Portland Concerts

On June 17, 1982, Blimpsters sold-out Portland’s biggest venue once again for the guitar giant.

On June 14, 1977, Ronnie Van Zant and the guitar triple-threat of Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Steve Gaines tore it up in Portland at the newly opened CCCC with Billy Powell on keyboards, Leon Wilkinson on bass and Artimus Pyle on drums.

33 years ago tonight, the Scorpions returned to Portland for their first headlining show at the Civic Center.

34 years ago tonight, The Kinks played for the second and last time ever at the Civic Center.

On June 3, 1986, that “lil’ ol’ band from Texas” made their 5th appearance at the Civic Center bringing their futuristic melding of blues guitar and dance beats to the stage for a sold-out show.

38 years ago, Eric Clapton  played a sold-out show at the Civic Center. The Backless Tour came to Portland on May 26, 1979. This was his first time at the CCCC and the great Muddy Waters was also on the bill!

16 years ago today, Sting played a sold-out show at the Civic Center.  This was his third concert appearance in Portland and his second sell-out.

35 years ago today, Ozzy Osbourne played his first solo show at the Civic Center without his close friend, guitarist Randy Rhoads.

We remember the great Joe Cocker on the eve of his birthday. He was born John Robert Cocker in Sheffield, England on May 20, 1944.

Happy Birthday Dusty Hill! He's rocked Portland 13 times with ZZ over the years, from the very first show at the CCCC in 1977 to last summer on the Maine State Pier.

39 years ago today, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band made their first trip to the Civic Center in Portland.

On May 16, 1981, the ‘Noize Boyz’ brought their Fair Warning Tour to Blimpville unleashing new songs live like Unchained, Mean Street and Hear About It Later.

WBLM celebrates a New England rock n’ roll legend and harmonica king. Happy 72nd Birthday to Richard Salwitz!

Happy Birthday to legendary New England rocker Billy Squier! He was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts on May 12, 1950. The songs from Don’t Say No and Emotions in Motion were the soundtrack to growing up in the 80s, here in Maine and beyond...

37 years ago today, the Grateful Dead made their second sold-out appearance at the Civic Center in Portland.

The Cumberland County Civic Center hosted the first event on March 3, 1977. It’s really awesome that the first event was a capacity crowd, rock concert with ZZ Top. Just over two months later, the second sold-out rock show happened at the new venue.