Sean Kirst / The Post-Standard

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

A very much needed program ... it CAN work again.

Gina

A note from a colleague, via Facebook:

Sean, I also had a chance to meet Angelo Dundee in Canastota and interview him in my days as a sports writer. You're absolutely right. He was one of the nicest, friendliest guys you'll ever meet.

One moment I'll always remember from his career happened when Ali had his ill-advised fight against Larry Holmes. After the 10th round, and with Ali taking a terrible beating, Dundee practically had a fight with Bundini Brown in Ali's corner because Brown wanted the fight to go on but Dundee wasn't about the let it. Dundee called the referee over, and with Brown arguing in the background Dundee told the ref, "The ballgame's over. I'm the chief second, and I'm stopping the fight." He couldn't let Ali take any more punishment.

George

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

‎"He let me be myself and he is always loyal. That's why I love Angelo." - Muhammad Ali / "It doesn't cost anything extra to be nice." - Angelo Dundee

- Owen

A note from a reader, via Facebook:

Thank you for this. My daughter was recently assigned a project for Black History Month for Social Studies and I admit I was a little frustrated by the list of people she had to choose from. Not to take away from their significance but how many reports can you do on Jackie Robinson and Harriet Tubman? I will be honored to share your story tonight about this amazing local pioneer.

Gina

you're right. i just checked with bob bennett; it's 1983, and i've fixed it.

sean

a note from a reader:

Sean,

Been reading your column for years, and your past article on the past performers at the War Memorial was outstanding.

I’m 71 Yrs. I saw both Stones concerts in 64’ and 66’ plus Bob Dylan when he performed with The band (1st time with electric etc ...)

Dylan did an hour solo, then did another hour w/ AC Cooper and the rest of the Band.

All of the shows only cost $5.00. You could buy a souvenir booklet and T-Shirts etc... cheap.

The kid that stole Jagger's coat was from Watertown. There was a group of us from the North country sitting about 7 rows back from the stage. Jagger and Bryan Jones did “Little by Little” and needed the harmonica.

The kid jumped up on the stage, grabbed the sports coat, bolted off the stage, and then he made a fatal mistake. We yelled to him to come back to his seat, as it was dark there, but he took off for the exit left of the stage. Needless to say he was caught, Jagger got the jacket and harmonica. I think the kid got “Clobbered” by security. Minutes later a young female fan made the stage, but the cops caught her with their billy clubs around the ankles, and threw her back into the crowd. They had never experienced anything like the Stones before. Patty Labelle and the Blue Bells opened for The Stones that night in 1964.

They were even greater 2nd time around in 1966, summertime. We had a full caravan from Clayton, Watertown and Alex Bay.

Also got to see Peter Paul and Mary. Fleetwood Mac - Awesome. Merle Haggard with opening act The Judds. What a show. Haggard's daughter was singing in the band, and she had to show him how to get off the stage. We followed them back to his bus, he was gone.

Thanks for the memories. Your articles are great.

Leonard O’Brien

a note from a reader:

Dear Sean,

Your War Memorial articles got me thinking. I attended a lot of concerts and special events there as I grew up. All very happy one-of-a-kind memories for me. “Chicago” comes to mind. I saw them EVERY time they came to Syracuse. Their shows were always so dynamic and inspiring. I think our junior prom in 1974 at Solvay High School was called, “Just You and Me.” It was named after a Chicago song.

My introduction to the concert world and the most special memory was in 1968, in the fall I think. My cousin Jim was owner of Cross Country Talent Productions. I was 11 years old. My whole family went to see The Young Rascals - ta da! I got to meet Eddie Brigate and Felix Cavaliere. My mom bought me a new dress and shoes and I got my hair done! It was one of the most exciting nights of my young life. I am nearly 55 years old now. At times, I can still recall the electric energy from the crowd. Absolutely amazing!

After that and a couple of years later, I went to see Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker and Sly and the Family Stone, just to name a few.

Each concert always lived up to my expectations and brought some awesome memories with it.

I’ve been to some other venues in the past but there is just something so grand and wonderful about going to the War Memorial, something almost majestic! Thanks for the memories!

Musically yours,
Sherri Welch

a note from a reader:

Hi, Sean,

Thank you for your srticles and The List on the War memorial. Great job!

I figured that I would fill in some of the missing tickets, two of which are for shows that did not make your detail: Santana, October 18, 1971, and The Beach Boys, May 17, 1979.

I am sure that I saw The Association at the War Memorial; I would guess that it was around 1967-1968. I also saw the Fifth Dimension there in the late 60’s- early 70’s. I don’t have tickets for either show so I can’t help fill in The List.

The Chicago show on June 7, 1973 is listed; however, not included is the fact that Bruce Springsteen and the original E Street Band opened for chicago. Bruce later was involved in litigation with his management of the time over moneythat was owed for many of the shows during this period and this particular show is not listed in court records.

The shows went so badly (Springsteen hated playing to empty seats and people that weren’t paying attention) that he vowed to never be an opening act again.

I was listening, and went to, I believe, The Road Runner (an old name for you) on Marshall St. the next day and bought "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J." I’ve seen Bruce around 25 times since then.

My first show at the War Memorial was Dylan, 11/21/65. He played half of the show "electric" with the "Hawks" and half acoustic. My quick review from back then: "Dylan was okay, but, that band behind him was great". I just realized that the last show that I saw at the War Memorial was Amos Lee, Elvis Costello, and Bob Dylan, October 8, 2007(He was horrible, but what a band behind him).

