The other name band on the show was the Allman Brothers, they had just released their first album. From:"Rodney Justo" To:"robert register" Subject:Re: HEY EL NIXO! the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. This doesn't even scratch the surface! The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. ", From David Hester: "Eagles at Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville in 1975. They enjoy reminiscing about the stars, the shows and the fans who made it possible. 2. (In 1965, Legion Field could seat more than 68,000 people.) Dan Brennan, center, backstage at the Shower of Stars with with Paul Revere & the Raiders. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. The Other Side of Montgomery book. Formed: 1966, Tallassee. "You didn't have to know anything about guitar to realize that he was one of the best ever to take the stage. So I went out and introduced Bobby Edwards, and he sang songs, and I came back about half an hour later, and I said, 'Now, here's Bobby Edwards!' For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. The concert series started around 1960 with such stars as Fabian and Brenda Lee. WBAM-FM/98.9 ("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. Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. Thomas, joined by John Kay (solo after leaving Steppenwolf), the Grass Roots and others. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. Disbanded in 66, reunited 76, returned to active performance 1991. People came from several states to see these shows. The . 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. porsche cayman 987 bodykit; efficiencies for rent in riverview, fl. For more, visit Rich's YouTube Channel . And they accepted it, but we did get the total amount of the gate that came in. The Rockin' Rebellions won top honors - beating out 67 other bands from throughout Alabama. "Bill" Brennan, Billy Benns (Jr.) and Mrs. Luella B. Aldridge. former wcti reporters; winter village montreal; western new england university greek life; 1980 camaro z28 for sale in canada. That was a lot of money. Tommy James & Ed Sullivan. 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. 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. Brother Cyril Brennan, 84, was alternately chief engineer, manager, program director and music director at WBAM and also involved in lining up talent. "The level of excitement was unbelievable," Bartoletti says. Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. Chuck Berry was awesome and the Stones in their early days were unbelievable.". "I always had an idea about saving memories for people, and using the media that was becoming available, and that's what led me into this.". Members: Original members John Key, David Headley and Bob Corley plus David Langford, Mike Mobley, Larry Hughes, Bobby Johnson and Rick Roper. One was the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, which was to host a concert on September 10 th. In the spring of 1968, we played the Big Bam Spring show in Montgomery and were seen by a producer from Hollywood named Bob Hinkle. Garrett Coliseum, in contrast, could hold 10,000+ for a single performance in Montgomery. said donnna. ', "We went over there and asked Roy, and he said, 'No, we're not going to do that. Herman's Hermits. 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. So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. ", From Jeremy Don McCollough: "Guns N' Roses played the Birmingham race course, it was a muddy mess. Respi Mee Sup Sabahiiat. It feels good. Consumate pranksters, duo Jan and Dean walk across the stage carrying a ladder to the surprise of Paul Revere and the Raiders' lead singer Mark Lindsey. big bam shows montgomery, alabama. Rare Earth. I'm sure they were totally confused.". Although he admits to anoccasional pang of longing, looking back on his previouscareer, Brennan is far from retired. People would come night after night, said Lander, who owns Bama Lanes in Montgomery and Prattville. Hal Hodgens of WVOK is second from left. 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. We'll have to ask him. One show in particular stands out. December 3, 1955-As an extra Bonus..here's the advertisement for sister station WBAM, Montgomery, AL, when the very young Elvis Presley appeared. Go to the Archives Bobby Darin. 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. He wanted us to sign a management contract with him, but we were still under contract with Marshall and . In 1964 the Brennans Jacksonville, Florida station, WAPE, hosted the Beatles in concert at the Gator Bowl (see sidebar below). Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. 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. Only concert I have ever been to where they had tee shirts for the guitarist in the band along with the band's shirts. "There was a police line for the Beatles to run through, and the stage was built up so people couldn't get to them.". 