I keep telling folks that weren't around 30 or 40 years ago what amazing concerts showed up on the VA Tech campus back then. So yesterday I decided to spend a few hours looking through the Tech Yearbooks from 1970 through 1979 and here is a list of the "big name" acts that made it to little ol' Blacksburg in that decade alone -
America John Mayall
Ann Wilson (Heart) Johnny Rivers
Atlanta Rhythm Section Kris Kristofferson
Billy Preston Leon Russell
Black Oak Arkansas Lighthouse
Blue Oyster Cult Linda Ronstadt
Bob Welsh Little Anthony
Canned Heat Little Feat
Chairman of the Board Livingston Taylor
Chicago Neil Diamond
Chuck Mangione Nils Lofgren
Dave Mason Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dennis Yost and the Classics Four Pablo Cruise
Doc Severinson Poco
Don McLean Pure Prairie League
Doobie Brothers Rita Coolidge
Elvin Bishop Roberta Flack
George Benson Robin Trower
Goose Creek Symphony Seals & Crofts
Grateful Dead Sha Na Na
Iron Butterfly Stephen Stills
Isaac Hayes The Association
Jethro Tull The Buckinghams
Jimmy Buffet The James Gang
So, which of these did YOU see?
I think it was 71 or 72, Chicago was at the coliseum, what a great night. I grew up in Blacksburg and saw all the changes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Chuck! It WAS a great concert.
ReplyDeleteBruce Springsteen played the same night Nils Lofgren did Nils was off campus and Springsteen played Burris Hall. What a good night in Blacksburg.
ReplyDeleteNils played at 117 South Main. I wasn't a big fan of Bruce at the time so I went to the "Bar" and caught Nil's show. I was a fan of Grin and I always loved the atmosphere there.
DeleteI was there that night One of my all-time favorite concerts.
DeleteWhat a great memory....I know this may sound crazy (and wish I could re-confirm it) but myself and my two buddies remember Springsteen coming to Nils's show, and sat two rows behind us. We have always wondered if this was where Bruce first saw Nils. Such a great night - two great shows in little Blacksburg.......Greg
DeleteCan confirm that Bruce attended Nils' show. According to my buddy, who I also went to Elem&HS with, Bruce sat with a girl from our hometown who was in our graduating class. Very wild. Also, a few of my Hokie buddies were at the Boss concert.
DeleteThe Doobie Brothers actually opened for Loggins and Messina in 1973. Jim Croce was to have been the opener of the three performers, but was killed in a plane crash prior to the concert. The lighting tower stage left toppled over during the Loggins and Messina set - no harm done and the show went on.
ReplyDeleteAlso saw Grand Funk Railroad ~ 1970 tour supporting their Grand Funk (red album).
I was at the Field House for Grand Funk Railroad and they played so load a ceiling tile came loose. April 24, 1970.
DeleteThat GFRR red album was my first one by them, right after seeing them at the Hampton Roads Coliseum. Did you see the "Band Box" posting on this blog with the Grand Funk concert being advertised?
ReplyDeleteThe Allman Brothers were there and stayed at the Marriott.
ReplyDeleteBilly Cobham and Billy Joel also.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember Billie Joel. Didn't he say it was his 1st time performing Piano Man?
DeleteAndrew Gold opened and played with Linda Ronstadt.
ReplyDeleteI was at that concert Rick...do you remember what year that was?
DeleteI'm trying to figure that out. I just saw the Ronstadt movie and someone asked when it was. I know it was '76 or '77 because i remember who went with me.
DeletePretty certain I recall seeing Pink Floyd there. Saw Captain Beefheart as a backup; not sure who was the headliner. I was at the Poco concert and Jethro Tull also.
ReplyDeleteYou wish Pink Floyd had played VA Tech.
DeleteI saw Chicago, the Association, Neil Diamond, the Beach Boys, Billy Preston, Jethro Tull, Captain Beefheart (who I also forget who he opened for), Robbin Thompson off campus. But the very best were Poco and Bruce Springsteen. The one I regret missing was Elvis Costello.
