The Concert Room – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Concert Room welcomes veteran Philadelphia music and entertainment journalist, Chuck Darrow. We dive into the world of concerts, personalities, and performers inside the world of a renowned music critic during the heyday of concerts. Chuck's illustrious career spans over 50 years and he's still churning out great copy! Listen as we discuss the early days of music journalism, concerts, the business of entertainment and the personalities! 

Philadelphia Spectrum Concert tribute group:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16RRdLAfcw/

Here's Chuck Darrow's links:

shorelocalnews.com

purepettyband.com

www.facebook.com/PurePettyBand

(Chuck plays Bass for one the top Tom Petty Tribute bands) 

Chuck Darrow full biography:

Chuck’s award-winning career began at the Temple News, the student-run newspaper at Temple University. His first byline ever there was atop his own weekly rock music column. By the time he left the News, he’d served as entertainment editor, features editor and editor-in-chief.

In March, 1980, at age 23, Chuck began his professional career as the music columnist/entertainment writer-critic for the Philadelphia Journal. When the Journal folded in December, 1981, Chuck left journalism, but returned in 1985, when he began a 23-year-run at the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill, N.J.

During his time at the Courier-Post, Chuck published thousands of articles on everything from the legendary Live Aid concert at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium to the last interview ever granted by comedy icon Milton Berle to feature stories filed from the 2005 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. At one time or another, he held the positions of pop music critic, movie critic, theater critic, television critic, casual dining critic and radio columnist (often wearing multiple hats simultaneously).

Among the hundreds of celebrities Chuck interviewed for the Courier-Post are Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Cher, Lucille Ball, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Dick Clark.

It was also at the Courier-Post that he began writing a weekly column about the entertainment, dining and gaming in Atlantic City. And in 2004, he created “Chuck Darrow’s Phillies Blog,” the paper’s first-ever blog.

While at the Courier-Post, Chuck was the recipient of two New Jersey Press Association awards (for critical writing and as part of the reporting team that covered the collapse of an Atlantic City casino parking garage).

In 2008, Chuck realized his long-time dream of working for the Daily News when he was hired by to be the paper’s first full-time casino beat writer. In that capacity, he covers entertainment, gaming and business topics, as well as contributing non-casino lifestyle and entertainment stories. In January 2013, he was named the paper’s theater columnist/critic.

But Chuck’s show business experience extends well beyond writing about it. For more than 20 years, he has been the creative partner of entertainer and former “Saturday Night Live” star Joe Piscopo. Together, the two have written TV and film scripts, as well as material for Joe’s acclaimed nightclub act.

In the early 1980s, Chuck was road manager for the late RCA recording artist, Robert Hazard, composer of Cyndi Lauper’s smash hit, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

A Philadelphia native, Chuck and Robin, his wife of 40 years, have been South Jersey residents since 1985. They have two adult daughters. 

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EP #08 - The Concert Room takes you inside the world of Rock Photography at the Spectrum with one the top Rock Photographers of the day, our guest Rich Fuscia. Listen as we discuss the process of shooting concerts as an amateur fan to going professional and getting photos published. Backstage stories and tales from the photo pit inside the Spectrum, it's an interesting and lively part of the music industry that helped shape a bands image. Rich's creative eye for shots earns him a place among the best in the business. Rich recently published a book full of his great photos, backstage passes and stories. 

Here's Rich's link to his website of photos, and his book. 

Rock Photographer Rich Fuscia RFROCKSHOTS.COM

Rich Fuscia’s Rockshots is a book that tells the life story of his rise from a music fan to become Philadelphia and South Jersey’s most successful rock photographer.

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The Concert Room welcomes good friend Ed Majewski, the host of Friday Night Vinyl on Facebook and former local area rock band manager. Today we dive into the Spectrum concert experience such as ticket buying, stories about favorite shows and the overall thrill of seeing our favorite bands perform on the Spectrum stage!

Friday Night Vinyl: The Philadelphia Spectrum - A Tribute to all of the classic rock concerts

https://youtu.be/LYEfHUc8rSE?si=LsfAKQop7ZS8Yd3q

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EP #07 Part II of Genesis at the Spectrum, November 26, 1983, on the second night of 3-day stand. ABABCAB is a highlight of the sets on this tour and listen to Phil Collins come in at the beginning of the outro with his signature Tom rolls and play along with touring drummer Chester Thompson. A phenomenal evening of music and lights!

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EP #6 - Part 1 of Genesis at the Spectrum- Genesis rolled in the Spectrum for a 3 nightstand on November 25, 26 and 27, 1983 to sold out crowds! A Genesis show was always special in Philly, and they put on spectacular shows for a great night of music and lights! Here is the opener Dodo/Lurker – recorded on the night of the November 26th show. 

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EP #05 - The podcast episode is dedicated to Neil Peart, who passed away 5 yrs ago on January 7, 2020.
Rush rolls in to the Spectrum for 2 nights, April 14 and 16 on the Power Windows tour. Here is a stellar recording of Subdivisions recorded on the April 16th show. 

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EP #04 - The Doors set up in the Spectrum Theater for a phenomenal performance to a sold-out crowd on May 1, 1970. They're only performance at the Spectrum recorded and released as double live album "Live in Philadelphia '70" on the Rhino/Bright Midnight label released in 2005. Light my Fire has always been a highlight in their sets and at the end the crowd is yelling for more! 

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EP #03 - Pioneering British rock band Humble Pie rolled in the Philadelphia Spectrum for one last time on their "Goodbye Pie Tour" and left the crowd wanting for more. A blistering final set recorded and released on the Official Bootleg Box Set, Vol. 2
(℗ 2018 Jerry Shirley). On the Bill also this night was Peter Frampton and John Entwistle's band, Ox. Four Day Creep sets the frenzy mood! 

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EP #02 - The Grateful Dead pulled into the Spectrum on September 21, 1972, for an electric and memorable show. They went on early and played late to another sold out Spectrum crowd! This show is highly regarded as one of the best on this tour. Get up and Dance! RIP Phil Lesh. 

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Welcome to the Concert Room- inside the Philly concert experience

EP #01 - Our inaugural show kicks off with a fiery performance by The Stones! During the legendary 1972 tour in support of Exile on Main Street, the Stones rolled in to Philly in July for 2 days playing 3 shows. An evening show on July 20, then 2 shows the next day on the 21st. The first show was an afternoon matinee concert then later that evening they took the stage again and rocked the Spectrum. This version of Gimme Shelter is recorded during the matinee show, featuring Mick Taylor's finest solo on tour! Enjoy!