I should have mentioned… there is a new website online owned by the fellow who created the Concert Programs for the Capitol, and who was also the resident Lighting Designer. If you are looking for information on who played here, as well as other tri-state venues in the 70’s and 80’s have a look at http://moyssi.com
Hi all;
I was a followspot operator for rock concerts at the Academy in the early 70’s. I alternated between there and the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, and as the Capitol booked more and more shows, I spent more time in New Jersey. But I did enough Oldies, Foghat, NRPS, Grateful Dead on and on shows at 14th Street to last a lifetime. I remember when the Climax Blues Band recorded FM live, there was a mic hanging from the ceiling about 8 feet from my Super Trouper. I was afraid to make a lot of noise operating the light, because the sound might get into the recording. I guess the music was loud enough I didn’t have to worry. :–)
MOst nights we only had 2 Carbon Arc spots at the Academy, and I was house left, stage right -perched on a shaky plywood platform hanging over the railing of the second balcony. When the act required more than two spots, we used a third in the projection booth. It was an amazing angle to run a spotlight from, and as the back wall of the booth was the wall of the theatre on 14th street, and the stage itself was near the opposite wall (13th street) you would be lighting up a target one city block away at an angle of something like 60 degrees. Thankfully that was the exception not the rule. Anyway, nice to find folks who also remember places like The Academy, the Capitol and other great old theatres. For my money, I wish I had done more shows at the Beacon. Gorgeous place.
I worked at both the Capitol Passaic and Stein’s Academy of Music in the 70’s. I was a followspot operator for a lot of concerts. I think I may have met EastCoastRocker and one or two others who hang here.
BTW Reddoor: The stones played the Capitol June ‘78. Although they did add some good sized theatres (like the Atlanta Fox) to the usual Stadium mix for that US tour, I don’t think it qualified as a tour of small venues. We at the Capitol were basically blown away by the fact that the Rolling Stones would come to Passaic, because they heard it the Capitol was a great place. Likewise The Who.
Continued from previous post…
On December 13, 2006 a Theatre floor plan, Stage layout and stage lighting plot was added here:
http://www.moyssi.com/capitol.htm
John
I should have mentioned… there is a new website online owned by the fellow who created the Concert Programs for the Capitol, and who was also the resident Lighting Designer. If you are looking for information on who played here, as well as other tri-state venues in the 70’s and 80’s have a look at http://moyssi.com
John
Hi all;
I was a followspot operator for rock concerts at the Academy in the early 70’s. I alternated between there and the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, and as the Capitol booked more and more shows, I spent more time in New Jersey. But I did enough Oldies, Foghat, NRPS, Grateful Dead on and on shows at 14th Street to last a lifetime. I remember when the Climax Blues Band recorded FM live, there was a mic hanging from the ceiling about 8 feet from my Super Trouper. I was afraid to make a lot of noise operating the light, because the sound might get into the recording. I guess the music was loud enough I didn’t have to worry. :–)
MOst nights we only had 2 Carbon Arc spots at the Academy, and I was house left, stage right -perched on a shaky plywood platform hanging over the railing of the second balcony. When the act required more than two spots, we used a third in the projection booth. It was an amazing angle to run a spotlight from, and as the back wall of the booth was the wall of the theatre on 14th street, and the stage itself was near the opposite wall (13th street) you would be lighting up a target one city block away at an angle of something like 60 degrees. Thankfully that was the exception not the rule. Anyway, nice to find folks who also remember places like The Academy, the Capitol and other great old theatres. For my money, I wish I had done more shows at the Beacon. Gorgeous place.
John
Greetings all!
I worked at both the Capitol Passaic and Stein’s Academy of Music in the 70’s. I was a followspot operator for a lot of concerts. I think I may have met EastCoastRocker and one or two others who hang here.
BTW Reddoor: The stones played the Capitol June ‘78. Although they did add some good sized theatres (like the Atlanta Fox) to the usual Stadium mix for that US tour, I don’t think it qualified as a tour of small venues. We at the Capitol were basically blown away by the fact that the Rolling Stones would come to Passaic, because they heard it the Capitol was a great place. Likewise The Who.