We made $100, remembers Grier. View the Full Page. 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. 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. 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. If you have one, it's going to be way down the other part of the field.' 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. By March 15, 2021 No Comments. 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. In one fell swoop, he was in hot demand. For fans, half the fun was trying for a glimpse of the stars at their hotel or coming to and from the coliseum. I was very happy with doing the work I did. "We had to import parkas, raincoats from Taiwan, so that was our rain insurance," Brennan says, laughing. A story by Ben Flanagan of AL.com, looking back at concerts at the coliseum, also mentions Joplin. 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 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. 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. During a recent show some ladies, obviously a few years older than him, recognized Grier from the early Gibraltar days. ", From TTownTony: "You cannot even imagine the concerts played in Tuscaloosa before the BJCC was built. Can you say Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?". We were all so nervous we wore dark sunglasses so nobody could see how scared we were, said Dupree. I don't even think it was a sell out. Gary Puckett & the Union Gap. FUNK-ON. It wasnt concerts where you played and 500 people sat down and listened to you.
WVOK Shower Of Stars-Advertisements "We had a room set up at our house that had little cubbyholes, like a post office has, and Clara would be back there, stuffing these envelopes, and getting the tickets," Brennan says. The last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular was on September 30, 1966. The Beach Boys were fresh-faced headliners that night, riding high on the success of hits such as "I Get Around," "Surfer Girl," "Surfin' U.S.A,""Help Me, Rhonda" and "California Girls." It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007. I never chased the stars around to hotels or anything. Submit a request Contact us through a specially prepared form. 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. Hes been in a few movies, raced sports cars and been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Local Rock 'n Roll 60s & 70s Style | Prime Montgomery ', "We went over there and asked Roy, and he said, 'No, we're not going to do that. The Beatles in Alabama? I told someone to lower the seat, and when I sat down, it went all the way to the bottom, he said, chuckling. According to Dan, the only surviving brother, it was Bill's decision to offer$50,000 to the Beatles for their appearance at the Gator Bowl. 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. This doesn't even scratch the surface! By 1972 the heyday of the big shows had passed. [2] Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. Members: Original members Larry Hoyle, Johnny Hassett and Ron Howard, plus Chris Seymour, Johnny Long, Jr. and Craig Young. Skyping with a Hermit Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys were the headliners that evening, and the billincluded Kitty Wells, Johnnie and Jack, Fred Wamble, Jack Turner and Buddy Hawk.
WMSP - Wikiwand "He said, 'Dan, I like to play for you here in town, but I don't want you to ever book me on a show like this again. Rock 'n' roll had just started, and you were right in the middle of it.". I'm sure they were totally confused.". Despite her young age -- she was 7 that year -- Bartoletti felt another emotion at the Gator Bowl: extreme pride. The early concert didn't begin until it was time for the second one, but it was worth the wait. ", From Eric Pendergrass: "Grateful Dead BJCC April 4,5 1995.". Rare Earth. Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. Her very own father was on stage, standing closeto four of the most famous musicians in the world. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School.
The Rockin' Rebellions | Birmingham Record Collectors "(Listeners) would tell us what they liked and didn't like.
WBAM ~ Trax & Grooves - Blogger I think we had at least 15,000-16,000 people there. With an amazing backing band, he proceeded to entertain the entire evening. "What's that Frank Sinatra song? Lead in groups were the James Gang with Joe Walsh, and a group that got booed called Frampton's Camel before Peter Frampton hit it big. Readers shared fond memories of June Jam, the annual music festival that ran 1982-1997. That's how we put together our shows. Whitwam remembers little of that show, but subsequent performances are crystal clear. Both Shaw and Chapman have gone on to stardom as performers and songwriters.]. "Probably the most famous and beloved would be Buckingham Nicks at Boutwell in January of 1975. One of the Beach Boys told me it was the biggest talent show hed ever been in!.
WVOK Shower of Stars | Flickr 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.
WMSP - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core I remember some of them telling us they came to every show that whole year.". Back then, thats what music was about, remembers Bobby Dupree, 63, drummer with The Rockin Gibraltars, a popular Montgomery-based group in the 60s. We get young people, folks our age, and older folks, he said proudly. .
WBAM-FM - ipfs.fleek.co By the time they came to get us we were pretty shozzeled..
