7/30/1982 Barbara Mandrell, Ray Stevens, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ


 39 years ago today...

July 30, 1982 - Phoenix, AZ

Reigning Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year Barbara Mandrell performed in concert at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Mandrell had just concluded a two-year stint with her own TV variety show starring her and her sisters and was at the peak of her popularity. She may have been "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed," but "She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool." And "If Loving Her Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right."
Mandrell was once of the top acts in country music throughout the 80s. She surprising retired from performance in the late 90s and has never returned to the stage. She is one of only two members of the Grand Old Opry allowed to maintain their membership without returning for shows.
Ray Stevens opened the show. With the popularity of his goofy song "The Streak," Stevens became a singer of novelty songs and actor in comedy routines. He opened a theater in Branson, MO, and hawks silly comedy videos on late night TV.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7/10/21 Super Bowl of Rock: Ted Nugent, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Journey, .38 Special, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

Image
 44 years ago today... July 10, 1977 - Chicago, IL The "Super Bowl of Rock" headlined by Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd was held at Soldier Field. The day opened with a then-relatively unknown .38 Special followed by a new version of Journey and one of the first ever appearances by Steve Perry. Regional favorites REO Speedwagon came on next and then Skynyrd, at their live show peak and the best band of the day. Ted Nugent, also arguably at his career peak performance-wise, closed the festival. In this pre-bottled water era, each of the 60K+ in attendance at Soldier Field could bring in a gallon jug. When Nugent took the stage, the empty jugs were thrown from the back and upper levels of the stadium down to the main floor and toward the stage. Jugs were tossed at the band with Nuge egging it on. So many gallon jugs accumulated on stage the show was stopped and staff with push brooms worked to clear the area.
Read more

5/18/2018 Lynyrd Skynyrd "Farewell Tour," Support from Bad Company, Jamey Johnson & Outlaws, Ak-Chin Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ

Image
 3 years ago today... May 18, 2018 - Phoenix, AZ Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd performed in concert as part of their seemingly-endless Farewell Tour at Ak-Chin Pavilion. Under the tour title "Last of the Street Survivors," the current edition of Skynyrd drew a sold-out crowd to the outdoor amphitheater. Guitarist Gary Rossington was the only original member still rocking. Ronnie Van Zant's little brother Johnny remained the lead vocalist, carrying on for the original singer who died in the tragic plane crash of 1977. This was a long night of music, kicking off with a 30-minute show from the Outlaws, a four-song set with the closing song "Green Grass & High Tides" taking up half their time allotment. Jamey Johnson followed with an acoustic set where he was joined by one other guitarist, playing his hits "In Color" and "Mowing Down The Roses." Next up was Bad Company and the return of original singer Paul Rodgers. Bad Co performed an h...
Read more

6/4/1978 Waylon's Midwest Jamboree, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League, Heartsfield, Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL

Image
 43 years ago today... June 4, 1978 - Rockford, IL Outlaw country and southern rock performed loudly was on the bill for Waylon's Midwest Jamboree at Rockford Speedway. Waylon Jennings headlined this one-day festival that rocked from noon until dusk. Joining Waylon on the bill were his wife Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League and Heartsfield. This show and all of these bands were squarely in my wheelhouse at the time, and we played their 8-track tapes in my El Camino on the drive there. This concert was only a couple years following the release of the album titled "Wanted: The Outlaws," a release featuring Waylon, Jessi, Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser that is credited for launching the Outlaw Country musical genre. Hank Jr. had just ditched the rhinestone suits and playing his father's lovesick blues in favor of turning up the amps and blasting electric guitars. NGDB renamed themselves "Dirt Band," in an attempt...
Read more