Friday, November 10, 2017

UPDATE - British Invasion Revisited 1984


Here's an update of the 1984 20th Anniversary of British Rock Tour

Back again with another British Invasion reunion tour of America.  This tour took place a decade after Richard Nader’s watershed tour in 1973.  Billed as the “20th Anniversary of British Rock,” this tour featured Gerry Marsden, Billy J. Kramer, Herman’s Hermits, the Troggs, and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland.  Organized by Talent Consultants International, Executive Producers: Empire Communications, Inc., NYC, NY -- Ray Reneri and Marvin Mann.  This version of Herman’s Hermits contained only Lek Leckenby and Barry Witwam of the original band along with Garth Elliott and Paul Farnell.   This tour booked the package into more modest venues and definitely did not hit all the major markets.




 



Billy J. Kramer, Gerry Marsden and Joey Molland in Washington DC


July 4, 1984

Boston, MA

 
August 1, 1984

Baltimore, MD

 
This show was cancelled
 
August 2, 1984

Hilton Hotel Ballroom, Washington, DC

 
August 3, 1984
North Forty Club, Ithica, NY

August 4, 1984

Rio Theatre, Valley Stream, NY
 
August 5, 1984

Lupos Heartbreak Hotel, Providence, RI

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 7, 1984

Club Casino, Hampton Beach, NH

 

August 9, 1984

Birch Hill Swim Club, Old Bridge, NJ
 


 
TV crews from all three major networks plus MTV are at the show to film and interview the bands.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Billy J. Kramer at Old Hill.

 
August 10, 1984

Lanierland Music Park, Cummings, GA

 




August 11, 1984

Aqua Theater, Greensboro, NC

 

August 14, 1984

Auditorium, West Palm Beach, FL

 

A preliminary date in Fort Lauderdale, FL was cancelled

 

August 16, 1984

London Victory Club, Tampa, FL

 

August 18, 1984

Celebrity’s, Lafayette, LA

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 21, 1984

Civic Center, Peoria, IL

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
August 21-22, 1984
Picadilly, Indianapolis, IN

August 23, 1984

Park West, Chicago, IL
 

August 25, 1984

Veteran’s Memorial Hall, Columbus, OH
 
 
August 26, 1984
Downtown Festival Tent, Rochester, NY
 
 
 
August 29, 1984
Memorial Gardens, Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

 
 
August 30, 1984
Fort William Gardens, Thunder Bay, Canada
 
A sparse crowd of 829 attend this show.
 
 
September 3, 1984
Music Tower, Playland, Rye, NY

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 4, 1984

Bottom Line, New York City, NY

Monday, May 29, 2017

Biggest Show of Stars 1958 - Spring Edition

After another successful year, Irvin Feld finds the field crowded this year.  DJ Alan Freed put together a package called the Big Beat Show to run head to head against this tour.  Universal Attractions, who booked a large stable of black acts, put together the Rhythm and Blues Cavalcade of '58 to tour.  And Dick Clark announced plans for a package tour for later in the year.  A battle for prime venues in key cities and talent took place in an atmosphere of an economic downturn.   Then on May 6 in Boston a riot broke out during Alan Freed's Big Beat Show leading to the cancellation of the remainder of that package.  The R&B Cavalcade had also ground to a halt with only the Biggest Show of Stars completing its itinerary. 
 
 
Talent: Sam Cooke, Paul Anka, The Everly Brothers, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Avalon, Lavern Baker, Jackie Wilson, The Royal Teens, George Hamilton IV, The Silhouettes, The Crescendos, Storey Sisters, The Monotones, The Playmates, Huey Smith & the Clowns, Jimmy Dell, Bobby Marchan
 
April 5, 1958 Norfolk, VA
 
The Spring tour opens in Norfolk after several days of rehearsals in New York City. 
 
April 6, 1958 The Mosque, Richmond, VA
 
Two Easter Sunday shows at 7 and 10 p.m.
 
April 11, 1958  Sports Arena, Hershey, PA
 
April 12, 1958 Philadelphia, PA
 
A disappointing crowd of less than 1,000 show up tonight.
 
April 13, 1958 Arena, New Haven, CT
 
April 14, 1958 Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA
 
April 17, 1958 War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, NY
 

April 18, 1958 Auditorium, Ottawa, Canada
 
A modest crowd of 1,500 attend tonight's show highlighting Paul Anka's return to his hometown.  Five youths in leather jackets were thrown out of the show for throwing things onto the stage.
 
April 19, 1958 Sports Arena, Hershey, PA
 
April 22, 1958 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY
 
April 23, 1958 Warner Theatre, Erie, PA
 
Two shows scheduled at 7 and 9 p.m.
 
April 24, 1958 Sports Arena, Toledo, OH
 
April 26, 1958 Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY
 
May 1, 1958  Indiana Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
 

May 2, 1958 Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO
 
May 3, 1958 Civic Opera House, Chicago, IL
 
May 4, 1958 Auditorium, St. Paul, MN
 
A matinee performance of the package.
 
May 4, 1958 Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN
 
An evening show.
 
May 5, 1958 Civic Auditorium, Lewiston, ME





 
May 8, 1958 Arena, Saskatoon, Canada
 





May 12, 1958 Orpheum Theater, Seattle, WA
 
The show is booked for three performances at 4:00 and 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.
 
May 14, 1958 Paramount Theatre, Portland, OR
 
May 17, 1958 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, TX
 
May 18, 1958 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, TX
 
May 20, 1958 Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, OK
 
May 24, 1958 Music Hall, Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE
 
Two shows booked at 7 and 9 p.m.
 
May 29, 1958 Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC