Today's post looks at the first full scale Caravan in 1959. Dick Clark has proposed a tour in 1958 but things didn't work out. He next tried a few shows in the late summer and hit a goldmine, which led to a full slate to shows in the fall.
Talent: Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Anita Bryant, Dody Stevens, Skip & Flip, Strangers, Duane Eddy, Freddie Cannon, Jan and Dean, Bobby Rydell, Jack Scott, Ray Sharpe, Jerry Wallace, the Young Lions
Clark's Caravan sold out the Bowl with over 5,000 being turned away. Variety reported that police set up loudspeakers six blocks away to tell people the show was sold out. It set an all-time attendance record.
9/4-7/1959 Fairgrounds Coliseum, Michigan State Fair, Detroit , MI
Talent: Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Laverne Baker, Coasters, Freddie Cannon, Duane Eddy, Bobby Rydell, Anita Bryant, Jan and Dean, Jack Scott, Ray Sharpe, Skip & Flip, Rusty York, Santo & Johnny, Dick Carouso
Another huge success as the show set another attendance record by over 15,000 over the previous record in the fair's 110-year history.
Another huge success as the show set another attendance record by over 15,000 over the previous record in the fair's 110-year history.
With such overwhelming success, Clark engaged GAC to book a tour headlined by Paul Anka and also starring Lloyd Price, Annette Funicello, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Clanton, Laverne Baker, Coasters, Drifters, Skyliners, Bobby Rydell, and Phil Phillps. Arthur Dover was hired as the MC for shows where Clark did not appear. Irving Feld was the tour's promoter.
No sooner did GAC book a full tour from September 18 through November 8 with the Caravan's debut in Baltimore than problems arose. The Boston Garden, site of the Caravan's second show was being used for a hockey game earlier in the afternoon and GAC decided that they didn't want to go through with the show under those circumstances. Instead, Tim Gale of GAC booked a replacement show in Scranton, PA. Boston was a lucrative stop for any rock 'n roll show in the 1950s so the loss was not looked upon as a good omen.
9/20/1959 Forum, Montreal, Canada
9/28/1959 Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, NC
9/29/1959 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, SC
9/30/1959 Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
10/1/1959 Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
Two performances
10/3/59 State Fairgrounds, Louisville, KY
10/4/1959 Nashville, TN
Two shows performed at this venue.
10/10/1959 Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, MI
Two performances
The Caravan gains its first negative notoriety when midway through the show, fights break out amongst the 12,000 plus audience and police moved in to break up the melee. In all, 49 men were arrested ranging in age from 17 to 50 for disturbing the peace and public drunkeness. Although Dick Clark was not at the show, his association with the show drew lots of press and he held a news conference in New York to defend the Caravan. He denied that the performers were responsible for what happened and said, "What happened was certainly unfortunate, but it only reflects the attitude of a few of the thousands of people there."
10/21/1959 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, TX
The cast hosted an on-stage birthday celebration for Annette Funicello. Although San Antonio had an additional 25 officers on hand, there was no trouble.
Two performances
10/25/1959 Auditorium, Wichita, KS
10/27/1959 Auditorium Arena, Omaha, NE
Police Chief Milton Winslow cancelled this show in the aftermath of the KC arrests. Minneapolis had encountered four violent rock 'n roll shows in the past year. "I am certain violence will occur again," he told the Associated Press.
10/29/59 Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Des Moines, IA
10/31/59 Arena, Milwaukee, WI
I still have a few shows to locate since the tour was reportedly booked until November 8, but this gives you a flavor. If you have any additions or corrections, please let me know.
Some other dates, all found in Billboard Mag. Oct 12, '59, pg. 55 under Arena Routes: Fort Wayne, Indiana Oct. 13, Indianapolis, Indiana Oct. 15, Wichita, Kansas October 18. The October 23 date was at Memorial Coliseum, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas - co-sponsored by radio station KXOL. I have a ticket stub from there. As you probably do, I have most, if not all, of these concert program books for the line ups. If you want to talk more, let me know. It is an interest of mine too.
ReplyDeleteJeff, nice catch on that listing in Billboard. I missed that.
ReplyDeleteNice thread ... I saw many of these tours on the East Coast.
