", From bhamboost: "Parliament Funkadelic Mothership Connection 1976. ", Also on his list: "Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods, Legion Field, sometime in the 70's. 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! truly historic happening. Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. Rare Earth. Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. Springsteen played the 'short end' of the the Beard-Eaves with the curtain up. I tasted my first grits there my very first grit (laughs). [Montgomery native and fellow Robert E. Lee graduate Tommy Shaw came back from Chicago to join the group, staying six months until getting a call to join Styx, who needed a replacement for a guitarist whod left as they were about to go on tour. Published by at February 16, 2022. Think it was 1977," says Craigmo. "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. 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). YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. By nature, talent and inclination, Brennanwasentirely suited to the family business; thousands of fans knew his voice and remembered his name. That one was epic alright, unlike any other! In Montgomery, music was the Big Bam show put on at Garrett Coliseum by WBAM, and there I saw Neil Diamond, the Buckinghams, Tommy James and the Shondells. I only have these pictures of all the concerts we attended from the early 1960's to late 1960's. This one in 1969, was probably the last one I attended. Toni loved doing the show, but Daryl, who never enjoyed being on camera, did not. The Troggs. The venue? Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. White guys playing soul music!, Most of the stuff we played was music you could easily dance to, said Dupree. I didn't stay afterwards, but my friends who did said that he stood in the lobby as long as anyone was there greeting fans and talking about world hunger. Studio Phone Number: (334) 244-9898. Business Office/Studios 4101-A Wall Street Montgomery, AL 36106. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. Skyping with a Hermit "There was a police line for the Beatles to run through, and the stage was built up so people couldn't get to them.". Procedimientos. The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. They had easy backstage access, as well, and would confidently sashay throughout the venue. "In those days, you could go to a concert and there was only one back door. Dislike Share. But from the . The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. One of the Beach Boys told me it was the biggest talent show hed ever been in!. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007. "Excuse me---did I miss the ROLLING STONES STEEL WHEELS TOUR??????????????????" ", From bamamaam: "What about the lynyrd skynyrd concert at rickwood field in the '70's.? Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). I was there both times. "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka. Big Bam Show. Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. Its better than not being remembered at all.. Show Duplicate for Mar 22, 2013: Mar 08, 2013 Justin Moore: Garrett Coliseum: I was very happy with doing the work I did. Brother Cyril Brennan, 84, was alternately chief engineer, manager, program director and music director at WBAM and also involved in lining up talent. "Bill" Brennan, one of the owners of The Big Bam, Montgomery's renowned 50,000-watt radio station. We enjoyed all the years we spent in radio, said Dan Brennan, who now owns a video production company in Birmingham. ", From dassani: "I was there Could not have been better! "I don't have any regrets," hesays. He even did about 30 seconds of Sweet Home Alabama (that was before that song was worn out). "I'm so. No mention does anyone else remember that?". Hal Hodgens of WVOK is second from left. Yet. ), "I remember we used to have people come out to our station on the Bessemer Superhighway," Brennan says, "and they would tell us that our transmitter -- we had a 50-kilowatt transmitter, and it was pretty close to their homes -- and they said, 'Well, I'm picking you up on my coffeepot.'". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 1984 at the BJCC. It was everything. The father of six and grandfather of two currently lives in Montgomery and plays with the Bama Breeze Band. I said, 'Well, this is Roy's show. 3. "Play It All Night Long." Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. You are free to use the above map for educational and similar purposes; if you publish it online or in print . A buddy and I went down hoping for a miracle and some guy offered us two tickets for $10 bucks each which we gladly paid. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Tommy, I'm in Montgomery, Alabama. Brennan's memories of the showsare less starry-eyed and more businesslike, as befitsthe man who booked the acts, paid the bills and tallied the proceeds. He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period. 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 . Solid show during a year held in very high regard by a large number of Deadheads. "Tuscaloosa Memorial Coliseum 1972," said Randy Palmer. They actually were already signed to join, when Peace Concerts booked the January 31, 1975 show. 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. The Hollies. 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. "Ringo said, 'I'm not getting up there unless you build me a bannister around this thing.' ", Jerry Tavin/Photo courtesy of Everett Collection, From mcarter3: "Uhh. Where's Jimi Hendrix's concert at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1969? The Animals. When was the last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular? 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. (In 1965, Legion Field could seat more than 68,000 people.) I told someone to lower the seat, and when I sat down, it went all the way to the bottom, he said, chuckling. "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. The Fab Four wouldnt play to segregated audiences, and at that time this was the case in Alabama. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. The band also played Birmingham in May 1977, according to this story by Madison Underwood. ", "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. WMSP (740 AM, Sports Radio 740) is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, USA. "My late husband was owner of Peace Concerts, he brought hundreds of concerts to Birmingham, all over Alabama and southeast from 1970-1975," said Shari Graye. George Howell, who as George the D.J. co-hosted Hubcap Classics, was a big fan of the BAM shows beginning in the 9th grade. ", From Denniswingo: "The Grateful Dead in 1978 at the Boutwell Auditorium. I've seen so many good shows in Birmingham over the years! The only multiple-act show in the country similar to what the Brennans offered were those produced by Dick Clark. 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. We didn't make any money.". 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. The song actually topped the charts on WBAM in Montgomery, AL for a few weeks which gave us introductions to the British Invasion groups coming through Montgomery for the Big BAM shows held at the Coliseum for many years, like The Who, The Hollies, The Blues Magoos, The Kinks, and many more including American groups like The Beach Boys, The . I kept going to at least one show a year through about 1968, he said. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Jerry Lee Lewis hristie Lou C. Paul Revere & the Raiders . All rights reserved (About Us). Bobby Darin. December 24, 1958: Jerry Lee Lewis ; December 12, 1959: Fabian, The Fleetwoods, The Browns, Floyd Robinson and Bobby Lee Trammell Can you say Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?". (L-R) Bob Corley, David Headley, Cary Green, Jeffery Johnson, Bob Pike, John Key. Music lovers would line up at each venue, some arriving hours in advance, then rush inside to secure their favorite general-admission seats. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. Big Bam Show . "Big Church Night Out" / Newsboys / Sidewalk Prophets / 7eventh Time Down / Blanca / Derek Minor / Brock Gill / Jeremy Willet . We had a fabulous time.. The most entertaining act? 2. THE PROMOTIONAL POSTER OF THE WBAM, BIG BAM WINTER SPECTACULAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1967! Her harmonies with Eddie and Jimbo were legendary, and thus the group found its new name. ", The Birmingham News file photo/Philip Barr. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. The Who. What made those shows big was that Dan and Cyril would always pick the artists who were hot at the time, remembered Bill J. Moody, a former WBAM announcer and later host of Hubcap Classics. If a group had a hit record, we would have them. I told Jimbo we should all come in with walkers, laughed Beavers. We didnt play where people sat around and drank. The Beach Boys were fresh-faced headliners that night, riding high on the success of hits such as "I Get Around," "Surfer Girl," "Surfin' U.S.A,""Help Me, Rhonda" and "California Girls." Later acts included the Beach Boys, the Animals, the Dave Clark Five, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Tommy James and the Shondells and the perennial Montgomery favorite, Lou Christie. Butspeaking in general terms, each also hada specialty: Bill the visionaryentrepreneur, Cyril the tech-mindedpioneer, Dan the key concert producer and a smooth, recognizable voice at WVOK. Gate Band 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). 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. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' Thomas, joined by John Kay (solo after leaving Steppenwolf), the Grass Roots and others. He showed up about five minutes before his show was to go on. Vocalist in Salem, Alabama 1,320 views on fandalism. Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. Tommy James & Ed Sullivan. ", From Steve Wayne: "Guns N' Roses at the Birmingham Race Course. We got started because of the Beatles, said Jimbo Jones, longtime singer and guitarist with Harmony, one of the most popular bands to come out of Montgomery that played in the mid to late 70s at Keglers Kove, the lounge at Bama Lanes. When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). According to Ben Flanagan's story for AL.com, the band also played in Tuscaloosa at Memorial Coliseum, now Coleman Coliseum. The capsule was opened during a ceremony December 3, but a complete list of its contents were not released at the time. big bam shows montgomery, alabama. Members: Original members John Key, David Headley and Bob Corley plus David Langford, Mike Mobley, Larry Hughes, Bobby Johnson and Rick Roper. Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. Believing they could be the next stateside version of the Beatles, they went by a variety of catchy names: The Rockin Gibraltars, the Sweet Young Uns, The Drones, The Fabulous Shades, the Gate Band. In spirited retaliation, Paul Revere and the Raiders march in lock step across the stage behind performers Jan and Dean. In fact, it's safe to say that music shows producedby the Brennans, focusing on rock 'n' roll, Top 40 pop and country, defined the concert experience for an entire generation of fans in those cities. "Two guitars and a stool. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Tommy James & the Shondells. "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years. recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows, according to this story by Madison Underwood, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. He said, 'We're going to put both of them on.' But theres not a whole lot of money because theres no place for them to play. He would tear up the piano, Moody said, We couldnt find anyone to provide a piano, but he would put on a show. The Brennan kids were popular during the concert years, as you might expect, and Bartoletti says she, her four siblings and her cousins were fixtures at the WVOK shows, seated in the front row. WVOK is now all-sports. In Brennan's view, that's a satisfying legacy. Otherwise . Yes, the Beatles' performance was "a really big show," as Ed Sullivan wouldhave said. The station's studios are . The Beatles in Alabama? By the time they came to get us we were pretty shozzeled.. The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. "Elviswas an opening act," Brennan says. The Four Seasons. Deep South was incorporated in late July of 1950 with a capitalization of $60,000. One big favorite, however, appears to be a '70s date at Legion Field. Sweet Young Uns Patsy Cline Performs Her Final Show Country Music Memories; Most Wanted Music: 2023's Country and Americana Album Releases; Follow Us. If it's all right with him, it's all right with me. I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. 