By popular demand, and never before on the Internet, here is the complete listing of UTC (McKenzie) Arena concerts, from its opening in 1982 until today. My thanks to Ken Kapelinski for his research in assembling this list. Thanks also to Kelly McCoy from KZ-106. I have seen concert databases for other performing venues in the US, so after 34 years, the Roundhouse list is finally online too.
Although he isn’t an entertainer (no political jokes, please) President Donald Trump speaks at the Arena on November 4, 2018.
(As a courtesy, when referring to or reproducing this list, please credit ChattanoogaRadioTV.com. This was a long time in the making, and we would appreciate any and all links to this website to acknowledge our efforts.)
The list does not always include opening acts. It only includes performers that sang or played music, so you won’t see basketball games, rodeos, tennis matches, wrestling shows, tractor pulls, ice shows, or other non-music events. Following the chronological list is an alphabetical list, so if you want to look up Lionel Richie for example, you look under “L.” (When I am able to confirm omissions and opening acts, I will add to the list. So if you have any corrections or additions, let me know.)
Who hasn’t played the Arena? We never saw the Beatles or Stones at the Roundhouse. Nor did we see Simon and Garfunkel, Tom Petty, Madonna, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Katy Perry, or Mariah Carey. John Fogerty and Glen Campbell never played here. Usher grew up here, but has never returned to play the Arena. We never saw Whitney Houston, but Bobby Brown came to town.
Stevie Wonder played Memorial Auditorium in 1963, when he was 13, but never played Chattanooga again. Neil Diamond played Memorial Auditorium as part of the Jet-FLI Spectaculars twice in 1967, but never returned to Chattanooga after he hit it big. Bruce Springsteen never played the Arena, but he did play Memorial Auditorium to a small crowd in 1976. Prince never played the Arena, but played Memorial Auditorium in 1980, 1982 and 1998. Linda Ronstadt played Memorial Auditorium in 1975, but never made it to the Arena.
Garth Brooks played Memorial Auditorium in 1991, but evidently got too big to play the Arena. Same goes for the Bee Gees, who played Memorial Auditorium in 1975, but outgrew our town after Saturday Night Fever. Celine Dion played the Arena, but only as opening act to Michael Bolton in 1994. Taylor Swift opened for Brad Paisley, before headlining her own show a year later. Keith Urban opened for Kenny Chesney in 2004. James Taylor made his first visit in April 2016. Billy Ray Cyrus played the Arena in 1993, when his daughter Miley was a year old. However, Miley has never taken the stage at UTC.
(Fun fact: the late R & B superstar Ray Charles never played the UTC Arena. But a few months before it opened, he did 2 concerts on the Jukebox Junction stage at Lake Winnepesaukah, on Father’s Day 1982. Just in case anyone asks, now you know.)
Some acts kept coming back: Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Reba McEntyre each visited 4 times, Alabama and Kenny Rogers played 5 shows, Elton John made his fifth visit in March 2016, and will reportedly play for a sixth time during his farewell tour in 2019. The Gaither family/friends gospel troupe has appeared 6 times, and Hank Williams Jr. played 6 shows, sharing the bill once with Skynyrd.
I recently wrote about the two 2016 shows (Elton John and James Taylor) and how many of us miss the heyday of UTC Arena concerts. In 1983, the venue hosted an eye-popping 23 concerts. 1984 was almost as busy, with 20 big-name acts in the house. Throughout the rest of the 80s, there were never less than 12 shows in a given year, with 16 in 1987 and 15 in 1989.
The 1990s saw a gradual drop, starting with 12 in 1990, 12 again in 1993, but only 9 in 1997, 1998 and 1999 combined. There was a bit of a revival in the mid-2000s, with 20 shows between 2003 and 2006, but the decline has been massive during the past decade.
On the bright side, we are seeing an upswing in shows at the Memorial Auditorium and Tivoli Theater, as well as some hot acts at Track 29 and other local stages. Still, it’s fun to reminisce about the glory days of top pop, rock, soul and country stars who made the Roundhouse a busy concert venue for many years. How many of these did you attend? I have attached an asterisk (*) to the shows I have attended over the years. Take a look at these names, and enjoy a ride back to the days of UTC Arena concerts! Also: I have a bonus video for you at the end.
10/08/1982 KENNY ROGERS/GATLIN BROTHERS*
10/23/1982 JIMMY BUFFETT
11/07/1982 VAN HALEN/Joe Whiting & the Bandit Band
11/16/1982 JOHN MCENROE VS. GUILLERMO VILAS (tennis exhibition)
11/18/1982 BARRY MANILOW*
12/03/1982 WILLIE NELSON
