Monday, January 11, 2010
Aerodrome Schenectady
Of all my 60's memories , The Areodrome in Schenectady NY has a certain power. It was located at 1588 State Street and had some fantastic groups for the time. The Doors...3 Dog Night...Yardbirds ect. I have been told Hendrix played the venue. A man by the name of Jack Rubin was the major bankroller of the site but I remember a man named Terry Hooper was also involved. Hooper was an acquaintance of The Beatles and had a small....very small part in the movie A Hard Days Night which was for those that don't know the era was a Beatles movie. Hooper went on the two rock & roll staions WPTR & WTRY to advertise the opening in 1067 I believe. I soppose the venue could hold over 2000 people which was big by those days night club standards. I bought my first Rolling Stone magazine at one of the shops there. Those days it was much more a newspaper than a glossy. Yes they had little boutiques there. What I really remember was the SOUND SYSTEM. Trust me they advertised it at the time of opening as one of the top systems on the East Coast and it was. Truly SOTA for it's era. Most of it solid state but still some tube amplification and reproduction was originally installed. Made a difference. The stage had a high acoustic value when built but lost some value when later rebuilt & modified. I believe I traveled there around 10x in my highschool & early college yrs. It fell into some disrepair in the late 60's & early 70's and closed I believe in 72 or 73. Now torn down but I believe a popular music icon from that era bring some great music to the upstate area & my youth.
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33 comments:
I remember seeing Zepplin there, as well as Canned Heat,MC5, and Tim Hardin. Sat on the floor and watched Led Zep for $4.00!
Later became a roadie for Mother Flag & Country,who were made up of a couple of guys from the old Aerodrome Band.
Ah, the good old days!
Iw as there too
we partied with Plant/ Page that night before the late show
Ahhh MF&C with Bob Hood on Bass
old Scotia kid
I had the good fortune of catching Janis,Bob Seeger, and yes, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge.I even went there just to listen to the pre-recorded music.
Schenectadys version of psychdelia
Richard Van Patten
I saw Hendrix at the Troy Armory during this period, but don't remember him ever playing at the Aerodrome.
I played the Aerodrome in a band called BOO!.....Can anyone out there remember anything about us?....it's a bit difficult filling in cthe spaces.....
I played the Aerodrome with a band called BOO!....can anyone out there remember anything about us?....it's a bit difficult filling in teh spaces.....
I can't believe I'm just finding out about the Aerodome. I was born in Bellvue Hospital June 1970. By the time I was in my teens and looking for some real music action around Schenectady/Albany, I thought Schenectady was a forgotten cultural wasteland. Me and some friends got really into punk rock and put a few shows on in downtown Schenectady and thought it was the most radical thing we'd ever experienced in Schenectady. Now learning about the Aerodome my mind is a bit blown. Wish someone would write the book about it.
Well....I think it time I thank all who have so far commented on this blog. Thank you for the feedback. This is my most popular blog I have written so far with over 400 hits since publication. Only my blog on The Powder Ridge Music Festival has received near as many hits. Of course I often write boring stuff. Off Set Needle may I suggest a book....Fire and Rain. Recently published it talks about the time when R&R was undergoing a major change in the year you were born. The year I graduated High School. Thanks to all again.
I went to the Aerodrome around 1968 with two friends from Gloversville to see the Vanilla Fudge. It was a great show. Someone also mentioned in this blog about the band Mother, Flag and Country. They were a terrific cover band that I saw many times in the Gloversville / Johnstown area.
Jonathan here again, former drummer in a three piece band called "BOO!" We played the Aerodrome as a sort of houseband for about a month prior to Led Zeppelin arriving.....is there anyone out there who is reading this and can you remember BOO? I'll keep checking in the hope that someone someday may read this.....Peace....
I can't believe I stumbled over this blog. Saw Janis and MC-5 there back in the day. Think it was converted from an old bowling alley. Didn't last very long, but a hell of a venue for the few years it was around.
PJ
Jonathan......guess what.....while doing another interview for a pod cast I discovered a lady named June Brookheiser who remembered you from the Aerodrome days. She said she thought you had landed a contract with Columbia Music. Anyway , she was quite sure she saw you atleast twice. She also said you probably did not see her on the dance floor since she is only 4ft10in
Been trying to post a response for ages and it never seems to show up. Time for another attempt. I remember BOO! from Aerodrome. I grew up about a 15-minute walk from there and went to all the "kiddie shows". Saw Zeppelin, Bob Seger System, MC5, Canned Heat, Ten Wheel Drive, Vanilla Fudge, Fever Tree, The Hassels w/Billy Joel, Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Nicky Hopkins, Chicago Transit Authority, Boo, Bitz and Pieces, Oz and Ends, The Insex, Spyder, The Aerodromes, Sundowners, Page One, Portable People, Wilmer Alexander and the Dukes, The Jam Factory, Charlie Smith Blues Band, Whitney Sunday and several others I can't think of. Boo was my favorite among the "local" bands as the covered a lot of Hendrix and some Cream. John Page was a great guitarist and I played in an unnamed band with his brother Jerry for a bit. Great guy.
