As someone who grew up just outside of Philadelphia, hearing about the possible demolition of the Spectrum brings a tear to my eye. I grew up in that stadium…from concerts to Flyers games throughout my childhood and teenage years…I spent a lot of time there.
I saw Bon Jovi play there, Def Leppard, Poison, Skid Row, Soundgarden. I watched the Flyers lose to the Devils and beat the crap out of the Rangers while stuffing my face with hot dogs.
The biggest thing about all of this? What’s going to happen to the Philadelphia Phantoms (the Flyers AHL affiliate) if they demolish the building? The Flyers are lucky enough (and the ONLY team in the NHL) to have their farm team directly across the parking lot from their home stadium. It makes it super-easy for the Flyers to do call-ups if guys get hurt.
Where will the Phantoms go?
Actually, the last hockey game I went to was the Phantoms home opener back in October of ‘04, during the NHL lockout. Granted, the played at the Wachovia Center, which is the Flyers stadium, but still. It would really suck if the Flyers lost their farm team!
The Spectrum was one of the last places left standing that still held a lot of memories from my younger days. Veteran’s Stadium is gone. The places where I went to both of my proms are gone. My parents sold my childhood home and moved.
Hell, even my high school is pretty much gone…they built a new one, knocked most of my old one down, and made the rest of it a community center.
It’s sad, really.
Oh… you have seen Soundgarden??? So jealous now… I still think that the early 90’s had the best rock music. It would really sucks if they would demolition a building that hold so many memories for you.
Seeing them live was what got me into them. Such a shame that they broke up. Audioslave is a pale imitation!
I saw Queensryche, Def Leppard, Poison, Warrant, Bon Jovi, Skid Row…all the good 80’s hair bands. Back when music was REALLY cool. I think I will cry if/when the building comes down, even as ratty as the building is in reality.