6 famous singers who came to Tucson in the 1970s and '80s
Big-name musicians often visited the Old Pueblo in the '70s and '80s, many performing sold-out shows at popular Tucson venues.Β
These six photos were featured on the Tucson Time Machine newsletter, which highlights Tucson's history through snapshots of people, places, and events.Β
Here's a taste of the free weekly newsletter that you canΒ subscribe to here.
Billy Joel
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Photo by H. Darr Beiser/Tucson Citizen.
The "Piano Man" himself, Billy Joel, performed at the Tucson Community Center, now the Tucson Convention Center, on November 14, 1978, following the success of his iconic 1977 album "The Stranger."
Joel performed for nearly 10,000 fans in the packed TCC arena, who reportedly "went mad" for the singer and were "intoxicated" by his musicianship.Β
After Chuck Graham, the Tucson Citizen's entertainment writer at the time, wrote a review saying Joel's concert did not have the intimate feeling fans were used to and that he appeared to be trying too hard after becoming rapidly famous, fans wrote letters to the editor saying they disagreed and thoroughly enjoyed the show.Β
Fun fact:Β Joel's hit song "Only the Good Die Young," caused many Tucsonans to call local radio stations, saying the song was an insult to Catholicism. One station, KHYT, stopped playing it on the airwaves a few months before Joel's concert.
Diana Ross
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Photo by: Joy Wolf/Arizona Daily Star.
Legendary diva Diana Ross performed for a crowd of 12,000 fans at the University of Arizona's McKale Center on Oct. 3, 1983.
The 12-time Grammy Award nominee sang some of her most famous hits, like "Baby Love," "I'm Coming Out," and "You Can't Hurry Love," but according to a review of the concert by Jill Schensul published in the Arizona Daily Star, Ross "just wasn't all that supreme."
The review did, however, applaud Ross for her lively stage presence and show-stopping, glamorous outfits. The fans attending the concert, who paid $12.50 to $15 per ticket, seemed to enjoy the show more than Schensul, including "grandma-types" who were "up on their chairs dancin'."Β
Fun fact: Some attendees heard a rumor that Michael Jackson would be showing up at Ross's concert and eagerly looked around as she covered the King of Pop's "Beat It" to see if he would make a surprise appearance. Jackson never did, but wouldn't THAT have been a treat for the Tucsonans in the crowd?
David Bowie
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Photo by: Lew Elliott/Tucson Citizen.
David Bowie made his Tucson debut Sept. 13, 1974 at the Tucson Community Center as part of his Diamond Dogs Tour, named after his eighth studio album that was released earlier that year.
The TCC was set up for 9,500, but only sold tickets to 4,032 fans, many of whom were teens and young adults said to have been decked out in feather boas, glitter, bright makeup, capes, and flashy leotards.Β
The late British rock and pop star, known for bringing sexuality, flashiness, and androgyny to his performances, received less-than-favorable critiques after his show. One Tucson Citizen review said his lyrics were not deep or meaningful.
That didn't stop the thousands of young Tucsonans who showed up on a rainy Friday the 13th and paid $5.50 to $7.50 a ticket to see Bowie, aka Ziggy Stardust, aka Major Tom, aka The Thin White Duke... the man had a lot of alter egos and nicknames...
Led Zeppelin
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Photo by: Duane Moore/Tucson Citizen.
Led Zeppelin's lead singer Robert Plant provided his scratchy rock vocals on the band's last stop of their 1972 North American tour at the Tucson Community Center on June 28, 1972. It was the famous English rock band's first and only time playing in the Old Pueblo and 9,000 fans were there to witness it. The band reportedly started an hour later than they were scheduled to.
John Bonham, Led Zeppelin's drummer, was a standout in the show, with an Arizona Daily Star account of the concert by writer Joe Gold praising Bonham's 15-minute drum solo during the song "Moby Dick." Bonham reportedly ditched his drum sticks at one point and played with his bare hands. The band unfortunately broke up in 1980 after Bonham died at age 32.
Bassist John Paul Jones and guitarist Jimmy Page rounded out the band that night and the Star review and one in the Tucson Citizen both agreed on two things: the concert was deafening and full of energy.Β
In 2011, a Tucson-based tribute band, Whole Lotta Zep, paid homage to the 1972 Tucson show by playing the same set list from that night, featuring big hits like "Immigrant Song" and "Stairway to Heaven."
Bo Diddley
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Photo credit: Jim Davis/Arizona Daily Star.
Famed rock and roll artist Bo Diddley took the stage at 55 years old with the local Statesboro Blues Band in Tucson on April 12, 1984. The five-member band was not able to rehearse with Diddley before the show, but an Arizona Daily Star review said no one could even tell based on how well they meshed on stage.
The 90-minute concert took place at the Voila nightclub/restaurant that used to sit at Tanque Verde Road and Pima Street.
Diddley, born Ellas McDaniel, had been in the music industry for several decades by the time of his 1984 Tucson visit and even had a beat named after him. The "Bo Diddley Beat" has been used by dozens of heavy-hitting musicians since: The Supremes, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John, just to name a few.
Willie Nelson
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Photo credit: Lew Elliott/Tucson Citizen.
Without the two braids and signature red bandana, you may not recognize Willie Nelson at first, but that's him performing with his band at the Tucson Community Center on Sept. 6, 1976.Β
Nelson shared the stage that night with fellow country star Waylon Jennings, who is no stranger to Arizona and lived in the Phoenix area. The two performers went on to join Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson in forming the country supergroup, The Highwaymen, in 1985.Β
Nelson performed for over two hours for a crowd of about 8,000 and received roaring cheers when he first walked out on stage (in tennis shoes, Levi's, and a t-shirt, nonetheless). One Tucson Citizen review said Nelson looked like "an over-aged hippie" but undoubtedly stole the show.
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