WBAM Big Bam Shows - YouTube Thousands of Beatles fans were ready to twist and shout in the Southeast, and the Brennan clan had made it happen. Roy Orbison. ); 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). As Brennan recalls it, the Beach Boys were paid $7,500 for their performance, and the Rolling Stones received $5,000. REENADED . Lou Christie was huge in Montgomery. 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. There was this woman who was playing the bongos who literally passed out playing. Patsy Cline. "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. So many great City Stages performances: Chuck Berry (backed my some of Birmingham's finest), James Brown, Johnny Cash (right after Randy Newman! Jimbo Jones (L) and Tommy Beavers look forward to the reunion of Harmony. ", From cj75: "Grateful Dead, 5/17/77 in Tuscaloosa.
Big Lots Prattville: Furniture, mattress & home product store in 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. From au92536: "June Jam in Fort Payne - I know it's country BUT. Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller), Big BAM Show. "I don't have any regrets," hesays. "Rickwood Field, late 70's. We would skip class and work setting up the stages for free admission and backstage passes. I said, 'Elvis, I'm sorry, but we can't accommodate you, because it is his show.' ", From StolibGeezer: "Zevon played the Alabama twice. Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs.. 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. Thanks to Donnie Brennan for the Elvis photos. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. ", 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." One big favorite, however, appears to be a '70s date at Legion Field. He recalls the popular hangouts for older teens and the legendary "Big Bam Shows" of the period.
The Other Side of Montgomery: Growing Up White in the Birthplace of the The band also played Birmingham in May 1977, according to this story by Madison Underwood. One was the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, which was to host a concert on September 10 th. recent post listing 31 of the greatest shows, according to this story by Madison Underwood, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Dan Brennan, center, with the Grass Roots. former wcti reporters; winter village montreal; western new england university greek life; 1980 camaro z28 for sale in canada. Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. +40 (724) 307.599 Lu - Vi: 9:00 - 18:00; big bam shows montgomery, alabama ", From estevev: "Of the ones I attended, the most memorable ones were -- Ike and Tina Turner Review, Plush Horse, (1974? 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 . But it never happened. People would come night after night, said Lander, who owns Bama Lanes in Montgomery and Prattville. Clipping found in Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama on Mar 24, 1966. The football stadiumposed a few extra challenges, Brennan says, from seating assignments to sound quality to weather preparation. "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. "My brother, he was always a little bit of a gambler," Brennan says. Shop Patio & Garden, including exclusive patio furniture from brands like Broyhill. Most recently they performed earlier this year for a benefit show for ailing former bandmate Keith Brewer, who died in April of cancer. Jerry Lee Lewis, the Brennans said. Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. No mention does anyone else remember that?". Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. Some of the concerts took place in a single location -- most often, Jacksonville. Elton John played three different years and drew over 40,000 total. 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. BB King's penultimate show at the Alabama (sitting but still playing and not drifting into non sequitur land). He also helped to choose and line up some of the concert talent. . 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. ", From Steve Wayne: "Guns N' Roses at the Birmingham Race Course.
The Other Side of Montgomery: Growing Up White in the Birthplace of the Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. Studio Phone Number: (334) 244-9898. Business Office/Studios 4101-A Wall Street Montgomery, AL 36106. 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. We were considered the number one soul band in the south. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Uploaded 11 years ago Music 4; Photos 0; Interview . While Gator Bowl officials relented to a desegregated audience for the concert, two other venues Epstein had chosen were problematic. on. It was a hold out because they had missed a previous show in May of 1974. He didn't insist onphotos. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. "Big Church Night Out" / Newsboys / Sidewalk Prophets / 7eventh Time Down / Blanca / Derek Minor / Brock Gill / Jeremy Willet . I don't know, I guess people got to trust us. Find the answers to any question. It would be tough going back to ballrooms and small clubs after this. Her harmonies with Eddie and Jimbo were legendary, and thus the group found its new name. Just a few of the letters WBAM received from fans providing input into the acts they wished to see at the shows. "Two guitars and a stool. ", From bhamboost: "Parliament Funkadelic Mothership Connection 1976. Pitiful (Otis Redding) sound so much better with real horns.. Joni Mitchell at Tuscaloosa 1975 would be third," said jarobertson. ", From Don Haley Benson: "Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA! These are just a few of the acts presentedby the Brennans during the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. 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. big bam shows montgomery, alabama.
