4 concerts at Hara Arena that you're still talking about

Ever since the announcement of Hara Arena’s imminent closing, the memories have been flowing to the forefront of people’s minds…and my inbox. Here are some of your favorite Hara memories.

Daniel Fair saw his very first show at Hara in 1982 with the mighty Van Halen. But he was blown away by who he saw for the first time a couple years later:

“Every show has its own little piece of my memory, some a little more blurry… Seeing Motley Crue there in May of 1984 is probably the highlight of my shows at Hara. I saw them 37 more times over these last 32 years. But man, that first time was the greatest.”

>>RELATED: Residents react with sadness over Hara closing

You may remember our story about the Rolling Stones' first Dayton visit and how the crowd was not amused. Rex Long, who got to tag along backstage as a teenager, remembers it as well:

"I observe Mick (Jagger) and Keith (Richards) up against the wall with teenage female high school journalists getting their fingers stuck in Mick's hair. A popular local act, Ivan and the Sabers, play a long time while waiting for the entrance of the Stones. After watching and listening to the audience boo and hiss and throw paper cups and such (I saw a cup bounce off Mick's nose), they play a mere 20 minutes and exit."

>>RELATED: A look back at Hara Arena through the years

Paul Pomeroy of Cincinnati remembers it being a stormy night when he and a friend drove up to Dayton to see Sly and the Family Stone in 1969. They had trouble finding Hara Arena, but they were glad they made the trip:

“When we got to Hara, there were only a few hundred people there, so those of us in the cheap seats all jumped over the hockey rails and sat in the folding chairs on the main floor close to the stage. 

"Sly was 2-3 hours late, but when they started to play, the place went crazy!  We were all standing on the folding chairs dancing.  It was a great concert!”

>>RELATED: Hara Arena hosted riotous wrestlers, biggest of bands and plenty of history

David Day had several favorites, but one involved some no-name opening up for Aerosmith:

“Aerosmith '74 Get Your Wings tour.  Some guy from Detroit, who wasn't even on the bill, warmed up.  His name was Bob Seger.”

>>RELATED: Concerts at Hara Arena we won't forget

There are many more favorites to share that might jog the memories of others. Please keep sending in your favorite Hara Arena stories (Jim.Ingram@Coxinc.com)!

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