Brennanleft the radio business for good in 1982. Ask anyone who was there. Louise Brennan, Cyril's wife, at the Beatles' press conference in Jacksonville. "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.". 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. Some of the concerts took place in a single location -- most often, Jacksonville. Jerry Lee Lewis. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. We didnt play where people sat around and drank. There was this woman who was playing the bongos who literally passed out playing. (His moniker on the air: Dan the Music Man. Gate Band Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. But from the . 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. REENADED . Props. "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. The Louvin Brothers. This doesn't even scratch the surface! From Billy Bromberg: "Led Zeppelin 1973, Coleman Coliseum." Big Bam Show. "Tuscaloosa Memorial Coliseum 1972," said Randy Palmer. The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. 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. His current band, The Soul Crackas, does many of the same soul hits the Rockin Gibraltar performed. Date:Sun, 5 Jun 2005 09:12:45 -0400 I'll tell you a story about that WBAM show in Montgomery. to see more entries, Posted on June 1, 2011 by bob in Features. Birmingham on May 20, 1967. The Fabulous Shades And not just the concerts, but the whole experience building up to it. pigella miraculous ladybug power. 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. Make Favorite Store Contact 1957 Cobbs Ford Rd. "It cost enough that we were lucky to come out with just enough and break even with it," Brennan says. The Lovin' Spoonful. They enjoy reminiscing about the stars, the shows and the fans who made it possible. Beth Nielsen joined the group after Shaw left. 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 . Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. WBAM signed on in 1953 as AM 740. I just went to the Coliseum for the music. One show in particular stands out. ", From bhamboost: "Parliament Funkadelic Mothership Connection 1976. Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. 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. 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. . "The Stranger album had just come out and was only beginning to get some air play. WMSP (740 AM, Sports Radio 740) is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, USA. So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! The Temptations and The Supremes, The TCB Tour, Auburn University, 1972. ", From Ken Cole: "I was at Jerry Lee Lewis in Boutwell in the mid '60s when I was a kid. snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. A story by Ben Flanagan of AL.com, looking back at concerts at the coliseum, also mentions Joplin. Other notable former personalities included Bill J. Moody, Paul Simpkins, Mark Robbins, Gene Hocutt and Joe Cook. It's not like now, where they have secret tunnels and drive right into the auditorium.". ", From StolibGeezer: "Zevon played the Alabama twice. Thousands of Beatles fans were ready to twist and shout in the Southeast, and the Brennan clan had made it happen. So it was a deliberate attempt to identify with people, and to recognize that they were requesting these songs. Readers of AL.com have plenty of ideas. 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. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. Roy Orbison. 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. Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists Apr 8 1967 Date Saturday, April 8, 1967 Venue Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA Report festival So far there are setlists of 9 gigs. Our four-piece horn section sets us apart, said Key. Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. Show Hide article text (OCR) Both Shaw and Chapman have gone on to stardom as performers and songwriters.]. Their first gig was at the Wetumpka Recreation Center where admission was $1. WVOK is now all-sports. Bobby Dupree (L) and Sonny Grier of the Rockin' Gibraltars. Dan Brennan had the honor of introducing the Beatles. on. big bam shows montgomery, alabamasmart search field in safari. In 1964 the Brennans Jacksonville, Florida station, WAPE, hosted the Beatles in concert at the Gator Bowl (see sidebar below). Sweet Young Uns The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC HOW COME PAUL GODDARD PUSHES HIS GLASSES UP THE BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE? Find the answers to any question. 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 Lewis went over his allotted time. View the Full Page. Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. A license for the station was issued in 1952. Lindley. I always got seats on the floor for the shows. Jimbo Jones (L) and Tommy Beavers look forward to the reunion of Harmony. There were a lot of fun people.. 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. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Tommy, I'm in Montgomery, Alabama. The Beach Boys. He even did about 30 seconds of Sweet Home Alabama (that was before that song was worn out). It was just the coolest thing.". 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.. Patsy Cline Performs Her Final Show Country Music Memories; Most Wanted Music: 2023's Country and Americana Album Releases; Follow Us. These are just a few of the acts presentedby the Brennans during the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. ", From rtrmark: "Alice Cooper. In one fell swoop, he was in hot demand. 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. There are still a lot of local bands out there, said Sonny Grier, lead singer with the Rockin Gibraltars. recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows, according to this story by Madison Underwood, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. "Rolling Stones, October 5, 1989, Legion Field," said Emily A. From Denniswingo: "April 1977 was Led Zeppelin.famous because it was so totally over promoted with the K-99 disc jockeys claiming $100 scalped tickets (it was $7.50 ticket price). This was the last concert they did before going back to LA and joining the band Fleetwood Mac. 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!' The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. How many people have been able to say this at a concert, facing a roaring crowd? 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. Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller), Big BAM Show. He plays locally at Ruddles, Coaches Corner in Wetumpka, Young Barn Oyster Pub, and has recorded a CD. The early concert didn't begin until it was time for the second one, but it was worth the wait. Clayton, Hayward and Gradney. Both concerts were sold out. I don't even think it was a sell out. Bottom (l-r), Ronnie Monroe, Bobby Dupree and Rusty Crumpton. (The Beatles' popularity in the U.S. exploded in 1964, and that year's tour was a watershed moment for the band.). Most of the clubs have gone to a single performer, or a duo or karaoke. In 2020, the median property value in Montgomery, AL was $121,100, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%. 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. Tickets cost $3 apiece. Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were on the bill, said Whitwam of their first performance at Garrett Coliseum. Ticket prices were $2 for shows in the early 1960s, gradually increasing to a top price of $5.50, a pittance by todays standards. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans gifts to a loyal radio audience. Alabama State Coliseum (1951-1963) Garrett Coliseum (1963-) Oct 5 2019 Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. By the time we got to the steps of the BJCC a guy had a shoebox full of tickets that he was trying to sell for a buck each. Renamed Rock Hull Band in 77 before reclaiming original name in 90. 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. The other name band on the show was the Allman Brothers, they had just released their first album. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. Brennan, now 86, introduced the Beatles at the Gator Bowlin Jacksonville, Fla., when the Fab Four played there on Sept. 11, 1964. It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007.
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