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The Concert Room to celebrates and remembers 1976 with friend and veteran entertainment Journalist, Chuck Darrow! We dive back 50 years to the great events and shows held at the Spectrum and JFK Stadium during the Spirit of 1976 celebrations in Philadelphia. From Elton Jonhn, Paul McCartney to Springsteen and the local bands, it was a fun and festive summer in Philly!

Chuck Darrow's Tom Petty Tribute Band:

purepettyband.com

Chuck Darrow Bio from the official archives of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia:

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Shore Local News:

shorelocalnews.com

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The Concert Room features legendary performer David Bowie!

Bowie and his band rolled in the Spectrum during his Isolar II world tour on April 28 and 29, 1978 for 2 sold out shows. These shows were recorded for his live album Stage, released later that year. David Bowie and Philadelphia have a long and mutual love of musical history tied together, with his album “Young Americans” record at the famed Sigma Sound Studios in Center City, and the multiple recordings at the Tower Theater in the early 70’s up to Stage! We go inside his musical and persona changes in the decade of the 70’s, the Philadelphia influence on his career and feature a great performance of “Heroes” live on the Spectrum stage in April 1978.

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The concert room welcomes renowned local professional Photographer and Cinematographer Paul Simeone to the show. Paul has a vast portfolio on his website shooting clients that include portraits, the fashion industry and corporate photo shoots, and within his portfolio is the Legends of Rock gallery. These fine art prints from the early days of concerts and shows captures bands in the early days on various stages in and around the Philadelphia area. Legends such as Zeppelin, The Dead, Hendrix, The Who and many others along with sitting portraits of the stars of the day. Paul takes us inside his wonderful personal collection and stories of events and shows! These limited-edition photos are available to the public for purchase, framed, numbered and signed by Paul personally. If you are able, please click on the link below and view the rock legends gallery and follow along while listening to our show.

Website:

j paul simeone

Legends of Rock Portfolio:

j paul simeone

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The Concert Room features legendary band Phish, and a stellar performance during their Fall Tour 1997. Phish rolled in to the Spectrum for a 2 night stand, on December 2 and 3, 1997. The shows were recorded and then later released as a 6 CD box set featuring 33 tracks in March 2024 (The Spectrum '97), these shows were the best on the tour, and "Down with Disease" is among the best of the entire 1990's. This could be due to the fact that Trey Anastasio considers the Spectrum home, having grown up in nearby in Princeton NJ and attending numerous concerts that helped shape his love for live music. Phish takes their inspiration from the Dead and many diverse genres, separating them from their peers and to this day have a loyal following. Enjoy this great performance and purchase the box set of these phenomenal shows at the Spectrum!

The Spectrum ’97 – Phish

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The Concert Room features 2 rocking performances from the legendary American rock band, Aerosmith! Aerosmith rolled back in to the Philly area on March 26, 1978 to play on the stage in the Tower Theater during the Draw the Line tour. They barrel into the opener “Rats in the Cellar”, a commentary on the band's tumultuous lifestyle during the 70's, and later a killer rendition of “Seasons of Wither. The setlist was filled with classics and deep cuts. Recorded as a bootleg, this show captures the band in fierce form while dealing with some internal issues at the close of an unbelievable decade. Aerosmith’s run of albums and tours on the 70’s are unmatched, and they would reunite later in the 80’s clean and healthy to continue the legacy of one of America’s greatest bands! Get your rocks off!

Full Tower Theater show;

https://youtu.be/VBxQGvWoF38?si=5cb1O-LBp_PvswSA

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The Concert Room Welcomes special guest Russ DiBella, local musician and author who’s love of music and backstage adventures are captured in his book, “From the Inside: A Backdrop to the Music of My Life”. "From the Inside" is a fun and informative detailed look of how music shaped his life, became an integral part of his world and lets fans peek behind the proverbial curtain of the shows and concerts during the heyday of rock shows from the Spectrum to Camden Waterfront to Live Aid, and even the MTV Music Awards! Along the way, Russ shares moments with backstage personnel, security, the crews and techs and of course well-known musicians and bands, providing insight into the inner workings of live concerts and the culture of rock and country music. Russ is also a Drummer who has collected hundreds of drumsticks obtained from many of his adventures. Ultimately, the book is a reflection on a life lived through music — how it influenced his identity, relationships, creativity, and understanding of the world.

Links to Russ DiBella published books.

Amazon.com: From the Inside: A Backdrop to the Music of My Life eBook : DiBella, Russ: Kindle Store

Amazon.com: A Drive Down the Coast: Getting Lost on the Back Roads of California eBook : DiBella, Russ: Kindle Store

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Ike Richman, the former VP of PR at the Spectrum for over 2 decades returns to give us the inside perspective and marketing behind the final season and events planned for the Spectrum's closing in 2009. Our session is dedicated to the personnel and fans who helped make the Spectrum "America's Showplace" during its forty plus years of hosting events and performances. The final celebrations are still talked about today and Ike's thoughtful creativity working with Chairman Ed Snider of Comcast-Spectacor (the owners of The Spectrum) for the closing events is greatly appreciated by fans who grew up at our beloved Arena. Reference to God Bless the Spectrum book is provided via link, a wonderful book dedicated the history of the Spectrum through photos and stories. Please listen to season 1 EP 12 with Ike and go inside the world of concert promotions.

God Bless the Spectrum: America's Showplace in Philadelphia, 1967-2009:

Ike Richman Communications:

www.richmancommunications.com

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The Concert Room welcomes back The Grateful Dead for another great homestand in the Fall of 1989. Sad news hit us recently when Bob Weir, a founding member of The Dead and popular legendary musician, passed away on January 10, 2026. This show is dedicated to Bobby as we honor him and his band, and the great performances and shows at the Spectrum! The Dead rolled in to the Spectrum during their Fall East Coast tour on October 18, 1989, for a spectacular three nightstand, with each night having standout performances and jams to satisfy the sold-out Philly deadheads. The Spectrum outside and inside for three days was a fun carnival of music and celebration as the decade of the highflying fun 80’s comes to a close. Our dedication to Bobby features two performances of songs he wrote and sang on. The first set evening opener on October 19 with a spirited and set tone tune, "Hell in a Bucket". We bookend a great tune from the last song of the evening of October 20, after a marathon concert of close to three hours with an energetic and stellar performance of “Sugar Magnolia”. Enjoy and celebrate this truly American band and all the members who gave us such timeless music.

Bob Wier Home Page

Bob Weir

October 18, 19, 20 1989 full Spectrum shows

https://youtu.be/16V7TbVwqHc?si=D3KawO9fFFXkP0gs

https://youtu.be/ziibZSQ8m5o?si=QI6kTWfRoVFRetXG

https://youtu.be/o63RcJIACN4?si=XbD9mBC7jwASjQJO