Blimp Time-Hop: ZZ Top Makes Portland History At CCCC In 1977
It s is a mighty significant anniversary for Portland, Maine. 44 years ago today, the very first event happened at the Civic Center. And it is of course quite fitting that here in Blimpville, the first event was a rock concert.
On March 3, 1977, WBLM welcomed
ZZ Top for the inaugural night of rock at the CCCC on the
Worldwide Texas tour. That “lil’ ol’ band from Texas” was on the road in support of their album, Tejas which featured the songs
It’s Only Love and
Arrested for Driving While Blind. The band that had the honor of opening this historic show was Maine’s own,
29 years ago today, the
Wherever We May Roam tour made a stop in Portland, Maine. It was a sold-out Thursday night at the CCCC. We re pretty sure if you are able to go into the arena when it s empty and quiet today, you will easily still hear that killah
Enter Sandman riff echoing in the distance.
Now to be honest, I didn’t get into
Metallica until 1991 when my friend Paul Sek brought a copy of the ‘Black’ album CD over to my apartment on Concord Street when my neighborhood was the mysterious Woodford’s Corner in Portland. Even though the album had already debuted at number one in like ten countries or something, I still hadn t given it a good listen. Silly, Guru.
21 years ago this week, Def Leppard returned to Portland for a sold-out show at the Civic Center to bring us into the new millennium. Watch live encore footage of Stagefright, a special surprise for fans that night from right here in Portland.
Blimp Time Hop: Photos Of Mainers With Alice Cooper
It s the legendary Alice Cooper s 73rd birthday. He was born Vincent Furnier in Detroit, Michigan on February 4, 1948. We made sure to celebrate on WBLM s Classic Lunch with a block of Cooper classics. Yeah, even though it s all about the intense action of the Blimp Bowl of Rock N Roll consuming the airwaves, ya gotta make time to pay respect to great artist like Uncle Alice on his hatchday.
We thought it might also be fun to check out some great off stage photos of Alice Cooper when he was last here in Maine. This was when he was in town for a concert at Westbrook s Rock Row back in the summer of 2019.
Blimp Time-Hop: Last 1980s Show For KISS With Makeup In Portland
Getty Images for ASCAP
Creatures of the Night/10th Anniversary tour came to Blimpville. It was January 21, 1983 and it was the last appearance with makeup here in Portland until the return of the klassic
Kiss with Peter and Ace in 1997.
Along with Paul and Gene, this version of Kiss included Vinnie Vincent on guitar and Eric Carr on drums.
Opening the show was
Dawn Patrol featuring
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.
Check out this great Portland TV News segment from the night of the show. It looks to us like it was our friends at WCSH, judging by the old NBC logo on the mic.