In the Mix

I've been getting e mail this morning from people who read my story about seeing shows at the Spectrum over the years that ran in today's Inquirer. That story is here.

A bunch argued for the Sept. 24, 1999 Springsteen show as being equally great as the Dec. 9, 1980 show. I was at both, and the 1999 show, which had originally been scheduled for the new building across the street but was moved and rescheduled due to a hurricane, was a special night, for sure, and the best argument for why the old building was a better place to see a show than the new one. The 50th birthday celebration started off with Springsteen playing a fan's homemade recording of "Happy Birthday" on a boombox he carried on stage before launching into "Growin' Up." I'd still vote for the 1980 show, though, which was less of a celebratory night and more one of those rare instances at a a rock show - or any kind of public performance - where matters of life and death seem to be at stake in stark, clearly definable terms, and the performer succeeds in making the audience an equal partner in the battle he's fighting on stage.

But enough of what I think. Michele Curio, of Millville, wrote:

"My favorite Bruce concert at the Spectrum (of many!) was Sept. 24, 1999 (E Street Reunion/"Ministry of Rock and Roll" tour). That concert had been rescheduled from earlier in the month because of a hurricane threat (Andrew? can't remember) that never materialized. The concert was supposed to be at the Wachovia Center, but I think there was a Flyers game scheduled on the new date so the concert was at the Spectrum instead. The new date happened to be Bruce's 50th birthday and he was in rare form. He opened with "Growing Up" and also played "The Fever". I think my only disappointment was no Rosalita, although I think he played Incident.

My other favorite Spectrum concert was my first-ever rock concert; I think it would have been Nov. or Dec. of 1974. It was George Harrison with a backup band that included Billy Preston (right when "NOthing from Nothing" and "Will It go Round" were big hits) and Tom Scott. Ravi Shankar played during intermission. I went with my first boyfriend and I remember he leaned over and kissed me during "Something" and I still remember that as one of the most romantic moments of my life."

Dennis McClatchy wrote, "As a very passionate Bruce fan (and Lennon as well), I too was there December 9, 1980. Sat in an aisle in the second level to Bruce's right. That show stands as my the best Spectrum show I ever saw. All others pale in comparison. The overwhelming feeling of sadness coupled with the energy, intensity, passion and performance can never be duplicated. My memory is foggy and I realize I am wrong but I would have sworn he opened with Twist and Shout, but too many folks have corrected me as have the boots.

I saw quite a few shows (and memorable games) at The Spectrum as I worked there from 1979 through 1983 ... Perhaps lost in the "best of" shows was David Bowie's 4 night run behind Modern Love (with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Nathan East). I worked all 4 shows in the pit (right in front of the stage). I am not a big Bowie fan but on those 4 days he was Michael Jackson, Fred Astaire and Elvis morphed into 1 body. Dressed in a pastel double breasted suit each night, he was magnificent. Great show, tight band and a great performer--as smooth as it gets.

I will be very sad to see that building go as I love the narrow corridors, the sight lines and the "tight feel" of the place as compared to Wachovia."

Eileen Mathers of Fairmount wrote:
"Its in my top five only because it was my first...
Rush with opening act Blondie, Jan 21, 1979.
$6 standing room only
I got the date from the official Blondie website
which claims that,the band was "unable to perform
because of riotous fans throwing things at the stage
after Chris gave then the finger."
I remember them actually playing for a while but yes, riotous, unwelcoming
Rush fans didn't care for "that punk crap."

Ahh.......... Philadelphia, you'll never change."

Tim Kline of Audubon, Pa. pointed out one that I missed: "I just wanted to let you know I found it disappointing that you omitted Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience from your article regarding cornerstone classic rock bands that played The Spectrum. Axl Rose and Slash over Hendrix and Clapton?? My wife was 9 months pregnant when we saw Cream in January of 1969. When the revolving stage placed us in a straight away position from Clapton's mountain of amplifiers, the feeling of auditory thrust was amazing. Third row for the April 12, 1969, Hendrix show was magnificent! Cream and Hendrix at The Spectrum go down as 2 of my greatest concerts ever."

Patrick Berkery, a former Inquirer freelancer who's now at Phillyburbs.com - and also an ace drummer for the Pernice Brothers and others - had these recollections: "One of my top 5 shows of all time is a young, hungry, just-starting-to-break Guns n' Roses opening for Aerosmith at the sprectum, aug. 88. First of a two-night stand.

Tailgating in the parking lot before we saw Axl getting into a tussle with the cops.

Guns was on fire, Aerosmith was coming through the area the 2nd time on the Permanent Vacation tour so they dropped a lot of the new s- and did a bunch of old stuff.

Saw Van Halen the night they filmed the 'Panama' video in 84. Also good.

Petty/Del Fuegos/Ga. Satellites on the R'n'R caravan tour in '87. Smoked my first joint that night.

I saw them all. So long as I could get a ride. Or the weather was nice enough to walk to the Patco station in Westmont."

