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I came across this video on YouTube (https://youtu.be/N47YG3PWaJc) and it made me smile. I would guess that I have been to at least 20 concerts at the old Pittsburgh Civic Arena (Mellon Arena,) during my time at the University of Pittsburgh. Strategically located right at the point where the infamous Hill District meets Downtown Pittsburgh, they had some off the hook concerts there. The first one I went to was Funkadelic, Rare Earth & Sly & the Family Stone (ticket price was only $3.00!)
Another memorable concert I saw there was the Pittsburgh Funk Festival.....Natalie Cole, Funkadelic, Herbie Mann, Ohio Players, Weather Report and George Benson. Poor Benson had the misfortune of following Weather Report and ended up getting booed in his hometown.....LOL
They used to have a pretty cool concert there about once/month.
The main use of the arena was as the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins (thus it was known as the "IGLOO.") However, it also had a distinctive architectural feature, the entire roof opened up, making it it into something like an open-air amphitheater for summer concerts. That made it a perfect setting for one of the most memorable concert experiences of my life. During the 1977 Parliament-Funkadelic show, they opened the roof, and the MOTHERSHIP entered the building from the sky. Of course, my friends and I had lit up a substantial amount of "incense" during the show. (My mind was sufficiently blown.....LOL)
The arena was torn down in 2011.
A shame because it really was a great concert venue.
What are some great concert venues that you have been to, that are no longer around?
As you scroll down this week’s issue of the Soul-Patrol Newsletter we have an article from yours truly with a personal message for Thanksgiving. A new Book Review about Morris Day (On Time: A Princely Life of Funk,) Big Ups to our friend Bettye LaVette on her Grammy Nomination, A review of the new release from Experience Hendrix called “Jimi Hendrix Live at Maui,” Part 2 of Darrell McNeil’s great series “Acres & Mules,” A new release from our friends the Chairman of the Board, A new article on Motown called “Lets Make the Sound of Young America Great Again,” and an announcement of Nicole Henry’s Online Winter Concert.
Be sure to leave your comments at the bottom of each page on the site or shoot me an email, call me, leave me a message on Facebook or Twitter (use the links at the bottom of the Newsletter) with suggestions, ideas, complaints etc.
Thanks
Bob Davis - earthjuice@soul-patrol.com
609-491-3537 |
