Okay, peeps. I need your help.
I need your Civic Auditorium (and Music Hall) memories. Two categories.
First, sports. Tell me your favorite games, stars, events you saw at the Civic. Hockey, hoops and tennis anyone? Whatever. We’ll get a lot of Larry Bird and Rick Apke. Wilt Chamberlain, too. I need stories, memories, etc.
Second, concerts. I have a friend who says he saw Bob Seger open for the Doobie Brothers (the real Doobies, before Michael McDonald). Another saw the Rolling Stones in 1964, though that might have been at the Music Hall. Funny how memories get fuzzy over the years. Though there’s no telling why that friend’s memory is fuzzy.
Again, stories and special memories on the concerts. Yes, don’t forget Elvis.
You can post them here, or on my twitter account (which is still alive, barely), or send me an email (tom.shatel@owh.com). I’m going do a future column on the moments, and I might even rank them.
Have fun.
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Frank Sinatra in the early to mid 70′s. His voice was good but he was using a monitor already. Joe Frazier/Ron Stander boxing match (or bloodbath depending on your perspective)
Harlem Globetrotters with my girl friend (now my wife of 45 years) with courtside tickets a man gave me at the entrance.
The circus when I was maybe 12 to 14 years old and one of the Wallendas fell to her death from a high wire (or pole, not sure).
Harlem Globetrotters with my dad (I still miss that man 45 years later)
I think my wife saw Elvis there not too long before he passed away.
Ike and Tina Turner and the “Ike-ettes” rolling on the river.
Many Creighton games with my Dad. Names like Cyril Baptise, Bob Portman, The Apke Brothers, Wilis Reed, The Dynamic Duo (Harstad and Gallagher), Tony Barone, Dana Altman, Ryan Sears, Ben Walker, the 2003 Jays. Too many big games to remember all of them.)
Due to me only being 19, i unfortunately was not alive for some of the best events at civic like Ron Stander/Joe Frazier bxoing match. that would have been awesome to see. UNO Hockey games at the civic bring back the best memories for me. UNO Hockey shouldve never left the civic. Yes they have a sellout promotion here and there but when UNO played games at the civic it got so loud and it was always a true home ice advantage. Century Link Center is only occasionally a home ice advantage. The one event that created lots of memories is the UFC Fight Night:Diaz vs. Neer event on September 17th, 2008. That was alot of fun. Im going to the UFC on Fuel TV 1: Ellenberger vs. Sanchez event on February 15th. I have a ticket and is so very pumped
Dude, the 80′/90s, hair:
Rush, Ozzy, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Triumph, Van Halen, Hanoi Rocks, Ronnie James Dio, 38 Special, Quiet Riot, AC DC, Loverboy, Cinderella, Kiss, W.A.S.P., Guns N’ Roses, White Lion, Ratt, Billy Squier, Poison, Scorpions, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Warrant, Slaughter, Vixen, Winger, Lita Ford, L A Guns.
So many youthful memories, so little hearing left.
TAYLLOR1234… ALL my favorite bands especially MOTLEY CRUE. Now those were the BEST memories. MOTLEY CRUE doing their Theater Of Pain album in ’84.
Terrible.
I remember the Eddie Sutton coached Creighton games (too bad NU could not have got him back to coaching in Nebraska one more time a few years ago). I remember the KC Omaha Kings, still have a program from one of the games. I remember being thrilled to get Connie Hawkins, Mel Counts, the Van Arsdels and Sam Lacy’s autographs. I remeber seeing the Rolling Stones there also ( I am pretty sure it was the Civic and not the Music Hall) I saw the Guess Who at the Music Hall.
Right after Tumble Weed Connection came out, Elton John was at the Civic. We drove up from Lincoln and bought front row tickets an hour and a half before the show for ten bucks. The seats were a little to the side but they were front row. Tower of Power at the Music Hall with less than 150 people in attendance, still one of the best shows I have ever seen.
This must of been back in ’73 or ’74. I was at a Kings game with my parents, Washington Bullets I believe, when at halftime this dude was chosen to take a shot from half-court to win a new car. He ends of putting it through the net for the the loudest cheer of the night. I think he took home a Chevy Nova.
I remember being a huge KC-Omaha Kings fan (living in Hastings), and being taken to the games by my grandfather who lived in Omaha. One game I was able to sit courtside (which consisted of portable folding chairs), against the Pistons and having the Kings’ Sam Lacy crash into the folding chairs next to me. Later I was able to watch future Hall-of-famer Bob Lanier get ejected a few feet away from me after spitting in the ref’s face. I’ve attended several NBA games as an adult at various venues across the country, but sitting courtside at an NBA game in Omaha as a kid will always stand out.
