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Dayton Memories > Who Was the First Person/Group You Saw in Concert?
Who Was the First Person/Group You Saw in Concert?
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Curt Dalton
139 posts
Jun 16, 2009
6:08 PM
I have always liked music, but not crowds. But I just had to break down and see James Taylor at the Nutter Center about eight years ago. My wife and I really couldn't afford the tickets, as they were selling for three and four times the original price by the time I finally got around to try and buy them. Luckily, we went anyway and asked at the box office if there were any that had been on hold but were now for sale again due to the concert being just about ready to begin. What a surprise to find they were NOT nose-bleed seats, but actually in the 10th row and a bargain price at around $30 each ticket! I got to see old Taylor moving around and singing his heart out - and all of the crowd shaking their hips and throwing their hands up in the air. He finished with "Sweet Baby James" and brought down the house. ... A note: The time it took getting out of the parking lot after the concert seemed to last at least as long (or longer) than the concert itself did.
Keugene48
38 posts
Jun 16, 2009
7:44 PM
the Beach Boys at Hara Arena in 1964 I think. I wish I had kept the program! Of course I went to Kinder Concerts at Memorial Hall as a school kid but I don't think anyone famous was there.
driver62
182 posts
Jun 17, 2009
4:31 AM
Charlie Pride at the West Texas Fair in Abilene, Texas back in 1970.
Marck1957
36 posts
Jun 17, 2009
8:30 AM
Since I am relatively anonymous online, I'll admit the truth: My first concert was The Osmond Brothers at Hara Arena. It must have been around 1968. For my first "adult" concert, it was Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band with Charlie Daniels in 1976.
Becky73
129 posts
Jun 17, 2009
9:05 AM
OK - everyone is going to cringe and groan. Bobby Sherman in Memorial Hall approx. 1970. He wore pants so tight, they split midway through the concert and he had to finish the song in slow motion and run off the stage to change.

To make matters worse, my next concert was Barry Manilow in 1977 here in Cincinnati. What can I say, my Mother was not a huge fan of rock and roll and wouldn't allow me to spend money on frivilous things.
RickD
26 posts
Jun 17, 2009
9:49 AM
1966- The Four Tops at a Holiday somewhere in Dayton. ( I didn't drive so I'm not sure where we were.) Later that year Wilson Pickett at Ohio University in Athens. I saw Frank Zappa at UD Arena with Robin Trower. Robin Trower was horrible (just loud, and you couldn't pick out any tunes) but Zappa was great. Does Rick and the Raiders at Forest Park count?
samstone
9 posts
Jun 17, 2009
8:21 PM
I didn't count Rick and the Raiders cause that was a dance. I didn't count Simon and Garfunkle either which I saw a Forest Park Arena.
JohnC
83 posts
Jun 26, 2009
2:59 PM
Paul McCartney and Wings in Cincy at Riverfront-the "Wings Over America" tour. 1974(?) I remember I paid $50 a seat- a lot of coin back then. Ended up the people crashed the gates and it ended up standing room only. No one sat down the entire show. If you sat, you couldn't see anything. I also remember seeing Emerson, Lake & Palmer several times (great show), Ted Nugent opening for Foghat at Hara Arena (I think my ears bled for a week), and one of the best concerts I ever went to was Queen at Riverfront (back before Freddie Mercury assumed room temperature). ELO was great, too. Went to see Yes at Riverfront-the only concert I ever walked out of. Dreadful. And oh yeah, I was at the Who concert at Riverfront when the people got crushed at the front doors. No one knew anything had happened until after the show. A real shame...

Last Edited by on Jun 26, 2009 3:02 PM
Becky73
135 posts
Jun 27, 2009
5:41 AM
Wow JohnC you were a part of rock and roll history with your attendance at the Who concert. It has made the top ten of various countdowns - top ten tragedies in Rock and Roll history.

It wasn't my first, obviously, but another concert I attended was the Lettermen, at the Beverly Hills Supper club. It was the group who performed the week before John Davidson and the horrible fire.
SeeDavid
284 posts
Jun 27, 2009
11:07 AM
Oh man, I was gonna put my Cowsill's at Memorial Hall on here.. now I saw that John C got to see Paul McCartney Wings Across America.. I have to tour book.
Re the WHO, brother in law lost his shoes and girlfriend there.
Dave will be on soon to tell about the Allman Brothers and Edgar Winter. (tee hee) ~Cindi
jan26
2 posts
Jul 30, 2009
10:10 AM
My son won tickets to see Elton John in Cincy - mid 70's???? Drove down the night before and spent all night and all day sitting at the door. Left about mid-morning to go to the bathroom at the Greyhound station. People saved our places! FABULOUS costumes and show! Kiki Dee was there. Then for a complete opposite, went to see and hear KISS at Hara six days later.
bigbob
86 posts
Aug 03, 2009
12:20 PM
I remember seeing Steppenwolf, Yes, Guess Who, and others at Hara Arena back in the late 60's. They don't make music like that any more.
maxed out
94 posts
Aug 03, 2009
1:50 PM
I can't remember the year, it had to be 65 or 66.Me and my girl saw "The Temptations" at UD. It was fantastic...."My Girl" I remember seeing the Beau Brummells at LaSourdsville(sp).. I think that was before they got real popular.."Laugh, Laugh" I might be totally dreaming this, but I believe the Lemon Pipers were at the Xenia Field House... I think they sang "My Green Tamborine" sorry for the unsureity(Is that a word) I just turned 60, 3 weeks ago..BLAH!!!
rodat6
60 posts
Aug 03, 2009
4:23 PM
The Lemon Pipers were way cool , loved their music. As for having orbited the Sun 60 times, well that is faulty programming and means nothing. Humans count their orbits of planet earth around its center star so they will know what age to act. This system was thought up by some mental retards and seems to have stuck.. I was born in 1942 and I run Ma Natures special program, it's how you feel not how you are supposed to feel. Eventually humans will get over this concept but don't hold your breath. lol.
Cindy55
3 posts
Aug 08, 2009
5:30 PM
It was Deep Purple at Hulabaloo in Forest Park Plaza. I actually got to meet them in person!!! NOW my 13 year old grandson is playing Smoke On The Water on his electric guitar! How cool is that? After that, 3-Dog Night at Hara Arena. Duffy the Dog and Joe Smith were also there to see the concert.
Steve K
71 posts
Aug 13, 2009
1:42 PM
Les Paul died this morning, and it got me to thinking, I don't think I'd ever been to a live performance before I saw him in Dayton in 1969 (unless you count the high school orchestra and band ). Pretty sure I hadn't been to Hara or UD arena for anything prior to that.
Relayerr
2 posts
Aug 14, 2009
2:15 PM
I remember Grand funk was at hara arena , wishborn ash at the victory and Peter Frampton to a crowd of 100 at the victory , than it was YES , Jethro Tull, Joe Walsh Robin trower and all the greats of that time at Hara , than we would go to Cini ,. great times in the 70s there ,.
pie8me
20 posts
Aug 29, 2009
6:46 PM
First concert was Joe Walsh/Barnstorm at the Palace (Lowes/Ames) theater on Main St. 1970 if I remember correctly.
Bigmo
5 posts
Sep 03, 2009
8:42 AM
I saw The Beatles at the Indiana State Fair almost exactly 45 years ago. They played two concerts that day, the first in the Coliseum which my sister had birthday tickets for. The second concert in the evening was moved to the grandstand area on the track. We got up next to the stage barely 50 feet away and saw the evening show for free. They got out of their limousine right next to us surrounded by police. It was a fantastic concert, but barely 25 to 30 minutes long. I was 10.

I actually saw Elvis Presley perform in 1957 or 58 at the Danny Thomas benefit concert for Children's Hospital in Memphis, but I was only 3 or 4 and only remember wanting to go home.

During the mid 60s I saw the Animals, Hermin's Hermits, Lovin' Spoonful and The Monkees. It was great having an older sister who wanted to see all these groups.

Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2009 8:44 AM
rfk61
55 posts
Sep 14, 2009
7:16 PM
Yes I remember Uriah Heep, still have one of their albums, Sweet Freedom. "Stealin' when I shoulda been buyin'" I loved that song.
Sgot
4 posts
Nov 22, 2009
11:53 AM
16-Aug-69, Hara Arena: Steppenwolf, w/The Stumps & The Brew (local bands). Couldn't really afford it, but I paid something like $6.00/$6.50 for what I stupidly assumed would be the best seats and got stuck high up, almost BESIDE the stage. At one point John Kay was trying to get everyone clapping along and he points right up where I'm sitting and says "C'mon, you people up in the cheap seats!!" I was pissed : C }

Hi Cindi (SeeDavid)! The Cowsills, huh?... ROCKIN'!
Sgot
5 posts
Nov 22, 2009
12:00 PM
RickD & samstone: I have a HUGE interest in the history of the various clubs that were located in Forest Park Plaza from the mid '60s to the early '70s (was a bit too young to get in there). I've searched this site but haven't come up with any specific threads, but will keep trying. Anyway, if I start a new thread on this, I hope that you (and anyone else) will share whatever memories you have of that mecca. Thanks!
OSUSIEQ
3 posts
Dec 15, 2009
6:48 AM
James Gang @ Memorial Hall. I was so shocked at the end he busted up his guitar I think because the sound was so bad. I just know it left an impression.
jvc-cw1969
6 posts
Dec 15, 2009
11:22 AM
I was at the James Gang concert at Memorial Hall, it was 1970, I looked it up. When the lights went down some friends and I ran down and jumped into the orchestra pit. What a seat, we were right 'under' Joe Walsh. That was a long time ago but it made a big impression on me. This is what I remember....they played a few numbers, all electric stuff, for about 30-40 minutes. There were 3 in the group, Joe Walsh was the lead. After a few numbers they all three put down the electric guitars and picked up accousticals. They only got part way thru either the first or second number and a couple 'ya-hoos' in the audience started yelling stuff like 'ROCK AND ROLL' and 'Put down the accoustics'...... The way I remember it... Walsh got so upset....he put his accoustical down on the Memorial Hall stage floor and gave it a huge shove towards backstage. The other band members became wide-eyed!! Walsh picked up his electric guitar...turned the volumne 'WAY UP' then struck a chord. I about came right out of the orchestra pit it was so loud, had to damage my ears. He then took the guitar off and proceeded to trash the speakers and sound equipment right above us. The feedback was unimaginable......they then walked off the stage and never came back out though the crowd clapped and screamed for an encore. Their 'show' did not last over 40-45 minutes. I argued with one of my brothers for years about the night. I was convinced the show was cut short and Joe Walsh snapped and went crazy because of the guys yelling from the crowd. My brother thought it was just part of the act. If it was part of the act....it only lasted 45min. I remember thinking the show was pretty good until the end. All in all.....what a great memory. And, Joe Walsh does have a history of doing crazy stuff, and singing about it.....'I have accountants they pay for it all'......
WendyfromBcreek
8 posts
Mar 10, 2010
2:53 PM
I was at that Aerosmith concert in 76 - & it was $5.50 or $6.50 at the door - since I was under 16 my brother took me (he was 21 years OLDER than me!!) - we ended up at the top of the nosebleed section. Then saw them in '77 & '78. That was before they got sober.
----------
Wendy from Beavercreek (originally) - now in North Texas
delcodude
18 posts
Jul 13, 2010
11:24 AM
BJ Thomas, around '69 or '70. Can't remember if it was Hara or UD. Saw Chicago with friends in '76 at UD Arena. Mom saw Elvis at Memorial Hall in '55 or '56.
Hankster65
33 posts
Jul 13, 2010
3:14 PM
It was the early 60's and it was none other than the great Ray Charles. He had not yet risen to super stardom and the concert was at one of the RKO movie theaters downtown. (Maybe the RKO Keith.) When the curtains opened he was sitting at the piano in a dark suit, dark shoes, and WHITE socks. I still can picture that in my mind. Racially, those days were a lot different than now and it was kind of weird for my brother and I to be two of the extremely few white faces in the crowd. I think performers like Ray Charles had a lot to do with changing all that. Ray was magnificent, the vibe was probably the best vibe I've ever experienced at a concert, and for sure, I'd love to be there again right now.
stick
8 posts
Jul 13, 2010
6:37 PM
I remember Steppenwolf at Hara in '69. My first concert, I thought it was so cool. Even when my Dad picked me and my friend up as I was only 14
Monicat71
3 posts
Jul 20, 2010
6:16 PM
