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We are rebroadcasting a prior Podcast Session from Season 1 that celebrates the Anniversary of the legendary world music day - Live Aid. Chuck Darrow, the local esteemed journalist and rock critic, joined me for his recollections of the days leading up to the concerts and takes us backstage during the World event on the 40th anniversary.

July 13, 1985:

The global event concerts held in Philadelphia's JFK stadium and London's Wembley Stadium, organized and aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The all-day event was broadcast to a global audience with a list of the top performers of the day. Chuck takes us to the lead up of the event, and behind the scenes backstage. Live Aid will always be celebrated, and Philly is proud to have hosted this memorable and important day. The day Music brought the world together.

https://www.theconstitutional.com/blog/2019/07/13/remembering-live-aid-day-music-changed-world

Chuck Darrow Bio:

https://www.broadcastpioneers.com/bp11/chuckdarrow.html

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The Concert Room features the legendary Bon Jovi as we feature an entire live performance from his first show in Philly! Out of the rock clubs and into the bigger venues, Bon Jovi rolled on to South Street shortly after his debut album was released for a headline performance at Ripley’s Music Hall on March 3, 1984. Recorded for promotional purposes, this stellar show has Bon Jovi in early rock and pop form that he would hone a few short years that shot him and his band into superstardom. After his mini music hall tour, Bon Jovi hooked up with The Scorpions on their World Tour, then Slippery When Wet came out and it was onward and upward! The Ripley’s show captures a young and gritty band ready for more.

Bon Jovi

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Today we feature one of the most influential bands of the 70's, Thin Lizzy! The band rolled in to the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA for a two night stand- October 20 and 21, 1977 on the Bad Reputation tour. Recorded for King Biscuit Flower Hour and later culled tapes used for the official Live Album, "Live and Dangerous" although uncredited After 3 0yrs of lockup, guitarist Scott Gorham and Glyn Johns dusted off the tracks, remixed and remastered the tapes and released the album, "Still Dangerous - Live at the Tower Theater 1977" in 2009. This album is 100% live, no overdubs or re-edits. These shows at the Tower are regarded as one of the best on tour and it highlights the band's raw and fierce live act in their Prime!

Still Dangerous (Live at the Tower Theatre Philadelphia 1977) by Thin Lizzy - Thin Lizzy

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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