1st Civic Center Show

43 years ago today, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band made their first trip to the Civic Center in Portland. The new album Stranger in Town had only been out for just over a week.

42 years ago today, Billy Joel performed live in Maine for the very first time at the Civic Center in Portland on his 52nd Street Tour.

40 years ago today, our favorite Canadian power trio (maybe even our favorite Canadians) rocked us live at the Civic Center for the first time.

43 years ago today, Yes arrived for the first time at the still pretty much brand-new Civic Center in support of their album Going For The One.

32 years have past since George Thorogood brought the boogie back to Portland with the Destroyers on the Born to Be Bad tour on March 7, 1988.

With WBLM spinning the ‘new’ tracks, My Life and Big Shot as well as deeper cuts like Stiletto and Zanzibar, the CCCC was packed to capacity on April 13, 1979 for the Piano Man and his band.

On March 3, 1977, WBLM welcomed ZZ Top for the inaugural night of rock at the CCCC on the Worldwide Texas tour. That “lil’ ol’ band from Texas” was on the road in support of their album, Tejas featuring It’s Only Love and Arrested for Driving While Blind. Opening the show was Maine’s own, The Blend.

It's is a mighty significant anniversary for Portland, Maine! 41 years ago today, the very first event happened at the Civic Center. And of course here in Blimpville, the first event was a Rock Concert!

34 years ago, Rod Stewart made his first appearance at the Civic Center. This tour was in support of his album, Tonight I'm Yours. The album featured the title track and Young Turks showcasing his new direction into 80s synth-pop. He was getting a lot of airplay on MTV with his embracing of the new wave trend, and plenty of spins BLM too.