ReplyDeleteJane - I was a huge Poco fan. Do you remember that during the concert in the basketball coliseum they stopped the show and turned on the lights, trying to get the frenzied crowd OFF the court and back into their seats?
ReplyDeletewhat year was that?
DeleteI probably saw over half of these, but Johnny Winters was fantastic. Great concert. One I didn't see on here that I'm pretty sure I saw was Greg Allman.
ReplyDeleteDid Johnny Winter play at the coo coo's nest, next to Baskin Robbins, and Mc'Donalds. My Parents owned the Baskin Robbins at the time and I could of swore I saw him play next door in 78 or 79
DeleteDwaddell58, you are correct... Gregg Allman was at Cassell right after his "Laid Back" album came out because I was in attendance. On another note,another Allman Brothers offshoot project, "Sea Level" played at the downtown basement bar next to Books, Strings, and Things that was under the parking lot aroundthat same time. I was on the front row for that one. Both were around '74-'75.
DeleteJohnny Winter definitley played at the Co coo's Nest!!
DeleteUp to about 1968 VT concerts were mostly the Four Seasons, Beachboys, and suchlike. Then suddenly, rock bands became the norm around campus and over at Radford, and suddenly more and more big names came to town.
ReplyDeleteBilly Joel also played a free concert at Burress I believe. Piano Man had just come out. Missed it though. Also remember seeing Leo Kotke.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Leo Kotke concert also.
DeleteWow! An impressive list. I remember going to quite a few of those concerts. I remember hitchhiking from C-burg on more than one occasion to get there.
ReplyDeleteYes, I recall Pink Floyd too. I think Little Feet played twice, once in Burris Hall. Another great act in Burris was the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans. And occasionally there was some good talent appearing at Squires Student Union, like John Hartford.
ReplyDeleteWhen Leo Kottke appeared he was drunk as a skunk but still played well. I heard after the concert he thought he was in Podunk so didn't take the gig seriously. He was shocked at the huge turnout & big welcome.
Great Times!
I remember seeing George Thorogood and the Nighthawks more than once in Blacksburg, probably at 117 South Main. John Hartford and the Dillards also appeared.
ReplyDeletePink Floyd toured the US heavily in the late 60s and through the 70s. Their tour dates are well documented. I have yet to see a date listed for Blacksburg. When would that have been?
My memory tells me that when Poco was there, America opened for them. Not long later, America came back as the lead. Great shows, including John Mayall that was a real surprise.
ReplyDeleteThe Freshman Orientation concert at VT in September of 1969 was a surprise for the incoming freshmen. The curtain went up and Chicago played for almost two hours. I remember well the Grand Funk Railroad concert at the field house in April of 1970..an amazing show.
ReplyDeleteI was there as well. Recently saw Chicago again and that brought back great memories. Grand Funk Railroad, April 24th 2970 was a great concert as well.
DeleteYou missed the Grassroots at ring dance 1975
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to see Chicago twice; once in Burruss Hall and a few years later at the Coliseum. Unfortunately I can't remember which years and would appreciate some help with that. I saw them at Wolf Trap this past Labor day weekend (actually Thursday night) and they were fantastic. Four of the originals played and they were as good as ever...just like Paul McCartney.
ReplyDeleteI was at that same show! It was Feb 27, 1970 and I can even tell you what songs they played in order! I made notes, they were great! The 2nd album had just been released a couple of weeks prior. I bought it at Books, Strings & things. A short time after that they played the Civic Center in Roanoke, they were JUST AS GOOD.
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ReplyDeletei was at Tech 78-82 and remember seeing Pablo Cruise in 78; later i saw John Prine and Steve Goodman, The Beach Boys, Red Rider (Tom Cochrane's band) of those i can remember. my brother-in-law remembers seeing Bruce Springsteen in the mid-70's when he was there
ReplyDeleteCheech & Chong at Burris Hall in 1976
ReplyDeleteI saw John Prine at the little place called Town Hall (I think). It must have been 1977? It’s on Draper Road. He was pretty plastered on stage by himself. I love his music and have seen him a few times since.