01/29/1983 KISS/Night Ranger
02/03/1983 ROSCOE TANNER vs. BJORN BORG (tennis exhibition, attendance 7600)
02/04/1983 BILLY SQUIER/Saga
02/25/1983 DIANA ROSS
03/02/1983 BOB SEGER/John Hall*
3/11/1983 ALABAMA/Janie Fricke*
3/12/1983 ALABAMA/Janie Fricke
03/19/1983 REO SPEEDWAGON/Duke Jupiter
04/08/1983 BARBARA MANDRELL/T. G. Sheppard
04/09/1983 DAN FOGELBERG*
05/18/1983 DEF LEPPARD/John Butcher Axis/Krokus
05/27/1983 STYX
06/03/1983 CHICAGO
07/09/1983 IMPERIALS/Sandi Patty/Mylon LeFevre
07/27/1983 RICK JAMES/Mary Jane Girls
07/28/1983 RICK SPRINGFIELD/Sparks
08/04/1983 OSMONDS/Desiree Daniels
08/13/1983 JACKSON BROWNE*
09/04/1983 B B KING
09/12/1983 LOVERBOY/Zebra
10/16/1983 OAK RIDGE BOYS/Louise Mandrell
11/03/1983 GAP BAND/Midnight Star/Zapp/New Edition
11/06/1983 KENNY ROGERS/Righteous Brothers/B.J. Thomas*
11/12/1983 HEART/KANSAS
01/18/1984 .38 SPECIAL/HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
01/23/1984 LIONEL RICHIE/POINTER SISTERS*
02/11/1984 BILLY JOEL* (sellout)
03/06/1984 WILLIE NELSON
03/29/1984 LUTHER VANDROSS/DeBarge/The Deele
04/20/1984 ALABAMA*/Juice Newton
04/21/1984 TED NUGENT
06/09/1984 CAMEO/Dennis Edwards/O’Bryan/Newcleus
06/28/1984 NIGHT RANGER/Tony Carey
08/01/1984 AEROSMITH/Orion the Hunter
09/25/1984 GO-GO’S/Red Rockers
10/04/1984 GATLIN BROTHERS/Janie Fricke
10/05/1984 ELTON JOHN*
10/30/1984 BILLY SQUIER/Ratt
11/03/1984 CULTURE CLUB
11/04/1984 KENNY ROGERS/Crystal Gayle/Sawyer Brown
11/15/1984 QUIET RIOT/Armored Saint/Whitesnake
11/25/1984 CYNDI LAUPER/Bangles
12/02/1984 STATLER BROTHERS*/Helen Cornelius
12/04/1984 BARRY MANILOW*
12/9/1984 PRICE IS RIGHT/Bob Barker
02/19/1985 IRON MAIDEN/Twisted Sister
03/02/1985 CHICAGO
03/05/1985 REO SPEEDWAGON/Survivor
03/08/1985 MIDNIGHT STAR/Shalamar/Klymaxx
04/06/1985 TOM JONES*
04/19/1985 NEW EDITION/Jesse Johnson Revue
05/04/1985 HALL & OATES/Til Tuesday
08/01/1985 LUTHER VANDROSS/Cheryl Lynn/The Whispers
08/21/1985 RATT/BON JOVI/Y & T
10/04/1985 BEACH BOYS/Three Dog Night
10/25/1985 BAR-KAYS
11/09/1985 TINA TURNER/Mr. Mister*
01/24/1986 JOHN McENROE/MATS WILANDER Tennis Exhibition
02/01/1986 LOVERBOY/HOOTERS
02/23/1986 ZZ TOP/Jimmy Barnes (attendance 11,800: largest concert crowd ever)
03/01/1986 HEART/Autograph
03/08/1986 ALABAMA/Charlie Daniels Band*
03/15/1986 JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP*
03/25/1986 KENNY ROGERS/Sawyer Brown/Lee Greenwood*
03/27/1986 HANK WILLIAMS, JR/Earl Thomas Conley
04/17/1986 NEW EDITION/Force MDs, Cherelle, Alexander O’Neal
06/08/1986 RUN DMC/BEASTIE BOYS
07/29/1986 OZZY OSBOURNE/Metallica
09/25/1986 MOODY BLUES/The Fixx
10/08/1986 ITZHAK PERLMAN & Chattanooga Symphony
10/29/1986 MONKEES/Herman’s Hermits/Grassroots/Gary Puckett*
11/26/1986 FRANKIE BEVERLY & MAZE/Midnight Star/SOS Band
01/21/1987 RATT/Queensryche
02/11/1987 FREDDIE JACKSON/Ray, Goodman, and Brown/Najee
02/12/1987 DAVID LEE ROTH/Tesla
02/17/1987 HUEY LEWIS/Robert Cray Band
03/07/1987 SANDI PATTI
03/13/1987 BILLY JOEL*
05/06/1987 REO SPEEDWAGON/Joan Jett
05/14/1987 BOB HOPE/Chattanooga Boys Choir*
06/06/1987 KOOL & THE GANG/Klymaxx/The System
07/24/1987 CAMEO
08/01/1987 LL COOL J
10/30/1987 TINA TURNER/GO WEST
11/08/1987 BAR-KAYS, LEVERT, FORCE MD’S
11/21/1987 MOTLEY CRUE /GUNS N’ ROSES
12/01/1987 STEVE GREEN
12/14/1987 ANDY WILLIAMS/Chattanooga Boys Choir*
02/19/1988 HANK WILLIAMS JR/WAYLON JENNINGS
03/13/1988 WHITESNAKE/Great White (attendance 11,700: 2nd largest concert crowd ever)
03/20/1988 KENNY ROGERS / FORESTER SISTERS*
04/12/1988 AEROSMITH/White Lion
05/31/1988 LYNYRD SKYNYRD/Rossington Band
07/06/1988 DOPE JAM-KOOL MOE DEE/ERIC B
08/05/1988 RUN-DMC/JAZZY JEFF/JJ FAD/PUBLIC ENEMY/SALT N PEPA
09/15/1988 DEF LEPPARD / QUEENSRYCHE (sellout)
09/29/1988 SALT-N-PEPA / KEITH SWEAT/Rob Base/DJ EZ Rock
10/19/1988 POISON/Britny Fox/Lita Ford
11/18/1988 SANDI PATTI/Billy Crockett
12/06/1988 JOHN DENVER/Chattanooga Boys Choir*
01/28/1989 NEW EDITION/BOBBY BROWN/AL B SURE
02/11/1989 CHICAGO*/Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers
03/04/1989 HANK WILLIAMS JR/STEVE EARLE
04/18/1989 KENNY G
05/04/1989 ROD STEWART*
05/06/1989 BOBBY WOMACK/JOHNNIE TAYLOR
05/25/1989 CINDERELLA/Bullet Boys/Winger
07/05/1989 LL COOL J/SLICK RICK/TOO SHORT
07/14/1989 BON JOVI / Blue Murder
8/15/1989 METALLICA/The Cult
8/23/1989 DOOBIE BROTHERS/Henry Lee Summer
10/5/1989 M C HAMMER/EPMD/2 LIVE CREW
10/11/1989 BEACH BOYS/Southern Pacific
11/2/1989 TESLA/GREAT WHITE
11/3/1989 R.E.M./Pylon
1/31/1990 MOTLEY CRUE/Warrant
3/8/1990 NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
3/16/1990 HANK WILLIAMS JR/Sawyer Brown/Kentucky Headhunters
3/24/1990 STATLER BROTHERS/Ricky Skaggs/Suzy Bogguss
4/27/1990 DAVID PEASTON / MIKI HOWARD
5/22/1990 AEROSMITH/Joan Jett
7/19/1990 M C HAMMER/Oaktown 357, Michel’le, Troop, After 7
7/24/1990 RICHARD MARX/Wilson Phillips
