The Beatles played there in 1964 on their first American tour. One would
think that would be a point to keep the building. The Stones also played
there one one of their first American tours. I am not certain, but I
venture that many other famous people either played there or spoke there.
But you will note that once those acts became famous, they never returned to Convention Hall, it was just too small.
By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host Phil Ochs, but also Bob Dylan, Joanie Mitchel, and so many, many others. And don't forget the Gilded Cage which was there first.
And of course there was the Trauma which opened with The Righteous Brothers.
And lets not forget the long departed Showboat where so many Jazz greats performed.
I also loved the descent down the escalator into the Philadelphia Flower
Show accompanied by the fragrance of hyacinths on a cold, sometimes snowy
early Spring evening. Entering the show at The Convention Center just does
not have the same effect.
The escalator had nothing to do with either the Municipal Auditorium or Civic Center Museum. It was in the adjacent "annex" building which is now a major hole in the ground with a bunch of toy cars in it. But you are correct, the present mechanism for entering the Flower Show is not nearly as impressive.
Another place that had lots of great acts was The Arena at 46th & Market
which was consumed in a fire I believe.
The Arena, as a venue, died when WFIL (now WPVI) moved its studios to City Line Avenue, and no longer hosted American Bandstand there. I think the only thing which "survived" for long after the move was an assortment of boxing matches.
Of course, some of the more important venues now gone were the Old Music Fund Hall at 8th and Locust, now apartments; a plethora of "real theater" theaters, now all long gone, but which hosted every name star that the theater had to offer. I think the last one standing was at 21st and Market. And let's not forget the now abandoned Academy of Music, home of that famous "Philadelphia Sound," yet to be re-created in the new Kimmel Center.
And who could forget the importance of the first IMAX theater at 6th and Vine -- now channel 12's studios.
And I'm not even moving beyond the bounds of Penn's Green Country Town to move north or South on Broad Street.
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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