Reach me at urei@aol.com
I went to SUNY Albany in the late 60's and saw the original Jeff Beck Group and the original "CTA" aka rhe "Chicago Transit Authority (pre "Chicago") at the Aerodrome. They had a music store full of the latest equipment on one side as you entered the building and a "Head Shoppe" on the other that had the latest in hand made clothes, leather goods and psychedelia on the other side. The Jeff Beck Group, including Jeff, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood and Aynsley Dunbar on drums.....AMAZING !!! They appeared there a couple of months before they broke up, just two weeks before Woodstock. Those sure were great days !!!
Yes John , those were the days......gone but not yet totally forgotten.
I saw the Zep early show in August 69 around the time I saw the Jeff Beck Group with Rod. Still have a pink ticket for Janis/Snake show that I couldn't use because the Route 5 bus blew by me in a torrential rain storm around 7 that night. Oh well. I'll catch her next time, I said. Nice to see other peoples memories of an incredible place.
Hi, I was the bass player in Last Thursday that opened for Led Zepplin , 2 shows btw, for those in the Albany area, we later became The Charlie Smith Blues Band. We also opened for B.B. King that same summer. thanks all peace and love Andy Shawn
Andy....thanks for the feedback......peace & love to you as well......God those were great years.
Thom J from upstate NY, Ticonderoga. Made the trek with 5 of my high school buddies to see Led Zeppelin, my first official concert. Saw the 8pm show for the under 18 crowd, as none of us was older than 17. We had only seen/heard our many local bands, all with members not more than couple years older or younger than us, so seeing LZ was quite the different experience, especially standing about 20' in front of Jimmy Page! We had only heard Zep's first album earlier that year - with our jaws dropping to the floor!(still my favorite LZ album) Who are these guys?? So that summer '69 when the opportunity came to see them at Aerodrome - (for $4!)- we were there. I remember we had to wait for Paul's dad to come home from work with his car, so Paul could drive us to the show about 2.5 hours away. We arrived while Spyder was playing - and I remember the tune they were playing by Ten Years After, "Little School Girl", also one of my favorite bands. We were witnessing history and was so happy I had the opportunity to be part of it. I tried, but was never able to see Zep live again, so I cherish my one and only time to visit Aerodrome which included seeing one of, if not the best rock/blues/musical acts of all time. I moved to the Albany area in '79 for work, and still live in the Saratoga area. I have seen many local bands. One that stands out, which is mentioned as one of the many to play at Aerodrome, is the Charlie Smith Blues Band. I've seen his band many times over the years, one of my favorites, and never knew until quite recently that he played on the famous Aerodrome stage back in the day. Where the hell has the time gone?
Saw Zeppelin in 69' ,we had tickets made on a mimeograph machine..poor quality but they worked.Funny thing the tickets were only like 8 bucks to get in....also saw joplin in I think 1970..she did it all,southern comfort on stage,even had a intentional costume malfunction...side note caught the WHO at the palace in albany and hendrix at RPI IN 67' ish..Fillamore west was the best in SF...Cocker and country joe McDonald,Janis etc..
Saw him with Soft Machine opening at Troy Armory, but doubt he was at Drome. Did see many good ones there
Give Frank Popolizio a ring. He was the man there. Saw many great bands at my old bowling alley. Even Janis down at DeCrosta's bar after Big Brother show
That had great stars lined up but never got off the ground.My July '70 Tanglewood "The Who" program said P. Ridge to be 7/31-8/2. Guests : Sly, Burden &War, F. Mac, V. Morrison, Grand Funk RR, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Guess Who, J. Taylor and many more. I drove over from upstate NY and was bluesed to see only a few hundred tents and a cancelled show !!
Another great regional band that played there a few times was Wilmer Alexander and the Dukes
Too bad it wasn't Jimmy Page. You must have been my neighbor. I used to bowl at the old Woolawn Lanes and my father worked across the street at Wedekind Motors. Spent every last dime of my paper route money going there. Pretty lucky to see those bands on the way up
Hi ! My Dad's band played the Aerodrome May10-11 1968. The East coast Clique. With the Oxford Watch Band. Larry Parks(Podrazik)Drums & lead vocals. Played his 1967 Ludwig Mod Orange kit. He also played with Charlie Smith blues band later in his career. Pretty cool reading the history of the Aerodrome.Someone should write a book on that place.Short lived but lots of history !
Yup and at the holiday inn on nott terrace the night of their show
I was there that night as well
Graduated from high school June, 1969.I saw three bands @ The Aerodrome
in the ensuing months.Vanilla Fudge,The Grass Roots,and lastly
The Zombies."Time Of The Season" was a big hit at the time and I
remember The Zombies opened with that song and closed with it again,
it was so popular.And guess what here we're 50+ years later,and
all 3 bands are still around in some form or another! Long live
Rock 'n Roll ! Great memories.
Here's a very good list of most/all of the bands that played.
Aerodrome, Schenectady, NY
Aerodrome shows
Al Quaglieri compiled this roster of Aerodrome acts over 20 years of research.
