Sweet Young Uns $14 million dollar house maine; That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows! Most of the clubs have gone to a single performer, or a duo or karaoke. Several members still play in other bands for private parties, or solo at local restaurants, and on June 9, several members of Harmony plan a reunion show at the Blue Iguana in Prattville. This doesn't even scratch the surface! If you were a teenager anywhere near Montgomery in the mid-60s and early 70s, the concert scene didnt get any better than the fanfests known as the Big BAM shows. FUNK-ON. 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. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. "We never had a flop," Brennan says, "but we had some shows that were a little bit bigger than others. said donnna. Dan Brennan, center, backstage at the Shower of Stars with with Paul Revere & the Raiders. But in the minds of Alabama listeners, WVOK and WBAM ruled supreme, and the stations were closely linked by their concert series. Respi Mee Sup Sabahiiat. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. Big Bam Show . Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. The early concert didn't begin until it was time for the second one, but it was worth the wait. The largest universities in Montgomery, AL are Auburn University at Montgomery (975 degrees awarded in 2020), Faulkner University (844 degrees), and Alabama State University (712 degrees). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. You can either do that, or you will not have a place to change. (Photo courtesy of the Brennan family). ", "I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but for the Alabama Theater I would definitely include Warren Zevon's show in, what?.1986 or '87?, said earman1. It was everything. ", "Rolling Stones in Auburn '69," said James Robert Chambless. Bobby Darin. Johnny Cash. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The Hollies. The Beatles in Alabama? It made me feel good in a way, he said. Whitwam remembers little of that show, but subsequent performances are crystal clear. One of its earliest Big BAM Shows featured Elvis Presley as he ascended to fame, on the same bill with Roy Acuff. ", From Cobb: "Buckingham Nicks in Morgan Auditorium Tuscaloosa Alabama Fall 1973.". The Fabulous Shades The concert series started around 1960 with such stars as Fabian and Brenda Lee. From 1963 to 73 the Big BAM shows and their counterpart in Birmingham, the Shower of Stars shows, presented four concerts a year. Rinoplastia; Blefaroplastia "His 'side' men was the entire Little Feat rhythm section. "There was a police line for the Beatles to run through, and the stage was built up so people couldn't get to them.". "Probably the most famous and beloved would be Buckingham Nicks at Boutwell in January of 1975. Yet. One of Brennan's favorite anecdotes concerns a young Elvis Presley, making waves and jostling for position before a concerton Dec. 3,1955, at Garrett Coliseum. Montgomery, Alabama, United States: Apr 15, 2016 keith sweat / Juvenile / Morris Day & The Time / Cherelle: . I always got seats on the floor for the shows. The band has undergone several incarnations. Montgomery's home for country music favorites like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert . The bands that performed were: The Beach Boys / lou christie / Ian Whitcomb / The Happenings / the hollies / peter and gordon. 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. Instant Help Questions? Via a longstanding partnership with the Benns family, the Brennans also extended theirreach to Chattanooga, the home of WFLI-AM. I've got to change clothes and everything.' They have reformed several times with different members, playing for Lee High School reunions. 0. blues show montgomery, al 2021. "I didn't stay up there too long," Brennan says, laughing. Shower of Stars audiences were accustomed to seeing a mix of rock, pop and country acts on stage, and the lineup for every show had a pecking order. They enjoy reminiscing about the stars, the shows and the fans who made it possible. Props. The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. Tickets were priced at$1.50-$5.50 per show, Brennan says, and artists' fees usually ran about $300-$7,500 per act. "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years. Readers of AL.com have plenty of ideas. Jones, now 59, also played school dances and armories in a group called The Drones. Local garage bands (they practiced in their parents garages or living rooms) were found in almost every town in the United States in the mid-to late 60s, and the Montgomery area was no exception. Iron Butterfly. The Carpenters. Tommy James & the Shondells. 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.". "Play It All Night Long." "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka. We'll have to ask him. (The Beatles' popularity in the U.S. exploded in 1964, and that year's tour was a watershed moment for the band.). All rights reserved (About Us). The resulting concerts -- which evolved into a series called the WVOK Shower of Stars in Birmingham, the Big BAM shows in Montgomery and the Big APE Convention in Jacksonville -- became enormously popular with radio listeners. Their first gig was at the Wetumpka Recreation Center where admission was $1. I believe that city has a particular significance to you. 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. The other name band on the show was the Allman Brothers, they had just released their first album. to see more entries, Posted on June 1, 2011 by bob in Features. "Cyril's idea was, 'Tell them to sing, just a little bit, and make sure that we get the right one.' Categories . Both concerts were sold out. 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.. Jimbo Jones (L) and Tommy Beavers look forward to the reunion of Harmony. I'm sure they were totally confused.". People would come night after night, said Lander, who owns Bama Lanes in Montgomery and Prattville. Clapton! I'll never forget it. The Captain and Tennille Show became a network hit and featured guest stars such as John Travolta, Don Knotts, The Pointer Sisters, and Red Foxx. Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. We occasionally wouldn't fill all three seatings in Birmingham, but I don't think we ever had one that was less than about 70 percent full, with all three together. Canned Heat. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. And not just the concerts, but the whole experience building up to it. "What's that Frank Sinatra song? "Lynyrd Skynyrd, after Montrose featuring Sammy Hagar July 4th, 1975 at Rickwood Field," said Bamabadger62. Add the extra costs associated with security guards and insurance, and hiring bands is not a profitable option for many club owners. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The primary reason for the shows was to keep a personal relationship with the listeners, said Dan Brennan, 81, former general manager at WVOK. The band's management initially asked for 85 percent of the ticket proceeds or $25,000, whichever was greater, Brennan says. While Gator Bowl officials relented to a desegregated audience for the concert, two other venues Epstein had chosen were problematic. 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. 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. . He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period. In most cases, the concertswere multi-act affairs, featuring the hottest names the radio stations could secure. We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people. "Hendrix, Joplin, the Who, Elvis, Dylan all played in Tuscaloosa," said Jeremy Don McCollough. They actually were already signed to join, when Peace Concerts booked the January 31, 1975 show. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. Roy Orbison. Some of the items will go on exhibit starting Thursday at the Alabama. Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were on the bill, said Whitwam of their first performance at Garrett Coliseum. That was a lot of money. 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. 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'm so old. "And that made a big difference, because people didn't have the opportunity to turn on the TV set and see these artists, after they'd been buying their records. TheRolling Stones were closing the gap quickly, though, with a tougher, bluesier songbook that included "The Last Time," "Play With Fire" and "Time Is On My Side." "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' ", "I'm also inclined to mention 1982 at Boutwell when the Blizzard of Ozz played; Randy Rhoades' third to last appearance before his tragic death," said GmanGent. Any of the Yes shows in Birmingham! ", From Eric Pendergrass: "Grateful Dead BJCC April 4,5 1995.". Saw them at the University of Alabama home coming in 1978 as well. We only heard them. It was the most important thing in our lives. J Jackie Culpepper 662 followers More information WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered Record Case Montgomery Growing Up 60s Old Things Teen Memories Remember Videos 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. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. That one was epic alright, unlike any other! Emerson, Lake and Palmer in QUAD sound - Tuscaloosa circa 1973. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans gifts to a loyal radio audience. WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered 3,983 views Aug 25, 2013 A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. 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. "Bill" Brennan, one of the owners of The Big Bam, Montgomery's renowned 50,000-watt radio station. The chips were glued into Dianes scrap book between photos of the Beatles. Brennan also remembers that Starr requested reinforcements to the stage area near his drum kit, because strong gusts lingered after the hurricane. Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. "Marty Robbins came up to me, and he looked so sad," Brennan recalls. Its magic, said Beavers. Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. I said, 'Well, you've got a choice here. The audience was huge, sold out, 10,000 or more. Thats not to say Montgomery area favorite bands cant be seen any more. Inicio Quines somos? 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. 6 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. His clothes were all rumpled, and he said, 'Dan, I need to go on later in the show. Dylan with Brian Setzer Orchestra opening (about 1998 ?). At this point, Mick Jagger and his pals were poised to release"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," their first international smash. Brennan estimates that 16,000-17,000 people came to Legion Field for the show, fulfilling the radio station's mission but falling short of blockbuster status. People came from several states to see these shows. I was there both times. The Young Rascals. I can sing as good or better now than I did then, said Grier. And the Brennans knew how to put on a show.. BB King's penultimate show at the Alabama (sitting but still playing and not drifting into non sequitur land). go to da moon copy and paste. In one fell swoop, he was in hot demand. The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. So it was a deliberate attempt to identify with people, and to recognize that they were requesting these songs. "I'm so. "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. He remembers the Kove days with Harvest/Harmony fondly, not only for the bands music but the people who came to see them. Back then, thats what music was about, remembers Bobby Dupree, 63, drummer with The Rockin Gibraltars, a popular Montgomery-based group in the 60s. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. They had the Stones in about 1963-64, with Brian Jones before he died. Hal Hodgens of WVOK is second from left. blues show montgomery, al 2021. guildford school of acting auditions; gilroy google font alternative; cuisinart steamer insert; Blog Post Title February 26, 2018. It was just the coolest thing.". 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. (In 1965, Legion Field could seat more than 68,000 people.) WBAM Big Bam Shows 7,142 views Nov 21, 2010 One of the big hit singers of the 60's and 70's working on a bit with me for a TV show..a little behind the scenes..Bobby is involved with art. to see more entries, Posted on November 1, 2011 by bob in Features. In spirited retaliation, Paul Revere and the Raiders march in lock step across the stage behind performers Jan and Dean. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. These are just a few of the acts presentedby the Brennans during the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. Members: Mitch Alton (original member), Gregg Pappas, Ham Wilson, Bill Marshall , Dwight Williams, Rick Byrd, Orville Cain, Carl Tesh. 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. "I don't have any regrets," hesays. Cyril Brennan, who received a Top Program Director award from Billboard Magazine, is retired and lives in Pike Road. "I felt that I was lucky to be able to have the kind of job I had," Brennan says. But Lewis went over his allotted time. We would skip class and work setting up the stages for free admission and backstage passes. But it never happened. 