ReplyDeleteAfter Sundown.
DeleteI saw him too. Just Prine and his guitars. It was at Cowboys or Spankys,bsamenplace different times under the parking lot of Daddys Money.
DeleteI saw that show it was Easter night.
Delete- Late 1977 or Early 1978...Dave Mason at Cassell. Bob Welch opened for him.
ReplyDelete- Spring 78?....Little Feat in Burruss.
- Spring 1981...Warren Zevon. Rikki Lee Jones opened.
Three best shows I saw in Blacksburg...or anywhere for that matter.
I saw Billy Joel in Burress Hall. I also remember the Marshall Tucker Band. Was that at Tech or Roanoke?
ReplyDeleteI thought I was going crazy...I remember Joel at Burress too but the show doesn't show up in his concert history. I was trying to find the date of the show...do you remember??? Looking at all the other bands that came, I must have been in a coma in Randolf Hall.
DeleteI saw Marshall Tucker in Roanoke. Aug 26, 1974. They opened for the Beach Boys. I had front row seats.
DeleteShould have gone to the Scope in Norfolk the night before. Eagles and Marshall Tucker opened.
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ReplyDeleteMy dad lived in Price's Fork, and my very first concert was at Virginia Tech in the winter of 1970 was the Association. Over my high school years, also at Tech, I saw: Grand Funk, Loggins & Messina, Doobie Brothers, Chicago, and many more I can't remember!
ReplyDeleteApril 14, 1978
ReplyDeleteCassell Coliseum, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
Link: https://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/04-14-1978
And Little Feat w/ Lowell George, Robin Trower, Pablo Cruise, Dave Mason, Stephen Stills, Jimmy Buffett, john Prine,Bob Welch, Nighthawks,Sanford Townsend Band and off campus at 117 S. Main, : Skip Castro, Blind Rhino, New Potato Caboose, and a 100 other good bands....
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ReplyDeleteBB King played at Burress as well.
ReplyDeleteCassell. Pablo Cruise, Bob Welsh, Dave Mason, Livingston Taylor, Robin Trower, Nils Lofgren
ReplyDeleteBurruss. B.B. King, Dixie Dregs free concert during summer session, Steve Martin for $1 right after he did King Tut on SNL
Best non-concert lecture was William F. Buckley at Burruss.
Worst was P.J. O'Rourke as he seemed buzzed and not very funny
Squires. John Hartford
Livingston Taylor performed in Burruss Auditorium in1971
ReplyDeleteI was one of a very lucky group of kids that first saw Bruce at Burruss, and then we ran to 117 to see Nils.....And I spoke with a buddy today to confirm, but Bruce showed up two rows behind us at 117 to hear Nils!!!! We all wondered later if that had anything to do with Nils eventually joining Bruce's band.....The great gigs brought to Tech from 1974 to 1977 were mostly because of John DePaolo(sp)
ReplyDeleteI went to many of those 70's concerts. Linda Ronstadt's Hasten Down The Wind was by far my favorite. Sat second row center. Knew the album by heart. When she came out took the mik and started singing "Lose Again" I was carried away. She did the whole album and many others.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favorite concerts (and albums). Andrew Gold and Waddy Wachtel to boot.
DeleteAnybody remember the date The James Gang played at Cassell?
ReplyDeleteI saw most of these bands at Tech and Bonnie Rait at Radford ( including post sho “run in” with her at the Blacksburg Marriott bar 😎. Linda Rondstat looking beautiful and sounding amazing ( 4th row at the coliseum ) I think early 75’ . One of the absolute best was Little Feat with Lowell George at Buress - amazing. Jim G class of 78’ and 82’ (MS Arch)
ReplyDeleteI saw Kris Kristofferson in Blacksburg in the '70s. 76- 78? Does anyone remember where he played? I think the Seldom Scene played there also. But I don't remember the name of the bar.
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