8/10/1978 Electric Light Orchestra, Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL


 43 years ago today...

August 10, 1979 - Chicago, IL

Electric Light Orchestra played a concert at Chicago Stadium.
Touring behind the double album "Out Of The Blue," this was the biggest concert production I had witnessed to date, featuring a stage designed like a space ship, liberal use of fog machines and my initial exposure to laser lights. The band projected a laser beam which created the ELO script logo onto a rear screen, then twisting and flipping the image in a psychedelic and high tech visual treat.
Led by Jeff Lynne, who later went on to join the Traveling Wilbury's with Dylan, Harrison, Petty and Orbison, ELO was a music collision of pop and rock with classical. The band included a string section of violins and cellos that could play Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as a section of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven."
As a sports-crazy kid, I was introduced to ELO with "Fire On High," the instrumental theme song for CBS Sports Spectacular every Saturday. By this concert, ELO had already released their radio-friendly singles "Evil Woman," "Strange Magic," "Livin' Thing," "Telephone Line" and "Do Ya" as well as "Turn To Stone" from the current album.
This concert offered a life lesson I've never forgotten. My college buddy from the Chicago suburbs borrowed the family station wagon to drive us to the show. Soon after we paid the parking lot fee at Chicago Stadium, located in a sketchy part of the city, the car was immediately surrounded by four large members of the local community. "We'll watch your car for $10" the gang leader offered my pal. Without hesitation, my friend peeled off a 10-spot and a hand slap. As we walked toward the stadium, I scolded and questioned my friend, asking why he gave in to the local self-anointed security detail after we had already paid the legit fee. "That's the best $10 we'll spend tonight," he said of the extortion. "This means our car won't be on blocks with a shattered wind shield when we come back."
He was right. This was a memorable moment for a naïve small town kid learning the value of insurance and the ways of the big city.
Chicago Stadium was the iconic home to the NBA Bulls and NHL Blackhawks. The "Madhouse on Madison" was eventually demolished in 1995 when the teams moved to the new United Center across the street. The Chicago Stadium site became a parking lot for the new venue. Gentrification in the area makes this a safer neighborhood now.

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