How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Tucson: halls, party)

[observer53]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

I saw Gordon Lightfoot at the Star Theater about 1973. He must have been using a pickup band because I could read his lips and he was cussing them out to play better. Saw the Righteous Brothers at the Coliseum. Missed the Rolling Stones back in the 60's. I remember a lot of commotion in the newspaper when they arrived.

You might have seen the same Gordon Lightfoot concert I did. I remember him getting angry at the sound folks and picking up one of the speakers and shoving/throwing it across the stage.

[Ritchie_az]

On the subject of rock concerts, Kansas' first professional concert after signing with Don Kirshner was in Phoenix in 1974 (forget who they opened for). Anyone here go to that?

[Westside Willie]

Speaking of firsts, The Monkees performed there very first live concert at our own beloved Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 1967.

Here are 2 pix from that historic day in Phoenix rock history.

Were you there? Did Davy look right at you? sigh.

Speaking of Elton John in Phx. I remember being at an outdoor concert (it may have been the Allman Brothers mentioned earlier) and EJ came out dressed in a lime green silk suit and played a one song cameo with the band. Doe's anyone recall this?

[Westside Willie]

A website called Songkick.com lists a concert venue called The Dodge Theater in Phoenix AZ which supposedly existed in 1976. Is this true? Anybody?
They claim "Yes" played there on - 7/31/1976

[Ritchie_az]

The Dodge Theater is now the Comerica Theatre. Not sure how long the building's been around, though....

[observer53]

Not since anywhere near 1976. If that's what the site says, it's wrong. The Comerica name change for the Dodge just happened a couple of weeks ago.

[slowesthand]

[quote=observer53;16348563]I don't have the ticket stub any more, I don't think, but my "claim to fame" in that regard is seeing Elton John at BIG SURF (no, I am not making this up) in 1973. $5.00 a ticket.[/quote

I saw Rod Stewart at Big Surf also. had to be around '73 or so. It was the biggest let down of any concert I have ever been to. It seemed as though he had somewhere more important to be, and was in a hurry to get there. But afterall....it was Big Surf!

[desertskies]

This could explain the mysterious "Dodge Theatre" Yes apparently appeared at in 1976.
http://www.forgottenyesterdays.com/date.asp?s=5&tname=7&tdate=531&navb=10 (broken link)

Originally Posted by Westside Willie

Speaking of firsts, The Monkees performed there very first live concert at our own beloved Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 1967.

Here are 2 pix from that historic day in Phoenix rock history.

Were you there? Did Davy look right at you? sigh.

I was there!
As I remember, we (brother, two sisters, a sisters friend and myself) were on the aisle, about 15 rows from stage left. Great seats.
Two things that stand out was "MICKY! DAVY!" from the female fans behind us (they were loud) and the announcer telling everyone "The Monkees have left the building" after the show.
Obviously, before double encores became standard.

The concert and Valley visit were a basis for one of the episodes at the end of season one.
The Monkees On Tour

I smile everytime I see that one particular show.

I also saw Elton when he played the ASU Activity Center (Now Wells Fargo Arena).

[AzSon]

[quote=slowesthand;16363352]

Originally Posted by observer53

I don't have the ticket stub any more, I don't think, but my "claim to fame" in that regard is seeing Elton John at BIG SURF (no, I am not making this up) in 1973. $5.00 a ticket.[/quote

I saw Rod Stewart at Big Surf also. had to be around '73 or so. It was the biggest let down of any concert I have ever been to. It seemed as though he had somewhere more important to be, and was in a hurry to get there. But afterall....it was Big Surf!

Missed out on the Big Surf concerts, but saw a lot of great shows in the late 70's and early 80's. My favorite has to be seeing the Stones at Sun Devil Stadium on 12/13/81.Was thrilled when the A.S.U footage was included in Hal Ashby's film of that tour, "Let's spend the night together."

Here's a pix of Big Surf,circa mid 70's.

[roosevelt]

Had to search for this picture of Encanto Park showing a canoe. Nothing like trying to steer one of these things while your girlfriend sits in front yelling at you like a backseat driver.