Remembering Old Concert Venues

So I saw a post about Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre that has since been torn down like everything else to make room for houses.
A show I attended in 2003 was Epic.
View attachment 105678
We saw many concerts at Irvine, including the most memorable, Moody Blues.
I can't believe they tore it down, that sucks.

Another great venue was the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach CA.
It's a tiny little place that barely accommodated 300 people...
I saw Ronnie Montrose there.
1743245056683.png
 
Last edited:
I probably went to more concerts at the old Capital Centre in Landover, MD than any other venue when I was young. It's the place from the 'Heavy Metal Parking Lot' short movie:


Fun fact: I was at that concert and partying in the parking lot, as we always did there, before the show but did not make into the film.
 
I guess neither of the places are "old" since they both still exist. Yet are old since they've been around a pretty long time. What got me on this one was a photo of a concert at Soldier Field in Chicago, One of the bands was ELP. Did not see ELP there, but many years later did see them in Davenport IA. Anyway......

June 4, 1977 at Soldier Field. Promoted as the "Super Bowl of Rock." Featured ELP, Foghat, J Geils Band and the Climax Blues Band.

tCzJgUa.jpg


Then on Feb 26, 1993 ELP was at the Adler Theater in Davenport IA (opened 1931). Intimate little 2600 seat theater. It was without a doubt one of the best concerts I ever attended. Our seats were front row, center stage balcony seats. Even there, in a small theater you're almost on top of the stage.

NnOWhSR.jpg
 
Last edited:
1972 This building at that time was called the London Ice House, Its called a different name now, in London, Ontario It was a hockey rink, where i seen.

4 Seasons
Chuck Berry
Bo Diddley
Bobby Vee
And at that time the World's best Elvis Impersonator, don't ask me what his name was lol.

1743438917525.png
 
Don't know if you know this guy. Bruce Cockburn, seen him around1990 at the Alumni Hall, at Western University campus London,Ontario

 
Fort Armstrong Theater in Rock Island Illinois. Went there sometime in the 90s for a concert. For the life of me don't remember who. Originally opened in 1921. Did Vaudeville and Silent Movies. Then in the early 70s it started showing "Adult" movies till the City Of Rock Island closed them down over obscenity charges. 1976 it was purchased and reopened as Circa 21 Dinner Theater. Now..... I know I saw a concert there as I was snickering as we walked in knowing its checkered past.



Fort-Theatre.jpg
 
Saw many shows at Irvine Meadows and the Capital Centre. The big one was this one. I was in the nose bleed seats in the back.

View attachment 105729

Like ELP.... I got to see YES in it's full compliment of members in Moline Illinois. Recently opened Civic Center. For concerts about 10-12,000 seats depending on configuration. They also do minor league basketball and hockey there as well as trade shows and the like. Sad thing was. ELP was a sold out 2600 seats. Yes, there was almost no one there. We could have moved anywhere and not taken anyone's seats. Saw a seriously trimmed down YES years later at Chicago House of Blues.
 
I probably went to more concerts at the old Capital Centre in Landover, MD than any other venue when I was young. It's the place from the 'Heavy Metal Parking Lot' short movie:


Fun fact: I was at that concert and partying in the parking lot, as we always did there, before the show but did not make into the film.
Capitol Center
I saw Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Led Zepplin, Mott the Hopple, Kiss, Gary Wright, Styx, Peter Frampton, at the Capitol Center.
You can hear me on "Frampton Comes Alive," screaming in the audiance. I'm on the album.
 
Back
Top