Goodbye to an Old Friend

**airleg1** · Jan-28-2012, 11:21 PM

The Igloo (Civic Center) is coming down to make room for a parking garage. It was well overdue for an upgrade or building a new one. The new state of the art Consol Energy Center as the answer, but in my opinion the old building deserved a moment of my time...

When the building was built in 1961 it was the first retractable roof for a major sporting event. The Penguins were born here in 1967, even giving the Team its name because the building was shaped like an igloo.

When it was decommishioned, it was the oldest arena in use; the last to host current and past greats; to think of the games it bore witness to. In its final years, young players thruought the league felt it a honor and right of passage to play in the last of the dinosaurs that their childhood heroes once played. Sure the ice was terrible in the end, but that was part of its aura...

Now I also think of the non Hockey related events that have been held here, everyone from Elvis, The Beatles,The Doors, Sinatra, Muhammad Ali the list goes on and on...

I can recall some of my own more memorable events there, from my first concert (Kenny Rogers and Alabama opened for him); The first time I was allowed to drive to Pittsburgh with my friends (Metallica and Guns & Roses) I dont remember much of the concert but I remember the lecture when I got home the next day and of course my first Hockey game in the late 80's (I dont remember the date or even the year, but it was against Philly) I wont mention the outcome.

This is a link for the first section of the roof that was brought down today:

http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videoc...d=-7&id=153018

So I ask you, What memories do you have related to it?

**Durk** · Jan-28-2012, 11:37 PM

I only had the opportunity to see two Pens game at the igloo. But one of favorite memories was that my dad was booed by crowd at the igloo. My dad, his wife, my brother and me all went to game together a couple years ago. My brother and I were sitting in a different section than my dad. The kiss cam came on and when I looked up I saw my dad and his wife on the screen. He noticed he was on camera and leaned over to kiss her. She was clueless and denied him. Then she noticed she was on camera and started laughing. She went to kiss my dad and he returned the favor by denying her. She tried agian and he shook his head. Then everybody started booing him. He finally gave in and kissed her and the crowd then cheered. One of the funniest things I have ever seen.

**airleg1** · Jan-29-2012, 10:13 AM

.

**Beast** · Jan-29-2012, 12:48 PM

CEC is crap. At least the Civic (Arena!) had personality. Expect them, in several decades, to either tear this monstrosity down or leave Pittsburgh, whatever comes first.

**(419)BlackNGold** · Jan-29-2012, 12:57 PM

Never been to Civic Arena. Only been to Pittsburgh twice. Once I never left the airport!

I have seen the Penguins play at Joe Louis Arena. ...You wanna talk dumps!!!

**airleg1** · Jan-29-2012, 01:03 PM

Granted I havent been to either a million times, but my opinion is that the CEC is lifeless compared to the Civic Arena.. Im sure that accustics probably has a lot to do with it, but Im sure that the class of fan that can afford the ticket prices compared to the old venue is the main reason... Yep in my opinion the Energy Center has no Energy.

**Beast** · Jan-29-2012, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by airleg1

Granted I havent been to either a million times, but my opinion is that the CEC is lifeless compared to the Civic Arena.. Im sure that accustics probably has a lot to do with it, but Im sure that the class of fan that can afford the ticket prices compared to the old venue is the main reason... Yep in my opinion the Energy Center has no Energy.

Ditto. You usually have to be in mid-management, at the very least, to be able to afford season tickets anymore. The rowdiest those guys have ever been was that one time in college when Andrew WK like totally trashed their frat house, bro.

I sometimes catch myself hoping that the Pens will start losing so that 80s and 90s atmosphere can return, but sadly, it's probably not to be.

**Palmetto Steel** · Jan-31-2012, 10:42 PM

... I attended every home playoff game during the '90-'91 season as well as '91-'92... I was working as cheap meat after college and my dad had connections for tix from his work....

Many good memories... Some of them from the "limited view" seats with the pillar in front of you, but all still good...

... Was falsely arrested (sort of) at a Judas Priest concert there at the 1st of at least 15 concerts at the Igloo...

Fond memories....

**Palmetto Steel** · Jan-31-2012, 10:53 PM

.... Also attended the inaugural Gladiators game there. How long did that team last? 1 year, maybe two...

**Kipper** · Feb-01-2012, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by airleg1

(Metallica and Guns & Roses) I dont remember much of the concert but I remember the lecture when I got home the next day

That was at Three Rivers Stadium with Faith No More opening. I went to that show

. One of the best parts about it is that in between the Metallica and Guns roses set they completely tore down and changed stages. The only thing that remained were the monster video screens. It took an hour, so the camera guy went around the stadium and would focus on chicks and the crowd would chant for them to flash. Bare titties on gigantic screens

**airleg1** · Feb-01-2012, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Kipper

That was at Three Rivers Stadium with Faith No More opening. I went to that show . One of the best parts about it is that in between the Metallica and Guns roses set they completely tore down and changed stages. The only thing that remained were the monster video screens. It took an hour, so the camera guy went around the stadium and would focus on chicks and the crowd would chant for them to flash. Bare titties on gigantic screens

Your right, the Metallica/GNR one was outside so must have been at three rivers but I do recall seeing at least Metallica in the Igloo. (its amazing that I survived those years let alone not being in trouble with the law).

**(419)BlackNGold** · Feb-02-2012, 05:58 PM

I wasn't there for the shows but I enjoy the King Biscuit Flower Hour broadcasts!!!

December 8, 1976....

Then again on September 2, 1978....

**BlackNGoldRules** · Feb-02-2012, 06:37 PM

First, let me preface this by saying that my parents are/were very religious people. OK, now that I got that out of the way, I can say that the first time I ever set foot in the Civic Arena was for a Jimmy Swaggart crusade back in the early 80s. This is before he had all of his troubles. My parents were ushers. I was probably about 7 at the time. Let me tell ya, that arena was packed for that too! After that, it was nothing but Pens games in the arena for me. Never got to see any concerts there, unless you count Jimmy Swaggart singing a concert!