I don't know, I guess people got to trust us. 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. The only multiple-act show in the country similar to what the Brennans offered were those produced by Dick Clark. ", From GmanGent: "Alice Cooper Von Braun in 1974's Welcome to my Nightmare Tourone of the most successful tours financially up until that time. Music you could dance to Things changed a little bit after that. Skyping with a Hermit 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 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." Ask anyone who was there. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. By 1972 the heyday of the big shows had passed. 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.. 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. Neil Diamond. 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. I said, 'Well, you've got a choice here. 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). From Billy Bromberg: "Led Zeppelin 1973, Coleman Coliseum." All rights reserved (About Us). At least 25 people tried to jump the stage during the concert and were knocked backward into the crowd by gigantic stage bouncers! We would skip class and work setting up the stages for free admission and backstage passes. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? ", Also on his list: "Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods, Legion Field, sometime in the 70's. Flintstone House. They moved to LA, minus Grier whod gotten married and had a new baby and didnt want to move. 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. 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. I told Jimbo we should all come in with walkers, laughed Beavers. "We'd camp out at the door, on the steps and wait. Montgomery, Alabama, United States: Apr 15, 2016 keith sweat / Juvenile / Morris Day & The Time / Cherelle: . "Probably the most famous and beloved would be Buckingham Nicks at Boutwell in January of 1975. Read reviews from world's largest community for readers. 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. Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. Submit a request Contact us through a specially prepared form. Dan Brennan had the honor of introducing the Beatles. Shop Now 0. blues show montgomery, al 2021. So we had another beer. truly historic happening. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. They had the Stones in about 1963-64, with Brian Jones before he died. After helping escort her safely away from an unruly crowd, she rewarded him with a big kiss. Roy Orbison. Which concerts will go down in history at Alabama music venues? ", From David Hester: "Eagles at Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville in 1975. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. Home; My Books; Browse . The Fabulous Shades, 1965. All rights reserved (About Us). WMSP is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Jones, now 59, also played school dances and armories in a group called The Drones. Edgar Winter Group with the Frankenstein tour," said Rick Allen. With no sound checks between acts, group would run on stage and begin playing almost immediately. 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. Big Bam Fall Spectacular has had 1 concert. ", "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. Classics such as Midnight Hour, (Wilson Pickett), Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd), and Mr. One was the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, which was to host a concert on September 10 th. The Rolling Stones. The Young Rascals. ", "This is so subjective and there are way too many to pick from. Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. The station's studios are . 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. Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. 1984 at the BJCC. pigella miraculous ladybug power. 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 The Byrds. WBAM signed on in 1953 as AM 740. ", From Jeremy Don McCollough: "Guns N' Roses played the Birmingham race course, it was a muddy mess. This was the last concert they did before going back to LA and joining the band Fleetwood Mac. 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. blues show montgomery, al 2021. guildford school of acting auditions; gilroy google font alternative; cuisinart steamer insert; Blog Post Title February 26, 2018. I don't even think it was a sell out. That was a lot of money. ", The Birmingham News file photo/Philip Barr. 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. Alabama Shakespeare Festival 192 Theaters By Questovia Attended the production of Macbeth in this stunning theater and enjoyed every moment of it. In the 1960's WVOK, in Birmingham Alabama, would have the top bands play at one huge concert. Can you believe it? Formed: 1972, Tuscaloosa. Hendrix only played a limited number of concerts before he died and the one in Tuscaloosa blew the top off Memorial Coliseum. One of the Beach Boys told me it was the biggest talent show hed ever been in!. The Big BAM was WBAM, the 50,000-watt AM radio station owned by the Brennan family, whose other Alabama station was Birminghams WVOK. Dupree served with the Army in Vietnam, worked as an engineer in Muscle Shoals, and has been an electrical engineer for the Alabama Legislature for 27 years. . Nothing else necessary. The Grass Roots. J Jackie Culpepper 662 followers More information WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered Record Case Montgomery Growing Up 60s Old Things Teen Memories Remember Videos The Beach Boys. Hes been a school principal and now sells wholesale art, although business has been suffering due to the economy. shimano ep8 630wh battery range "They would be paying the acts, literally, in cash. "I didn't stay up there too long," Brennan says, laughing. Members: Mitch Alton (original member), Gregg Pappas, Ham Wilson, Bill Marshall , Dwight Williams, Rick Byrd, Orville Cain, Carl Tesh. Roy Orbis. 