UPDATE - Here is a combined update for the Fall 1959 Caravan. still looking for a few dates to make it complete.
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 Phillips. 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.
This show is cancelled when it is impossible to switch stages after a hockey game.
9/20/1959 Forum, Montreal, Canada
9/22/1959 War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, NY
9/23/1959 Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY
Despite
the demand for additional tickets, only one show is performed.
9/24/1959 Sports Arena, Hershey, PA
A single show at 8:30 p.m.
9/25/1959 Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA
Two
shows at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.
9/27/59 The Mosque, Richmond, VA
Two shows at 7 and 10 p.m.
9/29/1959 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, SC
9/30/1959 Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
10/1/1959 Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
Two shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Two performances
10/3/59 State Fairgrounds, Louisville, KY
10/4/1959 Nashville, TN
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10/7/1958 Lorain, OH
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Arena, Lorain, OH
Two shows performed at this venue.
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10/9/1959 Toledo, OH
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10/10/1959 Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, MI
10/11/1959 Elkhart, IL
10/13/1959 Fort Wayne, IN
10/15/1959 Indiana Theater, Indianapolis, IN
Two shows at 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.
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10/16/1959 St. Louis, MO
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10/16/1959
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO
Two performances at 8 and 11 p.m.
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
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10/27/1959 Omaha, NE
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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 now have confirmation that the Caravan ended in Milwaukee despite earlier press notices that the tour ran until November 8. If you have any additions or corrections, please let me know.