The first group I heard was the beach boys at Memorial Hall in Dayton Year 1965, I was 13. Me and a friend rode the bus. We had a ball. The drummer Dennis Wilson, the cute blond that is deceased now, threw his drum sticks out in the audience. The crowd went wild. We were up in the balcony, so did not have the opportunity to catch them. I also Paul Revere and the Raiders there the following year. Anyone else there?
texangal81
1 post
Jul 26, 2010
10:15 AM
Billy Joel, 1978 at Cincy Colliseum. What can I saw, I was a late bloomer.....It was an awesome concert. The next year I saw Kansas and Blackfoot at the Colliseum, loved Kansas, hated Blackfoot. When I was in the sixth grade a bunch of girls went to see David Cassidy at Memorial Hall, my mom thought that was toooo young for a concert, thus being why my first one wasn't until 1978!!!
AllenN71
40 posts
Jul 26, 2010
12:25 PM
I remember seeing Jimi Hendrix at Cincinatti Gardens, but I believe it was later than 1968 because I remember driving to the concert, and I was only 15 in 1968. I also seem to remember that their opening act was Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Does anyone remember that gig, or have the sands of time begun to get into my lunch?
DebCB
5 posts
Aug 01, 2010
3:24 PM
Question Mark and the Mysterians at Forest Park in 1966 or 1967. I remember the bass player smiled at me and asked if I'd like to come back stage. My friend and I were only 14 or 15 and we were thrilled. I'll always remember how disappointed I was that we had to leave because my friend's mother was picking us up and we had to meet her out front. Looking back, it was probably a good thing.
victoryopera76
1 post
Sep 18, 2010
6:24 AM
My first concert was The Guess Who & Badfinger in the winter of 1973 at Hara Arena. Fantastic show, 2 weeks later I saw Journey opening for Styx & Blue Oyster Cult, I saw alot of shows at Hara between 73-76. I was at the Queen/Kansas show at the Palace theater in 74 but the 2 shows that stand out for me were Alice Cooper & Todd Rungrens Utopia at UD ARENA. People just dont know how good it was back then.
tinai
1 post
Sep 18, 2010
4:38 PM
My first concert was Bobby Sherman at the Memorial Hall and my second was David Cassidy at Hara....then I got older and saw The Guess Who and Badfinger and then in 1975 I got to see The Eagles...
sullie54
1 post
Oct 08, 2010
9:23 AM
Saw Chicago at Hara, when they were originally called CTA, also saw the Who at Hara believe it or not and the most ear drum splitting concert was Grand Funk, all were priced around $5.00 per ticket and the best times.
delcodude
68 posts
Oct 10, 2010
7:36 AM
DebCB
That's funny. I think I read that during their time Deep Purple held the distinction of being the loudest concert, according to Guinness(sp)Book of Records. I wish I'd have seen them.
The loudest concert I ever attended at Hara was Judas Priest
samstone
99 posts
Oct 10, 2010
3:34 PM
Hara was a treasure when it came to music, back in the day. Just the right size for sound and view. I've seen many concerts in my life but Emerson Lake and Palmer, at Hara, is still the best I ever saw. IMO
AllenN71
97 posts
Oct 10, 2010
5:17 PM
This is what I mean about the Miami Valley in the late 60s and early 70s being the best time and place in history for a teenager to grow up. Five bucks to see Thw Who? Nine bucks to see Hendrix? Today when the Stones come to town anywhere, scalpers run up the price into the thousands, sometimes. If Eric Clapton comes to DC, he better be able to sing the hair back onto my pate and the lard off my butt, or else I'm not going to pay the tariff.
jvc-cw1969
11 posts
Oct 11, 2010
10:52 AM
Not my first but close, BB King at the Hara Silver Ballroom, New Year's Eve 12-31-70 or 71. Seems like that place would have held maybe 3,000 if full. This night it was not full, maybe 1,200 or 1,500 people. I remember being one of about 20 white people. People brought their own bottles and you could buy soda and ice. Listening and dancing to BB King for hours was really big fun.
ejbrown
4 posts
Oct 12, 2010
3:02 PM
I saw Robin Trower and J. Geils at Hara in about 1976. I only had two 8 tracks at the time and they were Robin Trower Live and J Geils Live. I had no choice but to go to the concert when they came to town together. I saw Robin Trower's limo going down Main St. on my way home and got them to roll down the window and talk while waiting on a red light. What a thrill.
fairmontchick
11 posts
Oct 26, 2010
12:41 PM
I hate to admit it, but I saw David Cassidy for my first concert. The second one was Grand Funk Railroad.
samstone
102 posts
Oct 26, 2010
1:26 PM
fairmontchick. We'll forgive you for David Cassidy, since you went to see Grand Funk.
Bigmo
44 posts
Oct 27, 2010
8:57 AM
If we include the worst concerts...
I saw Bobby Sherman and John Davidson for free at the Ohio State Fair in different years. Truly awful.