ReplyDeleteNice thread ... I saw many of these tours on the East Coast.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just came across this blog researching an autographed item I have. It's a promo tip sheet sent out to radio stations about the 1959 Caravan Of Stars. It's signed by Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Duane Eddy, Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Annette, Phil Phillips and Dick Clark. I'd like to share the image here but not sure how. Pretty sure it was from station KUDL in Kansas City, where I know they played 10/17/59, which was somewhat of an occasion with the violence that erupted there during the show. I collect and sell vintage rock and other signatures on my own site at popculturesignatures.com. I actually have a few other items there relating to these tours as well as a lot of other vintage signed rock items, I just wanted to share the image and get any feedback from those that might know more about these things. Jerry, any way you know I could post an image here? Or you can reach me at jfalkenstern@hotmail.com. Great blog by the way. Best, Jim
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memory! I was at the 1959 Hollywood Bowl Show (which, it turns out, was only the 2nd time a rock n roll show played the Bowl). I was 11 years old and went with my sister and her friend. My parents dropped us off --- as I recall they went bowling until it was time to pick us up.
ReplyDeleteI remember the opening song was "Sugaree." I can't recall the singer. Hank Ballard had a single of Sugaree in 1959 but the performer we saw was not African-American. Anyway, when the lights were down and Dick Clark introduced the opening number, we all heard heard the obvious sound of a needle being placed on a record (the volume was quite loud). The whole audience groaned!
Frankie Avalon closed the show --- Annnette performed next to last. I remember her singing "Tall Paul." I don't recall when Bobby Rydell played.
I remember Jan and Dean were a big hit. I would have sworn Jan and Arnie played that night (instead of Dean), but after researching it, Arnie left the act before 1959. So it was, indeed, Jan and Dean.
Again, thanks for the great memories!
Bob Bro
St Peters, Missouri
Thanks for the memory! I was at the 1959 Hollywood Bowl Show (which, it turns out, was only the 2nd time a rock n roll show played the Bowl). I was 11 years old and went with my sister and her friend. My parents dropped us off --- as I recall they went bowling until it was time to pick us up.
ReplyDeleteI remember the opening song was "Sugaree." I can't recall the singer. Hank Ballard had a single of Sugaree in 1959 but the performer we saw was not African-American. Anyway, when the lights were down and Dick Clark introduced the opening number, we all heard heard the obvious sound of a needle being placed on a record (the volume was quite loud). The whole audience groaned!
Frankie Avalon closed the show --- Annnette performed next to last. I remember her singing "Tall Paul." I don't recall when Bobby Rydell played.
I remember Jan and Dean were a big hit. I would have sworn Jan and Arnie played that night (instead of Dean), but after researching it, Arnie left the act before 1959. So it was, indeed, Jan and Dean.
Again, thanks for the great memories!
Bob Bro
St Peters, Missouri
My sister, Pam tells me we went to the Hollywood Bowl concert. I was 13 and she was 10. Now we are seeing some of the stars once again. Recently saw Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Fabian and Frankie Avalon. This time I remember!
ReplyDeleteI saw the whole gang in late fall or winter, 1959, in Norfolk, Va. After reading the above comments, pertaining riots, I can noe understand why Anka was escorted in and out, immediatly following the show, using armed escorts. As far as I know, the Norfolk gig was peaceful......and enjoyable. I was an 18 year old sailor......
ReplyDeleteI saw this show with my parents in Milwaukee WI. They tell me it was at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee. Do you have record of this?
ReplyDeleteMy husband was a senior in high school from Oklahoma and went by train to Kansas City Mo. For a FFA convention. He attended the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars 1959. I remember him telling me of the melee that broke out. He and a few of his friends left and ran to their hotel, so they wouldn't get caught in the middle of it. My husband died one year ago, he would have loved hearing about it again.
ReplyDeleteI felt certain that I saw the '59 Cavalcade in Salina, Ks. Haven't found any confirmation of this, however. I know I saw Eddy Cochran there and he blew us away with Summertime Blues! I know he was with the '59 tour. Sure wish I could find some confirmation of when he would have played the big city of Salina, KS!
ReplyDelete