I remember seeing two stage shows at this theater in the early 70’s. One show featured Virgil Fox on organ (he was big at that time) and the other show featured a band called Dire Straits (they were just starting out).
I was 19 years old when saw the Count Basie band at the Beacon theatre in the mid 70’s. They were doing a benefit for a Port Washington treatment center. After the show I went backstage to meet some of the band and have Basie autograph a record for me. I’d never been behind the stage. It was a ratty looking place with dirty ropes and musty curtains.
These Basie musicians were experienced. Most of them were in their 50’s and 60’s and had spent years on the road. They were sitting on old wooden folding chairs but happy to accomodate a young jazz fan for an autograph. I still have my autographed poster. They were legends and I was in awe of them.
I rememmber attending my first Rock n Roll show at the Flushing RKO. It was emceed by Murray the K deejay from 1010 WINS. The show featured Wicked Wilson Pickett and introduced two new bands from England, Cream and The Who. I remember Pickett strutting up the aisles with his mike cable trailing behind singing “Funky Broadway” and “Midnight Hour”. Cream and the Who did only a couple of numbers and were LOUD and raw but pumped up the crowd.
I remember seeing two stage shows at this theater in the early 70’s. One show featured Virgil Fox on organ (he was big at that time) and the other show featured a band called Dire Straits (they were just starting out).
I was 19 years old when saw the Count Basie band at the Beacon theatre in the mid 70’s. They were doing a benefit for a Port Washington treatment center. After the show I went backstage to meet some of the band and have Basie autograph a record for me. I’d never been behind the stage. It was a ratty looking place with dirty ropes and musty curtains.
These Basie musicians were experienced. Most of them were in their 50’s and 60’s and had spent years on the road. They were sitting on old wooden folding chairs but happy to accomodate a young jazz fan for an autograph. I still have my autographed poster. They were legends and I was in awe of them.
I rememmber attending my first Rock n Roll show at the Flushing RKO. It was emceed by Murray the K deejay from 1010 WINS. The show featured Wicked Wilson Pickett and introduced two new bands from England, Cream and The Who. I remember Pickett strutting up the aisles with his mike cable trailing behind singing “Funky Broadway” and “Midnight Hour”. Cream and the Who did only a couple of numbers and were LOUD and raw but pumped up the crowd.