show bam - enow.com - Content Results The Byrds. Top (l-r), Keith Brewer, Ed Sanford and Sonny Grier. Its effortless., Even after all these years, agreed Jones. In 1964 the Brennans booked the Beatles for a concert in either Legion Field in Birmingham, or Garrett Coliseum or Crampton Bowl in Montgomery. 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. They moved to LA, minus Grier whod gotten married and had a new baby and didnt want to move. The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. Mountain 1971," said Billy Bromberg. (It was free.) "To go to the concerts was huge. J. Frank Wilson, and The Webs. One of its earliest Big BAM Shows featured Elvis Presley as he ascended to fame, on the same bill with Roy Acuff. Their big prize was three VOX . 1973(?). The chips were glued into Dianes scrap book between photos of the Beatles. 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. This was the last concert they did before going back to LA and joining the band Fleetwood Mac. 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. The Hollies. The Beach Boys. . Many of the artists told me these were the biggest shows theyd ever done.. J Jackie Culpepper 662 followers More information WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered Record Case Montgomery Growing Up 60s Old Things Teen Memories Remember Videos "Put You Down" was written by lead guitarist Max Kendrick and vocalist Rich Gainer. I've got to change clothes and everything.' 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. We'd be there from the crack of dawn until midnight. "I didn't stay up there too long," Brennan says, laughing. 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.. "We'd camp out at the door, on the steps and wait.
big bam shows montgomery, alabama - mmischools.com We came along at just the right time.. WBAM signed on in 1953 as AM 740. Its magic, said Beavers.
Biography Toni Tennille After helping escort her safely away from an unruly crowd, she rewarded him with a big kiss. He doesnt keep up with Johnny Townsend, but remains friends with Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, who is a successful artist in Los Angeles. In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. Home; My Books; Browse . 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. I have such fond memories of coming to Alabama. truly historic happening. One of the most powerful Shower of Stars events happened on May 7, 1965, when WVOK brought the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys to Legion Field. "His 'side' men was the entire Little Feat rhythm section.
Alicia Mcleod - Vocals - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy "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. There was always so much excitement surrounding the shows, Knapp said. Brennan, now 86, introduced the Beatles at the Gator Bowlin Jacksonville, Fla., when the Fab Four played there on Sept. 11, 1964. Instant Help Questions? Only concert I have ever been to where they had tee shirts for the guitarist in the band along with the band's shirts. Brennanleft the radio business for good in 1982.
Big Bam Fall Spectacular Concert History - Concert Archives The primary reason for the shows was to keep a personal relationship with the listeners, said Dan Brennan, 81, former general manager at WVOK. Ticket prices were never more expensive than $4.00. I said, 'Cyril, what do you think we ought to do?' From 1963 to 73 the Big BAM shows and their counterpart in Birmingham, the Shower of Stars shows, presented four concerts a year. But Lewis went over his allotted time. We'll have to ask him. "I think the story about Buckingham Nicks is pretty interesting. Dan Brennan recalls the reaction from performers.
Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists | setlist.fm 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. 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. I kept going to at least one show a year through about 1968, he said. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' The Big BAM Shows. 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 . Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. 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. The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. Deep South was incorporated in late July of 1950 with a capitalization of $60,000. Bob Brennen gave me these. I believe that city has a particular significance to you. And didn't ever explain to the people what had happened. The Carpenters. 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. Butspeaking in general terms, each also hada specialty: Bill the visionaryentrepreneur, Cyril the tech-mindedpioneer, Dan the key concert producer and a smooth, recognizable voice at WVOK. "We gave everybody who came a free rain parka.
We played all the way through college, says Long.
Montgomery | Garage Hangover In 2020, the median property value in Montgomery, AL was $121,100, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%. Toni loved doing the show, but Daryl, who never enjoyed being on camera, did not. We stayed at the same hotel as them. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. That was one of my first big gigs - the Big BAM shows!
big bam shows montgomery, alabama And the Shower of Stars concerts still linger in localmemory. He showed up about five minutes before his show was to go on. The Rockin' Gibraltars, Montgomery, 1960s. The show is a spin-off from MTV 's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast appeared. We were waiting at the Holiday Inn, in the bar at the hotel having a beer. Steve Lander, who originally booked Harvest at the Kove in 1975, has offered the Blue Iguana free for the night.