I know that I’m going off topic, but while I was going through my stuff I made copies of the order form for tickets to the original Woodstock, Along with a couple of the tickets and the envelope that they came in. I also included a copy of the schedule for the Atlantic City Pop Festival, held two weeks before Woodstock and often forgotten. As luck would have it, I sat in the mud next to a guy at Woodstock who had been at A.C. and we compared notes on how much better Atlantic City had been.

Frank

a note from a reader:

Mr. Kirst,

I attended many events at the War Memorial over the years.

I was at the “Janis Joplin” concert and don’t recall the “show going on” often the problem with fans rushing the stage. They turned all the lights on which upset the fans and Janis. After warnings, people wouldn’t return to their seats, the lights stayed on, and Police Chief Sardino shut down the concert. I recall, maybe 2 ½ or 3 ½ songs. I heard later you could get a refund, but tickets weren’t costly then so I didn’t bother.

I saw the James Brown shows with a friend of mine and we were about the only two white faces in a sea of black ones. James Brown wasn’t so popular with white people back in the 60’s-70’s. But I never saw a better entertainer. (as an aside, he once played at the old Armory in Armory Square in the 50’s. There were no tour buses then and while he performed someone stole some suits, etc. our of his car. I’m surprised he played Syracuse again).

Another memorable band were “The Mothers’ of Invention.” That was a unique band. Great show, but strange. Frank Zappa surely was if you name your daughter. Moon Unit.

Even though the “Doors” never played the War Memorial, I did see them in the ‘60’s. Believe it or not, they played in the gymnasium at Hamilton College. They weren’t that well known on the East Coast then. Shorlty after they became big. (I should have saved the ticket stub. I think it was around $7.00).

Another memory is the televised Sonny Liston vs Cassius Clay fight at the War Memorial. Not the fight, but what happened before. I was a student at North High School with little money so my friends and I thought we could sneak. Upon arriving, we saw a lot of others’ had the same idea. We all gathered by a large electric door that leads into the basement. Those in front began pulling it up. You could hear the motor straining to close it, but it was no match for testosterone-fueled teenagers. For a while. A word was given that at “Now” rush in Fast! Those in front, me included, got in. But as is said, “What goes up, must come down.” And it did, with a vengeance.

It slammed down across the feet of my friend, Gina, and broke all his toes. The front of his feet was actually flat.

He was taken to the Lobby until the ambulance arrived. As another friend of ours stayed with him I saw no reason to hang around. I really wanted to see the fight. For the rest of the school year, he was on crutches. And to make matters worse, he lost a bet we had. I picked clay in the 6th round and Liston never came out for the 7th. And, yes, I collected. North Siders always paid their gambling debts.

I could go on and on about the War Memorial but maybe another time.

Clifford Ballway, Syracuse

bobbarboey - you can email me at skirst@syracuse.com.

- sean

the county is talking about the idea. i'd love to see oncenter officials get together with ron gersbacher (a music historian with incredible war memorial archives) and the onondaga historical association to do some powerful exhibit; when you think of the video and digital opportunities available now, it could be extraordinary. when you step back and reflect upon that building, the cultural history is ridiculous ... one of the noteworthy surviving rock'n'roll halls in the hall, host to an nba championship game and a legendary nba all-star game (two teams filled with hall of famers), later a scene for a chamberlain-russell basketball showdown, scene of elite prize fights, one of the settings for 'slap shot' ... and then the kind of local emotional history whose value is impossible to measure ... high school championships and graduations and holiday shows and scouting jamborees ... people should definitely feel all that as they walk in.

- sean
sean

as've got another piece up today with reader feedback and some amazing photos taken by spectators over the years ... http://www.syracuse.com/kirst/index.ssf/2012/01/post_245.html ... i love the golden earring story, by the way.

- sean

rich 9595: i'd never heard that story; it's another great one to add to the archive. if you get a chance, could you to the eagles 'share' under the list - http://blog.syracuse.com/musicscene/2012/01/the_eagles_and_joe_walsh_live.html - and add your memory there? people should know that joe walsh and the eagles jammed together here; do you remember what they played?

sean

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

There seem to be a lot of snowy owls around this year. By the way, we also have a pair of peregrine falcons downtown who spend their spring and summer raising their young atop the State Tower Bldg. and spend most of the winters at Hotel Syracuse. We have a fledge watch group (anyone interested can join!) and when the young birds fledge, we go down and make sure that they don't end up in the streets or entangled or injured. Come down and join us! We are the ones who usually sit in the DOT parking lot under the Route 81 overpass. We are easy to spot...We are the ones with the telescopes and binoculars.

Susan

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

i remember seeing an eagle fly over me while kayaking on onondaga lake...i couldnt believe it!

nick

a note from a reader:

Ah yeah. Great to see they have found there way down here. It's an irruption year!!!

Chris

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

I saw one once at my old beach - in Duxbury, Mass - magnificent!

Ellen

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

Sat and watched one once on 104 on the way to (Syracuse) years ago. The most beautiful of birds, I think.

Barbara

hey bubba45: could you contact me at skirst@syracuse.com and leave a number? i'm doing a followup piece on reader reaction, and would love to speak with you and include your story ...

sean

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

Us Buffalonians will gladly give up the Golden Snowball.

Harold

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

Perhaps we can let the snowball slide just this once and settle for an NCAA National Basketball Championship?

Robert

thanks for posting the email address, sandy!

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

We will probably get a doozy of a storm in March and the snow will be here until June ....

Susan

a note from a reader, via Facebook:

Most of our bad storms were in February and March ... I won't get my hopes up just yet...

Gina