Categories . ', "We went over there and asked Roy, and he said, 'No, we're not going to do that. The . There was always so much excitement surrounding the shows, Knapp said. 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. "I'm so. Their big prize was three VOX . Props. It was a clear channel station that covered over 90 counties in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and could be heard everywhere. 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. 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. ", From David Hester: "Eagles at Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville in 1975. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. We had a fabulous time.. Bobby Darin. Date:Sun, 5 Jun 2005 09:12:45 -0400 I'll tell you a story about that WBAM show in Montgomery. Big Bam Show . Pitiful (Otis Redding) sound so much better with real horns.. 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. We played all the way through college, says Long. We rode up the . People would come night after night, said Lander, who owns Bama Lanes in Montgomery and Prattville. The Who. Montgomery's home for country music favorites like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert . I always got seats on the floor for the shows. "People were going crazy, and you couldn't hear anything because the girls were screaming so loud," Bartoletti says. And so he gave them -- the only show in the whole country that did this -- we gave them a flat $50,000, which was pretty good in those days. [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. 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. 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 December 3, 1955-As an extra Bonus..here's the advertisement for sister station WBAM, Montgomery, AL, when the very young Elvis Presley appeared. ", "Rolling Stones in Auburn '69," said James Robert Chambless. 'I did it my way.'". The Big Bam shows in Montgomery were on my list," said Jack Boles. 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. "There was a little one, and a big one, and we didn't know which was which," Brennan says. From Billy Bromberg: "Led Zeppelin 1973, Coleman Coliseum." 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). I remember some of them telling us they came to every show that whole year.". "We'd camp out at the door, on the steps and wait. The Hollies. Go to the Archives Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. Dylan with Brian Setzer Orchestra opening (about 1998 ?). K Jamie Carter Childhood Toys Childhood Memories Camille Redouble Sheila E As a result, Captain and Tennille declined ABC's offer to do a second season. The Righteous Brothers. I believe that city has a particular significance to you. The band also played Birmingham in May 1977, according to this story by Madison Underwood. Dan'sbrother, Cyril Brennan, who lived in Montgomery, held several titles during his tenure at WBAM: chief engineer, station manager and program director among them. When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). "Probably the most famous and beloved would be Buckingham Nicks at Boutwell in January of 1975. Beth Nielsen joined the group after Shaw left. Its amazing the life we got to live.. Then another. And the Brennans knew how to put on a show.. The Rockin' Rebellions entered the big VOX (sound equipment) sponsored "WVOK Battle of the Bands" contest held at the Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham on May 20, 1967. . From:"Rodney Justo" To:"robert register" Subject:Re: HEY EL NIXO! Jerry Lee Lewis hristie Lou C. Paul Revere & the Raiders . The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. Only concert I have ever been to where they had tee shirts for the guitarist in the band along with the band's shirts. WMSP (740 AM, Sports Radio 740) is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, USA. Tickets were priced at$1.50-$5.50 per show, Brennan says, and artists' fees usually ran about $300-$7,500 per act. View the Full Page. "Lynyrd Skynyrd, after Montrose featuring Sammy Hagar July 4th, 1975 at Rickwood Field," said Bamabadger62. The Lovin' Spoonful. WBAM signed on in 1953 as AM 740. If possible, the Brennans liked to present the same lineup of artists in all three cities over a single weekend, offering three shows in Birmingham for the Shower of Stars, one in Montgomery. ", 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. 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. 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. 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. I had to play the whole set standing up!. 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, now 86, introduced the Beatles at the Gator Bowlin Jacksonville, Fla., when the Fab Four played there on Sept. 11, 1964. All rights reserved (About Us). He pulls this at every one of our shows. The other name band on the show was the Allman Brothers, they had just released their first album. "You didn't have to know anything about guitar to realize that he was one of the best ever to take the stage. Blue arcs of electricity knocked him unconscious and the show ended 15 minutes early. Fans also rushed to nominate their favorites when asked for feedback. 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. 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. The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. I said, 'Elvis, I'm sorry, but we can't accommodate you, because it is his show.' WBAM Big Bam Shows; Dan's Dusty Discs WBAM; WBAM Pictures; Read more about this topic: WBAM-FM, History. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. Bobby Dupree (L) and Sonny Grier of the Rockin' Gibraltars. Hank Williams was another frequent live on-air performer. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. Im content where Im at, said Beavers, except I could lose about 80 pounds.. Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were on the bill, said Whitwam of their first performance at Garrett Coliseum. The Big BAM Shows. 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. The chips were glued into Dianes scrap book between photos of the Beatles. It made me feel good in a way, he said. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). I was there both times. Otherwise . From what we can tell, she appeared there in 1970, but the story mentions Dec. 3, 1970, as the date of her show. The Byrds. Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. Yes, the Beatles' performance was "a really big show," as Ed Sullivan wouldhave said. Renamed Rock Hull Band in 77 before reclaiming original name in 90. Big BAM shows, Montgomery 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. Garrett Coliseum Montgomery Concert Setlists City Montgomery, AL, United States Add Montgomery venue Address 1555 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36107 USA Opened 1963 Web Official Website Garrett Coliseum on Wikipedia Info Located at he Alabama Agricultural Center. If you have one, it's going to be way down the other part of the field.' The WMSP studios are located on the 3rd floor of . 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. nellson nutraceutical revenue; arlington catholic basketball roster; jack cawood and suzy hunt; lawn vacuum for acorns rental. "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years. They changed their name to Heart before eventually folding. "There was a little office backstage, and I remember seeing my father and uncles back there with a security guard," Bartoletti says. We were considered the number one soul band in the south. The mothership landed in the BJCC that night. I've got to change clothes and everything.' 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 "It was a promotional thing for us. We put on a heck of a show, said Grier. Moody remembers Roy Orbison being one of the nicer, more polite performers, and the Grass Roots, Paul Revere and Buckinghams being easy to work with. Her very own father was on stage, standing closeto four of the most famous musicians in the world. Wed go all over, even the Old Dutch in Panama City.. "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.". I'll never forget it. Hello? Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. "Play It All Night Long." From 1963 to 73 the Big BAM shows and their counterpart in Birmingham, the Shower of Stars shows, presented four concerts a year. I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. 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 . The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Saw them at the University of Alabama home coming in 1978 as well. Many who danced the night away to the Rockin Gibraltars or who nursed a beer and smoked a cigarette listening to Harmony, recall those days with particular fondness and with nostalgia for a time that wont likely return. Brother Cyril Brennan, 84, was alternately chief engineer, manager, program director and music director at WBAM and also involved in lining up talent. 1984 at the BJCC. After helping escort her safely away from an unruly crowd, she rewarded him with a big kiss. With an amazing backing band, he proceeded to entertain the entire evening. Submit a request Contact us through a specially prepared form. Were a dance band.. 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. 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. The most popular group, both Brennan brothers agree, was Hermans Hermits (see sidebar below). 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. Brennan had many encounters with celebritiesover his three decades as a concert promoter, but says he never felt famous -- not even when he was widely regardedas a household name in Birmingham radio. The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. You are free to use the above map for educational and similar purposes; if you publish it online or in print . (It was free.) The Rolling Stones. ", 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." "His 'side' men was the entire Little Feat rhythm section. A license for the station was issued in 1952. The rock band played several times at the Shower of Stars and appeared at one of the last few shows in the concert series, in July 1972. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. Ask anyone who was there. ", From Will-I: "Bruce Springsteen in Auburn in 1975. It was everything. I said, 'Well, this is Roy's show. 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. In most cases, the concertswere multi-act affairs, featuring the hottest names the radio stations could secure. 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. Clipping found in Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama on Mar 24, 1966. He also helped to choose and line up some of the concert talent. Published by at February 16, 2022. And didn't ever explain to the people what had happened. And the Shower of Stars concerts still linger in localmemory. (The station's nickname, "the Mighty 690," referred to its spot on the AM dial.). pigella miraculous ladybug power. Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. There was a little jealousy there.". At least 25 people tried to jump the stage during the concert and were knocked backward into the crowd by gigantic stage bouncers! The band has undergone several incarnations. Respi Mee Sup Sabahiiat. 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. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. After the Beatles press conference, where the Fab Four were munching on potato chips, Diane Brennan, daughter of Cyril and Louise, grabbed the partially consumed shards in fear that her sister Donnie would eat them. It would be tough going back to ballrooms and small clubs after this. Any of the Yes shows in Birmingham! We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people. Rare Earth. The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. truly historic happening. Members: Original members Larry Hoyle, Johnny Hassett and Ron Howard, plus Chris Seymour, Johnny Long, Jr. and Craig Young. 100 feet later someone offered us tickets at face value. He never asked forautographs. Neither Tommy Shaw nor Beth Nielsen Chapman will be on hand due to their schedules. 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. They played at YMCAs, American Legion halls, private parties, and dances all over south Alabama, Panama City, Savannah, and Greenville, Miss. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. This might have swelled a lesser man's head, but for Brennan, it was all about connecting with the listeners. 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. ", From Don Haley Benson: "Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA! ", From cj75: "Grateful Dead, 5/17/77 in Tuscaloosa. The Fabulous Shades, 1965. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Uploaded 11 years ago Music 4; Photos 0; Interview . But Brennandoes have many stories to share -- about preventing a fistfight between two starswho wanted theclosing spot in Birmingham, or example, or puzzling over two entertainerswho showed up in Montgomery, both claiming to be country singer Bobby Edwards. 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. His clothes were all rumpled, and he said, 'Dan, I need to go on later in the show. The Show That Almost Happened The concert series started around 1960 with such stars as Fabian and Brenda Lee. Inicio Quines somos? "Big Church Night Out" / Newsboys / Sidewalk Prophets / 7eventh Time Down / Blanca / Derek Minor / Brock Gill / Jeremy Willet . 