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. 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. One show in particular stands out. Carl Perkins. 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. Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. TheRolling Stones were closing the gap quickly, though, with a tougher, bluesier songbook that included "The Last Time," "Play With Fire" and "Time Is On My Side." 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. REENADED . The most popular group, both Brennan brothers agree, was Hermans Hermits (see sidebar below). And not just the concerts, but the whole experience building up to it. A memorable night that I won't ever forget. We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people. Clapton! There were a lot of fun people.. The Fabulous Shades, 1965. Whitwam, now in his 47th year playing music, is pleased with the makeup of their current audiences. Neither Tommy Shaw nor Beth Nielsen Chapman will be on hand due to their schedules. Dylan with Brian Setzer Orchestra opening (about 1998 ?). Go to the Archives "Radio played the song every twenty minutes. Dupree served with the Army in Vietnam, worked as an engineer in Muscle Shoals, and has been an electrical engineer for the Alabama Legislature for 27 years. The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered 3,983 views Aug 25, 2013 A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. 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. The station's transmitter is located in the town of Grady, Alabama. She came back a few minutes later and absolutely blasted a massive bongo solo. 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. The concert series started around 1960 with such stars as Fabian and Brenda Lee. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. 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. ", From cj75: "Grateful Dead, 5/17/77 in Tuscaloosa. Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC Several others mentioned seeing the Rolling Stones in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. From Billy Bromberg: "Led Zeppelin 1973, Coleman Coliseum." 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 following year 13 acts played in WVOKs Shower of Stars show at Legion Field in Birmingham. on. The show is a spin-off from MTV 's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast appeared. "It was quite a thing.". FACIAL. +40 (724) 307.599 Lu - Vi: 9:00 - 18:00; big bam shows montgomery, alabama Most of the clubs have gone to a single performer, or a duo or karaoke. ", From Ken Cole: "I was at Jerry Lee Lewis in Boutwell in the mid '60s when I was a kid. The audience was huge, sold out, 10,000 or more. Here, then, is a readers' choice list of 31 awesome concerts in Alabama, culled from email, Facebook and comments on the original post. The band's management initially asked for 85 percent of the ticket proceeds or $25,000, whichever was greater, Brennan says. View the Full Page. Categories . You can either do that, or you will not have a place to change. But the moment was indelible for one of his daughters, Debbie Brennan Bartoletti. Once solo and once with a band. Blue arcs of electricity knocked him unconscious and the show ended 15 minutes early. "I felt that I was lucky to be able to have the kind of job I had," Brennan says. to see more entries, Posted on June 1, 2011 by bob in Features. Cyril's wife Louise would make us outfits for the Shower of Stars, and we'd have on these big bell bottoms. The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. In one fell swoop, he was in hot demand. Or Nirvana at Boutwell in 1993?Or Roger McGuinn at Merrimack Hall in 2014? The early concert didn't begin until it was time for the second one, but it was worth the wait. The Byrds. 1973(?). Mountain 1971," said Billy Bromberg. 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. We would skip class and work setting up the stages for free admission and backstage passes. former wcti reporters; winter village montreal; western new england university greek life; 1980 camaro z28 for sale in canada. He never collectedconcertposters, handbills orother pieces of memorabilia. That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows! Big Bam Show Montgomery, Al 1960s F.U.N. Just a few of the letters WBAM received from fans providing input into the acts they wished to see at the shows. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. "I think the story about Buckingham Nicks is pretty interesting. . The Louvin Brothers. We had enough left over that, for a lot of our promotions after that, people would get free raincoats.". But in the minds of Alabama listeners, WVOK and WBAM ruled supreme, and the stations were closely linked by their concert series. 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.. Johnny Carson wanted him on The Tonight Show.Music fans were clamoring for the single and album that featured this emotion-filled song about a man in love with his wife, who planted a . The Rolling Stones. 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. Disbanded in 66, reunited 76, returned to active performance 1991. Garrett Coliseum, in contrast, could hold 10,000+ for a single performance in Montgomery. "One of my favorites was RUSH 1981 Mobile Municipal Auditorium," said tgfmiss. Ask anyone who was there. Brennanleft the radio business for good in 1982. Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. J Jackie Culpepper 662 followers More information WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered Record Case Montgomery Growing Up 60s Old Things Teen Memories Remember Videos