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. He must have played an hour and 20 minutes or more. It was a hold out because they had missed a previous show in May of 1974. It would be tough going back to ballrooms and small clubs after this. For more, visit Rich's YouTube Channel . Louise Brennan, Cyril's wife, at the Beatles' press conference in Jacksonville. We made $100, remembers Grier. There was a little jealousy there.". Formed: 1963, Troy. Their big prize was three VOX . They moved to LA, minus Grier whod gotten married and had a new baby and didnt want to move. 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. Gobs of people have asked us when were going to do another reunion. FACIAL. Anybody remember that one? 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 Show That Almost Happened ", From Shapeshiftinhmojo: "Jimi Hendrix played Alabama twice in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn in 1968 or 69. The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. Bob Brennen gave me these. It is amazing to think that was 41 years ago. Hisconcertseries rocked their worlds and shaped their music tastes, in tandem with WVOK. 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. We put on a heck of a show, said Grier. No one came down to buy scalped tickets at the price everyone thought they were going to have to pay.. hehehehe .", From Mark Keppler: "Eagles 1977 Hotel California Tour Civic Center. ", 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." Garrett Coliseum, in contrast, could hold 10,000+ for a single performance in Montgomery. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. 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. on. I was very happy with doing the work I did. Best Review Site for Digital Cameras. We'd get hamburgers and bring them back, with someone always holding our place. He never asked forautographs. 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. Reactions to these picks -- made by entertainment reporters Matt Wake, Lawrence Specker and Mary Colurso -- ranged from praise to anger, support to dismay. From Brian Willis: "Any of Alabama's June Jams. "It was quite a thing.". The Big Bam shows in Montgomery were on my list," said Jack Boles. So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! Bell. Welcome to my Nightmare in Huntsville Von Braun 1975 and KISS in 1976 at Von Braun. DMX. 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. Competition was evident between the two bands, Brennan says, as the Beach Boys returned for their splashiest date at the Shower of Stars, and the Stones made theirBirmingham debut on their first U.S. tour. The Beatles were paid a fee of $50,000 -- a hefty sum in those days, Brennan says -- and in the thick of the civil rights movement, the band's contract specified that they wouldn't perform for a segregated audience. Vocalist in Salem, Alabama 1,320 views on fandalism. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). And they accepted it, but we did get the total amount of the gate that came in. Both Shaw and Chapman have gone on to stardom as performers and songwriters.]. Cosmic Slop was classic, turned that mother out. Dan Brennan recalls the reaction from performers. "Bill" Brennan, Billy Benns (Jr.) and Mrs. Luella B. Aldridge. (Photo courtesy of the Brennan family). Show Hide article text (OCR) In the 1960s and early 1970s, the station sponsored a series of pop/rock concerts known as "Big BAM Shows" featuring acts ranging from Paul Revere and the Raiders, Lou Christie, and The Beach Boys to comedian Pat Paulsen. Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs.. snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. Mountain 1971," said Billy Bromberg. ", From GmanGent: "Alice Cooper Von Braun in 1974's Welcome to my Nightmare Tourone of the most successful tours financially up until that time. The Rolling Stones. 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. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. The Other Side of Montgomery book. Moody also got to do his share of transporting stars, taking them to the Diplomat Inn, owned by Bill Brennan, older brother of Cyril and Dan and a partner in WBAM and WAPE. I also went to one free concert on the old Quad (Woods Hall) in the late 60s that featured Linda Ronstadt (backed up by the Eagles). Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. Big Bam Fall Spectacular has had 1 concert. Go to the Archives 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. . I've seen so many good shows in Birmingham over the years! 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. Signature songs include Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Cryin (Roy Orbison). A guy during intermission pulled his hankee out of his pockes and a gun fell out and fired a round into the row od seats in front of us. Just a few of the letters WBAM received from fans providing input into the acts they wished to see at the shows. By the summer of 1975 hed joined singer and keyboardist Eddie Wohlford and drummer Tommy Beavers to become part of Harvest, the precursor to the group Harmony at the Kove that spawned two major talents who made it big nationally: Tommy Shaw and Beth Nielsen Chapman. I told someone to lower the seat, and when I sat down, it went all the way to the bottom, he said, chuckling. WMSP is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, United States. . Lowell George in his prime," says Bingothatwuzagoody. We were considered the number one soul band in the south. 100 feet later someone offered us tickets at face value. Four dates per year were standard -- in winter, spring, summer and fall -- and total attendance topped out at 15,000 people for each three-show stint in Birmingham. He doesnt keep up with Johnny Townsend, but remains friends with Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, who is a successful artist in Los Angeles. [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. When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. J. Frank Wilson, and The Webs. Keyboardist Mark Marvin will fill in for Eddie Wohlford who is unable to attend. "To go to the concerts was huge. "Ringo said, 'I'm not getting up there unless you build me a bannister around this thing.' But it was one of many concerts organized by the Brennans, as they sought to cement listeners' loyalty to WVOK in Birmingham, WBAM-AM in Montgomery and WAPE in Jacksonville. ), "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.'".