10/17/1990 POISON/Warrant
10/20/1990 STEVE GREEN
10/27/1990 RANDY TRAVIS/Shenandoah/Shelby Lynne
12/2/1990 GEORGE JONES/CONWAY TWITTY/MERLE HAGGARD
2/8/1991 BAD COMPANY / DAMN YANKEES
2/13/1991 VANILLA ICE
2/27/1991 ZZ TOP/Black Crowes
5/25/1991 NELSON / ENUFF Z’NUFF
6/28/1991 QUEENSRYCHE/Suicidal Tendencies
7/24/1991 CLINT BLACK/Merle Haggard/Billy Dean
8/4/1991 MICHAEL BOLTON / OLETA ADAMS
9/16/1991 CARMAN
9/28/1991 ANDRE WATTS with Chattanooga Symphony
10/24/1991 SANDI PATTI
11/16/1991 AMY GRANT
12/7/1991 LUTHER VANDROSS/LISA FISHER/SINBAD
2/12/1992 VAN HALEN/Baby Animals
2/21/1992 CHILL DEAL BOYS / POISON CLAN
3/12/1992 METALLICA
3/13/1992 RANDY TRAVIS/Trisha Yearwood
4/5/1992 HANK WILLIAMS JR/Patty Loveless/Doug Stone
4/16/1992 M C HAMMER/Boys II Men/Jodice/Oaktown’s 3*5*7
9/11/1992 CHUBB ROCK / ERIC B. & RAKIM
10/7/1992 KRIS KROSS/MC Lyte
11/13/1992 REBA MCENTIRE/BROOKS & DUNN/Mike Reid
12/4/1992 DEF LEPPARD
3/18-19/1993 TRAVIS TRITT/Trisha Yearwood/Little Texas
3/26/93 CARMAN
4/17/1993 TOO SHORT/DA LENCH MOB/N2DEEP
4/22/1993 ALAN JACKSON/Billy Dean
4/29/1993 MICHAEL W SMITH/ DC TALK
5/6/1993 LYNYRD SKYNYRD/DRIVIN N CRYIN/BAD CO
5/14/1993 WYNONNA JUDD / CLINT BLACK/Michael Johnson
11/12/1993 REBA MCENTIRE/John Michael Montgomery
12/9/1993 BILLY RAY CYRUS/Toby Keith
12/16/1993 JUDY COLLINS
2/26/1994 ROD STEWART
2/27/1994 VINCE GILL/Trisha Yearwood/Larry Stewart
4/29/1994 BROOKS AND DUNN/Toby Keith/Aaron Tippin
7/12/1994 MOODY BLUES/Chattanooga Festival Orchestra
7/28/1994 R KELLY /Salt N Pepa
8/1/1994 MICHAEL BOLTON / CELINE DION
10/12/1994 ZZ TOP/Jackyl
10/14/1994 CARMAN
12/8/1994 TRAVIS TRITT/Joe Diffie/Lee Roy Parnell
2/5/1995 REBA MCENTIRE/Tracy Byrd/Rhett Akins
3/31/1995 JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY/Hal Ketchum
4/1/1995 AMY GRANT/Gary Chapman
4/7/1995 BOYZ II MEN
4/20/1995 TIM MCGRAW/Little Texas/Blackhawk
4/28/1995 LYNYRD SKYNYRD / HANK WILLIAMS JR/Billy Joe Shaver
9/19/1995 BON JOVI/Dokken
10/19/1995 BEACH BOYS
11/8/1995 ALLMAN BROTHERS/Gov’t Mule
3/14/1996 CARMAN
3/23/1996 VINCE GILL/Patty Loveless
4/21/1996 TIM MCGRAW/FAITH HILL
5/8/1996 R KELLY/LL COOL J/XScape
8/9/1996 REBA MCENTIRE/Linda Davis/Billy Dean
10/11/96 TRAVIS TRITT/Marty Stuart/Paul Brandt
11/14/96 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN/Audio Adrenaline/Carolyn Arends
3/28/1997 VINCE GILL\BRYAN WHITE
8/14/1997 LYNYRD SKYNYRD/Paul Rodgers/Kenny Wayne Shepherd
10/25/1997 BILL GAITHER & FRIENDS
6/17/1998 SOUL ASYLUM/Freddy Jones Band
10/24/1998 GAITHER FAMILY
11/6/1998 SHANIA TWAIN/The Leahy Family
1/6/1999 AEROSMITH/Candlebox
2/20/1999 ELTON JOHN
4/11/1999 DC TALK/The W’s
10/21/99 DAYS OF THE NEW/Soulbread
4/12/2000 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS/Foo Fighters/Muse
4/24/2000 KISS/Ted Nugent/Skid Row
7/22/2000 MOTLEY CRUE/MEGADETH/Anthrax
1/20/2001 NEWSONG/JANUARY JAM
2/13/2001 CARMAN
7/10/2001 MYSTICAL
8/25/2001 ALABAMA
10/14/2001 DISTURBED/Drowning Pool/Stereomud/Systematic
11/15/2001 MARK LOWRY/Anthony Burger
11/21/2001 WIDESPREAD PANIC
11/24/2001 KENNY CHESNEY/Rascal Flatts/Sara Evans
1/31/2002 LUDACRIS
2/28/2003 GAITHER FAMILY/Vestal Goodman/Eva Mae LeFevre
4/27/2003 MICHAEL W SMITH
5/16/2003 ALAN JACKSON/Joe Nichols
10/5/2003 RASCAL FLATTS/Chris Cagle/Brian McComas
12/4/2003 MARTINA MCBRIDE
1/17/2004 Newsong/Audio Adrenaline
1/27/2004 3 Doors Down/Shinedown
2/12/2004 Kid Rock/Gov’t Mule
3/27/2004 Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban/Dierks Bentley
9/13/2004 CHER/Tommy Drake
10/23/2004 RASCAL FLATTS/Chris Cagle/Julie Roberts
11/12/2004 THIRD DAY/Toby Mac
1/21/2005 NewSong, Rachel Lampa, Toby Mac
4/19/2005 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
11/8/2005 3 DOORS DOWN/SHINEDOWN/Silvertide
11/13/2005 TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
11/17/2005 BRAD PAISLEY/Sara Evans/Sugarland
1/14/2006 Newsboys, NewSong, Toby Mac, Michael Tait
1/26/2006 GRETCHEN WILSON/Blaine Larsen/Van Zant
9/22/2006 Staind/Hinder/Three Days Grace/Black Stone Cherry
10/20/2006 Lil Wayne/T-Pain
11/12/2006 CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Rocky Lynne
12/10/2006 Bow Wow/DJ Unk
2/8/2007 TOBY KEITH/Miranda Lambert/Flynnville Train
3/16/2007 Steven Curtis Chapman/NewSong/Hawk Nelson
4/26/2007 Brad Paisley/Kellie Pickler/Jack Ingram/Taylor Swift
11/2/2007 Gaither Family
11/4/2007 Three Days Grace/Breaking Benjamin/Seether/Red
1/11/2008 NewSong/MercyMe/BarlowGirl/Mandisa
4/18/2008 Casting Crowns/Leeland/John Waller
10/18/2008 TAYLOR SWIFT/Love and Theft
12/8/2008 Carrie Underwood/Little Big Town
1/9/2009 Toby Mac/Brandon Heath/Newsong/Hawk Nelson
3/27/2009 Jeff Dunham
5/13/2009 Shinedown/Halestorm/10 Years/Saving Abel
7/15/2009 Slim Thug / Trina
9/19/2009 Jeremih/Whild Peach
10/10/2009 Casting Crowns/Matt Redman
1/8/2010 Fireflight/Red/Tenth Avenue North/Third Day
