Grateful Dead, Patti Smith - SPRING FLING @ UMASS, Amherst, MA

Performers: Grateful Dead, Patti Smith, Roy Ayers Date: May 12, 1979 Venue: Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, MA Cost of ticket: $8.50 Oh boy, do I remember this concert! I remember how much it was anticipated by most of the students living at the University that spring semester. There were two types of students: those who couldn't wait to get a FREE Ticket to go see the DEAD (all we had to do was show a valid UMASS ID, and we got a free ticket) and those students that were dreading the Saturday that the concert took place and were high tailing it off the campus for saner accommodates for the weekend. As anticipated, the campus was taken over by Dead Heads. I had a die hard Dead Head friend come in from Lenox Massachusetts - one of my best friends in High School, Barbara. I got her a free ticket from a college mate who had no desire to go, but stood in line to get a free ticket anyway - and Barb and I went fully loaded to this concert. I remember liking Patti Smith, because I was such a punk. It was my first time to see the Dead. I did not know much about them except that they had an incredible following of dedicated fans. Indeed, the fans show up, camped out on the campus where ever they could find a likely place to do so, and the day was hot, humid and crazy!If anyone was at this Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas and I bet anyone who was there remembers the kid who walked the wall . . .

Allman Brothers, New Riders of the Purple Sage @ SCC

Performers: Allman Brothers, New Riders of the Purple Sage Date: April 28, 1979 Venue: Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, MA Cost of ticket: $8.50 I don't have much to say about this concert. . . Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .

Derringer @ The Rusty Nail Saloon

Performers: Derringer Date: March 29, 1979 Venue: Rusty Nail Saloon, Sunderland, MA Cost of ticket: $4.50 Have I said it already? . . . that I am a HUGE Rick Derringer fan. So when this band came to the Rusty Nail, I was there wearing my homemade Derringer tee shirt that I silk screen in High School. Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .

Muddy Waters @ UMASS, Amherst

Performers: Muddy Waters, George T. Gregory Date: March 12, 1979 Venue: University Of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA Cost of ticket: $4.00 I think this show was at the Fine Arts Center, which has wonderful acoustics. I am in my second year at the University studying Agricultural and Environmental Economics. Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .

NRBQ @ Rusty Nail Saloon

Performers: NRBQ Date: March 10, 1979 Venue: Rusty Nail Saloon, Sunderland, MA Cost of ticket: N/A Back again to see the boys. They are a lot of fun. Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .

Ramones @ The Rusty Nail Saloon

Performers: The Ramones Date: February 15, 1979 Venue: Rusty Nail Saloon, Sunderland, MA Cost of ticket: $4.00 I don't really remember this concert. Just very very glad that I did get a chance to see them, and especially at such a great venue - The Rusty Nail... The Rusty Nail was an old tobacco barn converted into a bar. It was way out in the middle of nowhere, in a agricultural town, Sunderland Massachusetts. Now this town is between Amherst and Greenfield, situated along side the Connecticut River which is noted for its fantastic alluvial soil. University of Massachusetts is about 10 miles away, so during the academic year, the Nail hums with activity. I have been going to the Rusty Nail to see notable acts since I was old enough to pass for entry. The bar is friendly, dark, not fussy, and has great acoustics. Now the building has been torn down, and the land sold for housing development. This bar holds many fond memories for anyone who had the chance to be a part of its incredible energy. Rock on Rusty Nail - rest in pieces. Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .

Johnny Winter @ Rusty Nail Saloon

Performers: Johnny Winter
Date: February 8, 1979
Venue: Rusty Nail Saloon, Sunderland, Amherst, MA
Cost of ticket: $4.50

Wow! Johnny blew us away. He did not look very well, however he played like a pro.


Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .