Blimp Time-Hop

44 years ago today, the very first event happened at the brand new Civic Center. And it is of course quite fitting that here in Blimpville, the first event was a rock concert.

On June 3, 1986, that “lil’ ol’ band from Texas” returned to Portland for their 5th appearance at the Cumberland County Civic Center. ZZ Top brought along their futuristic melding of blues guitar and dance beats to the stage for the first of two sold-out nights.

42 years ago today, Eric Clapton played a sold-out show in Portland, Maine. This was the Guitar God's first time at the CCCC. Blues great McKinley Morganfield best known as Muddy Waters, was also on the bill.

39 years ago this weekend, Ozzy Osbourne played his second Civic Center show in Portland, Maine. This time around was without his very close friend and music partner, guitarist Randy Rhoads.

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.

On May 16, 1981, the ‘Noize Boyz’ "hit the ground runnin" bringing their Fair Warning Tour to Blimpville.

Watch an exceptionally badass Whammer Jammer live from The J. Geils Band in San Francisco at the Winterland circa 1970s for Magic Dick's 76th birthday.

We’ll celebrate Billy’s 71st today with audio of a great story from Maine’s King of Comedy, Bob Marley. The Squier show at the Civic Center in 1983 was his first concert experience and he has some wicked funny memories of it to share.

41 years ago today, the Grateful Dead returned to Maine for their second sold-out appearance at the Civic Center in Portland.

35 years ago this week, the lovely Wilson sisters and company made a stop in Portland as they were riding the wave of a huge comeback.

Happy Birthday to singer-songwriter and all-around working man's rock star, Bob Seger! The legend turns 76 today.

32 years ago today, Cinderella came to Portland in support of their second album, Long Cold Winter.

33 years ago today, AC/DC played the second of two sold-out nights at the Civic Center.

41 years ago this week, the mighty J. Geils Band returned to shake the Civic Center for the second time.

An historic stop in Southern Maine happened at the Portland Expo on April 28, 1974. For many the many Blimpsters that were fortunate enough to be at this concert, we gotta believe it ranks way up there as one of the best rock performances they'd ever witnessed.

We count 6 Maine shows with the classic Kiss lineup over the years...four at the Civic Center, one in Bangor and one in Augusta.