Spectrum goes out with a bang
Earth, Wind and Fire is flown in for a grand finale party.
Spectrum goes out with a bang
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The Spectrum's last show was Pearl Jam on Oct. 31.
Right?
Not quite.
Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider staged one last blow-out Saturday night with a spectacular cocktail party that filled the floor of the doomed arena. Ice sculptures, some bearing raw bars laden with jumbo shrimp, crab claws, and oysters, dotted the room, which was draped off from the seating area by white fabric.
The guest roster was a mix of sports alums and front-office folks, power players (Steve Cozen, Ron Rubin, Bart Blatstein), and broadcasters (Al Morganti, Keith Jones, Steve Coates, Ron Burke, Michael Barkann) -- some of whom, like concert promoter Larry Magid, were even around when The House That Ed Built opened in September 1967.
A spotlight shined on a full-size ice sculpture of singer Kate Smith as Flyers alums Bernie Parent and Bob Clarke carried the Stanley Cup (on loan from the Penguins) and led a line of about 10 Broad Street Bullies teammates to greet Snider. Queen's "We Are the Champions" played. Jerry Blavat spun records during the breaks.
After Snider's welcoming remarks -- and a duet of "God Bless America" featuring a recorded Smith with a live Lauren Hart -- he pointed to a curtain. It opened to reveal the evening's headliner: Earth, Wind and Fire, whose second set was followed by a performance by Elvis interpreter Johnny Seaton & Bad Behavior.
(There's the answer to the trivia question: "What was the last musical act to perform at the Spectrum?")
Snider's children presented their father with the framed blueprints of the building, bearing an Ayn Rand quote, and staff suprised him with a tribute video set to Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrecking Ball." (For the record, the Rand quote: "Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision.")
The building will come down in the spring to make way for an entertainment complex called Philly Live.
(1/18: Rand quote added.)
I heard Ed R-E-A-L-l-Y got his goove on to Earth, Wing & Fire!— Nihilist
Wow I finally found out in the "last" line what the story was about? I assumed it was that the Spectrum was closing but the story didn't tell me. Although sad to see it go, when will it be torn down? Daniel .......... Toronto, Canada http://dandmb50.tumblr.com/— dandmb50
Nothing like rich people spending our season ticket revenue on themselves.— UncleEddie- I'm a rich person and I approve of that previous message.— lyon_001
- The Worst Owner in philadelphia... Bringing you the neurotic Flyers organization and the awful sixers ... Way to go Ed..... You have been on Hiatus since 1990...— Philly-d-kidder
- Get a top goalie and you will win the Stanley Cup-Ayn Rand— JSaq
- Who was #1 last, the Flyers or Earth Wind & Fire??— beermoney
- Just more self-agrandizing from an owner of not 1 but 2 sports teams that have enjoyed years of loyal fan support but have returned little as far as championship titles over the past 35 years. BTW- how can something be jumbo and shrimp ?— mortt
Comment removed.- The Spectrum did host a lot of good memories. It would have been nice to see Bruce Springsteen there instead of Earth,Wind and Fire. Springsteen did more for the Spectrum than any other performers.— Tom5576
- During his career, Ronnie James Dio's favorite place to play was the Spectrum. He made several concert videos - all of them from the Spectrum. As a lifelong metalhead, I will have fond memories of all the shows I saw there and all the fun I had there. The Spectrum will be missed - that place rocked!— Hexfoliation
- WHY ARE THEY PLAYING WITH THE CUP LIKE IT'S A TOY?!?! These morons are seriously putting a huge jinx on us. What a bunch of nitwits.— Sparerib
- if that floor could talk.........— footlooseman
- Fiddling while Rome burns.....— jibberjabber
Philly Live is worst idea ever for this site. It was intended for the Spectrum and should be the same "FAMILY"...not a high end tailgating string of bars that will milk "vice" dollars from liquior sales and drinkers)----Ugh-ly
