The following story is another example of submissions you'll find in The 2010 Albuquerque Almanac, in addition to little known to well known historical & hysterical accounts, antecdotes, urban myths, local folklore and more about "The Duke City" located in the heart of The Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, USA.
The Albuquerque Civic Auditorium
By Mary Ellen Ipiotis
No one could have predicted when the Albuquerque Civic Auditorium opened its doors in April, 1957; five decades later in that same spot, there would be a premier heart hospital, The Heart Hospital of New Mexico, equipped with amazing life saving state of the art medical resources, on the ready for the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
The auditorium was a new and opulent performing arts center nestled in a corner pocket of the valley’s edge. It was situated a stones throw away from The Pan American Freeway, also known as I-25, in between Lomas and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, formerly Grand Ave, one block north of Central Ave. Ask any Baby Boomer who was raised in Albuquerque if they remember the flying-saucer-shaped building next to St. Joseph’s Hospital and watch their eyes light-up.
The late 50’s, 60’s, 70’s were prime times for “The Civic,” locals flocked to the crown jewel of Albuquerque. Frank Lloyd Wright was reported to have been impressed with the distinctive architecture and modern design by George Pearl. The lobby was spacious, shiny, modern and an exciting hall to see and be seen in. The parking lot allowed for about 1200 vehicles, presenting problems from the get go.
The dome-shaped structure had an obvious flying saucer-like quality and made for a great landmark. The construction encompassed a bold design and included a massive amount of concrete poured over a mammoth mound of sand, then dug out, scoop by scoop, leaving only a round shell, reinforced with a steel skeletal system big and strong enough to hold 6000 people. The Albuquerque Civic Symphony broke-in its new home in style but expressed concern about the acoustics, an important component necessary to hear fellow musicians.
Wrestling promoter, Mike London with his signature white hair and goatee presided over wrestle mania in the mid to late 60’s. Ricky Romero was the home town favorite and along with The Funks, Bull Ramos, Chief White Cloud and Poncho Pica grappled to the delight of frenzied fans. Even the gals got in there as Cha Cha Monge and Betty Nikita wrestled it out like the fellas applying the infamous spinning toe-hold or sneaking in dirty-dog contraband with sharp edges... whatever it took to reign supreme as the toughest and badest in the land. Mean while London invited TV viewers to enjoy the fight cards and of course the delicious Roma Wine available through the sponsors of the broadcast.
Children were treated to big-top fun when the circus rolled into town along with a variety of spectacular shows for the whole family, from magic and puppet shows to wonder dogs and smart horses. Boys and girls of all ages showed-up in full force eager to take in the special events. It was quite the extravaganza. Leaving with some sort of souvenir from a vendor, perhaps a program, poster or something autographed by someone involved with the show, the headliner ideally, was always an extra bonus.
Notables who packed ‘um in, were Glen Campbell, when he was cutting his teeth in show biz and played with his Uncle Dick Bills and The Sandia Mountain Boys. Bills was a well known, local favorite in the early 60’s who hosted The Dick Bills Show, an after school program featuring a peanut gallery and a catchy cowboy sing along theme song called; “The K Circle B” which was all the rage for a while. Locals, to this day search their memory banks in an effort to remember the lyrics of that happy tune.
Other popular acts drawing standing room only crowds, included renegade rock n roller Chuck Berry, Frank Sinatra crooned for the audience and The American Ballet Company enchanted the more sophisticated concert goers. Hippies, “hoodlums,” and beatniks joined a wide variety of groovy hipsters, spellbound by Jimi Hendrix with his gritty guitar and hard hitting brand of rock. Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead just wanted to keep on “Truckin” and inspired the ecstatic revelers to get happy and obliged by creating big green clouds in the auditorium as the cops stood by and watched. Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk caused a lot of headaches for security and APD was summoned for support. Tear gas, barricades and other attempts at curtailing unruly behavior only magnified the late 60’s/early 70’s climate of unrest. Our little town was experiencing growing pains with eminent changes on the horizon. In the 80’s while trying to survive and compete with bigger, newer arenas and halls, locals scrambled to get in on bargains found at ski swaps, art shows, car stereo and electronic blow-out sales.
