The Hollies. View the Full Page. Many who danced the night away to the Rockin Gibraltars or who nursed a beer and smoked a cigarette listening to Harmony, recall those days with particular fondness and with nostalgia for a time that wont likely return. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. At the time, Sonny was interested Cher's friend, not her. 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. "The level of excitement was unbelievable," Bartoletti says. It was just the coolest thing.". If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Still, for radio listeners who tuned into WVOK back in the day, Brennan will always be Dan the Music Man. The Who. For Alabama radio pioneer, life was a Shower of Stars Were a dance band.. $14 million dollar house maine; WBAM Big Bam Shows Remembered - YouTube "Hendrix, Joplin, the Who, Elvis, Dylan all played in Tuscaloosa," said Jeremy Don McCollough. But from the . When Cher and Sonny first met in 1963, she was 16, while he was 27 and married (he and his first wife were separated). We enjoyed all the years we spent in radio, said Dan Brennan, who now owns a video production company in Birmingham. When was the last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular? I was very happy with doing the work I did. 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. The bands would come in cars -- just plain old cars -- and they'd get their guitars out and walk past you. ", All three Brennan brothers were ambitious businessmen who worked as a team. He was lead singer of the Rockin Gibraltars, formed in 1965 by a group of students at Lee High School. Canned Heat. Big Bam Show - Newspapers.com The mothership landed in the BJCC that night. April 8, 1967: State Coliseum, Montgomery, AL with Electric Prunes, Buckinghams, Lou Christie, Brian Hyland and The Jokers, Tommy James and The Shondells, Royal Guardsmen, The Blues Magoos, The Casinos and others "WBAM presents Big Bam All-Star Spring Show" April 14, 1967: University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA with Freudian Slip ", Several readers mentioned Lynyrd Skynyrd as a given, pointing to various concerts throughout the state. Show Duplicate for Mar 22, 2013: Mar 08, 2013 Justin Moore: Garrett Coliseum: We didn't make any money.". 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). He wanted us to sign a management contract with him, but we were still under contract with Marshall and . Shower of Stars - Bhamwiki "One of my favorites was RUSH 1981 Mobile Municipal Auditorium," said tgfmiss. Music lovers would line up at each venue, some arriving hours in advance, then rush inside to secure their favorite general-admission seats. Classics such as Midnight Hour, (Wilson Pickett), Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd), and Mr. "Times have changed so," said a wistful Peek, the Shower of Stars devotee. We played a lot of soul music, the Beatles, the Stones, he said. Only concert I have ever been to where they had tee shirts for the guitarist in the band along with the band's shirts. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Gobs of people have asked us when were going to do another reunion. Hendrix only played a limited number of concerts before he died and the one in Tuscaloosa blew the top off Memorial Coliseum. In one fell swoop, he was in hot demand. WBAM Big Bam Shows - YouTube Joplin died on Oct. 4, 1970. Her harmonies with Eddie and Jimbo were legendary, and thus the group found its new name. As a result, Captain and Tennille declined ABC's offer to do a second season. Any of the Yes shows in Birmingham! . big bam shows montgomery, alabama - joannascottcreative.com [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. 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.. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the concerts were the Brennans' gifts to a loyal radio audience. Anybody else remember seeing Joplin in Tuscaloosa? White guys playing soul music!, Most of the stuff we played was music you could easily dance to, said Dupree. 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. (The Beatles' popularity in the U.S. exploded in 1964, and that year's tour was a watershed moment for the band.). Rinoplastia; Blefaroplastia 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. Date:Sun, 5 Jun 2005 09:12:45 -0400 I'll tell you a story about that WBAM show in Montgomery. ", From Shapeshiftinhmojo: "Jimi Hendrix played Alabama twice in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn in 1968 or 69. "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?' big bam shows montgomery, alabamasmart search field in safari. I missed a bunch more, though!". Biography Toni Tennille When I got on stage the drum kit seat was way too high. He plays locally at Ruddles, Coaches Corner in Wetumpka, Young Barn Oyster Pub, and has recorded a CD. Bobby Goldsboro was having a nice run of hits in the mid-'60s when suddenly, with the release of a song called "Honey" in 1968, he became a major star. Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Tommy, I'm in Montgomery, Alabama. "It was quite a thing.". 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.. He was replaced by Johnny Townsend from Tuscaloosa, who was living with Duane and Gregg Allman in LA. 3. Pin on The Old Record Case - pinterest.com The Fab Four wouldnt play to segregated audiences, and at that time this was the case in Alabama. The entire show was magic, beginning with The Stranger and of course included many of the unknown Joel early songs. It will be the first time theyve have been together since a reunion benefit at a local club in 2007. Mountain 1971," said Billy Bromberg. They moved to LA, minus Grier whod gotten married and had a new baby and didnt want to move. Our four-piece horn section sets us apart, said Key. The Other Side of Montgomery - Google Books "I didn't stay up there too long," Brennan says, laughing. The Rogues recorded the 45 in February of 1966, for MBM Records, a Birmingham, Alabama label that goes back to the early '60s. We were waiting at the Holiday Inn, in the bar at the hotel having a beer. The Untold Story of the Beatles' Desegregation Rider Jones, now 59, also played school dances and armories in a group called The Drones. George Harrison is behind Dan on the left, John Lennon on the right. Montgomery, Alabama, United States: Apr 15, 2016 keith sweat / Juvenile / Morris Day & The Time / Cherelle: . The Lovin' Spoonful. The station is locally owned and operated by Bluewater Broadcasting Company, LLC. Their annual Big Bam shows, and Show of Stars were traveling medicine shows and featured Lou Christie, Roy Orbison, The Animals. I told Jimbo we should all come in with walkers, laughed Beavers. December 3, 1955-As an extra Bonus..here's the advertisement for sister station WBAM, Montgomery, AL, when the very young Elvis Presley appeared. The band has undergone several incarnations. Im content where Im at, said Beavers, except I could lose about 80 pounds.. 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. The Four Seasons. Toni loved doing the show, but Daryl, who never enjoyed being on camera, did not. They played at YMCAs, American Legion halls, private parties, and dances all over south Alabama, Panama City, Savannah, and Greenville, Miss. "Radio played the song every twenty minutes. +40 (724) 307.599 Lu - Vi: 9:00 - 18:00; big bam shows montgomery, alabama "Best concert I caught in this state was at Memorial Coliseum in Tuscaloosa in 1978 Lowell George and Little Feat. I always got seats on the floor for the shows. They changed their name to Heart before eventually folding. Wed ask them, Who would you like to see? Then wed select artists for the shows from this listener input.. For an 18-year-old to take home a pillowsack full of dollars, that was quite a heady time.. Welcome to my Nightmare in Huntsville Von Braun 1975 and KISS in 1976 at Von Braun. One show in particular stands out. WBAM-FM - Wikipedia Submit a request Contact us through a specially prepared form. The audience was huge, sold out, 10,000 or more. 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. 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! 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. And if we hadn't had (Hurricane Dora), we would have made a lot of money. Otherwise . That way I could see the stars and hear the music better. 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. Reactions to these picks -- made by entertainment reporters Matt Wake, Lawrence Specker and Mary Colurso -- ranged from praise to anger, support to dismay. ", From bamamaam: "What about the lynyrd skynyrd concert at rickwood field in the '70's.? Music of a Generation: Big BAM Shows | Prime Montgomery Tickets were priced at$1.50-$5.50 per show, Brennan says, and artists' fees usually ran about $300-$7,500 per act. And so he gave them -- the only show in the whole country that did this -- we gave them a flat $50,000, which was pretty good in those days. 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. The Byrds. 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. I said, 'Cyril, what do you think we ought to do?' We were considered the number one soul band in the south. ", From estevev: "Of the ones I attended, the most memorable ones were -- Ike and Tina Turner Review, Plush Horse, (1974? George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274. show . 