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.