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. His family owned WBAM in Montgomery, and WVOK in Birmingham, both 50,000 watt clear channels stations back in the day. And didn't ever explain to the people what had happened. . Dan Brennan at the mic introducing the Beatles at their Gator Bowl appearance in Jacksonville, Florida. According to Ben Flanagan's story for AL.com, the band also played in Tuscaloosa at Memorial Coliseum, now Coleman Coliseum. One of its earliest Big BAM Shows featured Elvis Presley as he ascended to fame, on the same bill with Roy Acuff. I was very happy with doing the work I did. ", 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. Just a few of the letters WBAM received from fans providing input into the acts they wished to see at the shows. Cyril Brennan, who received a Top Program Director award from Billboard Magazine, is retired and lives in Pike Road. Tommy James, of Tommy James and the Shondells, describing his appearance at the WBAM and WVOK Summer Shows in 1966 (from Me, the Mob and the Music). Jerry Lee Lewis. "We all felt very privileged," Bartoletti says. These are just a few of the acts presentedby the Brennans during the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. I think we had at least 15,000-16,000 people there. That one was epic alright, unlike any other! The group recorded a few songs at Muscle Shoals FAME Studios, played around the Los Angeles area with big name bands like Vanilla Fudge and Three Dog Night, and once opened for Jimi Hendrix. 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. Yet. I've seen so many good shows in Birmingham over the years! If it's all right with him, it's all right with me. Back then, thats what music was about, remembers Bobby Dupree, 63, drummer with The Rockin Gibraltars, a popular Montgomery-based group in the 60s. Tickets to these shows were typically $3 to $4. Tickets were priced at$1.50-$5.50 per show, Brennan says, and artists' fees usually ran about $300-$7,500 per act. Both Shaw and Chapman have gone on to stardom as performers and songwriters.]. 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. Mosley tribes Lyndel . They responded, swiftly and passionately, to a recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows at venues throughout the state. "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. Both concerts were sold out. ", From Will-I: "Bruce Springsteen in Auburn in 1975. Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller), Big BAM Show. Montgomery resident Mike Vickery remembers getting a friends mother to drive him and others to the WBAM station to get tickets as soon as they went on sale so we could get them near the front on the floor. On one occasion, he accompanied some female friends to the Diplomat Inn where they spotted Lou Christie sitting by the pool, a secret one of them has never told her mother to this day.. "Elviswas an opening act," Brennan says. Its amazing the life we got to live.. J. Frank Wilson, and The Webs. 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. REENADED . 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. 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). This book takes a thought-provoking, even-handed look at those days from the perspective of a typical white kid growing up in Montgomery during that . Elvis Presley. ", From Don Haley Benson: "Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA! "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.". Thats not to say Montgomery area favorite bands cant be seen any more. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. Id never seen anybody get an audience so excited, Dan Brennan remembered. ", From Ken Cole: "I was at Jerry Lee Lewis in Boutwell in the mid '60s when I was a kid. Prattville, Alabama 36066 (334) 358-9460 View Weekly Ad Hours Store Services Full Furniture with Mattresses Furniture Leasing Furniture Delivery Milk, Eggs & Grocery Featured Be a Backyard Bigionaire! Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. We were considered the number one soul band in the south. He wants to go on late in the show.' 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. Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. (In 1965, Legion Field could seat more than 68,000 people.) "You didn't have to know anything about guitar to realize that he was one of the best ever to take the stage. The Rockin' Rebellions won top honors - beating out 67 other bands from throughout Alabama. "I'm so. "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. Tommy James & the Shondells. That's how we put together our shows. From kwe: "The best I've seen are all of the Big Bam shows during the '60s in Montgomery, Garrett Coliseum; Eagles, 1977 in Mobile: Fleetwood Mac, 1977 in Bham CC; Atlanta Rhythm Section, 1978 in Troy Sartain; Heart/America, 1985 in Montgomery CC; Stevie Ray Vaughn/Joe Cocker, 1986 in Bham Oak Mtn; Rolling Stones, 1989 in Bham Legion Field; John Fogerty/Willie Nelson, 2006 in Bham Oak Mtn; Chicago, 2011 in Mtgy MPAC. Canned Heat. "Bill" Brennan, Billy Benns (Jr.) and Mrs. Luella B. Aldridge. "The Stranger album had just come out and was only beginning to get some air play. I believe that city has a particular significance to you. The 8:30 p.m. show -- which happened in the windy aftermath of Hurricane Dora-- came courtesy of WAPE-AM, a radio station owned by the Brennan family. Any of the Yes shows in Birmingham! 