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. Big Lots Prattville: Furniture, mattress & home product store in show bam - enow.com - Content Results 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. "Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years. Dan Brennan, center, backstage at the Shower of Stars with with Paul Revere & the Raiders. By the time they came to get us we were pretty shozzeled.. "You didn't have to know anything about guitar to realize that he was one of the best ever to take the stage. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. In most cases, the concertswere multi-act affairs, featuring the hottest names the radio stations could secure. 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. Once solo and once with a band. I was blown away. Many regulars from the Kove days brought their grown children and will likely do so again. Bob was producing a medical documentary in Alabama, and also was a promoter for Evil Kneival and Chill Wills. No mention does anyone else remember that?". "Fairgrounds Bham. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "Bill" Brennan, Billy Benns (Jr.) and Mrs. Luella B. Aldridge. The Fabulous Shades, 1965. 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 ghostreader: "Springsteen, mobile civic center theater may 1976. Formed: 1972, Tuscaloosa. Keith Richards was almost electrocuted when his guitar grounded on a mic. But in the minds of Alabama listeners, WVOK and WBAM ruled supreme, and the stations were closely linked by their concert series. The Quad show was FREE! "I don't have any regrets," hesays. The Huntsville Times file photo/Michael Proffitt. They agreed to do it, but they were on one end of it, and the Beach Boys were on the other end of it. 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). 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. WBAM FM - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Signature songs include Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Cryin (Roy Orbison). Rare Earth. Thats not to say Montgomery area favorite bands cant be seen any more. WBAM-FM - History - Former Programming and Personalities "Rolling Stones, October 5, 1989, Legion Field," said Emily A. 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. . The most popular group, both Brennan brothers agree, was Hermans Hermits (see sidebar below). The Buckinghams. Big Bam Fall Spectacular has had 1 concert. ", 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. It was the summer after my senior year, said Grier, who was joined by Keith Brewer on bass, Bobby Dupree on drums, Rusty Crumpton on guitar, Ronnie Monroe on trumpet and Ed Sanford on keyboards. "There was a police line for the Beatles to run through, and the stage was built up so people couldn't get to them.". Bottom (l-r), Ronnie Monroe, Bobby Dupree and Rusty Crumpton. "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. 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. The Big BAM Shows. The Louvin Brothers. ", "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. Show Hide article text (OCR) Fans also rushed to nominate their favorites when asked for feedback. 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. "Lynyrd Skynyrd, after Montrose featuring Sammy Hagar July 4th, 1975 at Rickwood Field," said Bamabadger62. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Back then, thats what music was about, remembers Bobby Dupree, 63, drummer with The Rockin Gibraltars, a popular Montgomery-based group in the 60s. "Put You Down" was written by lead guitarist Max Kendrick and vocalist Rich Gainer. WVOK Shower Of Stars-Advertisements 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. Via a longstanding partnership with the Benns family, the Brennans also extended theirreach to Chattanooga, the home of WFLI-AM. 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. In 2020, the median property value in Montgomery, AL was $121,100, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%. It was everything. Think it was 1977," says Craigmo. Big Bam Fall Spectacular Concert History - Concert Archives In the 1950s and '60s, Montgomery, Alabama, was ground zero f. Home; My Books; Browse . People came from several states to see these shows. Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs.. "They would be paying the acts, literally, in cash. Brother Cyril Brennan, 84, was alternately chief engineer, manager, program director and music director at WBAM and also involved in lining up talent. Neither Tommy Shaw nor Beth Nielsen Chapman will be on hand due to their schedules. They had the Stones in about 1963-64, with Brian Jones before he died. "Billsaid, 'Well, if anybody makes any money out of it, it's going to be me.' Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. I said, 'Well, this is Roy's show. Big Bam All-Star Spring Show Setlists Apr 8 1967 Date Saturday, April 8, 1967 Venue Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, AL, USA So far there are setlists of 9 gigs 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 Capital Cool. 