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. White guys playing soul music!, Most of the stuff we played was music you could easily dance to, said Dupree. "Play It All Night Long." There were a lot of fun people.. "They would be paying the acts, literally, in cash. We put on a heck of a show, said Grier. "We're big on memories," Brennan says. Elvis Presley. So it was a deliberate attempt to identify with people, and to recognize that they were requesting these songs. "I'm also a little partial to Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed, Johnny Paycheck, when they played at Old York Farms in the late '90s," said Jeremy Don McCollough. Can you say Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?". (It was free.) It was elbow to elbow in there, remembered drummer Tommy Beavers. Neil Diamond. "Rickwood Field, late 70's. Things changed a little bit after that. Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists Apr 8 1967 Date Saturday, April 8, 1967 Venue Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA So far there are setlists of 9 gigs Saturday, April 8, 1967 Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL Blues Magoos Brian Hyland Lou Christie The Buckinghams The Casinos The Electric Prunes The Royal Guardsmen The Turtles Capital Cool. He pulls this at every one of our shows. In Brennan's view, that's a satisfying legacy. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. And didn't ever explain to the people what had happened. "Marty Robbins came up to me, and he looked so sad," Brennan recalls. 1984 at the BJCC. From what we can tell, she appeared there in 1970, but the story mentions Dec. 3, 1970, as the date of her show. ", From GmanGent: "Alice Cooper Von Braun in 1974's Welcome to my Nightmare Tourone of the most successful tours financially up until that time. "Two guitars and a stool. Formed: 1972, Tuscaloosa. Cyril's wife Louise would make us outfits for the Shower of Stars, and we'd have on these big bell bottoms. I just went to the Coliseum for the music. From Brian Willis: "Any of Alabama's June Jams. Despite her young age -- she was 7 that year -- Bartoletti felt another emotion at the Gator Bowl: extreme pride. He never collectedconcertposters, handbills orother pieces of memorabilia. Carl Perkins. "Elviswas an opening act," Brennan says. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. He didn't insist onphotos. The Lovin' Spoonful. They actually were already signed to join, when Peace Concerts booked the January 31, 1975 show. One of the Beach Boys told me it was the biggest talent show hed ever been in!. Notable TV and Radio personality Jimmy Carter (from Montgomery, Alabama) has assembled a few videos featuring some photos, jingles, and air checks of WBAM in its heyday. That radio station had its concerts, too, dubbedJet-Fli Spectaculars, at the Soldiers &Sailors Memorial Auditorium. A close second would be Yes at the Concert Hall in 2013. The Grass Roots. 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. ", From TTownTony: "You cannot even imagine the concerts played in Tuscaloosa before the BJCC was built. Wed have them in the spring, summer, fall and winter, said Dan Brennan, known on-air as Dan the Music Man hosting Dans Dusty Discs, who also announced acts on-stage. 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. Both Shaw and Chapman have gone on to stardom as performers and songwriters.]. The WMSP studios are located on the 3rd floor of . truly historic happening. We played all the way through college, says Long. Brennan bid farewell to concert promotion in 1973 --a necessary business decision, he says -- and for Birmingham music lovers, it was the end of an era. The Righteous Brothers. Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. "(Listeners) would tell us what they liked and didn't like. "Cyril's idea was, 'Tell them to sing, just a little bit, and make sure that we get the right one.' Mountain 1971," said Billy Bromberg. Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. Vocalist in Salem, Alabama 1,320 views on fandalism. Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. ", From Will-I: "Bruce Springsteen in Auburn in 1975. Joni Mitchell at Tuscaloosa 1975 would be third," said jarobertson. The Fabulous Shades WBAM-FM /98.9 (" 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. "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years. ", From bamamaam: "What about the lynyrd skynyrd concert at rickwood field in the '70's.? We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. Readers of AL.com have plenty of ideas. DMX. They moved to LA, minus Grier whod gotten married and had a new baby and didnt want to move. Music you could dance to Jerry Lee Lewis hristie Lou C. Paul Revere & the Raiders . 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. 