8/26/2010 Maroon 5/VV Brown/Kris Allen
11/19/2010 ELTON JOHN /Leon Russell
11/20/2010 Gaithers Homecoming
1/7/2011 Newsboys/Red/Chris August
2/1/2011 JASON ALDEAN/ Eric Church/JaneDear Girls
2/12/2012 Winter Jam: Skillet/We As Human/Newsong/Kari Jobe/Building 429
3/10/2012 Gaither Family
4/6/2012 Casting Crowns
1/6/2013 Winter Jam/Toby Mac
2/16/2013 Brantley Gilbert/Kip Moore
3/23/2013 ELTON JOHN
1/12/2014 Newsboys/NewSong
3/20/2014 ZAC BROWN/AJ Ghent Band/Levi Lowrey
3/21/2014 Andy Grammer/The Ready Set
3/15/2015 Winter Jam
1/10/2016 Winter Jam/For King & Country/Matthew West/Crowder/Red/NewSong
2/10/2016 Newsboys/Jeremy Camp/Mandisa
3/12/2016 ELTON JOHN
4/23/2016 JAMES TAYLOR
3/26/17 Winter Jam (Crowder, Britt Nicole, Tenth Avenue North, Colton Dixon, NewSong)
2/25/18 Winter Jam (Featuring Skillet, Kari Jobe, Building 429, John Crist, KB, NewSong, Jordan Feliz, Dan Bremnes, Mallary Hope, Westover, and Nick Hall)
3/10/19 Winter Jam (Featuring Newsboys United, Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Rend Collective, NewSong, Ledger, Manic Drive, and Hollyn)
11/23/19 Five Finger Death Punch/Three Days Grace, Bad Wolves/ Fire From the Gods
2/15/20 Brantley Gilbert, Dylan Scott, Brandon Lay
ALPHABETICAL LISTING:
.38 SPECIAL 01/18/1984
3 Days Grace 11/4/2007
3 Doors Down 1/1/2004
3 DOORS DOWN 11/8/2005
AEROSMITH 08/01/1984
AEROSMITH 04/12/1988
AEROSMITH 5/22/1990
AEROSMITH 1/6/1999
ALABAMA 3/11/1983
ALABAMA 03/12/1983
ALABAMA 04/20/1984
ALABAMA 03/08/1986
ALABAMA 8/25/2001
ALAN JACKSON 4/22/1993
ALAN JACKSON 5/16/2003
ALLMAN BROTHERS 11/8/1995
AMY GRANT 11/16/1991
AMY GRANT 4/1/1995
Andy Grammar 3/21/2014
ANDY WILLIAMS/Chattanooga Boys Choir 12/14/1987
B B KING 09/04/1983
BAD COMPANY / DAMN YANKEES 2/8/1991
BARBARA MANDRELL 04/08/1983
BAR-KAYS 10/25/1985
BAR-KAYS, LEVERT, FORCE MD’S 11/08/1987
BARRY MANILOW 11/18/1982
BARRY MANILOW 12/04/1984
BEACH BOYS 10/04/1985
BEACH BOYS 10/11/1989
BEACH BOYS 10/19/1995
BILL GAITHER & FRIENDS 10/25/1997
BILLY JOEL 02/11/1984
BILLY JOEL 03/13/1987
BILLY RAY CYRUS 12/9/1993
BILLY SQUIER 02/04/1983
BILLY SQUIER 10/30/1984
BOB HOPE 05/14/1987
BOB SEGER 03/02/1983
BOBBY WOMACK/JOHNNIE TAYLOR 05/06/1989
BON JOVI / BLUE MURDER 07/14/1989
BON JOVI 9/19/1995
Bow Wow 12/10/2006
BOYZ II MEN 4/7/1995
BRAD PAISLEY 11/17/2005
BRAD PAISLEY 4/26/2007
Brantley Gilbert 2/16/2013
Brantley Gilbert 2/15/20
BROOKS AND DUNN 4/29/1994
CAMEO 06/09/1984
CAMEO 07/24/1987
CARMAN 09/16/1991
CARMAN 03/26/1993
CARMAN 10/14/1994
CARMAN 03/14/1996
CARMAN 02/13/2001
Carrie Underwood 11/12/2006
Carrie Underwood 12/8/2008
Casting Crowns 4/18/2008
Casting Crowns 10/10/2009
Casting Crowns 4/6/2012
CHER 9/13/2004
CHICAGO 06/03/1983
CHICAGO 03/02/1985
CHICAGO 02-11-1989
CHILL DEAL BOYS / POISON CLAN 2/21/1992
CHUBB ROCK / ERIC B. & RAKIM 9/11/1992
CINDERELLA 05/25/1989
CLINT BLACK 7/24/1991
CULTURE CLUB 11/03/1984
CYNDI LAUPER 11/25/1984
DAN FOGELBERG 04/09/1983
DAVID LEE ROTH 02/12/1987
DAVID PEASTON / MIKI HOWARD 4/27/1990
DAYS OF THE NEW 10/21/1999
DC TALK 4/11/1999
DEF LEPPARD 05/18/1983
DEF LEPPARD / QUEENSRYCHE 09/15/1988
DEF LEPPARD 12/4/1992
DIERKS BENTLEY 3/27/2004
DIANA ROSS 02/25/1983
DISTURBED 10/14/2001
DOOBIE BROTHERS 8/23/1989
DOPE JAM-KOOL MOE DEE/ERIC B + 07/06/1988
ELTON JOHN 10/05/1984
ELTON JOHN 2/20/1999
ELTON JOHN w/Leon Russell 11/19/2010
ELTON JOHN 3/23/2013
ELTON JOHN 3/12/2016
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH 11/23/19
FRANKIE BEVERLY & MAZE 11/26/1986
FREDDIE JACKSON 02/11/1987
G.JONES/C.TWITTY/M.HAGGARD 12/2/1990
GAITHER FAMILY CONCERT 10/24/1998
GAITHERS 2/28/2003
GAITHERS 111/2/2007
GAITHERS HOMECOMING 11/20/2010
GAITHERS 3/10/2012
GAP BAND 11/03/1983
GATLIN BROTHERS 10/04/1984
GO-GO’S 09/25/1984
GRETCHEN WILSON 1/26/2006
HALL & OATES 05/04/1985
HANK WILLIAMS, JR 03/27/1986
HANK WILLIAMS JR/WAYLON 02/19/1988
HANK WILLIAMS JR/STEVE EARLE 03/04/1989
HANK WILLIAMS JR 3/16/1990
HANK WILLIAMS JR 4/5/1992
HEART/KANSAS 11/12/1983
HEART 03/01/1986
HUEY LEWIS 02/17/1987
IMPERIALS 07/09/1983
IRON MAIDEN 02/19/1985
ITZHAK PERLMAN 10/8/86
JACKSON BROWNE 08/13/1983
JANES TAYLOR 4/23/2016
JASON ALDEAN w/ Eric Church 2/1/2011
Jeremih 9/19/2009
JIMMY BUFFET 10/23/1982
JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP 03/15/1986
JOHN DENVER 12/06/1988
JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY 3/31/1995
JUDY COLLINS 12/16/1993
KEITH URBAN 3/27/04
KENNY CHESNEY 11/24/2001
KENNY CHESNEY 3/27/2004
KENNY G 04/18/1989
KENNY ROGERS 10/08/1982
KENNY ROGERS 11/06/1983
KENNY ROGERS 11/04/1984
KENNY ROGERS 03/25/1986
KENNY ROGERS / FORESTER SISTERS 03/20/1988
Kid Rock 2/12/2004
KISS 01/29/1983
KISS 4/24/2000
KOOL & THE GANG 06/06/1987
KRIS KROSS 10/7/1992
Lil Wayne 10/20/2006
LIONEL RICHIE/Pointer Sisters 01/23/1984
LL COOL J 08/01/1987
LL COOL J/SLICK RICK/TOO SHORT 07/05/1989
