Formed: 1963, Troy. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. The Brennan Brothers were radio broadcast innovators of the 1950s and 60s, when they owned and operated powerhouse stations in Jacksonville, Chattanooga, and . 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. Add the extra costs associated with security guards and insurance, and hiring bands is not a profitable option for many club owners. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that. Instant Help Questions? Classics such as Midnight Hour, (Wilson Pickett), Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd), and Mr. Welcome to my Nightmare in Huntsville Von Braun 1975 and KISS in 1976 at Von Braun. So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! From Denniswingo: "Was there! A close second would be Yes at the Concert Hall in 2013. Bob was producing a medical documentary in Alabama, and also was a promoter for Evil Kneival and Chill Wills. Clipping found in Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama on Mar 24, 1966. And they accepted it, but we did get the total amount of the gate that came in. George Howell, who as George the D.J. co-hosted Hubcap Classics, was a big fan of the BAM shows beginning in the 9th grade. . (His moniker on the air: Dan the Music Man. The Grass Roots. They had the Stones in about 1963-64, with Brian Jones before he died. I remember some of them telling us they came to every show that whole year.". Sweet Young Uns Now sales manager for a Dothan radio station, Moody fondly remembers working as a teenager at a 1959 WBAM concert featuring singer Connie Francis. 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. Other notable former personalities included Bill J. Moody, Paul Simpkins, Mark Robbins, Gene Hocutt and Joe Cook. The Animals. Rich Thomas Weather. ", From David Hester: "Eagles at Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville in 1975. ", Looking back on it, Brennan realizes that bringing the Beatles to the Gator Bowl was a milestone event -- one firmly enshrined in Beatles lore and noted by Ron Howard in his 2016 documentary, "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years." Members: Original members Larry Hoyle, Johnny Hassett and Ron Howard, plus Chris Seymour, Johnny Long, Jr. and Craig Young. If you have one, it's going to be way down the other part of the field.' That was a lot of money. Brennan, now 86, introduced the Beatles at the Gator Bowlin Jacksonville, Fla., when the Fab Four played there on Sept. 11, 1964. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. The show is a spin-off from MTV 's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast appeared. ); Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Oak Arkansas, Rickwood Field (1975); Pink Floyd, Legion Field (1994); Peter Frampton and Robin Trower, Oak Mountain (1994); Rolling Stones, Legion Field (1994); Bruce Springsteen, BJCC, 2002; and, James Brown, Jubilee CityFest Montgomery (2003). December 3, 1955-As an extra Bonus..here's the advertisement for sister station WBAM, Montgomery, AL, when the very young Elvis Presley appeared. "Bill" Brennan, one of the owners of The Big Bam, Montgomery's renowned 50,000-watt radio station. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. He wanted us to sign a management contract with him, but we were still under contract with Marshall and . THE PROMOTIONAL POSTER OF THE WBAM, BIG BAM WINTER SPECTACULAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1967! ", From Shapeshiftinhmojo: "Jimi Hendrix played Alabama twice in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn in 1968 or 69. He showed up about five minutes before his show was to go on. ", From Don Haley Benson: "Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA! Packed house for a 1960s Big BAM Show at Garrett Coliseum. It was a hold out because they had missed a previous show in May of 1974. ", From Denniswingo: "The Grateful Dead in 1978 at the Boutwell Auditorium. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). Dislike Share. Otherwise . 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 Steve Lander, who originally booked Harvest at the Kove in 1975, has offered the Blue Iguana free for the night. Big Bam Show. Skyping with a Hermit "(Listeners) would tell us what they liked and didn't like. 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. When was the last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular? They didn't come to hear me; they came to hear the Rolling Stones.'". Music you could dance to Famous quotes containing the words historical and/or videos: ', "We went over there and asked Roy, and he said, 'No, we're not going to do that. ", From dassani: "I was there Could not have been better! 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. I was very happy with doing the work I did. As a result, Captain and Tennille declined ABC's offer to do a second season. Tickets cost $3 apiece. At the time, Sonny was interested Cher's friend, not her. 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. We always had the feeling, said Dan Brennan, that it was more than just a job., It was the golden era of rock and roll, said Moody. A license for the station was issued in 1952. Vocalist in Salem, Alabama 1,320 views on fandalism. ", Also on his list: "Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods, Legion Field, sometime in the 70's. I don't know, I guess people got to trust us. Its amazing the life we got to live.. "Play It All Night Long." There was this woman who was playing the bongos who literally passed out playing. 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. 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. A recent Skype video call to his U.K. home found Whitwam fondly remembering the Hermits Big BAM Show performances. Brennan also remembers that Starr requested reinforcements to the stage area near his drum kit, because strong gusts lingered after the hurricane. Wed ask them, Who would you like to see? Then wed select artists for the shows from this listener input.. Several others mentioned seeing the Rolling Stones in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Cyril Brennan, who received a Top Program Director award from Billboard Magazine, is retired and lives in Pike Road. 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. They played at YMCAs, American Legion halls, private parties, and dances all over south Alabama, Panama City, Savannah, and Greenville, Miss. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Tommy, I'm in Montgomery, Alabama. ", From Cobb: "Buckingham Nicks in Morgan Auditorium Tuscaloosa Alabama Fall 1973.". A memorable night that I won't ever forget. Yet there was also a gentler side of the city that is rarely revealed within the pages of history texts. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. There were a lot of fun people.. "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka. They had easy backstage access, as well, and would confidently sashay throughout the venue. Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. From 1963 to 73 the Big BAM shows and their counterpart in Birmingham, the Shower of Stars shows, presented four concerts a year. Dan Brennan, center, backstage at the Shower of Stars with with Paul Revere & the Raiders. "I'm so old. Jones, now 59, also played school dances and armories in a group called The Drones. snapchat chat bitmoji peeking. The concert series started around 1960 with such stars as Fabian and Brenda Lee. ", From bamamaam: "What about the lynyrd skynyrd concert at rickwood field in the '70's.? Toni loved doing the show, but Daryl, who never enjoyed being on camera, did not. The only multiple-act show in the country similar to what the Brennans offered were those produced by Dick Clark. In the 1960's WVOK, in Birmingham Alabama, would have the top bands play at one huge concert. Jerry Lee Lewis. 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. 0. blues show montgomery, al 2021. Reactions to these picks -- made by entertainment reporters Matt Wake, Lawrence Specker and Mary Colurso -- ranged from praise to anger, support to dismay. Roy Orbis. 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. I kept going to at least one show a year through about 1968, he said. He said, 'We're going to put both of them on.' 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. 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! We had enough left over that, for a lot of our promotions after that, people would get free raincoats.". From Mike Travis: "KISS, Van Halen, Rush, The Who, The Rolling Stones , Pink Floyd the racetrack mudfield to see GNR, Billy Joel and Elton John as well as the Eagles and Metallica in '81. 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. "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. FUNK-ON. Wed go all over, even the Old Dutch in Panama City.. All rights reserved (About Us). ", From Art Meripol: "U2's Zoo Tour at Legion was pretty fun from the floor.". "Bill" Brennan, Billy Benns (Jr.) and Mrs. Luella B. Aldridge. By nature, talent and inclination, Brennanwasentirely suited to the family business; thousands of fans knew his voice and remembered his name. From Sell it to the tourists: "I saw an amazing Harry Chapin show at the BJCC Concert Hall in around 1978? The band's management initially asked for 85 percent of the ticket proceeds or $25,000, whichever was greater, Brennan says. The Rockin' Rebellions won top honors - beating out 67 other bands from throughout Alabama. 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. Music lovers would line up at each venue, some arriving hours in advance, then rush inside to secure their favorite general-admission seats. ", From ghostreader: "Springsteen, mobile civic center theater may 1976. "In those days, you could go to a concert and there was only one back door. For more, visit Rich's YouTube Channel . It was just before his popularity exploded. Anybody remember that one? Edgar Winter Group with the Frankenstein tour," said Rick Allen. 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. . I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. 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. Joni Mitchell at Tuscaloosa 1975 would be third," said jarobertson. "One of the the things we had to do, in order to provide bathroom facilities for all of the artists, we had a bunch of RVs, recreation vehicles, and they were all over the field out there," Brennan says. fireworks at the end while playing freebird.??? Sonny Grier is another longtime Montgomery band member who still plays music. Things changed a little bit after that. When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). But it never happened. Hal Hodgens of WVOK is second from left. big bam shows montgomery, alabama. The Rockin' Gibraltars, Montgomery, 1960s. Chuck Berry was an intro-act, great show he put on. Id never seen anybody get an audience so excited, Dan Brennan remembered. ", From Eric Pendergrass: "Grateful Dead BJCC April 4,5 1995.". . 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. 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. I think he could call his own shots.". The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. Then another. 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. He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period. We rode up the . to see more entries, Posted on November 1, 2011 by bob in Features. People would come night after night, said Lander, who owns Bama Lanes in Montgomery and Prattville. the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot But with two hotshot rock bandson the bill at Legion Field, the twangier acts faced a tougher crowd and some of the musicians felt like underdogs. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. The Temptations and The Supremes, The TCB Tour, Auburn University, 1972. The Brennan familysold itsstake in AM radio a few years later,and hemoved on to WRKK-FM, an album-rock station known as K-99. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. 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. Louise Brennan, Cyril's wife, at the Beatles' press conference in Jacksonville. Respi Mee Sup Sabahiiat. George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . 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. I missed a bunch more, though!". Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Her harmonies with Eddie and Jimbo were legendary, and thus the group found its new name. "I think the story about Buckingham Nicks is pretty interesting. The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. They have reformed several times with different members, playing for Lee High School reunions. The other was Municipal Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a show had been set for September 15 th. When Peter Noone left Hermans Hermits in 1971, Hermits drummer Barry Whitwam keep going, and today continues to lead his own Hermans Hermits band (as does Noone performing as Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noone). Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. 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. Renamed Rock Hull Band in 77 before reclaiming original name in 90. 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.. Rinoplastia; Blefaroplastia Fans also rushed to nominate their favorites when asked for feedback. One of its earliest Big BAM Shows featured Elvis Presley as he ascended to fame, on the same bill with Roy Acuff. Signature songs include Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Cryin (Roy Orbison). Ask anyone who was there. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School. We were waiting at the Holiday Inn, in the bar at the hotel having a beer. The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. The mothership landed in the BJCC that night. The Beatles in Alabama? He also helped to choose and line up some of the concert talent. Herman's Hermits. 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. Only concert I have ever been to where they had tee shirts for the guitarist in the band along with the band's shirts. Its magic, said Beavers. Submit a request Contact us through a specially prepared form. "There was a little one, and a big one, and we didn't know which was which," Brennan says. Thats not to say Montgomery area favorite bands cant be seen any more. My personal favorite concert of all times was Billy Joel at the BJCC Concert Hall.

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