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. Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? Hes been in a few movies, raced sports cars and been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. "There was a police line for the Beatles to run through, and the stage was built up so people couldn't get to them.". But it never happened. The Troggs. "It was rewarding, because people seemed to respond to some of the things I was doing. Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Famous quotes containing the words historical and/or videos: The Huntsville Times file photo/Michael Proffitt. Formed: 1963, Troy. 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. 3. Solid show during a year held in very high regard by a large number of Deadheads. ", From Jeremy Don McCollough: "Guns N' Roses played the Birmingham race course, it was a muddy mess. Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs.. 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. How many people have been able to say this at a concert, facing a roaring crowd? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The original investors in the company were William J. 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. 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. ", From Steve Wayne: "Guns N' Roses at the Birmingham Race Course. 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. We were waiting at the Holiday Inn, in the bar at the hotel having a beer. Paul Revere & the Raiders. ", From ghostreader: "Springsteen, mobile civic center theater may 1976. ", From estevev: "Of the ones I attended, the most memorable ones were -- Ike and Tina Turner Review, Plush Horse, (1974? The band's management initially asked for 85 percent of the ticket proceeds or $25,000, whichever was greater, Brennan says. Thanks to Donnie Brennan for the Elvis photos. We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. "I don't have any regrets," hesays. The primary reason for the shows was to keep a personal relationship with the listeners, said Dan Brennan, 81, former general manager at WVOK. I told Jimbo we should all come in with walkers, laughed Beavers. The Rogues recorded the 45 in February of 1966, for MBM Records, a Birmingham, Alabama label that goes back to the early '60s. $14 million dollar house maine; If possible, the Brennans liked to present the same lineup of artists in all three cities over a single weekend, offering three shows in Birmingham for the Shower of Stars, one in Montgomery for the Big BAM and one in Jacksonville for the Big APE. ", From Cobb: "Buckingham Nicks in Morgan Auditorium Tuscaloosa Alabama Fall 1973.". 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. Montgomery, Alabama, United States: Apr 15, 2016 keith sweat / Juvenile / Morris Day & The Time / Cherelle: . At the time, though, Brennan was simply doing his job, helping the family's radio stations to connect with listeners in a vivid, concrete way. 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!' A memorable night that I won't ever forget. I don't even think it was a sell out. He was replaced by Johnny Townsend from Tuscaloosa, who was living with Duane and Gregg Allman in LA. That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows! ", "Leo Kottke, Foster Auditorium, UA campus, about 1974," said 57939names. The Grass Roots. 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. Bob Brennen gave me these. Readers of AL.com have plenty of ideas. Springsteen played the 'short end' of the the Beard-Eaves with the curtain up. He would tear up the piano, Moody said, We couldnt find anyone to provide a piano, but he would put on a show. No mention does anyone else remember that?". The Quad show was FREE! 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. ", Also on his list: "Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods, Legion Field, sometime in the 70's. In 2020, the median property value in Montgomery, AL was $121,100, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%. It wasnt concerts where you played and 500 people sat down and listened to you. Other notable former personalities included Bill J. Moody, Paul Simpkins, Mark Robbins, Gene Hocutt and Joe Cook. Or Nirvana at Boutwell in 1993?Or Roger McGuinn at Merrimack Hall in 2014? "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. "The level of excitement was unbelievable," Bartoletti says. Canned Heat. 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. Can you say Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?". Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. In 1964 the Brennans Jacksonville, Florida station, WAPE, hosted the Beatles in concert at the Gator Bowl (see sidebar below). If it's all right with him, it's all right with me. The 7 p.m.show-- billedas a music battle between the England and the United States-- also includedtheRighteous Brothers, Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Skeeter Davis, Del Reeves, Archie "Rindercella" Campbell and Cannibal and the Headhunters. By nature, talent and inclination, Brennanwasentirely suited to the family business; thousands of fans knew his voice and remembered his name. FACIAL. Flintstone House. Her harmonies with Eddie and Jimbo were legendary, and thus the group found its new name. Carl Perkins. ", From bamamaam: "What about the lynyrd skynyrd concert at rickwood field in the '70's.? "It was quite a thing.". The Rockin' Rebellions won top honors - beating out 67 other bands from throughout Alabama. One of its earliest Big BAM Shows featured Elvis Presley as he ascended to fame, on the same bill with Roy Acuff. Tickets to these shows were typically $3 to $4. I never chased the stars around to hotels or anything. I was blown away. Many regulars from the Kove days brought their grown children and will likely do so again. 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.. "Ringo had a riser above the stage, and of course this is all outdoors, and the winds were blowing up to 70 miles an hour," Brennan says. While Gator Bowl officials relented to a desegregated audience for the concert, two other venues Epstein had chosen were problematic. I said, 'Cyril, what do you think we ought to do?' "My brother, he was always a little bit of a gambler," Brennan says. Deep South Broadcasting was the licensee of WBAM-AM, 740 kc with 50,000 watts daytime in Montgomery. Members: Mitch Alton (original member), Gregg Pappas, Ham Wilson, Bill Marshall , Dwight Williams, Rick Byrd, Orville Cain, Carl Tesh.