musical history of Richmond’s Mosque…
Check out this link on Scotty Moore, Elvis’ guitar players website. Great shots. Please notice the New Years Day, 1959 picture of Monroe Park in the background as the Pilgrimage of Prayer marched to the Capitol.
Tip of the hat to Todd Woodson at Candyland Music.
This is what I would do if I had a time machine:
In the early ‘70s Bruce Springsteen performed several times at the Mosque. An audience recording captured his 45 minute opening act on February 14, 1973 with his pre David Sancious lineup of the E Street Band and contains what is believed to be the earliest live performance of his staple “Rosalita”, which he performed in an encore. The following year after a performance in Cambridge, Massachusetts a critic dubbed him “the future of “Rock ‘n Roll.”
An Oregon Hill Resident who use to run Squeezo Light and Sound (P.A.) in the 60′s and 70′s reputedly has tons of tapes off the mixing board of shows by Child and Steel Mill. Apparently, he contacted Springsteens record company to see if they were interested in releasing the Steel Mill stuff. The story I got was they responded by saying if they ever heard of the tapes again, they would surround his house with angry lawyers with angry lawsuits. It is amazing the amount of historically significant stuff that is hiding out there. Ray Bonis (of VCU special collections) and I are talking about starting a Richmond music archive. If anyone has any memorabilia- posters, photos, tapes etc, please call me at 644-3812. There is an awesome story to tell!
For people who have looked at the Richmond music collection at VCU or elsewhere, how much honky tonk/country music rolled through here that is documented? I’d loved to look at some old photo’s and maybe even get a copy some live shows. The time frame I’m thinking about is probably about 1945-1960 or so.
Nick-
Google OLD DOMINION BARN DANCE and you will find some juicy stuff. We will be looking for unknown photos and recordings as well. ALL types of music.
Hello people…I am an avid buyer of original 1950′s-60′s concert posters..whether it be jimi hendrix,the rolling stones,bob dylan,buddy holly,alan freed,motortown revue,the who,little richard,otis redding,biggest show of stars,elvis presley,etc…Im interested!I pay absolute top $$ in cash any condition accepted! Please call 1-310-346-1965
I’m pretty sure the Springsteen concert mentioned by greg occurred in the Franklin Street Gym…I was a VCU freshmen that year and attended several shows in the Gym. This show was a Valentine’s celebration and Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks also played; my memory is that Springsteen was the headliner, but I’m not sure of that.
Hello out there!! I am a very serious buyer and I will pay $3,000 cash for an original 1966 bob dylan concert poster from the richmond mosque or the norfolk arena.Dylan played richmond one night and than norfolk the next! Does anyone out there have an original concert poster for either of those shows??..If you do please give me a call,,,,any condition would be accepted! 1-310-346-1965