Ticket Stub Time Travels

 45 years ago... December 31, 1976 - Evansville, IN Ted Nugent put a Stranglehold on New Years Eve in a rock concert at Roberts Municipal Stadium. The Motor City Madman was at the peak of popularity among 17 year olds like me. He pulled out all the stops, swinging from a rope wearing a loin cloth, burning the house down. Southern Illinois rockers Head East took the stage before Uncle Ted, playing "Never Been Any Reason" and other 8track faves from "Flat As A Pancake." A young rock band named Rex, after the lead singers first name, opened the show. We liked them a lot and bought their album. The band didn't last, but Rex Smith (no relation) did as he went on to noteriety as a pop singer, movie actor and Broadway performer, starring with Linda Ronstadt in Pirates of Penzance. Roberts Muni Stadium, home to the NCAA Aces, was renovated a couple of times but closed in 2011 and was ultimately demolished in 2013.

 4 years ago... December 30, 2017 - Glendale, AZ In a Big 10 versus Pac 12 matchup, the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Washington Huskies 35 - 28 in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Current NFL running backs Saquon Barkley and Myles Gaskin each had two rushing touchdowns.

 21 years ago today... December 29, 1995 - Tempe, AZ Regional favorite Jerry Riopelle played a rock concert at Electric Ballroom. Riopelle was a headlining star in Phoenix and Hawaii (?!?) and was known for hosting multiple New Years Eve shows at Celebrity Theatre. One of those nights is captured on a CD titled "Rockin' in the Round." Electric Ballroom was one version of the long-time rock club on Apache Road, also known as Dooley's and After the Gold Rush among other monikers. It was a major venue in its day and is missed.

 30 years ago today... December 28, 1991 - Las Vegas, NV Siegfrieg & Roy peformed their magic show with white lions and tigers at The Mirage Resort and Casino. This was touted at the most visited show on the Vegas strip during its long run through the 90s and early 2000s. We had excellent seats up front and were amazing by the illusions on stage. Sadly, the show ended when a white tiger bit into Roy's neck in a 2003 performance. Both magicians have died in the past two years. A sidebar memory of this show was riding the elevator with Jefferson Airplane guitarist Paul Kantner and briefly chatting him up. He was surprised to have been recognized.

 6 years ago yesterday... December 27, 2015 - Glendale, AZ Behind eight sacks of Aaron Rodgers, the Arizona Cardinals dominated the Green Bay Packers 38-8 at University of Phoenix Stadium clinching a first-round bye in the playoffs. Dwight Freeney had 3 sacks and Calis Campbell 2.5 sacks, forcing Rodgers into two fumbles that were returned for TDs. Carson Palmer threw for 265 yards and a TD in the rout.

 17 years ago today... December 26, 2004 - Cincinnati, OH The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the New York Giants 23 - 22 in the snow at Paul Brown Stadium. This game was held in the midst of the "great Christmas snowstorm of 2004" as it was known in the area, a rare phenomenon we experienced while visiting family for the holidays. Wary of the weather but wanting to see another stadium, we bought scalper tickets for the Club Level, allowing us a warm and dry retreat from the elements. To reach the actual stadium seats, ushers escorted patrons with a snow shovel and dug out the row to your seat. Of the 60 minute game clock, we spent an estimated 15 minutes sitting in the cold and snow and 45 minutes drinking in the Club lounge. Eli Manning quarterbacked the Giants, Jon Kitna for the Bengals. Neither team was .500 at the time.