1968
January 25 — The Box Tops [grand opening night]
March 14 — The YWCA Co-Ed Club dance
March 21 — The Aerodromes
March 22-23 — The Electric Prunes, Aerodrome
March 24 — The Electric Prunes performing “Mass In F Minor” [“guys, jackets a must!”]
March 28 — The Yardbirds, The Aerodromes
April 4 — The Aerodromes
April 5-6 — Ultimate Spinach & Aerodromes
April 7 — Aerodromes & Ultimate Spinach all ages
April 12-14 — The Beacon Street Union, The Aerodromes
April 18 — Aerodromes
April 19-21 — Aerodromes, Tyrolean Flower Act
April 25 — The Aerodromes, “Dating Game Night”
April 26-27 — Jimmy Angel with The Distant Sounds & Aerodromes
April 27 — Jaycees Battle of the bands [afternoon show]
April 28 1-7 — All teenagers Jimmy Angel with The Distant Sounds & Aerodromes
April 28 — The Yardbirds
May 2 — The Aerodromes
May 3-5 — The Hassles, The Aerodromes
May 9 — The Bougalieu
May 10-11 — Oxford Watch Band, East Coast Clique
May 12 — Oxford Watch Band
May 29 — High School Night (sponsored by the Schenectady Deanery Catholic Youth Organization)
May 30-June 1 — Burgundy Sunset, East Coast Recital
June 2 — Burgundy Sunset
July 5-6 — The Bougalieu, The Page One (Syracuse)
July 12-13 — The Bougalieu
July 19-20 — The Bougalieu
July 23 — Battle of the Bands: Tempered Blues, Love’s Ice Cube, Second Level, Royal Blush, Mixed Emotions, Boston Tea Party, Men Form Sound, Strangers, Stained Glass Encyclopedia (benefit for the Eugene McCarthy-Paul O’Dwyer campaign)
July 29 — Wilmer Alexander Jr & The Dukes (benefit for the Eugene McCarthy-Paul O’Dwyer campaign)
August 26 — Archie Bell & The Drells
August 30, 31 — Wilmer & The Dukes, Karyn
October 10 - Wilson Pickett
September 1 — The Doors [unconfirmed, also listed for September 2]
September 16 — Joe Tex
Occtober 25-26 — The Fuzzy Bunnies
1969
March 28 — Johnnie Taylor
April 12 — Wilmer & The Dukes
May 10 — Peaches & Herb, Maurice & Earl, The Mark IV and David Ward
May 25 — Clarence Carter
May 29 - Steppenwolf
July 3 — B.B. King
July 9 — The Jeff Beck Group
July 11 — Bits & Pieces, The Lemon Pipers, Pacific Gas & Electric
July 16-17 — Majic Ship
July 18 — NRBQ, Majic Ship
July 19 — Johnnie Taylor
July 25 — The Buddy Miles Express, The Oz’n Ends
August 1 — The Oz’n Ends, Free
August 2 — Free
August 9 — Chicago Transit Authority, Spyder
August 14 — Wilmer & The Dukes
August 15-16 — JJ & The Impacts, NRBQ
August 20 — Led Zeppelin, Spyder, Last Thursday
August 23 — Jr. Walker & The All Stars
August 24 — The G.E. Pursuit of Happiness Show
September 19 — Canned Heat
September 20 — The Sam & Dave Revue
September 26 — Velvet Underground
October 10 — Canned Heat
November 7 — Tim Hardin
November 26 — Country Joe & The Fish
Dec 6 — The Kinks [cancelled]
December 13 — The Zombies (imposter group)
1970
April 4 — reopened on a month to month basis under new ownership
April 11 — MC5, Snake
May 29 — Steppenwolf, Friends of Whitney Sunday
June 26 — Janis Joplin, Snake [last show, closed after this]
Promised but never appeared:
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Moby Grape
Jefferson Airplane
additional bands that played but with no exact dates
Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge
Bob Seeger System
Ten Wheel Drive
Fever Tree
The Hassels w/Billy Joel
The Insex
Sundowners
Portable People
The Jam Factory
Charlie Smith Blues Band
The Grass Roots
a band called BOO
I just saw this in a Schenectady Facebook post and it got me reminiscing (again). Seems like every time I see something on the Aerodrome, another band pops up that I didn't realize played there. I was in high school when it opened, under age with no car, and only attended a couple of times. One of those times I now realize was the Led Zeppelin under 18 concert. With no internet, I only had radio and word of mouth to learn about bands, and spent many Saturday afternoons at Apex Music Korner downtown. Led Zeppelin simply did not register as it should have.
Some of the bands that played at the Aerodrome I saw in other concerts in the area that a friend's father drove us to: Hendrix at the Troy Armory, Vanilla Fudge at Sienna College, and Iron Butterfly at the old Colonie Coliseum (the night when the revolving stage was stuck). I never knew at the time that Chicago played the Aerodrome! The Jam Factory must have played there in 1970, because another buddy and I saw them a couple of times at a bar on Route 20 in Duanesburg. I would have loved to have seen Ten Wheel Drive! Thanks so much for this post.
My dad was the Guitarist in Spyder. He passed in 2015
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