We were the lucky ones! Kenny Passarelli Bass Thanks for this great blog Patricia. He announced beforehand that he wasnt feeling well, so I brought him a bouquet of yellow roses and plunked them on the stage the first night (I was sitting in the front row). I was 19, had my sister Diane 18, her friend 18, who had her sisters 17& 16. Id seen him in concert twice before, in 1972 at the Boston Music Hall and in 1974 at the Boston Garden. I was a senior in high school, he was a year younger. The stadium, however, lapsed into bankruptcy and was bought by paper magnate Robert Kraft. '"[2], In the 1960s, before the rise of corporate concert organizers and ticket agents, top rated bands would often play for free (especially in San Francisco) or for amounts that resulted in reasonable concert ticket prices. Was blown away with John Miles & Dave Masons performance. $10 ticket to see one of the most memorable concerts of a lifetime. It planted tons of seeds for our careers and life, and 40 years later, Mike has had a great career as a Disc Jockey (including 92 PRO-FM) and is a professor who teaches the history and business of radio, and I have worked as a producer and promoter with amazing artists including Christina Aguilera, The Beach Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many many othersand that weekend with Elton John definitely was a central moment (among many great ones along the journey) that paved the way for the life we have now. Schaefer Stadium hosted Elton John on July 4, 1976, as well as Boz Scaggs, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac on July 25, 1976. I went to both shows at that time. Mar 29, 2023 KISS April 23 rd 1976 Ontario Canada Concert Poster $6. Graduate of Framingham North High class of 75 and still a great fan of Elton. We were so lucky werent we? Like The Beach Boys with 2 concerts has current record on Schaefer Stadium, historial concerts and more. Well , three years later I finally got my chance to see him. It was one of the best concert I ever saw the only other concert I saw a bed it was Pink Floyd The Wall at Nassau Coliseum and if anyone saw that theyll vouch for me thanks for the memory, I cant quite understand everything youre saying Mike but I totally concur with your first sentence! And most importantly to those who love children. With the completion of the AFLNFL merger in 1970, the league required its teams to play in stadiums which seated more than 50,000, and no venue in Boston proper could accommodate a crowd this size with NFL amenities. Hell yes I want those tickets! The three hour concert, that also. In 1971, the New England Patriots moved into Schaefer Stadium, which would be the team's home under various names (including Sullivan Stadium and Foxboro Stadium) before Gillette Stadium replaced it in 2002. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Two words rapt amazement. Just found this and wanted to leave my memories. I remember fireworks too. With this in mind, Kraft swooped in and bought the team himself. Here are the latest developments in the tragic case. Biographie Dbuts au Cameroun. I had founded an Elton John Fan Club called SNAFF (Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting), and designed a T-shirt with Eltons birth name Reggie Dwight emblazoned on the front. After all these years, this is the one concert I will always remember and be so happy I went to. I said Sharon. Some 38 years later, still remember this 4Th Thanks for the pix Pat !! Concert added by Nancy . I have the souvenir program from that night. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Yes. Thanks so much for your comments! Caleb Quaye Electric guitars [citation needed], The original name in 1971 was Schaefer Stadium for the brewery of that name in an early example of the sale of naming rights. The facility was built in a low-cost "bare bones" manner with unexceptional architectural elements, and had very few modern amenities. Ive never been to a more exciting concert! Thank you for sharing your story. But we were teens and there was nothing much to do. The band came running out of the stadium, into the helicopter and off we went. Home; About; Program; FAQ; Registration; Sponsorship; Contact; Home; About; Program; FAQ; Registration; Sponsorship . Like yourself I have been an Elton fan since first seeing him perform in 1974, I was 14. Thanks for the link to your site Rich! 6,000 people "jammed into the bandstand near the [Central Park] Mall while thousands more sprawled out on the grass and under the trees. As a result, when Kiam himself was crippled by financial troubles, he sold the Patriots to James Orthwein in 1992. After we got to altitude, the flight attendant came up to the cockpit and asked if we d like to have his autograph. The greatest concert ever. Mike Thomas Billie Jean King sang backing vocals and Elton slipped Holiday Inn in to the 20-song set list, a unique event on this tour. But that made it even better for us because I think Elton had to make sure he kicked it up a notch to make sure everyone knew who the headliner was. Paulas dad waited for us outside the whole time. He said to me What took you so long ! 