several titles during his tenure at WBAM: chief engineer, station manager and program director among them. We put on a heck of a show, said Grier. Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. (It was free.) Whitwam remembers little of that show, but subsequent performances are crystal clear. Biography Toni Tennille The Big BAM was WBAM, the 50,000-watt AM radio station owned by the Brennan family, whose other Alabama station was Birmingham's WVOK. All rights reserved (About Us). 'I did it my way.'". They were a staple at dances for years, packing National Guard armories, gymnasiums, and teen clubs from Montgomery to Opp and Troy, and college campuses at Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Ole Miss. Her very own father was on stage, standing closeto four of the most famous musicians in the world. WMSP is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, United States. According to Ben Flanagan's story for AL.com, the band also played in Tuscaloosa at Memorial Coliseum, now Coleman Coliseum. As Brennan recalls it, the Beach Boys were paid $7,500 for their performance, and the Rolling Stones received $5,000. "Lynyrd Skynyrd, after Montrose featuring Sammy Hagar July 4th, 1975 at Rickwood Field," said Bamabadger62. "I think the story about Buckingham Nicks is pretty interesting. 0. blues show montgomery, al 2021. WMSP - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core One was the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, which was to host a concert on September 10 th. 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. "It cost enough that we were lucky to come out with just enough and break even with it," Brennan says. Sweet Young Uns This was the last concert they did before going back to LA and joining the band Fleetwood Mac. Signature songs include Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Cryin (Roy Orbison). "This was a daytime concert that seemed like a war zone with fireworks flying everywhere. Paul Revere & the Raiders. He would tear up the piano, Moody said, We couldnt find anyone to provide a piano, but he would put on a show. The Four Seasons. Concert History of Garrett Coliseum Montgomery, Alabama, United States Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? "Rickwood Field, late 70's. Big Bam Show - Newspapers.com Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys were the headliners that evening, and the billincluded Kitty Wells, Johnnie and Jack, Fred Wamble, Jack Turner and Buddy Hawk. 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. ", From bhamboost: "Parliament Funkadelic Mothership Connection 1976. Big Bam Show Montgomery, Al 1960s F.U.N. | Views, Montgomery, Pandora Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. By the time we got to the steps of the BJCC a guy had a shoebox full of tickets that he was trying to sell for a buck each. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School. It was a real happening thing.. The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. By the time they came to get us we were pretty shozzeled.. Beavers and Jones will be joined by former members Kelvin Holly, who works in the recording industry in Muscle Shoals and tours with Neil Young, and Bill Hinds, who tours with the Paul Thorn Band. WBAM, also known as Bama Country 98.9, is a country music formatted radio station that serves the Montgomery Metropolitan Area, broadcasting on the FM band at a frequency of 98.9 MHz and licensed to Montgomery, Alabama. Hank Williams was another frequent live on-air performer. That's how we put together our shows. shimano ep8 630wh battery range While Gator Bowl officials relented to a desegregated audience for the concert, two other venues Epstein had chosen were problematic.
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