Jazz Enthusiast Reminisces About Spectrum Anniversary

by KYW's Pat Loeb

We've heard a lot about the closing of the Spectrum in South Philadelphia next month, but you may not realize that Wednesday is the anniversary of its opening.

The arena opened its doors on September 30, 1967. Its first show was a star-studded jazz festival.

"I was 19 years old, I came up from Atlantic City to this brand new place we knew nothing about."

Local jazz enthusiast Ben Johnson had never been in a venue so large when he went to the Spectrum on its first night for the Quaker City Jazz Festival:

"And we saw thousands of people and great music. One of the people I remember was Richard Groove Holmes, an organist."

Local jazz singer Ela Ghant remembers her near brush with Hugh Masakella:

"When they called his name, he walked right by us. It was very exciting. I'd never seen anything like it."
 
Also on the bill: Astrud Gilberto -- the girl from Ipanema -- Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, Ramsey Lewis, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn.

The Spectrum became more of a rock venue and that's how it's going out next month. But Johnson did think it should pass into history with a mention of that auspicious opening:

"It was a fascinating time. It was actually overwhelming to me."