4 days Left Los Lobos "Kiko Setlist" Signed By Original Band $400. [6] 1 hit single Don't Go Breaking My Heart) in Toronto in March 1976, and began touring the UK on 29 April in Leeds. ), Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Mar 29, 2023 The GRATEFUL DEAD Poster Hollywood Bowl Concert Poster $6. We had gen adm. tickets too so spent a lot of the time roaming around trying to get closer to the stage. I was so close I could reach out and touch his costume, if I dared, which I didnt. His music is timeless. We waited in the parking lot for a few hours talking with people, waiting for traffic to thin. Due to their relatively modest wealth compared to other NFL owners, they pledged the stadium as collateral for the tour. Seen him a few times since and all were good, but not as electric as that 4th of July night. Pinball Wizard. For the next 2 and 1/2 hours he had everyone in the palm of his hand. We got something special. This was my 3rd Elton concert, after 2 at Boston Garden in 1974, and my seats were at maybe the 50-yard line low down on the side. In 1983 Miller Brewing Company took over sponsorship with the name Miller Time Concerts on the Pier until 1988. It was an extraordinary experience that Ill never forget. Animals, Travel, Casinos, Sports, Gift Ideas, Mental Health and So Much More! Location Schaefer Stadium Foxborough, Wayland US Date July 4, 1976 Pictures Add a picture. Elton John performed at the venue in front of 62,000 on US Bicentennial on July 4, 1976. Schaefer Stadium (19711983)Sullivan Stadium (19831989)Foxboro Stadium (1989-2002) Demolished in 2002 and replaced by Gillette Stadium and the Patriot Place shopping center. He was a fave and I had Yellow Brick Road on vinyl and cassette. A wonderful surprise was when he brought out Kiki Dee to sing I Got the Music in Me and to join him on Dont Go Breaking My Heart. It is a splendid life. My favorite Elton John program, from the 1974 tour featuring brilliant art by Jacques Benoit. Too bad you havent been able to see him in Jacksonville, and yes his concert tickets are very expensive. We enjoyed John Miles & Dave Mason from the far end of the field. It was a festival concert with big name acts and dirt-cheap tickets. Wow, this thread took a wonderful turn not long ago! As the concert was ending, the roar of the crowd was deafening, and then we knew what all the scampering was about fireworks employees making last minute wiring checks because as the lights came up, the fireworks show started blasting all around us. I was lucky enough to get backstage as I was a huge fan and my dad was on security for the show. As a result, the stadium was not demolished until late January 2002, after the conclusion of the 2001 postseason. Empty Sky The last time I saw him was in 2006 at an Oracle Conference in San Francisco which was more of an intimate party for 10,000 techies. The Spirit of '76. I was right up front when I was just seeing you with another friend on my shoulders trading time so we could have an awesome View and thats when crowd control why isnt an issue because we were inside what would be considered a mosh pit. 7/30/1972. It was our nations Bicentennial celebration. On that day, along with 60,000 other fans, I got to see Elton John perform in concert at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Was also there at the Garden in 74. Foxboro Stadium, originally Schaefer Stadium and later Sullivan Stadium, was an outdoor stadium in the New England region of the United States, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. My cousin worked at WCOD and some guy called in looking to sell his tickets so my cousin called me. "Until Schaefer decided to assume sponsorship, the prospect was that the ticket price [from 1967] would have to be doubled. Check latest concerts at Schaefer Stadium on Foxborough, United States and interesting facts like The Beach Boys with 2 concerts has current concerts record and more. The original field was Poly-Turf,[16] succeeded by AstroTurf. Pittsburgh Jazz Festival Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles B.B. George on Pine Mountain in Georgetown (Redding), CT. George and Sharon, Id be interested in sharing your story. My old best friend and I spent the whole day there. Joe Sia photo. [citation needed], In 1977, Dr. Pepper assumed sponsorship of the Central Park concert series, renamed the Dr. Pepper Central Park Music Festival. Roger Pope Drums She was dangling it out her car window. I waited until I was about 30 to tell my Mom that part of the day. (The Redskins left after the 1936 season, in which they hosted the NFL Championship Game, not in Boston but at the Polo Grounds in New York City. All my family and friends heard me and my name for three days, and the phone rang off the hook at my house. I think they gave us wristbands and the entire stadium section was filled with people waiting for tickets. In fact, all of the remembrances are joyous to read. With most of their money tied up in the team, they sold controlling interest in the Patriots to Victor Kiam in 1989. It was our nation's Bicentennial celebration. For some of us, this was one them. . [5] The performers included Carly Simon, who made her TV debut, Ike & Tina Turner, Kate Taylor, Boz Scaggs, and the Beach