Saturday, March 2, 2013

Blackburn at Hullabaloo in Erie PA

Old Time Erie photo of Blackburn courtesy of Sam Orrico.
The Hullabaloo at 3619 McClelland Avenue in Erie, PA was the place to be in the late sixties. Blackburn, whose members hailed from the New Castle/Ellwood City, PA, played at Hullabaloo around 1970. Blackburn included guitarist Jon Zedick, the late Jerry Wiley on bass guitar, drummer Sam Orrico, and keyboardist David Maranaccio.  

Hullabaloo was a national chain which included 87 clubs as of January of 1968. The one pictured above was located on the east side of McClelland Avenue. The backdrop included the logo from the Hullabaloo TV series painted on the wall, complete with the outline of a television screen. The building has since been demolished. Locals remember it as the home of the Place, Gadsbys and the Alternative. The Bayfront Connector runs through a portion of the old Hullabaloo parking lot.

You could purchase a Hullabaloo Scene franchise for as little as $17,000 in March of 1967, depending on the size of the local market. Booking was done on a national basis, and the deal included training, business forms, advertising, and a sign out front.

Ad in Billboard magazine, March 18, 1967.
Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

8 comments:

  1. Any history on other places around like Hullabaloo? What was the place in the 5800 block of East Lake Road, just past the drive-in? White Elephant? Heard Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs played there.

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    1. "Wooly Bully" in the flesh! How cool. If someone can give me a month/year to work with, I will research this. Did you see White Plains or Crazy Elephant? I guess after a few drinks they could morph into one band. Just having some fun with you.

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    2. 1966..MY BAND PLAYED THERE A FEW TIMES.
      I WORKED FOR BOB MACK, THE PGH, PA. DJ WHO OWNED ALL THE ELEPHANT CLUBS.
      I ALSO BROUGHT TOMMY JAMES/SHONDELLS TO ERIE AFTER THE SHOW AT THE SHARON, PA. ELEPHANT...I GOT HIM THERE VERY VERY LATE....KEEP IN TOUCH
      LARRY

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  2. I remember for awhile the Hullabaloo was a disco bar called the Purple Pickle. Had a Saturday Night Fever type lighted dance floor. Year anyone? Also, remember when ICE (previously the Igloo) was a supermarket in the early 70s?
    --Linda S.

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  3. ICE used to be SkateErie after it was a supermarket. Purple Pickle was there in the lates 70's early 80's. Seen it going to SkateErie as a kid.

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  4. Hi Deb- That was me who asked the question about the place on East Lake Road. That was before I'd subscribed here, so I guess I'm no longer "Anonymous". My friend said the name of the place was The White Elephant and Sam the Sham, etc. were there in the spring of '67. That's how he remembers it anyway. Keep in mind that's almost 50 years ago, so the time might not be correct.
    Bill Graham
    P.S.- Not only "Wooly Bully", but "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Ring Dang Do". Hard to believe, but he's still playing.

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  5. Saw Bob Seeger there back in the 70's for, I think it was 50 cents or a buck. The story I heard was the manager then , Bobby Masi, had spent time in Detroit and knew Seeger from there and convinced him to come to Erie and play the Alternative. Good times......

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  6. Masi was from Dearborn, Michigan,, same as Seger. Seger was there for 2 weeks.It was called The Place" when he had it.

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