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%. Most recently they performed earlier this year for a benefit show for ailing former bandmate Keith Brewer, who died in April of cancer. "The level of excitement was unbelievable," Bartoletti says. "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. We'll have to ask him. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans gifts to a loyal radio audience. "Two guitars and a stool. Of all the concerts I've been to in my lifetime, this one was the most memorable. Vocalist in Salem, Alabama 1,320 views on fandalism. I had to play the whole set standing up!. 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. 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. December 3, 1955-As an extra Bonus..here's the advertisement for sister station WBAM, Montgomery, AL, when the very young Elvis Presley appeared. Ticket prices were $2 for shows in the early 1960s, gradually increasing to a top price of $5.50, a pittance by todays standards. 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.. People came from several states to see these shows. So it was a deliberate attempt to identify with people, and to recognize that they were requesting these songs. 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. Despite her young age -- she was 7 that year -- Bartoletti felt another emotion at the Gator Bowl: extreme pride. FUNK-ON. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC The stage was an immense rectangle glutted with scaffolding and hundreds of klieg lights and a sound system on a board that looked like the skyline of New York at night. The station's transmitter is located in the town of Grady, Alabama. Blue arcs of electricity knocked him unconscious and the show ended 15 minutes early. 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. fireworks at the end while playing freebird.??? ", From bhamboost: "Parliament Funkadelic Mothership Connection 1976. George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. We enjoyed all the years we spent in radio, said Dan Brennan, who now owns a video production company in Birmingham. ", From Cobb: "Buckingham Nicks in Morgan Auditorium Tuscaloosa Alabama Fall 1973.". Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. 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! "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. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. For fans, half the fun was trying for a glimpse of the stars at their hotel or coming to and from the coliseum. Best Review Site for Digital Cameras. Beavers and Jones will be joined by former members Kelvin Holly, who works in the recording industry in Muscle Shoals and tours with Neil Young, and Bill Hinds, who tours with the Paul Thorn Band. More on the Grateful Dead's 1995 shows in Birmingham, from AL.com's "Lost Stories" series. Lindley. This might have swelled a lesser man's head, but for Brennan, it was all about connecting with the listeners. A license for the station was issued in 1952. The Rogues of Montgomery, AL cut one great rock single, "Put You Down" b/w a version of "Stormy Monday Blues". 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. We'd get hamburgers and bring them back, with someone always holding our place. White guys playing soul music!, Most of the stuff we played was music you could easily dance to, said Dupree. 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). It was electric. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. Studio Phone Number: (334) 244-9898. Business Office/Studios 4101-A Wall Street Montgomery, AL 36106. 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 Fabulous Shades The Animals. I think he could call his own shots.". They played at YMCAs, American Legion halls, private parties, and dances all over south Alabama, Panama City, Savannah, and Greenville, Miss. It's not like now, where they have secret tunnels and drive right into the auditorium.". Thanks to Donnie Brennan for the Elvis photos. We were very obnoxious to the security guard, who was the nicest guy, and of course, we would go in and outside all the time. My personal favorite concert of all times was Billy Joel at the BJCC Concert Hall. . 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 . Bobby Darin. former wcti reporters; winter village montreal; western new england university greek life; 1980 camaro z28 for sale in canada. Deep South Broadcasting was the licensee of WBAM-AM, 740 kc with 50,000 watts daytime in Montgomery. nellson nutraceutical revenue; arlington catholic basketball roster; jack cawood and suzy hunt; lawn vacuum for acorns rental. ", From UABMBA: "One of the greatest concerts in Alabama was The Rolling Stones with Chuck Berry at Auburn Memorial Coliseum, November 14, 1969. I've got to change clothes and everything.' "We started in 1947, and if you think about it, you didn't have very much television in those days," Brennan says in a recent interview. The Temptations and The Supremes, The TCB Tour, Auburn University, 1972. Cyril's wife Louise would make us outfits for the Shower of Stars, and we'd have on these big bell bottoms. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The early concert didn't begin until it was time for the second one, but it was worth the wait. I said, 'Cyril, what do you think we ought to do?' 