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. No mention does anyone else remember that?". Their friends were quite envious when they got to hang out with the Grass Roots, Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, and rode around with Eric Burden and the Animals. George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . The Rogues recorded the 45 in February of 1966, for MBM Records, a Birmingham, Alabama label that goes back to the early '60s. 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. He remembers the Kove days with Harvest/Harmony fondly, not only for the bands music but the people who came to see them. "This was a daytime concert that seemed like a war zone with fireworks flying everywhere. "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. "It didn't matter. Canned Heat. At this point, Mick Jagger and his pals were poised to release"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," their first international smash. 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.". Fans would mail their orders to the station, requesting a specific showtime, and the envelopes often included suggestions for artists they'd like to see. It made me feel good in a way, he said. 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. Thats not to say Montgomery area favorite bands cant be seen any more. I'll never forget it. ), "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.'". "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. A license for the station was issued in 1952. Dislike Share. ", From Shapeshiftinhmojo: "Jimi Hendrix played Alabama twice in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn in 1968 or 69. Procedimientos. But from the . Lowell George in his prime," says Bingothatwuzagoody. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. We didn't make any money.". All rights reserved (About Us). (His moniker on the air: Dan the Music Man. ", From rtrmark: "Alice Cooper. Read reviews from world's largest community for readers. Shop Now Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. +40 (724) 307.599 Lu - Vi: 9:00 - 18:00; big bam shows montgomery, alabama The Rockin' Gibraltars, Montgomery, 1960s. Mosley tribes Lyndel . Once solo and once with a band. The Animals. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans gifts to a loyal radio audience. Patsy Cline Performs Her Final Show Country Music Memories; Most Wanted Music: 2023's Country and Americana Album Releases; Follow Us. The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. 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. It's not like now, where they have secret tunnels and drive right into the auditorium.". I've got to change clothes and everything.' Their most popular singles were It Will Stand (also recorded by The Showmen) and Bug of Soul. The groups members drifted back to Alabama, with the exception of Townsend and Sanford who formed the Sanford-Townsend Band and recorded the hit Smoke from a Distant Fire.. I told Jimbo we should all come in with walkers, laughed Beavers. Some of the concerts took place in a single location -- most often, Jacksonville. ", From StolibGeezer: "Zevon played the Alabama twice. Our four-piece horn section sets us apart, said Key. at 3126 Jasmine Road, was built in the early 1960s by William J. There are still a lot of local bands out there, said Sonny Grier, lead singer with the Rockin Gibraltars. Though theyve had other jobs over the years, neither Jones nor Beavers have stopped playing music. ); Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Oak Arkansas, Rickwood Field (1975); Pink Floyd, Legion Field (1994); Peter Frampton and Robin Trower, Oak Mountain (1994); Rolling Stones, Legion Field (1994); Bruce Springsteen, BJCC, 2002; and, James Brown, Jubilee CityFest Montgomery (2003). 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. 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. More on the Grateful Dead's 1995 shows in Birmingham, from AL.com's "Lost Stories" series. Dan Brennan had the honor of introducing the Beatles. Renamed Rock Hull Band in 77 before reclaiming original name in 90. I missed a bunch more, though!". Some of the items will go on exhibit starting Thursday at the Alabama. Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. That way I could see the stars and hear the music better. