Monkee memories
Micky Dolenz performs with the Monkees in Duluth on Nov. 9, 1986. Photo by Steve Stearns
Remember the Monkees, who sang their way to fame on a TV show in the 1960s? The band made it to Duluth at least twice, according to News Tribune files.
The first time was on Sept. 6, 1969. They performed twice at the Duluth Auditorium.
A story that ran the next day said, “The afternoon audience was small but enthusiastic. Attendance in the evening was better, and Arena-Auditorium officials said 3,806 youngsters in all saw the group.
“Earlier in the day, Superior police had to disperse a crowd of young girls — about 200 — who had gathered near the motel at which the group was reportedly staying. They were disappointed. The Monkees already had left for their afternoon show.”
The group returned for a performance 17 years later, on Nov. 9, 1986. Well, most of the group. Mike “Wool Hat” Nesmith wasn’t there, but the other three were: Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz.
Here’s a little bit of what staff writer Mike Hughlett had to say in his review of that concert:
“The rock ’n’ roll animal is a creature of many moods.
“It can be angry, sensual, artsy, theatrical, and sometimes even philosophical. But above all, the rock ’n’ roll animal likes to have a good time.
“The Monkees know that. Saturday night, they dished out about an hour of just plain fun to about 4,300 fans of all ages — including an especially vocal contingent of teenage girls — in the Duluth Arena.
“OK, rock ’n’ roll pseudo-highbrows, I know what you’re saying: ‘The Manufactured Monkees, the world’s pre-eminent, prefabricated rock band — a combo so musically forlorn they couldn’t even play their own instruments. And now they’re going to cash in on their ill-gained fame before their heads runneth over with gray hairs. I just can’t take them seriously.’
Well, critic, you lost. They might be cashing in, but the Monkees were never meant to be taken as artists come to deliver a speakerful of sagacity. Sure, they may have been hyped as a serious response to the Beatles. But at heart they were slapstick comedians with a paisley twist who happened to sing some fantastic songs.”
What concerts do you have fond memories of in the Duluth area?
Linda Hanson, copy editor
Posted by: dntattic on 2/06/2010 at 3:51 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink
Tags: arts and entertainment, attic, music
Original DECC arena construction
As the new $70 million arena takes shape at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, I thought it would be a good time to look back at construction of the existing arena and auditorium. The $6.1 million project began in 1965, and the facility opened in August 1966. It won acclaim across the state, with the Minneapolis Star Tribune saying it put Duluth on a level playing field with the Twin Cities for attracting conventions.
Workers pour concrete for the arena bleachers in May 1965.
The community really backed the project, with stories from 1966 describing an army of local volunteers cleaning up after construction - and even washing windows - to get the facility ready for its opening events. An electronic scoreboard and other amenities were made possible with $250,00 in local donations.
Workers toil with air ducts under the bleachers in September 1965.
After a successful first year, local supporters attracted Jack Benny and Bobby Vinton to perform at the first anniversary celebration in 1967. What are your memories of the orginal DECC? Did you work on it? How has construction changed?
Norman Gullickson of Cloquet (from left), Jack Christensen of Duluth and
Arthur Hill of Cromwell assemble the electronic scoreboard in July, 1966.
Posted by: dntattic on 2/05/2010 at 4:32 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: duluth business
Vikings and Super Bowls
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton sits on his helmet during the final minutes of the Super Bowl in 1977, a 32-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Pasadena, Calif. Associated Press
The Minnesota Vikings came painfully close to making it to their fifth Super Bowl, but many fans are still hurting after the overtime loss to New Orleans on Jan. 24, 2010. The Vikings are 0-4 in Super Bowls and sometimes digging through the attic, you find a treasure. I discovered a photo involving what I have heard as the "Whiskey Bottle Curse", where referee Armen Terzian was hit by a whiskey bottle by Vikings fans during a 1975 NFC playoff loss against the Dallas Cowboys at Metropolitan Stadium. Some say the curse is why the Vikings have failed to win in big playoff games.
There are other photos that connect the Vikings to the Super Bowl or playoffs from the past. I hope they don't stir up too many bad memories.
Dave Nevanen, copy editor
Chuck Foreman (44) of the Minnesota Vikings pleads with fans as official Armen Terzian lays on the field after being struck by a whiskey bottle thrown from the stands during a 1975 playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minn. Charles Curtis / News Tribune
Carl Eller (81) of the Vikings chasing quarterback Archie Manning of the New Orleans Saints during a game in 1976. Super Bowl connection: Archie Manning's son Peyton Manning is the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, who are playing the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl. And we all know who the Saints beat in this year's NFC Championship. News Tribune
Quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) of the Vikings in a 1976 playoff game against Washington at Met Stadium. News Tribune
Minnesota coach Bud Grant runs from the field after the Vikings lost to the Miami Dolphins in the 1974 Super Bowl in Houston. Associated Press
Posted by: dntattic on 2/02/2010 at 6:24 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Tags: football, minnesota, sports, vikings
Duluth police vehicles
Robert Cox (left) and Robert Grytdahl on patrol in 1976.News Tribune
Today's Duluth Police Department vehicles are black and white, and so are the ones I found scrounging through an old folder full of Duluth police photos. Enjoy a look back at Duluth's finest and their various styles of motoring methods. Some of the photos have downtown Duluth in the background. Can anyone recognize the locations or know any of the officers featured?
--Dave Nevanen, copy editor
New Chevy Nova police cars in 1978. News Tribune
Patrolman Donald Rockwell (left) checks a drivers license as patrolman Edward McLean pulls the squad car into curb at 5th Ave. W. and Superior Streeet in 1958. Photo by Earl Johnson
John Derosier (left) and Dennis England patrol with snowmobiles in 1971. Charles Curtis/News Tribune
Parking ticket vehicle in 1964. Charles Curtis / News Tribune
Posted by: dntattic on 1/30/2010 at 12:19 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink
Tags: auto, crime, duluth, news, police, travel
Superior Street businesses
Here's an undated photo from the attic, taken on Lake Avenue looking north toward Superior Street (we're pretty sure about Lake Avenue, but might be wrong). The vehicles in the photo date it to later than 1966, and a car at the left has that ubiquitous Northland accessory - a canoe strapped to the top.
The businesses visible along Superior Street (from left) are Master Furriers, The Caribe Grill, Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., International Wig Boutique, Kindy-Lyon (optometrists?), Cameraland and Hokkanen (& Hokkanen?), a jeweler and watch shop.
The sidewalk along the Lake Avenue bridge is made of wood, and there appears to be a kiosk of some sort on the corner of Superior Street. Also noteworthy are the tall street lights and the telephone booth on the sidewalk. There appears to be a blocked-off opening in the bridge railing that could have led to a stairway down to the Michigan Street level.
Can anyone tell us more about the businesses in this photo, the kiosk, the possible stairway and the wooden sidewalk on the bridge?
- Dave Ojala, copy editor
Posted by: dntattic on 1/28/2010 at 10:36 PM | Comments (24) | Permalink
Tags: duluth business