Alas, in 1987 the red brick and grey opal was gutted of its glory days. The historical gem leveled to make room for the future. The Civic Auditorium served Albuquerque well for some thirty years and is remembered fondly by those of us who had the distinct pleasure of taking advantage of the unique show place perched stately near the Big I and prominent crossroads of the Great Southwest.
The auditorium was a new and opulent performing arts center nestled in a corner pocket of the valley’s edge. It was situated a stones throw away from The Pan American Freeway, also known as I-25, in between Lomas and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, formerly Grand Ave, one block north of Central Ave. Ask any Baby Boomer who was raised in Albuquerque if they remember the flying-saucer-shaped building next to St. Joseph’s Hospital and watch their eyes light-up.
The late 50’s, 60’s, 70’s were prime times for “The Civic,” locals flocked to the crown jewel of Albuquerque. Frank Lloyd Wright was reported to have been impressed with the distinctive architecture and modern design by George Pearl. The lobby was spacious, shiny, modern and an exciting hall to see and be seen in. The parking lot allowed for about 1200 vehicles, presenting problems from the get go.The dome-shaped structure had an obvious flying saucer-like quality and made for a great landmark. The construction encompassed a bold design and included a massive amount of concrete poured over a mammoth mound of sand, then dug out, scoop by scoop, leaving only a round shell, reinforced with a steel skeletal system big and strong enough to hold 6000 people. The Albuquerque Civic Symphony broke-in its new home in style but expressed concern about the acoustics, an important component necessary to hear fellow musicians.
Wrestling promoter, Mike London with his signature white hair and goatee presided over wrestle mania in the mid to late 60’s. Ricky Romero was the home town favorite and along with The Funks, Bull Ramos, Chief White Cloud and Poncho Pica grappled to the delight of frenzied fans. Even the gals got in there as Cha Cha Monge and Betty Nikita wrestled it out like the fellas applying the infamous spinning toe-hold or sneaking in dirty-dog contraband with sharp edges... whatever it took to reign supreme as the toughest and badest in the land. Mean while London invited TV viewers to enjoy the fight cards and of course the delicious Roma Wine available through the sponsors of the broadcast.
Children were treated to big-top fun when the circus rolled into town along with a variety of spectacular shows for the whole family, from magic and puppet shows to wonder dogs and smart horses. Boys and girls of all ages showed-up in full force eager to take in the special events. It was quite the extravaganza. Leaving with some sort of souvenir from a vendor, perhaps a program, poster or something autographed by someone involved with the show, the headliner ideally, was always an extra bonus.
Notables who packed ‘um in, were Glen Campbell, when he was cutting his teeth in show biz and played with his Uncle Dick Bills and The Sandia Mountain Boys. Bills was a well known, local favorite in the early 60’s who hosted The Dick Bills Show, an after school program featuring a peanut gallery and a catchy cowboy sing along theme song called; “The K Circle B” which was all the rage for a while. Locals, to this day search their memory banks in an effort to remember the lyrics of that happy tune.
Other popular acts drawing standing room only crowds, included renegade rock n roller Chuck Berry, Frank Sinatra crooned for the audience and The American Ballet Company enchanted the more sophisticated concert goers. Hippies, “hoodlums,” and beatniks joined a wide variety of groovy hipsters, spellbound by Jimi Hendrix with his gritty guitar and hard hitting brand of rock. Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead just wanted to keep on “Truckin” and inspired the ecstatic revelers to get happy and obliged by creating big green clouds in the auditorium as the cops stood by and watched. Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk caused a lot of headaches for security and APD was summoned for support. Tear gas, barricades and other attempts at curtailing unruly behavior only magnified the late 60’s/early 70’s climate of unrest. Our little town was experiencing growing pains with eminent changes on the horizon. In the 80’s while trying to survive and compete with bigger, newer arenas and halls, locals scrambled to get in on bargains found at ski swaps, art shows, car stereo and electronic blow-out sales.
Alas, in 1987 the red brick and grey opal was gutted of its glory days. The historical gem leveled to make room for the future. The Civic Auditorium served Albuquerque well for some thirty years and is remembered fondly by those of us who had the distinct pleasure of taking advantage of the unique show place perched stately near the Big I and prominent crossroads of the Great Southwest.
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