HOW DID A ROCK CONCERT GET BOOKED AT CHC?
The students, alumni, and faculty who put the concert together were ...
A couple of factors contributed to this event to taking place. First, Calvert Hall had a history of booking nationally renowned recording artists for concerts at CHC. When considering whether to attend CHC, the promotional pamphlet made sure that everyone knew that The Four Tops, Dionne Warwick, Little Anthony & the Imperials and Otis Redding played concerts at CHC during the 1960’s. I was impressed, and my parents were not. A rumor circulated that the booking agent for Badfinger thought they would be playing at a “real” college/university, not Calvert Hall College High School. The validity of this is dubious. Finally, Juan Diaz, a multi-year, varsity athlete of the perennial champion CHC soccer team, was a very persuasive individual. Juan convinced the administration that the concert was a good thing. (Juan was good at persuasive speaking)
Once the notion of having a concert was agreed upon, the next question to arise was whom should we book as the lead act. The student body was given the choice of the J. Geils Band and Badfinger. The J. Geils Band would not gain superstar status until the release of their 1981 album Freeze Frame. Badfinger was the choice of the students.
- The concert promoter, alumnus, Juan Diaz (’72)
- The president of the Student - Teachers’ Council, Bob Feeney ('73)
- Craig Dranbauer, president of the senior class of 1973
A couple of factors contributed to this event to taking place. First, Calvert Hall had a history of booking nationally renowned recording artists for concerts at CHC. When considering whether to attend CHC, the promotional pamphlet made sure that everyone knew that The Four Tops, Dionne Warwick, Little Anthony & the Imperials and Otis Redding played concerts at CHC during the 1960’s. I was impressed, and my parents were not. A rumor circulated that the booking agent for Badfinger thought they would be playing at a “real” college/university, not Calvert Hall College High School. The validity of this is dubious. Finally, Juan Diaz, a multi-year, varsity athlete of the perennial champion CHC soccer team, was a very persuasive individual. Juan convinced the administration that the concert was a good thing. (Juan was good at persuasive speaking)
Once the notion of having a concert was agreed upon, the next question to arise was whom should we book as the lead act. The student body was given the choice of the J. Geils Band and Badfinger. The J. Geils Band would not gain superstar status until the release of their 1981 album Freeze Frame. Badfinger was the choice of the students.
IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 35 YEARS BEFORE THE NEXT CONCERT WOULD BE HELD AT CALVERT HALL
On October 25, 2008, Calvert Hall Concert for Tuition Assistance featuring Eddie Money & Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals was held in the Marion Burk Knott Center on October 25th. Over 750 spectators listened as Money sang his top hits from the 80's, including "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Take Me Home Tonight," "Baby Hold On," "If I Could Walk on Water," "Think I'm in Love" and "Shakin" while The Rascals’ performance included their five #1 hits from the late 60's, "Good Lovin," "Groovin," "A Girl Like You," "A Beautiful Morning," and "People Got to Be Free." The event raised over $20,000 for Tuition Assistance and will continue to allow Calvert Hall to provide financial assistance to students who academically qualify, but whose families may not be able to afford the tuition.