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. 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. "It cost enough that we were lucky to come out with just enough and break even with it," Brennan says. Bobby Darin. A real commercial from the 60's with announcer Bill J Moody .Exciting times as a teen.growing up in Montgomery. Montgomery's home for country music favorites like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert . Jimbo Jones (L) and Tommy Beavers look forward to the reunion of Harmony. I never chased the stars around to hotels or anything. THE PROMOTIONAL POSTER OF THE WBAM, BIG BAM WINTER SPECTACULAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1967! "It didn't matter. Studio Phone Number: (334) 244-9898. Business Office/Studios 4101-A Wall Street Montgomery, AL 36106. . The Rockin' Rebellions | Birmingham Record Collectors Blue arcs of electricity knocked him unconscious and the show ended 15 minutes early. the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot The station's studios are . Originally licensed in 1953 as WBAM, the station broadcast contemporary and country music before turning to sports talk under the WMSP callsign in 1995. "We'd camp out at the door, on the steps and wait. For this little kid from Wetumpka, that was a big, big deal, he said. We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people. Grier continued to sing with trios and orchestras, performing at wedding receptions and private parties. The show is a spin-off from MTV 's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast appeared. ", From Jeremy Don McCollough: "Guns N' Roses played the Birmingham race course, it was a muddy mess. Skynnard (not really a fan) opening for Wet Willie - 1972-73(?). I kept going to at least one show a year through about 1968, he said. "There was a little office backstage, and I remember seeing my father and uncles back there with a security guard," Bartoletti says. Which concerts will go down in history at Alabama music venues? In Montgomery, music was the Big Bam show put on at Garrett Coliseum by WBAM, and there I saw Neil Diamond, the Buckinghams, Tommy James and the Shondells. 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. Mosley tribes Lyndel . For fans, half the fun was trying for a glimpse of the stars at their hotel or coming to and from the coliseum. WBAM | Brennan-Benns Broadcasting "Big Church Night Out" / Newsboys / Sidewalk Prophets / 7eventh Time Down / Blanca / Derek Minor / Brock Gill / Jeremy Willet . "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. They had easy backstage access, as well, and would confidently sashay throughout the venue. ", 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." From Denniswingo: "Was there! truly historic happening. Beth Nielsen joined the group after Shaw left. I said, 'Well, you've got a choice here. I tasted my first grits there my very first grit (laughs). Formed: 1963, Troy. "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. "Cyril's idea was, 'Tell them to sing, just a little bit, and make sure that we get the right one.' shimano ep8 630wh battery range I was there both times. former wcti reporters; winter village montreal; western new england university greek life; 1980 camaro z28 for sale in canada. All rights reserved (About Us). Cyril's wife Louise would make us outfits for the Shower of Stars, and we'd have on these big bell bottoms. 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 . Procedimientos. Inicio Quines somos? Members: Original members Larry Hoyle, Johnny Hassett and Ron Howard, plus Chris Seymour, Johnny Long, Jr. and Craig Young. ", From StolibGeezer: "Zevon played the Alabama twice. By March 15, 2021 No Comments. "Little Feat at Boutwell mid 70s. 'I did it my way.'". The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience. So I went out and introduced Bobby Edwards, and he sang songs, and I came back about half an hour later, and I said, 'Now, here's Bobby Edwards!' Garrett Coliseum, in contrast, could hold 10,000+ for a single performance in Montgomery. Louise Brennan, Cyril's wife, at the Beatles' press conference in Jacksonville. 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. Readers of AL.com have plenty of ideas. big bam shows montgomery, alabama December 24, 1958: Jerry Lee Lewis ; December 12, 1959: Fabian, The Fleetwoods, The Browns, Floyd Robinson and Bobby Lee Trammell The Alabama band was the organizer and centerpiece, raising money for charity. Jerry Lee Lewis. The last concert at Big Bam Fall Spectacular was on September 30, 1966.
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