Reynoldstown Park Grounds Trivia Secret Answer: May 8
Trivia: Park Grounds | 7pm
Brainiac Bonanza: Join Host Matt Padua for a Trivia Extravaganza!!
Answer: The Sports Arena
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What’s Behind the Answer:
The Sports Arena Hosted Both Sports & Music Events
L.C. "Pop" Warren created the Sports Arena at 312 Chester Ave. in the 1930s. It was later sold to Clyde Darby during WWII, and in 1965 was bought by wrestling promoter Paul Jones.
The Sports Arena was designed to host wrestling and boxing matches. It was also home to "semi-pro" women's basketball team the Atlanta Blues. Musical events also took place at the arena, with the wrestling ring adapted for performances. Early on, square dances were held several times a week, the main moneymaker of the time.
Musical prodigy Brenda Lee performed there when she was just 9 years old. Elvis Presley played the Arena at age 20 on Dec. 2, 1955, as his popularity was beginning to surge.
Other notable bands that performed at the Sports Arena:
Grateful Dead - May 10, 1970
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, The Glass Menagerie - March 8, 1970
Fleetwood Mac, Hampton Grease Band, Radar, River People - Jan. 25, 1970
"Rock and Roll Marathon" - Hampton Grease Band, Radar, Stump Brothers, Axis, Perpetual Motion, Brick Wall, Georgia Power Kompany, What Brothers, Ruffin - April 26, 1970 (nine-hour benefit for The Midtown Alliance and Community Center)
BB King, East Side Blues Band - June 27, 1971
J. Geils Band - Sept. 1, 1972
Fleetwood Mac, Jambalaya, Dixie Grease - Nov. 4, 1973
View list of other incredible artists that performed at the Spots Arena.
(Sources: The Strip Project and Seal Place)