Chumworth

Behold, (part of) the roof of Pittsburgh’s great Civic Arena coming down. 

As someone who grew up in the burgh in the 70s and 80s, this is a very sad event.

I saw many a great show there, like the Kinks, the Police, Billy Joel, the Firm (OK, not Zeppelin, but Jimmy Page broke out the bow!), and U2, not to mention some not so great ones (REO Speedwagon, Judas Priest - proof that the middle schooler’s brain is actually mush), as well as things like WWF wrestling, indoor soccer (who knew soccer could be fun?) and many games played by my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins.

I also met, during one of my first trips there, Batman and got his autograph (thanks, Dad…). I still sleep with it under my pillow.

The Beatles played the Civic arena, so did Elvis and Sinatra and just about every other major musical act that came through town since 1960. Muhammed Ali fought there, Lyndon Johnson spoke there and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus elephants pooped there!

Pardon me, but I’m starting to mist up…

It was also the home of some classic fictional events and some, er, less than classic ones.

Part of my childhood crashed to the ground with that roof panel.

Thank god I still have my boyish looks, charm and culinary tastes.

Of course, when I first started going to hockey games back in 1982/83/84 there was many a Penguin game when I wished the roof would’ve caved in… but, in the end, there was a method to the Penguins madness, and all that losing paid off, big time.

Goodbye, old buddy.