The Concert Room - Inside the Philly Spectrum Concerts
The legendary Philadelphia Spectrum Arena- America's Showplace!
A podcast session about the Philadelphia Spectrum Concerts! From 1967-2009, the Spectrum held and hosted close to 1500 concerts and shows. The Stones, Springsteen, Billy Joel, Zeppelin and the Dead. We will delve in to the performances, recordings and memories. Featuring perspectives from your host Bob Hill and guests, including national and local photographers, the radio, print and media who covered the shows and performers, Spectrum personnel wo worked in promotions and the crews... and of course the fans sharing their experiences. Spotlights on this date in Spectrum concert history featuring recordings and archival information. Hit the House Lights and let's rock!
The Concert Room - Inside the Philly Spectrum Concerts
Van Halen Live at the Spectrum- On Fire 7/21/1981
The mighty Van Halen rolled in to the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum for 3 dates in the summer of 1981 on the Fair Warning Tour. July 20, 21 and 22. This tour was the largest tour in Rock history at the time, and it was peak live VH. The Spectrum crowd was in a party mood all day and the lead up and anticipation busted when the lights cut off and the strobes twirled while Edward noodled the start. The announcer fired up the crowd more and the band barreled into the opening riffs of "On Fire" off their debut album. David Lee Roth made his signature entrance by jumping off the Drum riser in a perfect split and it was an all-night concert room party. There was nothing like a Van Halen Concert during this time! I was there the night before and this is still in my top 3 of all concerts.
*The quality of the recording is fair due to its audience capture instead of soundboard, but this will give you feel the excitement of being inside the Spectrum concert arena that night! Included with a Radio Ad from WMMR.