In
the 1960's Wildwood nightclubs and bars continued to book top
entertainment - but the rock scene was changing and there was
a new sound on the rise. In 1971 a new convention center was
constructed and a younger generation of rockers were making
the scene in Wildwood. Over the years that followed Convention
Hall scheduled rock shows that featured performers such as Elton
John, The Fifth Dimension, Jim Croce, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper
and many more. Pictured below are ads for many of the great
bands that played Wildwood throughout the 70's.
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Alice
Cooper, Yes, Jethro Tull and David Cassidy were part of the
Summer Concerts in 71'.
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The
above ads are from the summer of 1971 and show the impressive
line up of concerts at Wildwood Convention Hall.
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Argent
and the Kinks played in the summer of 1972.
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Cassidy
appeared again in August of 1972 along with Sly And The Family
Stone. |
The three posters
shown above left and right are from the summer of 1974. The
center poster is from the ELO concert in 1975. My sister Roseanne
managed to get back stage and had Jeff Lynne and the entire
band autograph the poster. |
Kiss
rocked Wildwood Convention Hall in the summer of 1975. The original
show date of July 5th was cancelled after the band was reported
to have been involved in a car accident. Rescheduled for July
23rd this live performance was recorded and later featured on
their multi-platinum album "Kiss Alive".
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In
the early 80's the Playpen in the Diamond Beach section of Wildwood
Crest showcased bands such as The Ramones, Dave Mason, Rick
Derringer, Peter Frampton and Squeeze.
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The
ticket stubs shown below come from the collection of my good
friend Mark Piro.
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The
Playpen at Diamond Beach was one of the greatest clubs to party
on a summer night in the Wildwoods. Thursday night was $1 import
night and just about every local on the island was in attendance.
I don't think Wildwood will ever experience another club like
it.
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Every
generation has a story to tell about the Wildwood experience.
Sadly just about every hot spot I mentioned is long gone now,
even the old Convention Hall was demolished in early 2004. Fortunately
a brand new state-of-the-art Convention Center was constructed
on the beach and opened its doors in 2002. In the fall of 2004
Wildwood held its first Fabulous Fifties weekend which celebrated
the 50th anniversary of Haley's Rock around the Clock and featured
live performances by Bill Haley's original Comets, Danny and
the Juniors, the Dovells, Fabian and more. The musical celebration
was a huge success and will no doubt become an annual tradition
where we can twist and shout and remember the days when Wildwood
rocked.
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Copyright 2001
Ralph Grassi
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