LOVERBOY 09/12/1983
LOVERBOY/HOOTERS 02/01/1986
LUDACRIS 1/31/2002
LUTHER VANDROSS 03/29/1984
LUTHER VANDROSS 08/01/1985
LUTHER VANDROSS/LISA FISHER/SINBAD 12/7/1991
LYNYRD SKYNYRD 05/31/1988
LYNYRD SKYNYRD/DRIVIN N CRYIN/BAD CO 5/4-6/1993
LYNYRD SKYNYRD / HANK WILLIAMS 4/28/1995
LYNYRD SKYNYRD 8/14/1997
M C HAMMER 7/19/1990
M C HAMMER/EPMD/2 LIVE CREW 10/5/1989
M C HAMMER 4/16/1992
MARK LOWRY 11/15/2001
Maroon 5 8/26/2010
MARTINA MCBRIDE 12/4/2003
METALLICA 8/15/1989
METALLICA 3/12/1992
MICHAEL BOLTON / OLETA ADAMS 8/4/1991
MICHAEL BOLTON / CELINE DION 8/1/1994
MICHAEL W SMITH 4/29/1993
MICHAEL W SMITH 4/27/2003
MIDNIGHT STAR 03/08/1985
MONKEES 10/29/1986
MOODY BLUES 09/25/1986
MOODY BLUES 7/12/1994
MOTLEY CRUE /GUNS N’ ROSES 11/21/1987
MOTLEY CRUE/Warrant 1/31/1990
MOTLEY CRUE/MEGADETH 7/22/2000
MYSTICAL 7/10/2001
NELSON / ENUFF Z’NUFF 5/25/1991
NEW EDITION 04/19/1985
NEW EDITION 04/17/1986
NEW EDITION & BOBBY BROWN/AL B SURE 01/28/1989
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK 3/8/1990
NEWSONG 1/20/2001, 1/17/2004
NIGHT RANGER 06/28/1984
OAK RIDGE BOYS 10/16/1983
OSMONDS 08/04/1983
OZZY OSBOURNE 07/29/1986
POISON 10/19/1988
POISON 10/17/1990
QUEENSRYCHE 6/28/1991
QUIET RIOT 11/15/1984
R KELLEY /BLACK GIRLS 7/28/1994
R KELLY/LL COOL J 5/8/1996
R.E.M. 11/3/1989
RANDY TRAVIS 10/27/1990
RANDY TRAVIS 3/13/1992
RASCAL FLATTS 10/1/2003
RASCAL FLATTS 10/23/2004
RATT/BON JOVI/Y & T 08/21/1985
RATT 01/21/1987
REBA MCENTIRE/BROOKS & DUNN 11/13/1992
REBA MCENTIRE 11/12/1993
REBA MCENTIRE 2/5/1995
REBA MCENTIRE 8/9/1996
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 4/12/2000
REO SPEEDWAGON 03/19/1983
REO SPEEDWAGON 03/05/1985
REO SPEEDWAGON 05/06/1987
RICHARD MARX 7/24/1990
RICK JAMES 07/27/1983
Rick Ross 4/28/2012
RICK SPRINGFIELD 07/28/1983
ROD STEWART 05/04/1989
ROD STEWART 2/26/1994
RUN DMC 06/08/1986
RUN-DMC/JAZZY JEFF/JJ FAD 08/05/1988
SALT-N-PEPA / KEITH SWEAT 09/29/1988
SANDI PATTY 07/09/1983
SANDI PATTY 03/07/1987
SANDI PATTY 11/18/1988
SANDI PATTY 10/24/1991
SHANIA TWAIN 11/6/1998
Shinedown 5/13/2009
Slim Thug / Trina 7/15/2009
SOUL ASYLUM 6/17/1998
Staind 9/22/2006
STATLER BROTHERS 12/02/1984
STATLER BROTHERS 3/24/1990
STEVE GREEN 12/01/1987
STEVE GREEN 10/20/1990
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN 11/14/1996
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN 4/19/2005
STYX 05/27/1983
Taylor Swift 10/18/2008
TED NUGENT 04/21/1984
TESLA/GREAT WHITE 11/2/1989
THIRD DAY 11/12/2004
TIM MCGRAW 4/20/95
TIM MCGRAW 4/21/1996
TINA TURNER/Mr. Mister 11/09/1985
TINA TURNER/GO WEST 10/30/1987
Toby Keith 2/8/2007
Toby Mac 01/06/2013
TOM JONES 04/06/1985
TOO SHORT/LYNCH MOB/N2 DEEP 4/17/1993
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA 11/13/2005
TRAVIS TRITT 3/18-19/1993
TRAVIS TRITT 12/8/1994
TRAVIS TRITT 10/11/1996
VAN HALEN 11/07/1982
VAN HALEN 2/12/1992
VANILLA ICE 2/13/1991
VINCE GILL 2/27/1994
VINCE GILL 3/23/1996
VINCE GILL\BRYAN WHITE 3/28/1997
WHITESNAKE 03/13/1988 (attendance 11,700: 2nd largest concert crowd)
WIDESPREAD PANIC 11/21/2001
WILLIE NELSON 12/03/1982
WILLIE NELSON 03/06/1984
WYNONNA JUDD / CLINT BLACK 5/14/1993
Zac Brown 3/20/2014
ZZ TOP 02/23/1986 (attendance 11,800: largest concert crowd ever)
ZZ TOP 2/27/1991
ZZ TOP 10/12/1994
Bonus Video: Jackson Browne sound check from his 1983 show
I only went to one concert there, and it’s not listed. Can’t remember when, but it was John-Pierre Rampal.
Actually this list is not perfect. There are some concerts that may have been cancelled. Certainly I had tickets to see the Moody Blues in 1994 but the show was cancelled due to low ticket sales.
I will check on that, Clive. According to the director’s records, and the Moody Blues concert websites, they did play Chattanooga on that date. They did cancel a show at Finley Stadium in 1999. If I can confirm, I will correct that date.
OK maybe I am wrong on the date and venue, but was pretty certain. I know I was disappointed.
According to the records, the Moody Blues did play the UTC Arena on 7/12/94. The attendance was below expectations, but they did make the date.
I saw Itzhak Perlman at the Tivoli.
Great list,
It’s amazing how many and who all I have seen, but just as amazing is who I have missed seeing!!!!
I would like see a similar list around Riverbend and the Budlight stage
Please advise if you know of such a list
I would hope Friends of the Festival has that list. In fact, they should put it on their website. Maybe I’ll suggest that.
A Riverbend list would be awesome, I have compiled my own “concerts I have seen list” and am missing much info from the early Riverbend days. I have searched online and found a few bits and some old newspaper clippings I have. This roundhouse list is very helpful as well! I did keep a lot of my ticket stubs.
went to see The Monkees in 1986, good show!
Lots of Contemporary Christian concerts are missing….All the WinterJams except the first one. Just last week one of the many appearances by Newsboys,etc.
I saw on one of the old Winter Jam posters from 2014 that it was at UTC Mackenzie Arena January 12, 2014
Thanks, I’ve added as many of those as I could find out about. DC
yes and D C talk was here a few more times then listed
Yes incomplete list. Saw the Righteous Brothers there also. Met them backstage, I’m thinking that was before a Kenny Rogers’ concert. Met Kenny backstage also. Great memories.
Righteous Brothers has been added as an opening act. Thanks!
I saw that show, too!
I remember seeing B.J. Thomas there and Carman a couple of times
Some info on opening acts:
11/07/1982 – The Bandit Boys (Van Halen)
01/29/1983 – Night Ranger (Kiss)
02/04/1983 – Saga (Billy Squier)
05/18/1983 – John Butcher Axis / Krokus (Def Leapprd)
08/01/1984 – Honeymoon Suite (I THINK) (Aerosmith)
10/30/1984 – Ratt (Billy Squier)
11/15/1984 – Armored Saint / Whitesnake (Quiet Riot)
02/19/1985 – Twisted Sister (Iron Maiden)
03/05/1985 – Survivor (REO Speedwagon)
03/01/1986 – Autograph (Heart)
07/29/1986 – Metallica (Ozzy Osbourne)
01/21/1987 – Queensryche (Ratt)
02/12/1987 – Tesla (David Lee Roth)
03/13/1988 – Great White (Whitesnake)
04/12/1988 – White Lion (Aerosmith)
10/19/1988 – Britny Fox / Lita Ford (Poison)
05/25/1989 – Bulletboys / Winger (Cinderella)
08/15/1989 – The Cult (Metallica)
01/31/1990 – Warrant (Motley Crue)
05/22/1990 – Might have been Joan Jett (Aerosmith)
10/17/1990 – ??? (Poison)
02/27/1991 – Black Crowes (ZZ Top)
06/28/1991 – Suicidal Tendencies (Queensryche)
02/12/1992 – Baby Animals (Van Halen)
09/19/1995 – Dokken (Bon Jovi)
04/24/2000 – Skid Row / Ted Nugent (Kiss)
thanks Paul!
He left one off David,JACKAL opened for ZZ TOP on 10/12/1994
Thanks, I will add. DC
When you added the information, you called Whitesnake “White Riot” from the 11/15/84 show. It was Whitesnake opening for Quiet Riot (with Armored Saint
I’ve got some photos and some reviews from the paper and lots of ticket stubs to a lot of these shows. We could put together a really nice thing here.
Also Kiss did not play here in 1990. They were considering a show here but never played here.
I know it’s on the Wiki page, but that show never happened. It was never even announced.
They did announce a show in 1987 that was also cancelled. It would have had W.A.S.P. opening.
As a card carrying member of the Kiss Army and someone who has been consulted by people writing books about the band due to my knowledge of the band, I can promise you that show never took place.
I love this list though. Thanks for all the work in putting it together.
Thanks! It has been corrected. DC
Thanks! It has been corrected. DC
I remember Joan Jett opening for someone. Maybe Aerosmith?
I helped get the Roundhouse opened, as Concessions was one of the areas I was responsible for and had to have maintenance build more stands and I had Coke build portable stands for around a narrow concourse. Found the site since I was googling trying to remember the groups we had the first 2 years
T G “Butch” Emmons
Mr. Carroll …THIS is a FANTASTIC list!!!! I love it! I do think that there’s a Kenny G concert missing on this list, maybe around 1986 or 1987…I think that Kenny G came twice…when I saw him, only about 5,000 showed up(or less…), but he performed like he was doing the Super Bowl!!!!
Sorry, I can’t find any record of a Kenny G concert at the UTC Arena before 1989.
The Roundhouse ain’t was it used to be, The concerts were great. But no big musicals act don’t come here anymore, except for Track 29. The bigger acts came in the 80’s. Now you have to go to either Atlanta, or Knoxville to see a great act. UTC Roundhouse was great and it needs some more to bring the bigger acts to Chattanooga.
I would like to see Memorial Auditorium and Tivoli Theater lists as well ?
The Rick Ross show in 2012 was cancelled the day of. It was a big mess. Made a bit of news.
Thanks Owen, I have updated that.
I really wish that we had a venue that could lure the big names to our town. It is terrible that we have to take our local made money to another town or state to enjoy the concerts. I remember when the arena was where everything was happening but then it seemed to just disappear. I have often wondered if our city thinks about much money they are losing by not being able to offer more entertainment like concerts with big artists.
now we need a list of the tivoli and the other venue that i cant think of at the moment,lol where graduations are held. this is very cool and thanks for taking the time to do this i appreciate it!
Thanks Tracie, such a list would be nice…but would be very hard to do. You’re talking 90 years of history there, and so much of it was pre-Internet. DC
David,
Joan Jett was the opener for Aerosmith on 5/22/90.
The Soul Asylum show in ’98 was actually part of Riverbend if memory serves. I remember going, there was maybe 500 people there.
Awesome list thanks for putting it together!
‘Til Tuesday was the opening act for Hall & Oates on 5/5/85.
Thanks Mark, I have added that to the list.
Thanks Chris, I have added that to the list.
David, believe it or not, I attended the Ithak Perlman concert. Go figure.
I’m proud of you Arlos!
We went to the very first concert there … Kenny Rogers 1982 … it was SO BAD, we’ve never gone back. Acoustics & p.a. system were terrible … couldn’t hear or understand a word the said.
Quite a lot of memories in that list. And back in the day, we didn’t have to mortgage the house to pay for the tickets. Thanks for sharing this David.
David some time in the mid 80’s to about 93 Herman’s Hermits and Gary Pucket played there not sure who the headliner was. It was an oldie concert.
I believe that was the Monkees show
Hey Hey that was the Monkees, along with Herman, Puckett, and the Grassroots!
Is the group that played on 4/17/93 supposed to be Da Lench Mob instead of Lynch Mob? Judging by the other artists that played, that would make more sense.
You are correct, thanks! I will fix it.
Pretty sure Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock were on the ticket with Salt-N-Pepa/Keith Sweat
Missing Days of the New 10/21/1999
Thanks for the listings, I’ve always wondered who had played at the Roundhouse and also when. I have seen many of the shows and always kept my ticket stubs to have something to remember it by. I thought that Van Halen had played a third concert, one with David Lee Roth in 82′ and maybe two with Sammy Hagar (92′ and maybe one earlier) I will have to find those old ticket stubs to confirm it. It was nice to see some of the shows that took place that I wished I had been able to go to. Those were some great times “back in the day.” One group I wished that had played here before they broke up in the mid-80’s was Journey. That would have been something else.
Journey was scheduled to play in November 1986, but was cancelled due to low ticket sales (or that’s what I heard). I went to Birmingham to see them the same month. Awesome concert…tbeyre my all-time favorite group.
They’re*
Tony Carey opened the Night Ranger show on June 28, 1984.
Thanks, I have updated that listing.
Warrant has been left out of the alphabetical list. They were the openers for Mötley Crüe on 1/31/1990.
Thanks Leah, it has been updated.
How can I find o u t the opening act for the upcoming Elton John concert
I’m not 100% sure about the upcoming show, but most of the time Elton has no opening act.
Great list! A lot of good talent. I could be wrong, but I thought that the 1994 Michael Bolton concert was on Aug 2nd and not Aug 1. It has significance to me, so would you mind sharing your source on this one?
Hi Matthew, thanks for reading. I have two sources on the Bolton 8/1/94 date. The original list from UTC’s Ken Kapelinski, and my own personal calendar from 1994. It has both the concert, and the softball game with Bolton’s Bombers listed on Monday August 1st. David Carroll
I was excited when UTC announced they were building an approx. 10,000 to 12,000 seat arena. I was tired of driving to Atlanta, Nashville, or Knoxville to see the big acts of that day. Big arenas, big sound. Nowadays, I would much rather find my seat or place to stand in a 2,000 or less venue. Those are much more intimate and it seems the artist and crowd enjoy them more. All totaled, since 1977 (age 16), I have attended around 500 shows give or take a couple. Today at 53, I still attend many shows each year and would surprise most everyone with my taste in music. The best concert I ever attended was the 3/15/86 John Mellencamp show. He performed without an opening act and put on a 2.5 to 3 hr show. That record stood until a March 2013 Mutemath show at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, but still a nice record for some 27 yrs. However, that Mutemath show blew the Mellencamp show completely out of the water. The worst show I ever attended was the 2/23/86 ZZ Top show. OMG, they sucked more than sucking should be allowed to suck. They actually played along with audio tracks. Seriously. Absolutely changed my entire opinion of that band. If you can’t hire a keyboard player and choose to play keyboard tracks, you cannot convince me that you didn’t pantomime some of your own playing. Here’s my list of UTC Arena shows I attended (or at least all of the old ticket stubs i saved)
ZZ Top 2/23/86
The Beach Boys 10/4/85
Billy Joel 3/17/87
John Mellencamp 3/15/86
Jackson Brown 8/13/83 (He was booed mercilessly when he wanted to go into some political rant)
Aerosmith 8/1/84 (Steven Tyler was so stoned, he spit and staggered all over the stage the entire show)
Billy Squier 10/30/84 (Actually went to see Ratt more so than Squier)
Van Halen 11/7/82 (Diver Down Tour, Their stage was set up took up 1/2 of the arena-the length of the arena)
Billy Joel 2/11/84
Reo Speedwagon 3/19/83 (They came 3 times in 3-4 yrs and each show the crowd was 1/2 the previous year)
Iron Maiden/Twisted Sister 2/19/85 (I was embarrassed at the turnout, Maiden probably had never played to such a
small crowd since their early forming days. Without a doubt this concert did more
damage to my hearing than any other and since. Ears rang for 3 days and the what
hearing loss I suffer from now can be traced back to that night)
Chicago 3/2/85 (Did not go by choice, this was to appease my girlfriend at the time)
Reo Speedwagon 3/5/85
Ozzy Osbourne 7/29/86 (Some little known group named Metallica opened for him and were booed when the crowd
grew tired of waiting for the Oz. Tragically, one month later they had their famous bus crash
that took the life of their bassist, Cliff Burton)
Rod Stewart 5/4/89 (This concert showed me that Rod Stewart, was a professional, had been in the business a long time and knew what to do. Some idiot hopped the stage stood beside Stewart and put his arm around him. Stewart turned to him, handed the idiot his microphone, and calmly walked off stage. The idiot was stunned and embarrassed as he had stopped the show and had several thousand people now looking at him and imagining what his head would look like on a tomato stake. Security removed him)
There are many shows on your list that I attended but cannot find the stub. So it’s a partial list.
Great list, David! If I recall correctly, after the first Kenny Rogers show, acoustical engineers were brought in to fix the sound problems.
I’ve only seen one show there and that was the Monkees in ’86. I remember the Grass Roots and Gary Puckett being on the show, but I don’t recall Herman’s Hermits, though I could be mistaken.
In the Chattannoga News Free Press on the day after the Monkees concert, it was mentioned that Gary Puckett was dating Morgan Fairchild and she was in the audience. I’d like to have seen her.
I have friends trying to tell me zz top was banned from the arena. Is this true and if so, why?
Saw RATT Jan 87….it says 21st in the list but for some reason I thought it was the 28th….no matter. Great show. I recall thinking Poison would open for them but it was Queensreiche instead. Great concert. Coming home it was snowing hard. Looked like warp speed . I still have my shirt too. Old cig hole and dry rotted and ripped. I was 17 then now here I am 47….. Fun days, fun friends, fun girls, and best all I have the memories to take me back there any time.
Thanks a ton for the list and all the work.
Great list! I thought I remembered seeing a large grouping of people some time in the early to mid 90’s, maybe 93 or 94. Seems like Luke was the headliner, maybe 95 South and some others.
Andy Williams 12/14/87 also included Chattanooga Boys Choir. I have a picture of he and 10 year old me together that night to prove it!
Thanks, I have added the CBC!
The opening band for Van Halen on 11/7/82 was Joe Whiting and the Bandits, not Bandit Boys. After countless hours trying to figure out VH songs, I went home that night armen with the right hand tapping technique. Thanks so much for compiling and posting this list, so much history.
Thanks Joe, it has been corrected.
There are also some smaller bands and artist that are to obscured for this town that you have to go to Atlanta or Nashville to see. Which I did back in the day. Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, The Psychedelic Furs. It’s a shame that people only want to see the big names.
Also, great job on the list. I’ve seen many of those listed. Just wish Fleetwood Mac would come around. Thanks again.
I’m with ya on Fleetwood Mac!! I’d love to catch them at the Round House!!
Hi David Carroll !
I am an Italian rock fan and collector of many bands and I would like to ask you additional information about gigs that should have been played in Chattanooga – Arena but are absent from your list.
Such:
10th May 1989 RATT – GREAT WHITE – WARRANT
? February 1990 WHITESNAKE – KIX (exact date unknown)
Well sorry for my question anyway I’ll hope you will be able to check if these gigs take place or not in Chattanooga.
Many thanks for all your efforts and your kindly attention to my question
Best Regards,
Alessandro Borri
Bologna
ITALY
There was no 1989 Ratt show in Chattanooga. There was a show scheduled, but the opening bands were billed as Kix and Great White. It never happened.
Whitesnake and Kix were canceled, as well.
I don’t see those dates, but I do see 3/13/88: Whitesnake/Great White… 11/2/89: Tesla/Great White 1/31/90: Motley Crue/Warrant and 10/17/90: Poison/ Warrant. Those are according to the official UTC Arena ledgers. Thanks!
