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Aldrich Arena

Twin Cities Music Highlights Posted on by

Aldrich Arena was primarily an ice skating/hockey venue, located at 1850 White Bear Ave. in Maplewood, described in 1964 as “St. Paul’s East Side.” Built in 1962, the arena was named for the late Gene Aldrich, who pioneered the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament in 1944.

 

 

There were occasional concerts there but I didn’t find many.  Most were big events hosted by radio stations.

1964

On June 5, 1964, KDWB presented The School’s End “Battle of the Bands in the Round!” with:

  • Gregory Dee and the Avanties
  • The Jades
  • The Lancers
  • The Mystics
  • The Wanderers

 

On July 14, 1964, KDWB sponsored a “Super Colossal Midsummer Hop!” aka “Battle of the Bands in the Round” at Aldrich Arena.  Appearing were:

  • The Underbeats
  • Keith Zeller and the Starliners
  • The More-Tishans
  • The Tremadons
  • The Sting-Rays

 

 

1965

Larry O’Connell says the best Battle of the Bands took place at Aldrich Arena during the summer of ’65: noon to midnight!

 

 

1966

SCHOOL’S OUT SPECTACULAR

June 10, 1966, was the fifth annual “School’s Out Spectacular” at Aldrich Arena in St. Paul, sponsored by KDWB. Over 5,000 kids attended the event, dancing to eight bands, including the Ides of March and Dee Jay and the Runaways. Funds raised went to the Ramsey County Jr. Sheriff”s Patrol for rain coats, hats, and safety signs.

 

Here’s a photo of the Summer 1966 Battle of the Bands, featuring the He Too’s.    (Thank you, Debra Deutsch Erickson!)

Courtesy minniepaulmusic.com

 

 

1967

PSYCHEDELIC SOUNDBURST

On May 7, 1967, the “Psychedelic Soundburst” (or Sound-Burst) took place at Aldrich Arena. The show, emcee’ed by KDWB’s Charlee Brown and Earl L. Trout III, was billed as the “Biggest Dance in the History of Aldrich Arena” and promised the world’s best light show – the Fillmore Light Show.  The Music Scene reported that the show was presented by Rich Hanson, who planned another for June called “School’s Out – Book Burning Blast.”  (did this happen?)

Featured performers were:

  • The Del Counts
  • The Hot Half Dozen
  • Danny’s Reasons
  • The Litter – “a group that equals The Electric Prunes in sight and sound”
  • Grasshoppers – Headliners
  • Happy Dayz(e?)
  • Youngsters
  • Sir Raleighs
  • The Chancellors, just home from triumphant tour of Kansas
  •  Dozen
  • The High Spirits

 

JULY 4, 1967

Nick Tschida described a big, 12-band show at the Aldrich Arena on July 4, 1967, that went from noon til midnight, sponsored by B Sharp Music Store.  Bands participating included:

Aesop’s Phaebles, Nick’s band, which led off at noon.  Nick remembered there being 1,500 kids there, even at the beginning of the show at noon!

  • Metropolitan Soul
  • Grasshoppers
  • Del Counts

[7 more bands]

  • USAs

Nick says, “Fun Gig ! Jimmy Lopez had the stage all set up with B Sharp’s equipment….Had a great time!”

 

BACK TO SCHOOL

In August 1967 the Fillmore Light Show came to Aldrich Arena, with six top bands (unnamed in the ad).  This may have been this:

On August 21, 1967, a 12-hour Back to School dance was held at the Aldrich Arena, featuring the following local bands:  (Thanks to who ever posted this poster on Facebook!)

  • The Mystics
  • The Del Counts
  • Pride & Joy
  • Showtime
  • The Marauders
  • The Bananas
  • The Grasshoppers
  • Sunshine World
  • Zarathustra
  • Kaleidoscope
  • The Sir Raleighs
  • Fairchild

 

 

1972

Gypsy played a benefit concert on May 10, 1972.  Profits were to go to Anicom, a Minneapolis-based sound company whose technicians were involved in a serious truck accident several weeks before.  Also performing were:

  • Copperhead
  • Pepper Fog
  • Valdons

 

 

The venue continues to be used primarily for hockey and graduation ceremonies.

 

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