World series of rock cleveland 1979

Video: AC/DC at World Series of Rock at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1979

We always love when vintage Cleveland concert footage hits the web. Last week, a nicely upgraded AC/DC show from 1979 slammed onto Youtube (it was originally posted a year ago).

Angus Young is in fine form here.

Clevelanders of a certain age and rock 'n' orientation will remember that this night of concerts (July 28, 1979) was followed up by violence downtown. Pressure from city leaders, among other factors, led to the last World Series of Rock being held in 1980.

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Though decidedly less vintage, see also:

Smashing Pumpkins in Tremont in 1991
Queens of the Stone Age at Euclid Tavern in 1999

And do look out for more bitchin' footage right here.

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We have used the phrase, "If you're a native Clevelander of any length” in many a posting, but this time we need to add “and a die-hard music fan," because we will be revisiting the Nature Series of Rock, which ran in Cleveland from 1974 through 1980.

The easiest thing to undertake to report on these marvelous events would be to simply list the who’s who of artists that performed for over 80,000 music fans of all ages on any given year the shows ran, but we felt this event deserved a more personal approach.

As it was truly a memorable time for music fans, and since I myself am a lifelong Clevelander, I really did not contain to look too far for first-hand accounts from friends who attended at least one of these spectacular events. What I was especially impressed with from the two friends I spoke with was their recall of even the littlest detail that made the event's memories so long-lasting.

The History of the Nature Series of Rock in Cleveland

So, before I get into those accounts, for those not totally or even a little familiar with the World Series of Rock, here is a concise synopsis.

The event was made a reality by Belkin Productions in partnership with WMMS, one of the most importa

ac/dc tour history

Set list

Live Wire

Problem Child

Sin City

Bad Boy Boogie

The Jack

Rocker

Line Up

Angus Young - Lead Guitar
Malcolm Young - Rhythm Guitar
Bon Scott - Lead Vocals
Cliff Williams - Bass
Phil Rudd - Drums

Info

Event: World Series of Rock 79

Bill: Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Journey, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Scorpions

Tickets: $12.50

Promoter: Belkin Productions

Capacity: 82,500

Fan reviews:

By Ed Bollinger, Mansfield, OH:
I can't quite remember the set list, I was 16 and stoned. I picked this to be my first concert and the bill was Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Journey, Thin Lizzy and Scorpions. I was in complete awe, through the whole thing and I think I have partial hearing from the experience. The World Series of Rock 1979, Cleveland, OH was my first of 6 AC/DC concerts.(1979 jul $12.50 , 1980 Oct $8.00, 1986 sept, 1996 $26.50, 2001 $45.50 Apr $45.00, 2009 $91.00)

By WildBill, :
THE JULY 1979 WSR-acdc and thin lizzy were GREAT-we sat under the top deck way in the back and during ACDC some nut threw a M-80 (more like a silver salute) off the top deck and it exploded in mid air,sending a shock wave through us,and BON SCOTT looked at ANGUS YOUNG in s

The World Series of Rock was a record-setting, day-long, multi-act summer rock concert series held at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1974 to 1980. Created by industry powerhouse Belkin Productions, the World Series of Rock marked the dawn of a golden era in arena rock, with each concert featuring a mix of superstars, local acts, and then up-and-comers – many who have gone on to become Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees.

CURRENTLY ON EXHIBIT World Series of Rock: 50 Years Later celebrates the stories behind one of Cleveland's biggest contributions to the music industry.

CONCERT TIMELINE

June 23, 1974 Beach Boys • Joe Walsh and Barnstorm • Lynyrd Skynyrd • REO Speedwagon
August 4, 1974 Emerson, Lake & Palmer • Climax Blues Band • James Gang
September 1, 1974 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young • Santana • The Band • Jesse Colin Young
May 31, 1975 Beach Boys • Chicago
June 14, 1975 Rolling Stones (with Billy Preston) • Tower of Power • J. Geils Band • Joe Vitale’s Madmen
July 11, 1975 Yes • Joe Walsh • Michael Stan

The wild and deadly story behind the 1979 World Series of Rock

Not since Woodstock had the United States witnessed such a wild, momentous and ultimately deadly showcase of pure rock'n'roll excess.

July 28, 1979 began as a glorious summer day, with some of the biggest bands on the planet assembling for a day-long rock festival in Cleveland, Ohio. By the day’s end however, the stadium grounds lay in shambles, the headliners ripped at each others’ throats and two people lay dead.

Hatched in Cleveland in 1974, the World Series of Rock (“WSOR”) was a series of day-long festivals spread throughout the summer. Talent-wise, it was a very big deal. Held in Cleveland Stadium — home to the Cleveland Indians — the event adopted a baseball theme, with each festival day representing one inning.