rockin’ through the decades: a musical journey at notre dame

By THOMAS DOBBS, CADE CZARNECKI and SPENCER

KELLY f rom the a rchives r

esearchers

g et ready to rock as we journey through the music history of n otre d ame’s concert scene. f rom the 1970s to the 1980s, the biggest names in r ock ‘n r oll, country and pop graced the Joyce c enter. s ome performances left students wanting more, while others left them disappointed. e lvis p resley, e lton John and b ruce s pringsteen were among the performers that left students in awe. w hile w illie n elson’s concert received criticism for its brevity and poor quality, the likes of b illy Joel, p aul s imon and c huck b erry delivered some of the best shows in n otre d ame history. Join us as we explore the unforgettable concerts that rocked the Joyce c enter stage.

Rock ‘n Roll at Notre Dame in the 1970s

April 19, 1979 | Observer Staff |

Aug. 28, 1974 | Observer Staff |

May 4, 1972 | Joseph Abell | Feb.

12, 1973 | Joseph Abell | Oct. 27,

1975 | Patrick Small | Sept. 12,

1978 | Stephen Belmont | Sept.

24, 1973 | R. Thomas Thues |

Researched by Cade Czarnecki n otre d ame has played host to some of the most significant names in r ock ‘n r oll history. The 1970s kicked off the trend with a decade of performances by artists still well known today. e lvis p resley even stopped by s outh b end, i ndiana, to play two shows at the acc between a f riday and s aturday night. There was fierce competition among students to get tickets to his 1974 shows that were priced $10, $7.50 and $5. s till, n otre d ame students were often harsh critics even when they had the chance to see era-defining bands.

The a thletic and c onvocation c enter ( acc ) that has since become the Joyce c enter sold out over and over again as students flocked to see artists such as b illy Joel, p aul s imon and c huck b erry.