But I also saw Ike and Tina Turner Review, Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits, The Statler Brothers, Al Green at the Fair.
fishers1951
22 posts
Oct 27, 2010
7:42 PM
not sure if it was my first, but we saw Paul Revere & Raiders at Montgomery Co Fair - my girlfriend jumped up on the stage! Forty years later I saw Paul Revere & Raiders in Jackpot Nevada just recently. Was great show both times!!
jvc-cw1969
15 posts
Oct 28, 2010
8:00 AM
Hey 'ejbrown'! Did you attend E.J. Brown school? I finished 8th grade there in 1965, on to Colonel White. Hara Arena was a great spot for concerts back in the day.

Jeff Crews
AllenN71
145 posts
Jan 11, 2011
1:08 PM
To the person who saw the "Lovin' Spoonful": Are you aware of what the group's name stood for? (Hint: It ain't Mary Poppins' "Spoonful of Sugar") Ick.
maxed out
211 posts
Jan 11, 2011
2:10 PM
AlleN71....I never got that connection about the Lovin' Spoonful. But I do have a story about them... It must have been maybe 1971 when I was stationed at Eielson AFB , Alaska...Fairly close to Fairbanks Alaska. The Lovin' Spoonful were to have a concert at the Univerity of Alaska and us guys at the base wanted to make the trek to go see them. Not sure what month it was but there was a snow blizzard. We made it to the college, very few of us made it. Maybe 50 or so. Only 2 of John Sebastians group made it ,but he was kind enough to still give us a concert.
He actually gave a complete show for maybe 50 or so people. He came down to the front of the audience and sang his heart out. What a great show it was.I will never forget that.

Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2011 2:13 PM
KennyE11
26 posts
Jan 11, 2011
11:26 PM
AllenN71 - According to the Phil Brodie Band - Origins of Rock Band Names website (http://bittersuiteband.com/music_band-name-origins.htm), the Lovin' Spoonful listing indicates "It's slang for sperm, but the name is from the lyrics of John Hurt's "Coffee Blues".
Is that what you had in mind?
Bigmo
48 posts
Jan 14, 2011
2:06 PM
I'm the one who first mentioned seeing Lovin' Spoonful, I think, and no, I have no idea what it referred to. When I saw them, Summer in the City was number one on the charts.
kbarr11
14 posts
Jan 15, 2011
5:38 PM
The first concert I ever saw was the Grass Roots, must have been around 1970. Don't remember where!


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