Boys. The stadium opened in August 1971 as Schaefer Stadium, primarily as the home venue for the renamed New England Patriots of the National Football League.The team was known as the Boston Patriots for its first eleven seasons 1960-70, and had played in various stadiums in the Boston area.For six seasons, 1963-68, the Patriots played in the venerable Fenway Park, home of baseball's Boston . I was there too! What an amazing concert. alias Schaefer Stadium (1971-1982) . I have some cool photos from that day too that Ill have to find and post sometime. The sponsorship was taken over by Dr. Pepper in 1977 and the name changed to the Dr. Pepper Central Park Music Festival until the location of the festival was moved to Pier 84 in 1981 and the Wollman Skating Rink ceased being used as a concert venue. Keep it Elton guys!! He played as one of the opening acts as well .Curtains under a twinkly sky, Ill never forget it .We lived in Quincy and God love our dad, he came to get us too! Harry Sinden of the Bruins walked across the ice and got a great ovation. 7/13/1973. Live. The Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park was a recurring music festival held in the summer between 1967 and 1976 at Wollman Rink in New York City's Central Park. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is. Additionally, the Sullivan family had lost millions promoting the Jackson Victory Tour in 1984. So not having money for a cab I walked home. Glad everyone who has responded to this blog post remembers it so well too! July 4, 1976. Thanks for bringing back the memories. July 4 1976, I just got back from seeing Dave Mason tonight at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville FL after winning tickets last night in one of their contests !!!! I was there too, 40 years ago today. When the Sullivan family went into bankruptcy after sponsoring the Jackson's "Victory" Tour, Kraft bought the stadium. Schaefer Stadium hosted Elton John on July 4, 1976, as well as Boz Scaggs, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac on July 25, 1976. I was the copilot of the helicopter that brought the group up to Foxboro from JFK. I wish I could remember that portrait of Elton in the fireworks, but unfortunately, I dont. Whenever Elton made his grand entrance flying in and coming out like the Statue of Liberty everyone went wild!! So much fun Anna! What an excellent musician and band they were. Lived down in Marshfield and went with my older brother as the rest of my family headed to the Esplanade for the Pops Bicentennial Concert. I was there Artists Elton John. There were vendors and people trying to sell t-shirts and programs. [42] Stadium officials were forced to augment the permanent toilets with rented portable toilets for the rest of the stadium's existence. Find the perfect peter guenter stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Stadium Concert. Well always have these wonderful memories. What an incredible experience and memory to have forever! One of my best memories from youth Welcome aboard David! If you know your music history, the two have only ever played together once, on July 25, 1976, at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, MA. He was really good and years later I read that Elton was a little upset because John was so good. Eagles at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Boz Scaggs at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Fleetwood Mac at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Dave Mason at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Elton John at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Louder Than Concorde But Not Quite As Pretty, John Miles at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, The Allman Brothers Band at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Chicago at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, The Beach Boys at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Take a look at my website http://www.little-dirt-cowboy.co.uk My uncle surprised us with tickets for the boys to go to the Sox game and 2 tickets for me and his daughter to see Elton John. I had such a good time !!! I was there and its still my favorite concert. It featured a number of notable performances. Will we ever have anything like this again? What a wonderful memory Mike! Its a bit tattered but Ive held onto it for almost 40 years along with the program from his 1974 tour. [8] Foxboro Stadium was the last stadium where Diego Maradona scored a World Cup goal in a game against Greece, and where he last played in an official FIFA World Cup match against Nigeria on June 25, 1994. Sam Sampler was the captain. Thats a funny story! ? lol, http://floridatheatre.com/event/dave-masons-traffic-jam/?utm_source=Dave+Mason+Winner+02%2F23%2F14&utm_campaign=Dave+Mason+Winners+02%2F23%2F14&utm_medium=email. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Uploaded by Stephen Roth Elton John Jul 06, 1976 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Uploaded by Stephen Roth Good Morning to the Night Bennie and the Jets Philadelphia Freedom I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues Border Song Tiny Dancer Have Mercy on the Criminal