Remembering Independence Hall in B.R.

[Jess Wandering]

During the 1960s, Independence Hall stood next door to the White House Inn across from the old Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and the lake behind the State Capitol. The concert hall (and the hospital, for that matter) has long since been demolished, but I still have fond memories of going to hear some of the day's most popular bands. Due to a number of reasons I won't go into in a public forum (but remember, it was the 1960s), some of my memories are a bit hazy. I distinctly remember, though, going to see Three Dog Night, Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Brownsville Station and Steppenwolf there and hoped others who remember the place could help refresh my memory as to the other bands who performed there and would be willing to share their stories with the world of Topix. I'm still an avid concert-goer and wish tickets were still the $5 or $6 they were back then. Many, many other bands did concerts at the old building, including what may be the strangest lineup in American concert history, Jimi Hendrix opening for The Monkees, although I've only been told about that show and didn't see it myself.

[BH Bud]

Donovan - I had a friend who worked with the promoter Montel Productions and I was able to go back stage on break and meet Donavan - great memories!

[JMD]

I have memories of Independence Hall. But mostly in the 70's. The first concert I ever attended was Dr. John,then there was Blue Oyster Cult, Black Oak Arkansas, Im trying to remember, I have all my ticket stubs in the attic in a scrapbook, makes me want to find them. I would love to find someone with a picture of the hall.

[Patti]

JMD wrote:

I have memories of Independence Hall. But mostly in the 70's. The first concert I ever attended was Dr. John,then there was Blue Oyster Cult, Black Oak Arkansas, Im trying to remember, I have all my ticket stubs in the attic in a scrapbook, makes me want to find them. I would love to find someone with a picture of the hall.

SJ Montalbano is looking for Independence Hall memorabilia. Look him up on facebook.com

[Marc]

Wow...this got me to looking thru my old photos. Found Dr. John and Wet Willie, Wishbone Ash and Camel, Charlie Daniels, Robin Trower with Golden Earring, Dan Fogelburg, Marshall Tucker and Grinderswitch ...somewhere I have a tape of Kris Kristofferson playing Independence Hall, with then Gov. Edwin Edwards in the audience...
Also remember Ted Nuggent and Amboy Dukes playing.
John Mayall also.

Does anyone else remember Nuggent and Amboy Dukes playing the old Hart Theater...in a midnight concert, on Mother's Day, 1974???
Yes those were the days!!$5 tickets! Small Halls. Great Music! I feel for today's Kids...

[BH Bud]

Marc wrote:

Wow...this got me to looking thru my old photos. Found Dr. John and Wet Willie, Wishbone Ash and Camel, Charlie Daniels, Robin Trower with Golden Earring, Dan Fogelburg, Marshall Tucker and Grinderswitch ...somewhere I have a tape of Kris Kristofferson playing Independence Hall, with then Gov. Edwin Edwards in the audience...
Also remember Ted Nuggent and Amboy Dukes playing.
John Mayall also.
Does anyone else remember Nuggent and Amboy Dukes playing the old Hart Theater...in a midnight concert, on Mother's Day, 1974???
Yes those were the days!!$5 tickets! Small Halls. Great Music! I feel for today's Kids...

Was it the Hart Theatre or the Gordon Theatre? I remember concerts held at the Gordon. I saw John Prine at the Gordon= those were the days! I worked at the Hart Theatre in high school and the year out of high school (1966).