Thanks Brad, for the share. My musical memories of the Dome include seeing Elvis there in 1974 at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; I was 9. It was, at the time, the largest audience to see Presley in one place. He was on a rotating stage and had only his primary band (no orchestra) with him. A really cool memory...
Later, in the late 1980s, the Grand Ole Opry played at the Astrodome as part of the World Economic Summit. It was one of the few times the Opry went on the road and (I believe) it was Bill Monroe's last live performance. He sang "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (of course) and I remember comparing it to Presley's version.
Thanks for the great read and bringing up those memories for me.
Thank YOU, Glenn! Those are cool memories, and proves my point....the vast variety of entertainment the Dome offered over the decades!! Now, I was at a couple of Rodeo events, but really only remember trundling thru the Astrohall (where the cattle and other animals were stalled and had their showings), and not really going for entertainers. I even had a gold pin that said "Rodeo Band" on it! Have no idea how I got it (I wasn't in the band!), and have no idea where it went!
I don't even remember the GOO appearing or touring (but, by the late '80s, I was in LA, and stayed til '93). What a great opportunity, especially to see the legend, Monroe! You saw Elvis in '74 at the Dome, which, as you now know, was the same year Stephen saw (and met!) him at the Las Vegas Hilton (August). As I recall, the Rodeo was a spring affair (like March). For our readers, a quick link to that article:
Thanks again, Glenn, and I look forward to your next article, as do our readers who will, hopefully, subscribe to your "Our Reality Show" here: https://glenncook.substack.com/
Very cool! I remember reading that last year, but it was a fun re-read! Speaking of Houston venues that hosted a variety of artists, a year before you saw Elvis at Hofheinz Pavilion, I saw Led Zeppelin (I was 15 and had floor seats)!
The Judy/Supremes Dome show notwithstanding, that was MY first concert (funny how our firsts were both at Hofheinz!). I'm about ready to imagine that, at some point, we probably attended the same show (or 2) sometime in the '70s! Maybe stood in the same line at Foley's to buy tix!
Brad, fantastic article. For one shining moment the Astro Dome was like one of the Wonders Of The World…a sports and entertainment pyramid built right in your own back yard. What memories you had and so beautifully illustrated in your writing. ⚾️🏈🎤🎶
Thank you, Stephen! It's amazing, as I'm sure you feel in your writing (lyrics and prose!), the more you dig into your memories, the more seems to materialize, and one unexpected related thread leads to another, and still another! As I know you know....for so many reasons, I'm glad you're on my team!😁🎶🎸🤘✨
Thanks Brad, for the share. My musical memories of the Dome include seeing Elvis there in 1974 at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; I was 9. It was, at the time, the largest audience to see Presley in one place. He was on a rotating stage and had only his primary band (no orchestra) with him. A really cool memory...
Later, in the late 1980s, the Grand Ole Opry played at the Astrodome as part of the World Economic Summit. It was one of the few times the Opry went on the road and (I believe) it was Bill Monroe's last live performance. He sang "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (of course) and I remember comparing it to Presley's version.
Thanks for the great read and bringing up those memories for me.
Thank YOU, Glenn! Those are cool memories, and proves my point....the vast variety of entertainment the Dome offered over the decades!! Now, I was at a couple of Rodeo events, but really only remember trundling thru the Astrohall (where the cattle and other animals were stalled and had their showings), and not really going for entertainers. I even had a gold pin that said "Rodeo Band" on it! Have no idea how I got it (I wasn't in the band!), and have no idea where it went!
I don't even remember the GOO appearing or touring (but, by the late '80s, I was in LA, and stayed til '93). What a great opportunity, especially to see the legend, Monroe! You saw Elvis in '74 at the Dome, which, as you now know, was the same year Stephen saw (and met!) him at the Las Vegas Hilton (August). As I recall, the Rodeo was a spring affair (like March). For our readers, a quick link to that article:
https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/schwartz-stories-1-viva-hilton-stephen
Thanks again, Glenn, and I look forward to your next article, as do our readers who will, hopefully, subscribe to your "Our Reality Show" here: https://glenncook.substack.com/
Thanks Brad! Here’s a link to a piece I wrote on Elvis that includes a mention of that 1974 show. Give it a read sometime. https://glenncook.substack.com/p/my-grandmother-elvis-and-me?r=727x&utm_medium=ios:
Very cool! I remember reading that last year, but it was a fun re-read! Speaking of Houston venues that hosted a variety of artists, a year before you saw Elvis at Hofheinz Pavilion, I saw Led Zeppelin (I was 15 and had floor seats)!
The Judy/Supremes Dome show notwithstanding, that was MY first concert (funny how our firsts were both at Hofheinz!). I'm about ready to imagine that, at some point, we probably attended the same show (or 2) sometime in the '70s! Maybe stood in the same line at Foley's to buy tix!
Brad, fantastic article. For one shining moment the Astro Dome was like one of the Wonders Of The World…a sports and entertainment pyramid built right in your own back yard. What memories you had and so beautifully illustrated in your writing. ⚾️🏈🎤🎶
Thank you, Stephen! It's amazing, as I'm sure you feel in your writing (lyrics and prose!), the more you dig into your memories, the more seems to materialize, and one unexpected related thread leads to another, and still another! As I know you know....for so many reasons, I'm glad you're on my team!😁🎶🎸🤘✨