Alumni Association
Blast From the Past: That's Entertainment!
with Marla Vizdal '83, Archives and Special Collections
Earlier this year, superstar Olivia Newton-John graced the stage of Western Hall. Newton-John, who starred in the movies "Grease" and "Xanadu," held everyone captivated for an entertaining two-hour performance.
Western venues have hosted many forms of entertainment over the last hundred-plus years. Students, alumni and townspeople recall going to Western Hall, the University Union Grand Ballroom, Hainline Theatre, the old Brophy Hall Gym (destroyed by fire in 1970) and the Dark Horse Inn, as well as the third floor auditorium of Sherman Hall in the earlier years, to see the myriad entertainers and speakers who visited Macomb.
Bob Hope, who was probably the most well-known and revered comic of our times, visited Macomb not once, but twice (1975 and 1980). He served as the grand marshal of the 1980 Homecoming parade, describing the experience as "a small-town Rose Bowl. It's fun." At the Homecoming game, Hope, who had entertained the U.S. military troops overseas countless times, was made an honorary Peach Blossom (a.k.a. "Hopeie") and donned the Peach Blossom's red wig and plunger with pride.
And of course, America's favorite "clown," Red Skelton, also visited Macomb (1978, 1980, 1984). He was a true entertainer who liked to acquire a local feel in preparation for his shows, so, it was not unusual to see Skelton walking around town when he arrived, visiting with the townspeople and students. Several people will recall when Skelton visited the "old" Pace and bought a round of drinks for everyone, and then went on to Nelson's Clothing Store to purchase a tie. Skelton had such fond memories of Macomb that he gave an oil painting of a clown, which he had painted, to the University. It still hangs in the University Union.
The multi-talented Burl Ives visited Western on at least three occasions, the earliest in 1950. Being an Illinois boy with local connections, he had a sympathetic ear when he was approached about doing benefit concerts for Western's proposed Performing Arts Center in the '70s. That center never came to be, but initiatives by the current administration are working to see the center built. (See the Articles links for an update on the PAC.)
Did You Go to the Show? 1930s-1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s-1980s |
Throughout the years, each decade brought different groups of musical entertainers to Macomb. In the 1930s and 1940s, dance bands were popular. They came to campus to play for events such as Homecoming and game night dances, and of course, for just pure entertainment. Bohumir Kryl, Stan Myers, Jack Fina and Bob Strong were just a few of the well-known band leaders who appeared with their bands or orchestras at that time.
While "rapidly becoming one of the leading band leaders of the nation," Gene Krupa, a noted drummer, brought his orchestra to Macomb for Western's 1939 Homecoming. Krupa's performance in the Morgan Gymnasium took place just a year after he had left Benny Goodman to start up his own orchestra. In 1946, the noted violinist David Rubinoff performed at Western.
In the 1950s, Western was privileged to bring the Tucson Arizona Boys Choir, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Denver Symphony to campus. Other entertainers during that decade included the New Art Wind Quartet, The Revelers and mezzo-soprano Conchita Gaston.
The following decade, students enjoyed the sounds of noted musicians such as Dave Brubeck, The Highwaymen, The Four Seasons and Ferrante & Teicher.
It was in the 1970s, however, that so many entertainers were brought to campus that the space here does not even allow for an adequate list. In the next two decades, students were able to see Judy Collins, Van Cliburn, The Temptations, the Balalaika Orchestra and Russian Ballet, Gordon Lightfoot, Steve Goodman, Anne Murray, Mason Proffit, Don McLean, Head East, Woody Herman, Ray Charles, Dan Fogelberg and The Army Field Band in concert. And what about Reba McEntire, The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, Crosby and Nash, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins and let's not forget The Kinks.
Often two groups would appear the same night, one opening for another. One evening Asleep at the Wheel and The Outlaws were the first two of three groups to perform. Before the third group got on stage, much of the audience had left-missing a performance by none other than Charlie Daniels.
"When one alum couldn't afford a ticket to see Johnny Cash, he was invited to the Holiday Inn for a personal visit and got to spend two hours with the legendary singer." |
When Johnny Cash appeared here in the 1970s, one alum couldn't afford the price of the tickets for he and his wife. After a phone call to Cash's manager, the couple and their one-year-old son were invited to the Holiday Inn for a personal visit with the legendary singer. Their two-hour visit with Cash, which included Cash sitting on the floor playing with the toddler, was far more memorable than a concert ever would have been.
Before the first century of Western came to a close, other notable names performed in concert; several were repeat 
performances. The Statler Brothers appeared not once, but twice. REO Speedwagon performed here many times.
Other crowd-pleasers included Van Halen, Woody Herman, Huey Lewis and the News, Kenny Loggins, Marshall Tucker and even Brenda Lee. Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Tony Bennett and Roy Clark were other names not to be forgotten.
Alumni Association
1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455
E-mail: a-association@wiu.edu
Phone: 309/298-1914