Jeffrey Scharff of Washington, D.C. caught The Who in South Philadelphia when Keith Moon was still alive: "The Who concert at The Spectrum on 12/15/75 is widely considered one of the best Who shows ever (which is saying a lot). I drove down from college in Binghamton to camp out for tickets in freezing weather. The show was the best concert I have ever seen and I have seen a lot over the past 35 years."

Nancy Savoth of Swarthmore got backstage for Bruce: "Great article today about The Spectrum. I remember that night too...

I was in the third row of The Spectrum with my Pentax K1000 when I
snapped a photo of Bruce as he posed for me in a turned-up black fedora,
leaning against a four-foot speaker on the night of December 9, 1980.
The experience of that audience's collective feeling, the news of John
Lennon's death and the attitude that rocking onward was the only thing
we, Bruce, anyone could do, left me numb for weeks. A twenty-year-old
senior at West Chester University, I met Bruce that night with a
cherished backstage pass. I kissed him on the cheek and told him I was
from Neptune, New Jersey; but, it wasn't a night for any kind of small
talk. He was exhausted and emotional; I was a bramble of mixed emotions
I'd never untangle. Both my husband and I grew up on Bruce. We came of
age by his message and his mystique and have never been able to equal
such a powerful spiritual "minister of rock n roll' or even try to
explain it. Quite amazingly, however,
our sons seem to understand. On that night in 1980 I was as close to
"Almost Famous" as I've ever been and I was rocked forever."

Tom Witanek from Cypress, Texas wrote:

“…the Rolling Stones played two nights on their tour for Exile on Main Street, with Stevie Wonder as the opening act.”

The Stones did three shows in 2 days

They played Thursday evening the 20th, then Friday afternoon and evening on the 21st. The Friday night show was my first trip to (the first trip at would come later) the Spectrum at the ripe young age of 14. I lived in the Burbs up 309 in a little town called Sellersville. Bought a $6.50 ticket for 25 bucks with money I earned washing dishes."

Chris Liberatore wrote: I've seen hundreds of show at the Spectrum (even Boy George).
Rod Stewart and the Faces was one of my favorites in the early 70's.
I pushed my way to the front and took this photo:

Bob Berens of Troy, Michigan wrote:

I grew up in Philly (Havertown), living there until I was 28, then moving on. For rock concerts, Philly was the best per capita music city in the U.S., and the Spectrum was integral to that reputation.

My concert going days wound down by the early 80's, but the period of 1971 - 1980 was basically monthly trips to South Philly to see one big band after another.

How does one properly explain to their kids, what it's like to see so many bands, year after year, in one venue. I saw: Yes (3 times), Moody Blues (3 times), Jethro Tull (3 times), Led Zeppelin, The Eagles (2 times), McCartney (1975), Billy Joel (2 times), Dave Mason (3 times), Queen, Van Morrison.

Acoustics
Amongst the worst in the U.S., but we wore our shame proudly. On the Doors Live album. you can even here the air conditioner during the quieter parts of the music.

Rowdiness
There were certainly moments. Odd, considering that Philly is a pretty sophisticated city, musically. Listen to the Doors Live album... One memory: I saw Ian Anderson get hit with an orange, thrown from about row 10, right at the closing line to "Thick as a Brick". The line goes: "... to be thick, (then, splat!) ..." Boy, was he pissed, but then rose to the occasion, changing the final lyric to, "... as a f***ing brick, like you, you f***ing dick!" To thunderous applause, of course.

Best Concerts ...
Yes, about 1973. It was billed as a "dance concert", meaning you could sit - or stand - anywhere. I think the floor was only partially filled with chairs, with a big open area extending for 40 yards in front of the stage, which is where I was. Yours is No Disgrace, segueing right into Starship Trooper... man, I still get goosebumps. (Two years before, as an unknown, they had opened for the Moody Blues).

McCartney (Wings Over America) - My worst seats ever, waaayyyy in the back. But who cared - it was McCartney! The flashbulbs never stopped the entire night.

My only regrets are missing The Who and Pink Floyd. I'm not even sure why, except for possibly a lack of money. I did always skip the Rolling Stones, even when most of my friends would go see them. I also passed on Springsteen, as he'd gotten too commercial for me by 1980. But, I'd seen Bruce at Villanova in 1973 in a performance that nobody in attendance will ever forget. As a total unknown, Springsteen (with band), opened for Jackson Browne. He proceeded to steal the night completely and thoroughly, so that poor 'ol Jackson, over cries of "Springsteen!, Springsteen!", had to apologize more than once for doing only an acoustical set.

Definitely, the good ol days. Fare Thee well to the Spectrum. They should leave behind a plaque. I also hope they make the seats and brick, etc. available to the public."

Chris O'Brien wrote: "I was there for that Springsteen concert. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to - I still remember those opening comments and Twist & Shout.

Maybe there should be a final concert event for the building; they could invite Jethro Tull, Billy Joel, Kansas, Styx and Rush… - with special guest: Spinal Tap!"