One reader remembered seeing The Beach Boys there in 1965 -- without Brian Wilson, who was recovering from a nervous breakdown. His stand-in was another recording legend.
"Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs was the opening act and as I remember Glen Campbell made one of his first appearances as Brian Wilson's replacement."
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Nancy Boss of Kettering had several favorite memories of Hara, including going to watch a recording of Dick Clark's Where the Action Is with her big sister there in the mid-'60s when she was in the fourth grade. Paul Revere and the Raiders were among the musical guests.
"I remember the seating was festival seating and I was so scared when the crowd starting pushing to get in, so I pretended to 'faint', and they moved us to the front of the line and we got in first. My sister was not as mad having to take me after all to the concert!"
Kettering's Dana Clouser will never forget seeing the Allman Brothers at Hara on September, 18, 1971:
"(It was) just 6 weeks before Duane Allman was killed the motorcycle accident in Macon Georgia. Bassist Berry Oakley was killed one year later as well. Wet Willie opened the show. A poster advertising the show hangs in the Allman's Big House Museum in Macon now."
John Kennard also enjoyed seeing the Allman Brothers at Hara, along with several others, while also enjoying the Dayton Gems of the '60s. But one show stood out as the best for him:
“The best show and tightest band was Little Feat, by far my favorite.”
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C.Weaver had an unforgettable night…after one show at Hara Arena, however:
"Neil Diamond's first concert in Dayton in the 70's to a sparse audience...ran into him at Dominic's (restaurant) for a late dinner!"
We’ve just scratched the surface of Dayton’s favorite Hara events. You’re welcome to share yours with me at Jim.Ingram@coxinc.com.
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