Once the Civic is gone, I think that it would be appropriate to put up a Nebraska Historical marker at the site commemorating such events as the home of an NBA franchise, the World Heavyweight Title bout with Ron Stander vs. Joe Frazier, The 1988 Vice Presidential debate, and other events (just to name a few). While they’re at it, put a Nebraska Historical marker at the spot where Rosenblatt stood (once that’s demolished), so future generations will know the history.
I was a Central student in 1966-69, and most of my Civic Auditorium / Music Hall memories are from then. The Metro League holiday basketball tournaments — I remember a matchup between Boys Town’s Tyrone Pryor and Dwaine Dillard and the Central “Rhythm Boys.” A couple of great Central-Prep clashes. The Class A tournament that never was: George Wallace’s American Independent Party held its convention in the Civic the week before, and after protests, chair-throwing and plenty of violence, the tournament was moved back to Lincoln. (Dillard was a passenger in a car that night that was stopped and found to have a Molotov cocktail(s) under the seat; no charges filed, suspended for one game.)
I got to perform in the Music Hall in two OPS summer-school musicals: “Li’l Abner” and “Guys and Dolls.” And I ushered there for the national tours of “Man of La Mancha” and “I Do! I Do!” (which I believe may have had the original stars, Mary Martin and Robert Preston.) All-City Music Festivals were held in the Aud, and many a high-school class (including mine in ’69) graduated there.
I saw the Shrine Circus with the Flying Wallendas in 1963; my memory was that it was at AkSarBen, but I might be wrong. World-Herald honor carriers got to see the circus free. At the next night’s show, Rietta Wallenda fell to her death.
I’ll enjoy seeing other memories of these great venues.
Saw short track motorcycle racing, and a really cool tractor pull there. Took my kids to their first circus as well. Lots of concerts there and in the music hall. The best one’s were KISS, Heart with an opening act of Burton Cummings, Styx Grand Ilusion tour and the BEE GEE’s. Saw many a great car show and one even had Paul Revere and the Raiders. Our family also loved to attend the Boat Sports and Travel Show.
I was a sophomore in high school when I saw Paul Silas pull down more rebounds than I could ever imagine. Later in his career I enjoyed watching him again as a member of the Celtics championship teams and recalling my first college basketball experience in the Civic.
Two memories stand out. The first was the KCOmaha Kings playing the Milwaukee Bucks. The other was the Omaha Golden Gloves back when boxing was fairly popular in Omaha. I actually boxed in two of those tournaments, 1982, 1983.Back in those days we needed two rings for opening night. Makes me sad to see Omaha no longer has good boxing. Guys like Lamont Kirkland, Leonard Hawkins, Sammy Cribbs, John Freeman.. Omaha had some good prospects…
Golden Gloves at the Civic was THE event of the calendar year. Hard to believe now, but Boxing for years was easily the most popular sport.
The first concert I ever went to was there. My sister convinced Dad to take us to see the Osmond Brothers. We were pretty far back but I still had to plug my ears (I was 7 or 8) because it was louder than anything I had ever heard to that point.
I’ll never forget going to see the Harlem Globetrotters there with my cousins back in 1970-something. We went early to hang out in the Hilton Hotel to see if we could catch a glimpse of them. We were riding the elevators when a couple of tall guys stepped into the elevator. My cousin yelled at his brother, who was going to miss the elevator, “Joe! The Globetrotters are here! The Globetrotters are here!” The players laughed and copied my cousin. It was a hoot. Nice guys!
Seeing Blue Oyster Cult with my older brother and his friends.
Watching Benoit Benjamin actually played inspired against Notre Dame. Also being part of the CU student section who got under Digger Phelps skin during that game.
Seeing Tiny Archibald go over the top of Kareem to score in a Kings-Milwaukee Bucks game. Sam Lacey poised for the rebound.
Getting to watch Doc Rivers play v. Creighton. Watching Benoit and crew in a cage-match vs. Xavier McDaniel and Antoine Carr in the early 80′s, then seeing Kevin Ross and his date at Chicago bar later that evening.
Oh, and one unforgettable night seeing AC/DC as the warm-up band for Cheap Trick!
A dear friend of mine (she’s now deceased) was married at the Civic during a monster truck rally, in a promotional stunt put on by a local radio station. Now THAT’s a memory for you!
1. Creighton beating Indiana State and Larry Bird to win the first MVC tournament.
2. My halfcourt shot at a Creighton halftime where I hit the rim (twice) and almost won the prize.
3. Summer of ’76 or ’77 and we bought near front row seats (right before the show) to see the lead act: The Flying Burrito Brothers. The opening act was a guy named Willie Nelson.
The Omaha Aksarben Knights hockey ! Had season tickets both years they were here. Have not been able to watch a hockey game since. The smell of the ice, the razing of the opposing players, seeing Eric Goddard and Brandon Prust laying people out on the ice. So many great memories of watching games there.
1. “Tuesday Night.”
2. Beating Ohio State in 3 OTs to go to The Joe.
3. Alex Nikiforuk taking a faceoff, skating around future NHL goon Jack Johnson, and scoring to beat Michigan.
From the late seventies through the eighties.
-Beating Larry Bird and Indiana State in the MVC championship and could barely see due to the standing room croud
-Ron Stander boxing at the end of a day of golden gloves boxing. Of course there was blood.
-Mad Dog Vachon and Nick Bockwinkel in a cage match. There was a lot more blood and the flash of Nick’s bare backside being pulled back down to the mat while he was trying to climb out
-Kevin McKenna regularly banking in jumpers from what would become 3 point land
-Dennis Rasmussen hitting a jumper at the buzzer to tie or win only to have it called late for a loss
-Full days of basketball at the holiday tournament
-Always walking a mile from our free parking spot
-Walking in early to a game once at the same time as Kevin Ross. He was dressed to the hilt and looked like a wealthy businessman. Then finding out later he couldn’t read and Creighton had failed him.
-The Iceman Daryl Stoval’s baseline jumper
-Sitting in the upper deck at the circus and looking at the guy on the giant stilts at eye level
-Seeing the Batmobile and General Lee at the car show
Creighton did not fail Ross. That is a myth. The Chicago school system failed him. He was also NEVER a star player at Creighton.
Many fond memories in the Civic. Some included: The Metro Boys tournament and seeing North’s Mike McGee battle the likes of Jim Gregory from Burke and Dan Claussen of Benson. Watching the KC-O Kings, seeing the Electric Light Orchestra in concert, and Ted Nugent fire off his machine gun guitar. I could go on and on. What a great place to grow up in.
Tom
I’m your age so my memories go back to the late 60′s and early 70′s. So many good times to remember there…a couple standouts are Creighton beating a highly ranked (I think #1) New Mexico St. team featuring Sam Lacey and Jimmy “Cactus” Collins before a full house…Bob Portman throwing up 50 point games..Cyril Baptiste..The KC Omaha Kings (including the aforementioned Sam Lacey and a backup point guard named Mike D’Antoni) against Kareem and the Bucks…my first concert, Black Oak Arkansas (what a Jim Dandy that was)…Ron Stander v Joe Frazier..I shook Richard Nixon’s hand there during a campaign stop…UNO hockey’s big victory to get to the CCHA playoffs..Eddie Sutton joined by his little kid Sean Sutton on the bench…the thrill of playing in the Metro Holiday Basketball Tourney on the “big stage” as a high schooler…Larry Bird and Carl Nicks…Bob Lanier and his size 22 shoes playing for St. Bonaventure..the Shrine Circus…the Globetrotters….the list goes on and on…Much like Rosenblatt, it had it’s time and served us well, and these memories will remain etched in my mind, but it’s time to move on.
oh yeah…don’t forget Grand Funk’s concert prior to their rendezvous with the “Four young Chiquita’s in Omaha”!
My first UNO hockey game, seeing Creighton beat a rated Oklahoma State team, and a LOT of Lancer hockey games the past few years with my wife. Tons and tons of great memories. From driving down Dodge St. all the way into downtown, parking in the same lot for every game, the whole atmosphere at the Civic is great. It is not quite the barn that Aksarben was, but for my money nothing will EVER beat watching a Lancer hockey game at Aksarben. I only wish my wife could have seen a game there, she did not start watching hockey until they were at the MAC.
My best memory was of a Cincinnati Royals game against the Chicago Bulls. I remember it as being a very close high scoring game and after the game I got autographs from Oscar Robertson, Chet Walker and a number of other players.
My favorite show was always the one in the 1960′s with Bobby Vinton [Blue Velvet, etc.] and all the beautiful women in their fabulous topless review. Oops, sorry, I think that was Las Vegas.
Seeing the burnouts asking for “spare change” out front of the place in the 1970s. Not fond memories but my sharpest recollection.
In this week’s “chat” with Tom, I mentioned the best live concert I every went to – in late 63 or early 64 at the Civic – Ray Charles, the Raelettes, and his big band. A few more details – the band played the first half of the concert, and swung like mad. For the 2nd half, it was Ray with the band, then he brought the Raelettes out for several numbers, finishing with “What’d I Say,” and the sell-out crowd went crazy. I remember seeing Dave Blackwell (?) one of the local TV sports announcers walking around during intermission. Watching the band at work was fun, because there was no set “play” list – Ray would finish a number, then hit a couple of notes on the piano and, if one of the band members wasn’t sure of the tune, he’d be checking with his compatriots – FAST. Ray ran a tight ship – if you couldn’t pick up what he wanted – you’d get your two-weeks notice and someone who could pick it up would come in. The only part of the show that wasn’t great was a female singer (name long-forgotten) who sang a couple of numbers with the band in the first half of the concert. She hit a few flat notes, and every time she did, one of the trumpet players winced. I’ve been able to hear Ellington, Basie, Herman, Kenton, Rich and several other big bands, but Ray Charles and his band that night still tops my list.
