Some exterior shots of what is now Bojangles Arena on Independence Boulevard. Also people lining up for tickets. Remember walking up to the box office and buying concert tickets? No service fees. We didn't know how good we had it!
'Ovens Auditorium (left) and the Charlotte Coliseum had their biggest year last year attracting almost a million people to a variety of events ranging from the circus (in the coliseum) to the Metropolitan Opera (in the auditorium). Record crowds for 'Hello Dolly' and Ice Capades already this year make 1967 look just as bright.' 1967. -Don Hunter/Staff
'Barbara Fender, 21, pours some coffee to warm up while she waits in line at the Charlotte Coliseum for tickets to go on sale for the Kenny Rogers concert. Tickets for the March 26 concert will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, but several people began waiting in line Thursday night, hoping to get the best tickets.' 1982
-Tom Franklin/staff
'This vast expanse belongs to the dome of the Charlotte Coliseum. Observer photographer Hank Daniel spotted the unusual lighting as a dark cloud was moving by in the background.'
1969. -Hank Daniel/Staff
'Dead Heads, fans of the rock group, the Grateful Dead, wait outside the Charlotte Coliseum today, hoping for an autograph from the group's leader, Jerry Garcia. The Dead Heads are, from left: Saul Sadinsky, Bob Kennet, Mark Seamon (lying down), David Greenwald, Sharon Gallagher and Patty Spadamuda, who came for tonight's concert from as far away as Connecticut.' 1979.
Mark Fortenberry/staff
'UNC fan Don Hines, 28, of Kannapolis thinks Phil Ford is number one, but this morning Hines was number one himself ... he put on five shirts, two pair of pants and three pair of socks and was first in line here at 6:30 a.m. to get tickets for the NCAA Eastern Regional Playoffs here March 12. UNC will be in the playoffs if it wins the Atlantic Coast Conference title.' Feb, 1978.
Don Hunter/Staff
1967. -Joe Tyner/Staff
'Springsteen fans settle in for an all night vigil as they wait for tickets to the concert at the Coliseum.'
1984. Candace Freeland/Staff
My parents taking me to see NWA Wrasslin' when I was a kid. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteWhat's amazing to me is that the Coliseum and Ovens have been there for fifty years or so and Charlotte hasn't had them demolished.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the only thing that saved the Coliseum it that it's associated with a chain of junk food restaurants now.
Anon - I gotta do a wrasslin' blog post. A lot of folks loved it!
ReplyDeletenorth south double header
ReplyDeleteI just contacted Don Hines, the guy in the UNC jacket. He remembered the photo well.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the time I would like to look up the folks in the Greatful Dead photo and see whatever happened to them.
btango - Wow! Love it. -M
ReplyDeleteConcerts were great, but I also have fond memories of the venues for children such as the circus and going to see the animals and the Ice Capades. But my fondest memories was of Paul Buck, the first and only general manager of the old coliseum. A great friend and person.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this Maria! I've been a sports junkie for over 50 yrs. now. Seen all rounds of the NCAA basketball games including the sweet 16 and NCAA final four in New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteDon Hines
Don Hines - glad you're enjoying the blog, and your second 15 minutes of fame! ;>)
ReplyDeleteI remember that entire area before it was remodeled and started down hill. The putt-putt golf and arcade across the street, the bowling alley, etc. I remember the concerts there as well. It was a huge place when I was a kid. Glad they have kept both of them active for graduations, plays and smaller concerts.
ReplyDeleteAnon - I'd forgotten about the putt-putt. I do remember a Japanese steak house across the street. My friends and I got Kenny Loggins' autograph there, after the Fleetwood Mac/Loggins concert was cancelled due to Stevie Nicks eye infection!
ReplyDeleteMaria - What a great series - Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. Many concert memories (Loverboy always sold out this place) and Van Halen when David Lee Roth was in full character!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who arrived here in 1988, I enjoy seeing pictures and articles of Charlotte before my arrival. However, I must admit seeing grainy, black-and-white pictures from 1984 (when I was 14) make me feel REALLY old.
ReplyDeleteSo there was a Putt-Putt across from the arena? By the time I got here, the only Putt-Putt here was the one on Albemarle Rd near Sharon Amity, which is now a gas station.
We played Goony Golf across from the coliseum.
ReplyDeleteI remember learning to ice skate there back in the mid 60's with my family. I was about 7 years old. For several sessions an old guy kept following me and grabbing my shoulders and skating behind me. Looking back, I realize now he should've been reported. (ah the days when your parents would just drop you off places) I learned how to skate really fast in my attempts to get away. Eventually, I fell and slide across the ice on my face, ripping the skin off my forehead. There was so much blood on the ice that people were screaming. One of the Charlotte Checker hockey players carried me back to the locker room where I was sort of treated as a celebrity until my dad showed up to take me downtown to get stitched up. I felt so privilaged to be carried into the locker room by a real live hockey player! Ah, the memories of those Saturday night skatings.
ReplyDeleteAlannc- yikes, what a story. Glad the Checkers left you with good memories of the Coliseum! Tx for reading! - M
ReplyDeleteSaw James Worthy win state title a year before he went to UNC. I remember the first time I ever saw Dean Smith he was drinking from the water fountian in the lower bowl!Ice cades Sucked!
ReplyDeleteKISS and Ted Nugent.....Feb 7 1988! Had a blast! Only wish I had been born soon enough to see Elvis there! He performed there many times in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteHow about the Billy Graham crusades! My Dad sang in the choir. Such good times. :D
ReplyDeleteI probably attended over 100 eventsin the Coliseum, from concerts to graduations to assorted sporting events...
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, though, the Charlotte Coliseum (Independence Arena / Bojangles Arena / whatever...) will lways be the original home-ice of my Checkers.
Can't think about the Coliseum without Muriel Manch, the ticket lady.
ReplyDeleteAhh, the Coliseum. What great memories! Soon after it was built, on a Saturday (it may have been a Sunday) afternoon, a thunderstorm blew some of the rectangular exterior silver panels off of the domed roof. I remember hearing it come crashing down. There was a huge pile of aluminum between the Coliseum and Independence Boulevard. Public ice skating, the Checkers, the Ice Capades, the Circus, the Bowling Alley and Pool Room across Independence -- hey, how about Babe Malloy's? (the drive in next to the Bowling Alley). The Merchandise Mart, Chantilly School.
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