Philadelphia's Spectrum to be demolished

Chase · #1 07-16-2008, 09:50 AM

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Spectrum, home of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and NBA's Philadelphia 76ers for nearly 40 seasons, is set to close its doors next spring and will be demolished.

The building in South Philadelphia opened on September 30, 1967 with the Quaker City Jazz Festival. It was the home of the Flyers and 76ers until both teams moved into the nearby state-of-the-art Wachovia Center in 1996.

After the two major pro sports teams moved, the Spectrum became the home of the American Hockey League's Philadelphia Phantoms and indoor soccer's Philadelphia Kixx.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make," said Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider. "The Spectrum is my baby. It's one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me, but after a lot of thinking and discussions, we all feel it is in our best interest to close the Spectrum at the conclusion of the upcoming 2008-09 Philadelphia Phantoms and Kixx seasons."

Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company that owns the building, is hoping to have the Flyers and Sixers play one more game in the Spectrum this season.

"We are looking at the possibility of bringing a preseason Philadelphia Flyers game and a regular season 76ers game to the Spectrum this year, along with many other special surprises," said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko.

The Flyers beat the Boston Bruins in the Spectrum to win the first of their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 1974, while the 76ers captured the city of Philadelphia's last major pro sports championship in 1983 -- winning the first two games of the NBA Finals in the Spectrum before capturing the crown in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

One of college basketball's greatest games was also played at the Spectrum in March of 1992, as Duke's Christian Laettner took a length-of-the-court inbound pass and hit a turnaround jumper as time expired in overtime to give the Blue Devils a 104-103 victory against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament's East Regional final.

It has yet to be determined when and how the Spectrum will be torn down.

SOURCE..

end of an era....can't believe no-one posted this yet...

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TattdMom · #2 07-16-2008, 10:09 AM

Wow, definately the end of an era, thanks for posting this Chase. I saw my very first concert at the Spectrum in the 70s; Billy Joel, the Stranger Tour. I can't believe they are demolishing it.....progress sucks.

witchofthedogs · #3 07-16-2008, 10:13 AM

In 1985, my father came home waving three tickets in the air.

"I got us tickets to see The Hooters! MTV is broadcasting the concert live from the Spectrum on Thanksgiving Day! We'll be there!"

My memories of that day, and the concert we attended, is one of the fondest memories of my father I keep to this day.

It may not seem like much to many, but I certainly do treasure them, and the setting - the Spectrum - never failed to remind me of my Dad and how pleased he was with himself.

Bada Bing · #4 07-16-2008, 10:38 AM

Chase, that's because we are still in the denial stage (don't you know all the stages of grief??) shock, denial, anger, sadness, acceptance, drunken misbehavior, vomiting, cursing at opponents, praying for ANY kind of championship (go Soul!).

The Spectrum is as old as me. It will always be the place that the Flyers made famous. I got to go to a playoff game there in 1977 right after the Cup years. It is by far the loudest venue I've ever seen a sporting event. The place was a loony bin..... the Wachovia center can't even come close. Back in the day, there was no such thing as "corporate seating". Everyone was a diehard fan and into the game. Those days are long gone.

But I'm not bitter.... really... I'm okay with it.

Roogle · #5 07-16-2008, 10:42 AM

Remember when my dad used to task me to see wrestling there. (The good 1980's wrestling) I was a big fan, and my pop never failed to deliver. Fights always broke out in the parking lot outside somewhere.

So many memories!

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motherof3 · #6 07-16-2008, 01:01 PM

I went to my first concert there. It was Def Leppard. I'm pretty sure the Pink Floyd show I went to was there too, but we partied so much in the parking lot it's a little hazy. Although I do remember being right up front on the floor for the show itself. What a shame they're tearing it down.

MetalBrent · #7 07-16-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TattdMom

Wow, definately the end of an era, thanks for posting this Chase. I saw my very first concert at the Spectrum in the 70s; Billy Joel, the Stranger Tour. I can't believe they are demolishing it.....progress sucks.

^^Jealous^^

this is a damn shame
they are tearing it down to make way for "Philly Live" a direct rip off of a project nearing completion in Los Angeles called.......

you guessed it, L.A. Live
heres some proof
L.A. Live - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

damn Ed Snider first R.J. now this

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Last edited by MetalBrent; 07-16-2008 at 02:04 PM.. Reason: i suck

hockey · #8 07-16-2008, 02:35 PM

The Spectrum's history is pretty amazing.... Wachovia Spectrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I saw my first concert there...
Grateful Dead, August 29, 1980, a life changing event!

And all those Flyers games.... my family had season tickets to the Flyers at the 'Rectum. So many great memories.

The sound sucked but I will definitely miss this place.

Roogle · #9 07-16-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalBrent

^^Jealous^^

this is a damn shame
they are tearing it down to make way for "Philly Live" a direct rip off of a project nearing completion in Los Angeles called.......

you guessed it, L.A. Live
heres some proof
L.A. Live - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

damn Ed Snider first R.J. now this

What about all the venues around the spectrum if they build "Philly Live"?

__________________
A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine. - Thomas Jefferson

BillW · #10 07-16-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Spectrum, home of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and NBA's Philadelphia 76ers for nearly 40 seasons, is set to close its doors next spring and will be demolished.

The building in South Philadelphia opened on September 30, 1967 with the Quaker City Jazz Festival. It was the home of the Flyers and 76ers until both teams moved into the nearby state-of-the-art Wachovia Center in 1996.

After the two major pro sports teams moved, the Spectrum became the home of the American Hockey League's Philadelphia Phantoms and indoor soccer's Philadelphia Kixx.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make," said Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider. "The Spectrum is my baby. It's one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me, but after a lot of thinking and discussions, we all feel it is in our best interest to close the Spectrum at the conclusion of the upcoming 2008-09 Philadelphia Phantoms and Kixx seasons."

Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company that owns the building, is hoping to have the Flyers and Sixers play one more game in the Spectrum this season.

"We are looking at the possibility of bringing a preseason Philadelphia Flyers game and a regular season 76ers game to the Spectrum this year, along with many other special surprises," said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko.

The Flyers beat the Boston Bruins in the Spectrum to win the first of their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 1974, while the 76ers captured the city of Philadelphia's last major pro sports championship in 1983 -- winning the first two games of the NBA Finals in the Spectrum before capturing the crown in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

One of college basketball's greatest games was also played at the Spectrum in March of 1992, as Duke's Christian Laettner took a length-of-the-court inbound pass and hit a turnaround jumper as time expired in overtime to give the Blue Devils a 104-103 victory against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament's East Regional final.

It has yet to be determined when and how the Spectrum will be torn down.

SOURCE..

end of an era....can't believe no-one posted this yet...

Moved here in 66. Loved the Flyers then still do. Richmond had a Flyers Farm team there - saw many of the Cup players there before they move up.

Daughter graduated from Duke, I'm sure some of my money went to pay for Christian's free ride but what a hell of trip that was. "The Shot", have that picture framed in the Computer room.

Last edited by BillW; 07-16-2008 at 08:46 PM..

Philadelphia's Spectrum to be demolished

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