WOW!! what a list!! outside of auditorum are any of the concerts listed from the Festivals??? I would have loved to have seen Neil Diamond—I wonder why he never played there.
I can remember when we usually had to drive to Atlanta to see a concert! Thanks again for the list!
Hi AJ, I’m working on some future lists from other local venues. It’s a big job…but stay tuned! David Carroll
Thanks again! Will be watching or updates!
I was at the first concert with Kenny Rogers and the Gatlin Brothers. I also went to see Reba McEntyre with Linda ?.
That was Linda Davis, but I’m not sure which show (or shows) she appeared with Reba. I think Billy Dean may have been her opening act once too.
The 1989 Rod Stewart concert was my first rock concert that I got to attend! David it looks like I was in great company! I don’t think that of the many many concert I have attended to date can ever compare to it. There’s just something about the first one that no other can live up to. Saw many many others at the Round House! Thanks for this posting David!!
There is a Lynryd Skynyrd Concert with Kenny Wayne Shephard and Paul Rodgers that is missing from the list. It was either 97 or 98.
I can’t find any record of them playing the UTC Arena in 1997 or 1998. But they did play Engel Stadium on July 12, 1998.
I saw Barbara Mandrel when i was eleven yrs old. One of the high lights of my life. My twin sister and i were obsessed with her ! And still are ?. It was awesome. We were 10 rows up left of stage. I’ll never forget it !!! I went to many concerts during my youth there. Saw REO my all time favorite, Chicago, Bon Jovie was terrific, survivor, Hewy Lewis, and many more, but will forever remember Barbara Mandrel ??❤❤
Loved the Dick Clark shows My sister and I hung out with the Hullaballoes and took them to Lake Winnie and my friend and I rode around Chattanooga with a couple of the Gary Lewis and the Playboys band Also met Dobie Gray then Gene Pitney was at the pool so I didn’t get to meet him I have met many stars including the Beach Boys Mark Lendsey of Paul Revere and the Raiders and even got a kiss from Randy Owen of Alabama band Also met Mickey Gilly Johnnie Lee and a lot of others Great memories and I wasn’t even a groupie lol
Does anyone have any information on a Tom Jones concert at the Memorial Auditorium in the late 80’s/early 90’s? My wife insists that it happened, but I can’t find any record of it. Thanks in advance!
Tom Jones played Memorial Auditorium on April 16, 1988, and again on Dec. 6, 1993.
Thanks David!
Great list & just what I was looking for, Thx!
BTW, The Tompson Twins opened for Culture Club in 1984. I think there might have been 2 opening acts, but not positive abt that. I was in H.S. & my friends & I “camped out” to get the best seats….and there was a line! Thanks again for the hard work.?
Twisted Sister opened for Iron Maiden in 1985
The 1989 Bon Jovi show wasn’t with Bad English, it was with Blue Murder, a band that featured John Sykes (from Thin Lizzy, Whitensake), Carmine Appice (Cactus, Rod Stewart. Ozzy) and Tony Franklin (The Firm).
For Luther Vandross show, with him we’re Debarge, The Deal, and I think a fourth band. If so, any idea who it was it?
According the the newspaper review of the concert, it was just the three acts you mentioned.
David. In 05 athe Staind and hinder show. 3 days grace was also there that night. And could anyone give me the date for the Gary Morris Forrester sisters show at memorial. That was my first concert and I need the date. Thanks
I attended the first six concerts in the Roundhouse. I and several UTC athletes worked security for many of them. I remember a church group pacing the sidewalks outside the arena with a large cross before Van Halen’s show. I worked the front of the stage for that show. It was very interesting,the different varieties of ,ahem, unmentionables thrown to David Lee Roth. The Kenny Rogers concert was interesting,the stage was in the round.I was standing at the stage before the show,when a lady handed me a jewelry box with a ring inside and asked me to give it to Kenny when he comes out .They showered the stage with roses .I really enjoyed the Barry Manilow concert,the ultimate entertainer. Jimmy Buffet was fun,until we were instructed to confiscate any liquor bottles displayed by the concert goers,and there were plenty. Best experience was the John McEnroe- Vita’s Gerulaitis tennis exhibition. Me and another person was assigned to stand guard at Mcenroe’s dressing room,to not allow anyone unauthorized entry. Well ,after the match,two striking young ladies walk up and claim to know McEnroe and to let them in. I went inside to check with McEnroe,he sent Roscoe Tanner who was also inside to check them out. Of course,they were fibbing,and Roscoe sent them on their way. After preparing to leave , McEnroe comes out,and says,”how did they look”. Inside his dressing room was a very large fruit basket prepared for him. When he was about to leave,he grabbed a couple of fruits and told us “you guy can have the rest”. He was a real down to earth guy,we were all the same age,it was cool having a conversation with him. And that was my
early Roundhouse experience. Saw Prince twice for both shows at Memorial Auditorium 1980 and 1982.
Distinctly remember seeing Foreigner in the late 70s, .must’ve been Memorial Auditorium. Great show !
My first concert was at the Memorial Auditorium.
The Captain and Tennel. I was 8 or 9, must’ve been 176-79
The worst date evah…. An Aerosmith concert. He wanted to sit in chairs…. I wanted the pit. So I sat. Quietly. 3-4 hours. Thx lifeguard from the Y
I know I saw JETHRO TULL back in 76 or77 wish I knew the year! It was here in chatt. DOES ANYBODY KNOW?
Tull was at Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga Aug. 14, 1975. Every concert in the history of Chattanooga is listed in my next book “Hello Chattanooga,” coming out in the next few weeks! David Carroll
The opening acts for Red Hot Chili Peppers were none other than Foo Fighters (one of the few real R&R bands left today). Also the band Muse opened with a 25-30 min set that stank, considering they became much much bigger. The worst concert ever was the ZZ Top concert. They play pre-recorded tracks along with them (there were keyboards but no keyboard player around. Anyhow, they disappointed doing this and I have hated them ever since. The best show by far was John Cougar Mellencamp. I wasn’t even a fan, but he played little over 3 hours with no opening act and was the best concert I ever attended (out of 500+) until 2012 when I saw Mutemath at The Tabernacle in Atlanta (awesome venue btw). The ’88 Aerosmith show was sad. They all were obviously dealing with major substance abuse and Steven Tyler staggered all over the stage and spit everywhere. Oh the memories and the sadness that the “Roundhouse” has little to no live shows anymore. Lastly, we actually boo’d Metallica mercilessly. One month later their original bassist Cliff Burton died in the bus crash. They were just starting out, we didn’t know who they would become, and we were there to see Ozzy.
Thanks for this list!! The openers for Fri March 16 1990 Hank Williams Jr were The Kentucky Headhunters & Sawyer Brown.
The dates for Metallica are incorrect as they were the opening act for Ozzy Osborne for his 1986 show. One month later their bassist was killed in the famous bus crash.
I’m not sure what you think was a mistake. As you say, Metallica opened for Ozzy, and it was 7/29/86 just like the listing says. What am I missing? Thanks, David