Summerfest: The 70s

[jsglow]

A nice article in onmilwaukee about Fest's early years.  I particularly enjoyed the discussion about Bob Babisch.  In the early 1980s he was very generous with his support of Marquette's music scene. He routinely provided us access to Fest to scout out potential bands, make contacts, etc. and was more than happy to answer questions.  His generosity, among many other factors, really helped what was a pretty vibrant campus concert scene for many years.  I sometimes wonder how my life would have been different had I asked him for a job in 1983.

https://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/summerfest-50-1970s.html

[4everwarriors]

Well, good chance ya woodn't bee Don Smiley, have gone ta grad school, bee kickin' it in retirement, or Nevada, hey?

[GGGG]

I never realized that Summerfest started without the central location on the lakefront.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

This will be the first Summerfest I have missed since I started going in 2012. Always a fun day out, especially if I went with my dad and he would buy all the booze.

[4everwarriors]

Got it, WI went red, ai na?

[jsglow]

Well, good chance ya woodn't bee Don Smiley, have gone ta grad school, bee kickin' it in retirement, or Nevada, hey?

Probably true.

[jsglow]

I never realized that Summerfest started without the central location on the lakefront.

The ultimate brilliance was establishing and improving on permanent grounds.  A second factor was a conscious decision way back when to be 'safe' for families.  That's still true today.  I remind folks that Fest isn't supposed to be Bonnaroo or Burning Man.

[warriorchick]

I sometimes wonder how my life would have been different had I asked him for a job in 1983.

You probably would have married (and divorced) a much hotter chick.

[mu03eng]

You probably would have married (and divorced) a much hotter chick.

Would she have been on the board too? I mean, I feel like Glow should have at least checked with us before not asking for that job in 1983.

[Jockey]

The ultimate brilliance was establishing and improving on permanent grounds.  A second factor was a conscious decision way back when to be 'safe' for families.  That's still true today.  I remind folks that Fest isn't supposed to be Bonnaroo or Burning Man.

While it is a great family festival, that wasn't always the case once it got later in the day. Cheap beer led to lots of fight and rowdiness.

The old main stage setup was especially a breeding ground for that. Gate would open at noon and seating was first come-first serve. So people got there early to stake out their spot and then drank and smoked doobs all afternoon and evening. I was among the smoking crowd so we were usually pretty mellow. The drinkers were flat out rowdy and itching for action by the evening.

[jsglow]

While it is a great family festival, that wasn't always the case once it got later in the day. Cheap beer led to lots of fight and rowdiness.

The old main stage setup was especially a breeding ground for that. Gate would open at noon and seating was first come-first serve. So people got there early to stake out their spot and then drank and smoked doobs all afternoon and evening. I was among the smoking crowd so we were usually pretty mellow. The drinkers were flat out rowdy and itching for action by the evening.

I remember stacking the empty 50 cent cups many, many high.  Thought it great in 1980.  See the issue more clearly today.

[dgies9156]

You probably would have married (and divorced) a much hotter chick.

Is that possible?

[warriorchick]

Is that possible?

Oh, you and your southern charm....