big bam shows montgomery, alabama. Two years later WBAM went country and the station was later sold. Then another. [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. A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. The bands that performed were: The Beach Boys / lou christie / Ian Whitcomb / The Happenings / the hollies / peter and gordon. to see more entries, Posted on November 1, 2011 by bob in Features. "I didn't stay up there too long," Brennan says, laughing. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? One show in particular stands out. Submit a request Contact us through a specially prepared form. Here, then, is a readers' choice list of 31 awesome concerts in Alabama, culled from email, Facebook and comments on the original post. The WMAQ slogan came from a contest where winners would have to answer the phone "WMAQ's gonna make me rich," so you had people using the phrase anytime. WMSP (740 AM, "Sports Radio 740") is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, USA.The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. Dan Brennan at the mic introducing the Beatles at their Gator Bowl appearance in Jacksonville, Florida. I said, 'Cyril, what do you think we ought to do?' I missed a bunch more, though!". Formed: 1966, Tallassee. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. Home; My Books; Browse . In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. The Other Side of Montgomery book. So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! It was everything. ", Jerry Tavin/Photo courtesy of Everett Collection, From mcarter3: "Uhh. Where's Jimi Hendrix's concert at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1969? The Hollies. 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. snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. The Rogues of Montgomery, AL cut one great rock single, "Put You Down" b/w a version of "Stormy Monday Blues". Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? Thousands of Beatles fans were ready to twist and shout in the Southeast, and the Brennan clan had made it happen. They responded, swiftly and passionately, to a recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows at venues throughout the state. 2. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. Men. The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. We were very obnoxious to the security guard, who was the nicest guy, and of course, we would go in and outside all the time. That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows! 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. So we had to delay the start of the show about 15 minutes or so while the carpenters came out and put these rails together. Gate Band The Show That Almost Happened Dylan with Brian Setzer Orchestra opening (about 1998 ?). Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. The Brennan Brothers were radio broadcast innovators of the 1950s and 60s, when they owned and operated powerhouse stations in Jacksonville, Chattanooga, and . 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. Jimbo Jones (L) and Tommy Beavers look forward to the reunion of Harmony. Go to the Archives Although he admits to anoccasional pang of longing, looking back on his previouscareer, Brennan is far from retired. 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. We only heard them. "To go to the concerts was huge. For fans, half the fun was trying for a glimpse of the stars at their hotel or coming to and from the coliseum. It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007. "In those days, you could go to a concert and there was only one back door. 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). "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. 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. It feels good. 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 . But the moment was indelible for one of his daughters, Debbie Brennan Bartoletti. At this point, Mick Jagger and his pals were poised to release"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," their first international smash. 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? 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. ', "We went over there and asked Roy, and he said, 'No, we're not going to do that. Signature songs include Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Cryin (Roy Orbison). (Photo courtesy of the Brennan family). George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . 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 just went to the Coliseum for the music. Think it was 1977," says Craigmo. I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. Back then, thats what music was about, remembers Bobby Dupree, 63, drummer with The Rockin Gibraltars, a popular Montgomery-based group in the 60s. 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. He and his wife live north of Prattville in a 1930s shack, have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild. HOW COME PAUL GODDARD PUSHES HIS GLASSES UP THE BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE? Bobby Dupree (L) and Sonny Grier of the Rockin' Gibraltars. (The Beatles' popularity in the U.S. exploded in 1964, and that year's tour was a watershed moment for the band.). Patsy Cline. But from the . That was a lot of money. (It was free.) When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). (The station's nickname, "the Mighty 690," referred to its spot on the AM dial.). Mountain 1971," said Billy Bromberg. We always had the feeling, said Dan Brennan, that it was more than just a job., It was the golden era of rock and roll, said Moody. The capsule was opened during a ceremony December 3, but a complete list of its contents were not released at the time. 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. Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park 52 Theaters Parks By Meowy Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. Brennan estimates that 16,000-17,000 people came to Legion Field for the show, fulfilling the radio station's mission but falling short of blockbuster status. The Buckinghams. ", "I'm also inclined to mention 1982 at Boutwell when the Blizzard of Ozz played; Randy Rhoades' third to last appearance before his tragic death," said GmanGent. 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. By March 15, 2021 No Comments. "Probably the most famous and beloved would be Buckingham Nicks at Boutwell in January of 1975. "I felt that I was lucky to be able to have the kind of job I had," Brennan says. "Play It All Night Long." And the Brennans knew how to put on a show.. "And that made a big difference, because people didn't have the opportunity to turn on the TV set and see these artists, after they'd been buying their records. Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. The station's studios are . As a result, Captain and Tennille declined ABC's offer to do a second season. The Beatles in Alabama? "There was a little one, and a big one, and we didn't know which was which," Brennan says. The Rolling Stones. But theres not a whole lot of money because theres no place for them to play. "The Stranger album had just come out and was only beginning to get some air play. We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. 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. His clothes were all rumpled, and he said, 'Dan, I need to go on later in the show. Can you say Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?". Im content where Im at, said Beavers, except I could lose about 80 pounds.. He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period. For this little kid from Wetumpka, that was a big, big deal, he said. I'm sure they were totally confused.". 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. Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. Big Bam Show. There were a lot of fun people.. With no sound checks between acts, group would run on stage and begin playing almost immediately. They had easy backstage access, as well, and would confidently sashay throughout the venue. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' "Lynyrd Skynyrd, after Montrose featuring Sammy Hagar July 4th, 1975 at Rickwood Field," said Bamabadger62. ", 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." said donnna. The . All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 6 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. We mostly had a lot of fun., They were especially known for their James Brown-style revue, with Grier wearing a cape much like the Godfather of Soul used while singing Please, Please, Please., The group got a break in 1968 when a Hollywood producer spotted them at the Big BAM show, and wanted to sign them to a recording contract. "It cost enough that we were lucky to come out with just enough and break even with it," Brennan says. 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. 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. That radio station had its concerts, too, dubbedJet-Fli Spectaculars, at the Soldiers &Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Pitiful (Otis Redding) sound so much better with real horns.. 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. But in the minds of Alabama listeners, WVOK and WBAM ruled supreme, and the stations were closely linked by their concert series. Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. Welcome to my Nightmare in Huntsville Von Braun 1975 and KISS in 1976 at Von Braun. nellson nutraceutical revenue; arlington catholic basketball roster; jack cawood and suzy hunt; lawn vacuum for acorns rental. 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.". Office Phone: (334) 244-0961 Office Fax: (334) 279-9563 Rick Peters - President / General Manager Jennifer Pestrichelli - Director of Sales Jay Scott - Operations Manager Shelby Ingram - Promotions Director So it was a deliberate attempt to identify with people, and to recognize that they were requesting these songs. April 8, 1967: State Coliseum, Montgomery, AL with Electric Prunes, Buckinghams, Lou Christie, Brian Hyland and The Jokers, Tommy James and The Shondells, Royal Guardsmen, The Blues Magoos, The Casinos and others "WBAM presents Big Bam All-Star Spring Show" April 14, 1967: University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA with Freudian Slip ", From Denniswingo: "The Grateful Dead in 1978 at the Boutwell Auditorium. A memorable night that I won't ever forget. Anotherbrother, Bill Brennan, was the undisputed chief of the Jacksonville station, and had houses in Montgomery and Jacksonville. The primary reason for the shows was to keep a personal relationship with the listeners, said Dan Brennan, 81, former general manager at WVOK. Herman's Hermits. Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. Clipping found in Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama on Mar 24, 1966. The chips were glued into Dianes scrap book between photos of the Beatles. Flintstone House. Dan Brennan had the honor of introducing the Beatles. In 2020, the median property value in Montgomery, AL was $121,100, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%. Instant Help Questions? We try to introduce people to music maybe they werent aware of. Signature song includes Both Sides of the Road, about Perdido Bay, written by Ham Wilson. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Big Bam Show Montgomery, Al 1960s F.U.N. Fans also rushed to nominate their favorites when asked for feedback. Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. We played all the way through college, says Long. Only concert I have ever been to where they had tee shirts for the guitarist in the band along with the band's shirts. Edgar Winter Group with the Frankenstein tour," said Rick Allen. He would tear up the piano, Moody said, We couldnt find anyone to provide a piano, but he would put on a show. Western European Countries, Italian Restaurants In Sandy Springs, Contemporary Music For All Coma, Ford Bronco Reservation Login, Panoplie Dragoeuf Dofus Touch, River Radio Station, Nice In Korean, How Did Tamerlan Tsarnaev Die, Den Of Behemoths Boss, We had enough left over that, for a lot of our promotions after that, people would get free raincoats.". 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. To be honest, Brennan doesn't precisely recall what he said to the audience that evening, just before the mop-topped John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr took the stage. Her very own father was on stage, standing closeto four of the most famous musicians in the world. 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. 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. 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. Yet. fireworks at the end while playing freebird.??? Lou Christie was huge in Montgomery. Members: Original members John Key, David Headley and Bob Corley plus David Langford, Mike Mobley, Larry Hughes, Bobby Johnson and Rick Roper. And they accepted it, but we did get the total amount of the gate that came in. Herman's Hermits in the studio, Barry Whitwam on drums. The Animals. Elvis Presley. The Fab Four wouldnt play to segregated audiences, and at that time this was the case in Alabama. 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. We were considered the number one soul band in the south. You are free to use the above map for educational and similar purposes; if you publish it online or in print . The mothership landed in the BJCC that night. ", From ghostreader: "Springsteen, mobile civic center theater may 1976. I tried to get us all to dress up as the Fruit of the Loom guys but no one wanted to., For musicians who played together for years, there wont be a need to practice much, if at all. The Lovin' Spoonful. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Each episode had a specific theme, mission, or challenge which was accomplished by performing pranks, skateboarding, and enlisting the help of .