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. The Brennans often picked up and drove band members to and from the airport and hotels, quite a thrill for Diane Brennan Knapp and Donnie Kay Brennan, daughters of Cyril Brennan and teenagers at the time. Their first gig was at the Wetumpka Recreation Center where admission was $1. Big BAM Shows of the late 1960s and early 1970s featured all the biggest artists of the day, including Paul Revere and the Raiders, Lou Christie, Iron Butterfly, The Carpenters, The Monkees (as a group and individually), Tommy Joyce and Bobby Heart, The Grass Roots, and many more. Im content where Im at, said Beavers, except I could lose about 80 pounds.. The venue? "I'm so old. His family owned WBAM in Montgomery, and WVOK in Birmingham, both 50,000 watt clear channels stations back in the day. Lead in groups were the James Gang with Joe Walsh, and a group that got booed called Frampton's Camel before Peter Frampton hit it big. The Temptations and The Supremes, The TCB Tour, Auburn University, 1972. Men. [2] Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. ", From UABMBA: "One of the greatest concerts in Alabama was The Rolling Stones with Chuck Berry at Auburn Memorial Coliseum, November 14, 1969. "That was before he became very big. Can you believe it? Johnny Cash. The last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular was on September 30, 1966. 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. 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. $14 million dollar house maine; The Show That Almost Happened I said, 'Cyril, what do you think we ought to do?' 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. Yet. Steve Lander, who originally booked Harvest at the Kove in 1975, has offered the Blue Iguana free for the night. With no sound checks between acts, group would run on stage and begin playing almost immediately. He said, 'We're going to put both of them on.' Birmingham on May 20, 1967. Paul Revere & the Raiders. Alicia McLeod - Vocals. They have reformed several times with different members, playing for Lee High School reunions. 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. Blue arcs of electricity knocked him unconscious and the show ended 15 minutes early. Oh, and some guy named David on slide. We get young people, folks our age, and older folks, he said proudly. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. As Brennan recalls it, the Beach Boys were paid $7,500 for their performance, and the Rolling Stones received $5,000. In Birmingham, we know of only one man who's had the honor: Dan Brennan, a former radio host, station manager, concert promoter and prime moverat WVOK-AM. With the help of Bill Moody and Cyril Brennan at WBAM, their music was played on the 100,000-watt radio station, helping the group built a following as an R&B band. I kept going to at least one show a year through about 1968, he said. It was electric. "In those days, you could go to a concert and there was only one back door. It is amazing to think that was 41 years ago. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. ", From shapeshiftinhmojo: "The Allman Brothers played at the National Guard Armory as both the Almond Joys and as the Allman Brothers in the 1960's as well as Tuscaloosa in the seventies when they were huge. Emerson, Lake and Palmer in QUAD sound - Tuscaloosa circa 1973. Dan Brennan recalls the reaction from performers. The Four Seasons. He and his wife live north of Prattville in a 1930s shack, have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild. 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. 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. go to da moon copy and paste. Dylan with Brian Setzer Orchestra opening (about 1998 ?). Show Hide article text (OCR) ", 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. Make Favorite Store Contact 1957 Cobbs Ford Rd. 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! "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. She came back a few minutes later and absolutely blasted a massive bongo solo. I always got seats on the floor for the shows. From Denniswingo: "Was there! . 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. She remembers her father's words with startling clarity, along with the thrill she experiencedwhile sitting in the front row. But the moment was indelible for one of his daughters, Debbie Brennan Bartoletti. "Hendrix, Joplin, the Who, Elvis, Dylan all played in Tuscaloosa," said Jeremy Don McCollough. Big Bam Show. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. ", "Leo Kottke, Foster Auditorium, UA campus, about 1974," said 57939names. "To go to the concerts was huge. December 24, 1958: Jerry Lee Lewis ; December 12, 1959: Fabian, The Fleetwoods, The Browns, Floyd Robinson and Bobby Lee Trammell Hisconcertseries rocked their worlds and shaped their music tastes, in tandem with WVOK. Or Nirvana at Boutwell in 1993?Or Roger McGuinn at Merrimack Hall in 2014? 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. The Louvin Brothers. "Radio played the song every twenty minutes. Both concerts were sold out. ", From Cobb: "Buckingham Nicks in Morgan Auditorium Tuscaloosa Alabama Fall 1973.". It was a hold out because they had missed a previous show in May of 1974. The father of six and grandfather of two currently lives in Montgomery and plays with the Bama Breeze Band. He must have played an hour and 20 minutes or more. 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). 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.