Beard Eaves Memorial Coliseum opened up on January 11, 1969 with a historic win over an LSU team led by Pistol Pete Maravich.
It also survived 45 years of concerts, many of them turning into cherished memories for Auburn fans everywhere. In its early days the Coliseum saw acts like Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones. The Coliseum went out rocking with Dierks Bentley and Rascall Flatts back in 2014.
Before we begin reminiscing its important to note that I was not able to obtain the dates for each of these artists. If your favorite artist is mentioned without a year please feel free to give us a shout-out!
Concert years verified by setlist.fm
1960s:
1969: The Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry (not a bad way to “start it up” sorry I just had to get that one pun in)
Side story: My dad said that The Rolling Stones shouldn’t even be in contention for one of his favorite concerts. They were nearly 3 hours late much to the dismay of everyone in attendance BUT when they showed up they brought the house down.
1970s:
1970: Neil Diamond
1971: Chicago
1971: The Carpenters
1971: Ike and Tina Turner
1972: The Allman Brothers Band
1972: Isaac Hayes
1972: Rod Stewart
Rod cancelled his show. I camped for tickets and he cancelled because he didn’t sell out. Never wanted to see him after that
— nash-live (@J_Hays) July 7, 2020
1973: George Carlin
1973: Elton John
1974: Elvis Presley
1975: Chicago
1976: James Taylor
1976: Andre Crouch
1976: Bruce Springsteen
I can't believe nobody mentioned Bruce Springsteen in 1976, but to be fair, only about 1,500 folks attended.
— John Carvalho (@John_P_Carvalho) July 7, 2020
1976: The Commodores
1977: Neil Diamond
1980s:
1980: The Eagles
1980: Charlie Daniels
1981: Hall and Oates
— AUIE81 (@auie81) July 6, 2020
1982: James Taylor
1983: Joan Jett
1984: Stray Cats
1985: Whitney Houston
1985: Tina Turner
1986: Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett in Fall 1986 – he wore a 00 Auburn football jersey which he said was his GPA when he dropped out of Auburn. Great concert!
— Steve Carter (@cartermon) July 9, 2020
1987: REM
1987: Indigo Girls
1987: Huey Lewis and the News
1987: Whitney Houston
*sometime in the 80s but we can’t quite place them:
Dan Fogelberg
Pat Benatar
Lewis Grizzard
thats easy saw 2 greats The Eagles and REM and not a concert but comedic act, my relative Lewis Grizzard
— G…MoFo…G (@grantgrizzard) July 6, 2020
1990s:
1990: Jimmy Buffett
1992: Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz. Blew the top off the old beard eaves sweatbox.
— Wade Bennett (@WadeBenWickles) July 6, 2020
1992: The Cult
1993: Winona Judd
1993: Clint Black
1994: Widespread Panic
1994: Dave Matthews Band
1994: Alan Jackson
1995: The Allman Brothers Band
I remember the sherriff at wire road gas station complaining the whole town smelled of the devils lettuce after The Allman Brothers 95'
— Bobby Beard (@phishchef) July 7, 2020
1995: Widespread Panic
1995: Blues Traveler
1996: Widespread Panic
1996 or 1997: Willie Nelson
1997: Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls. I’m not ashamed.
— Kevin White (@Runkle32) July 7, 2020
1998: Third Eye Blind
1998: Eve 6
*definitely early 90s but we can’t quite place these guys either:
Edwin McCain
Hootie and the Blowfish
2000s:
2000: Live
2000: 311
2000: Sister Hazel
2008: O.A.R.
2008: Akon
2010: Skillet
Skillet. Ceiling tiles fell and busted over some seating during sound check. Old joint couldn’t handle that kind of noise at that point.
— David Asbell (@DavidAsbell24) July 6, 2020
2010: The Rocket Summer
2010: Goo Goo Dolls
*If you saw any of these acts and can give us a year please do so, the undated concerts:
Stan and Eddie
Phish
Drivin N Cryin
Brooks and Dunn
Jeff Foxworthy
Garth Brooks
Alabama
I was never able to attend a concert at the Coliseum, but all of this reminiscing makes me wish I could have. Oh to be a fly on the wall for some of these concerts.
Is your favorite concert missing? Feel free to reach out to us on Facebook on Twitter!