I know this is not the Civic but I wonder how many people remember the Battle of the Bands back in the late 60′s. It seems to me that it always came down to the Coachmen battling the Rommels. Or how many people ever remember going to Sandy’s Escape out in Benson. Many people lately have been talking about the Metro Holiday Tourny, I am womdering how many people remember back in the late 60′s just how good South High use to be. Bob Wolfe and Dave Rezac were a hard combo to beat. I was fortunate enough to know Bob since Jr. High (Marrs) and followed his career from NU to the NFL.
Charles, I thought there WAS a Battle of the Bands at the Aud. And yeah, the Coachmen and the Rumbles seemed to be the top of the heap. I remember playing in Central High Dance Band for a Military Ball at Aksarben, and after we got done, the Rumbles came on and the dancing really started.
South High was no BKB pushover in the late ’60s. Central was beating everybody in ’67 and ’68, but I don’t remember if we beat South in ’69. That Central team played only .500 ball until Districts, then took off and made it to the finals.
Our after-game hangout was King’s Food Host on 72nd Street, just north of Dodge. I remember hearing about Sandy’s Escape but never went there.
Beating DePaul in 86 was unbelievable. Watching the game on TV later and listening to Ray Meyer complain the whole game on WGN made it all the better.
During college in the mid 80′s I worked for Kwik Kafe catering and we did backstage catering at the Civic and the Music Hall. These were the prime years for heavy metal and many of the best bands made their way through Omaha. At an ACDC concert, I watched a roadie take a chainsaw to a dining table as the amused catering staff watched. Rock and roll!
Top Ten list
1. Pistol Pete Maravich Night at the Civic (December 5, 1973) Still have the black and white poster autographed by “Pistol”
2. Pistol Pete and New Orleans Jazz (November 5, 1976) Still have the autographed program.
3. Larry Bird vs. Creighton (year Bird and Magic faced off in National Championship game.
4. Aerosmith in 1975 ???? My first Concert!
5. New York Knicks vs. K.C. Omaha Kings. 1972? ( Reed, Frazier, Jackson, Etc. Etc.)
6. ACDC in the Music Hall (Angus Young on Bon Scott shoulders Jamm’n in the top level) MGM knows what I’m talking about.
7. Peter Framton and Gary Wright concert
8. Cincinnati Royals vs. Bulls ( I’m with you Greg) “The Big O”
9. I can’t recall all the mini concerts in the Music Hall…. RUSH
10. My daughter-in-law receiving degree from UNO.
Wow..graduated from Millard South in the Civic in 1986..Benoit Benjamin..tons of 80′s concerts..Adam Ant, The Romantics, Van Halen, David Lee solo, Men at Work, Greg Allman opened for Stevie Ray Vaughan in the music hall..Sting…Genesis
1. High school and College graduation. (I beat my older brother to the stage in college, haha)
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers/Foo Fighters concert in 2000
3. UNO Overtime playoff hockey win over I believe O-H-I-O State on a Sunday Night… Place was electric!
I remember going to rassling matches in the 60′s…Seeing the likes of Verne Gagne, Mad Dog Vashon, The Sheik, Billy Red Cloud…The list goes on and on…used to take the Metro bus there with my Grandparents. Some of my fondest memories
My fondest memory was playing in the first high school holiday basketball tournament at the Civic. We(Creighton Prep), beat Omaha Tech for the championship that year. There were some very good high school players on both teams. Tech had Fred Hare, Joe Williams, and Harold Crow. We had Wally Anderzunas, Tim Pugh, Bob Becker, and Dave Burnett.
I have so many fond memories of the Civic Auditorium that I don’t know where to start. I started ushering at the Civic in 1971 when I was 14 years old. The first event I ushered was the Lippezaner Stallion show. The Stander/Frazier fight, Elvis Presley in concert, 9 performances of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus in 5 days, The Osmond Brothers in concert, Andre the Giant wrestling, KISS performing with their pyrotechnics, Neil Diamond (one of my mother’s favorites), one truck pull where the truck actually hit the wall of the arena floor, and many, many more events. I also had the pleasure of ushering for the opening of the Orpheum Theater with Red Skelton. After five years of ushering I became a ticket seller and experienced even more concerts, sports events and craft shows. Both the Civic Auditorium and Rosenblatt Stadium will always hold very special memories for me.