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. Patsy Cline Performs Her Final Show Country Music Memories; Most Wanted Music: 2023's Country and Americana Album Releases; Follow Us. December 24, 1958: Jerry Lee Lewis ; December 12, 1959: Fabian, The Fleetwoods, The Browns, Floyd Robinson and Bobby Lee Trammell A recent Skype video call to his U.K. home found Whitwam fondly remembering the Hermits Big BAM Show performances. Herman's Hermits. Date:Sun, 5 Jun 2005 09:12:45 -0400 I'll tell you a story about that WBAM show in Montgomery. (The station's nickname, "the Mighty 690," referred to its spot on the AM dial.). 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. There was always so much excitement surrounding the shows, Knapp said. 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. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School. "I remember the Rolling Stones came up to me, and they said, 'You don't really expect us to get into the same RV that the Beach Boys are in, do you?' 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. ", "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. The Beatles in Alabama? Clapton! on. Their first gig was at the Wetumpka Recreation Center where admission was $1. A story by Ben Flanagan of AL.com, looking back at concerts at the coliseum, also mentions Joplin. But from the . ", From cj75: "Grateful Dead, 5/17/77 in Tuscaloosa. Music lovers would line up at each venue, some arriving hours in advance, then rush inside to secure their favorite general-admission seats. "We're big on memories," Brennan says. Rinoplastia; Blefaroplastia (It was free.) "(Listeners) would tell us what they liked and didn't like. Iron Butterfly. Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? Categories . We played all the way through college, says Long. The Rockin' Gibraltars, Montgomery, 1960s. I'm sure they were totally confused.". Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. There were a lot of fun people.. I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. 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. "Put You Down" was written by lead guitarist Max Kendrick and vocalist Rich Gainer. "I don't have any regrets," hesays. But the moment was indelible for one of his daughters, Debbie Brennan Bartoletti. He and his wife live north of Prattville in a 1930s shack, have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild. "My brother, he was always a little bit of a gambler," Brennan says. Steve Lander, who originally booked Harvest at the Kove in 1975, has offered the Blue Iguana free for the night. "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka. No mention does anyone else remember that?". Go to the Archives 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. When I got on stage the drum kit seat was way too high. Though theyve had other jobs over the years, neither Jones nor Beavers have stopped playing music. WVOK used Legion Field as a test case that spring, Brennan says, to see if the Shower of Stars could work at Birmingham's largest venue. Big Bam Show . One show in particular stands out. "Bill" Brennan, one of the owners of The Big Bam, Montgomery's renowned 50,000-watt radio station. We made $100, remembers Grier. (The Beatles' popularity in the U.S. exploded in 1964, and that year's tour was a watershed moment for the band.). Some of the items will go on exhibit starting Thursday at the Alabama. Rare Earth. Tommy James & Ed Sullivan. The Troggs. "We had to import parkas, raincoats from Taiwan, so that was our rain insurance," Brennan says, laughing. Welcome to my Nightmare in Huntsville Von Braun 1975 and KISS in 1976 at Von Braun. 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. Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. We didnt play where people sat around and drank. The last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular was on September 30, 1966. "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. They had easy backstage access, as well, and would confidently sashay throughout the venue. Pitiful (Otis Redding) sound so much better with real horns.. "Hendrix, Joplin, the Who, Elvis, Dylan all played in Tuscaloosa," said Jeremy Don McCollough. "There was a little one, and a big one, and we didn't know which was which," Brennan says. 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. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. Hisconcertseries rocked their worlds and shaped their music tastes, in tandem with WVOK. The Brennan kids were popular during the concert years, as you might expect, and Bartoletti says she, her four siblings and her cousins were fixtures at the WVOK shows, seated in the front row. It made me feel good in a way, he said. In 1964 the Brennans booked the Beatles for a concert in either Legion Field in Birmingham, or Garrett Coliseum or Crampton Bowl in Montgomery. ", From REDSEA: "While I was going to UNA back in 81, I worked on the Stage Crew on these concerts at UNA: Atlanta Rhythm Section (pictured), Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, Hotel, Crystal Gale. ", From Art Meripol: "U2's Zoo Tour at Legion was pretty fun from the floor.". Springsteen played the 'short end' of the the Beard-Eaves with the curtain up. He must have played an hour and 20 minutes or more. 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. Sweet Young Uns The Big BAM Shows. But in the minds of Alabama listeners, WVOK and WBAM ruled supreme, and the stations were closely linked by their concert series.