Dane County Coliseum

October 10, 1974

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After doing some research with a fellow Teenage Wildlife message board member (globule2), we can pretty much confirm that this concert date did not exist and members are confusing it with the show on October 11th at the Dane County Coliseum. That one did actually happen. Furthermore, there are rumors out there that David played a date on the University of Wisconsin campus on October 10th. That, too, did not happen. Apparently, a Bowie researcher some years ago published a recollection of seeing David perform on the "University of Wisconsin campus" on October the 10th. We think he might be confusing that venue (and the date) for the Dane County Coliseum as the University of Wisconsin Badgers often played hockey at the Coliseum in the mid 1970s. To verify all this, I spent some time in the archives at the Wisconsin State Journal yesterday. Scanning the microfilm confirms that Mainman did advertise a Bowie concert at the Dane County Coliseum on Friday, October 11th, 1974. Ads began running on Tuesday, October 8th right up until the night of the show. The ads never mentioned a show on the 10th, or a show at any other venue for that matter. Knowing Mainman's hype machine and the heavy cost of the stage show, I find it hard to believe they put on an unadvertised concert for the 10th in Madison on the Diamond Dogs tour. The paper also had a music notices section. No Bowie concert was listed on the 10th. In fact, the only concert listed that day was a student marimba performance at the UW. And I doubt David was touring his solo marimba side-project at that time! (grins) The paper did list the concert the following day on Friday the 11th, again confirming the concert was at the Dane County Coliseum and listing the start time at 8 p.m. The concert was not a sell-out. The following day, Saturday the 12th, Michael Bauman of the State Journal staff published his review. It was not kind. "Take away the gimmicks and the glitter, drop the overt decadence, and what have you got left? Boredom." "Bowie appeared before a crowd of 5,000 that glittered a lot more than he did, he having ditched the old bi-sexual haircut and makeup - still a little shading around the eyes, however, presumably for old times sake." "...if you like your concerts bereft of any musical benefits, there was a lot going on." "For most of the crowd however the reaction is summed up best by two comments heard while heading toward the exit. To wit: 'The next time that (bleep) plays here i'll (sic) be to an empty house.' and 'The James Gang was better the second time.'"
thedetective (radioaddict50@hotmail.com)
Madison, WI - Sunday, November 04, 2007 at 10:25:26 (EST)

i'm pretty sure bowie performed "somebody up there like me" at the october 5, st. paul show. (your site says the first live performance of that song was a few days later in madison.) i recorded the concert. i'd have to check for sure. i also have the review somewhere.
chuck bartl (chuckbartl@yahoo.com)
minneapolis, mn usa - Friday, December 06, 2002 at 14:51:56 (EST)

This document last updated Sunday, 04-Nov-2007 10:25:26 EST

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