WVOK Memories

WVOK Shower Of Stars-Advertisements

Home
WVOK T-Shirts
Some WVOK History by Russell Wells
On To The DJs-Mr. Joe Rumore
On to the DJs-Mr. Dan Brennan
On To The DJs-Mr. Don Keith
On To The DJs-Mr. Johnny Davis
On To The DJs-Mr. Hal Hodgens
On To The DJs-Mr. Johnnie Hayes
On To The DJs-Mr. Jim Allen
On To The DJs-Mr. Alan Burns
On To The DJs-Mr. Johnny Poer
On to the DJs-Johnny Mack Driskell
On to the DJs-Bob Gordon
Rumore's Record Rack
WVOK Dixie Jamboree
WVOK Dixie Jamboree (Part 2)
WVOK Shower Of Stars--Advertisements
WVOK Shower of Stars Ticket Stubs
Reviews of the WVOK Shower of Stars
Reviews of WVOK Shower of Stars
Photos-WVOK Shower Of Stars Shows
More Photos-WVOK Shower of Stars Shows
The Grass Roots-WVOK Shower of Stars
Lou Chrisite-WVOK Shower of Stars
Paul Revere & The Raiders-WVOK Shower of Stars Shows
WVOK Scene Magazine
WVOK Tough Twenty Surveys
More WVOK Tough 20 Surveys
WVOK Teen DJs
Coverage Area
Miscellaneous Items
WVOK Memories Links
Questions from visitors.

If you attended any of these shows join us on Facebook and tell us your experiences.
 

boutwell.jpg

The Birmingham Auditorium (currently Boutwell Auditorium).   

Inside the Birmingham Armory
cheryl8.jpg
Where some of the shows were held..Thanks Cheryl

December 3, 1955-As an extra Bonus..here's the advertisement for sister station WBAM, Montgomery, AL, when the very young Elvis Presley appeared.  Thanks to Donnie Brennan for the Elvis photos. 

dec31955.jpg

jan81955.jpg

January 8, 1955-Hank Thompson and his Brazo Valley Boys.

jul21955.jpg

July 2, 1955-Marty Robbins and his band.

oct11955.jpg

Oct 1, 1955-Starring Cowboy Copas, Charline Arthur, and all the McCormic Brothers.

wvoknov55.jpg

Nov 1955-Starring Ferlin Huskey, Simon Crumb and the Hush Puppies, Martha Carson, and The Carlisles.

jan251956.jpg

wvokjan2556.jpg

January 25, 1956-Starring Roy/Ray Price, Charline Authur, Porter Wagoner, Carl Smith, Sonny James, Goldie Hill, and Tommy Collins.

apr2756.jpg

April 27, 1956-Starring Ernest Tubb, Marty Robbins, The Wilburn Brothers, Autry Inman, Jerry Reed, Floyd Cramer, and Tommy Smith.  Also, The Texas Troubadours and The Teardrops Band.

sosjune21956.jpg

June 2, 1956-Starring Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, Johnnie & Jack and their Tennessee Mountain Boys.

aug1156.jpg

August 11, 1956-Starring Faron Young, Johnny Cash, Sonny James, Charline Arthur, and Johnny Horton.

jan1157.jpg

October 12, 1956-Starring Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys and Onie Wheeler.

oct1256.jpg

January 11, 1957-Starring Hank Thompson and his Brazos Valley Boys, Wanda Jackson, George Jones, Justin Tubb, Cowboy Copas, Hank Locklin, Glenn Reeves, and Mitchell Torok.

march2357.jpg

March 23, 1957-Starring Sonny James and The Jordanaires.

may181957.jpg

May 18, 1957-Starring Marty Robbins and Lee Emerson.

aug31957.jpg

August 3, 1957-Starring The Browns plus Justin Tubb.

apr51958.jpg

April 5, 1958-Starring Johnny Cash, Don Gibson, and Carl Perkins.  Also, the Coronation of WVOK Teen-Age Queen.

july121958.jpg

July 12, 1958-Starring Jerry Lee Lewis, Martha Carson, The Crescendos, The Cardigans, Jimmy Helms, The Sprouts, The Imperials, and The Southlanders.

sept271958.jpg

September 27, 1958-Starring Hank Thompson plus Billy Gray and The Brazos Valley Boys.

jleelewis.jpg

December 24, 1958-Jerry Lee Lewis and other stars.

mar141959.jpg

March 14, 1959-Johnny Cash Show plus Warren Storm, Travis and Bob, and Jimmie Ford.

may91959a.jpg

May 9, 1959-Starring Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton, Thomas Wayne and Tony Bellus.  However, that changed to include Jerry Lee Lewis and the Johnny Horton Show was rescheduled for May 23, 1959.  The price was for both shows.

wvok59.jpg.jpg

wvokfabian.jpg

wvokfabianticket.jpg

December 12, 1959-Featuring Fabian, The Fleetwoods, The Browns, Floyd Robinson, and Bobby Lee Trammell.

jan301960.jpg

January 30, 1960-Starring Mark Dinning, Brenda Lee,  and  George Morgan.

apr91960.jpg

April 9, 1960-Starring Jerry Lee Lewis.

jul91960.jpg

July 9, 1960-Starring Hank Locklin, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Harold Dorman, and Bobby Sykes.

oct231960.jpg

October 23, 1960-Gigantic WVOK 13th Anniversary Celebration.  Starring  Fabian, Brenda Lee, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Clanton, Bill Black's Combo, Freddy Cannon, The Casuals, The Merrymen, Gary Miles, Bob Beckman. Bobby Vinton and His Show of Stars Orchestra.  Herky Styles M.C.

jan211961.jpg

January 21, 1961-Marty Robbins and Band, Tompall and the Glaser Brothers, and  Don Winters.

apr81961.jpg

April 8, 1961-Jerry Lee Lewis and His Band.

billblackcombo.jpg

May 20, 1961-The Bill Black Combo

wvokjun3061a.jpg

jun301969-2.jpg

June 30, 1961-Starring Bobby Vee, Jack Scott, Faron Young, Del Shannon, Gene Pitney, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Patsy Cline, Mark Dinning, Bobby Edwards, Claude Grey, and the Bobby Vinton Orchestra.  Due to Patsy being involved in a car accident on June 14, 1961, she was replaced with Wanda Jackson and George Jones and The Mar-Keys were added.  It appears to me the show was held over a two night period, June 30 and July 1.  Notice the bottom of the 2nd ad, that the dance for the 10PM performance begins at 8PM at The Armory.  Another short piece in the newspaper indicated the show was held at the City Auditorium on Friday night and the dance at the Armory on Saturday night.  Some of the stars may have performed Friday night and others on Saturday night.   

sofs.jpg

December 2, 1961-Starring Jimmy Dean, Johnny Burnette, Dick and Dee Dee, Ral Donner, Johnny Tillotson, Curtis Lee, Johnny & The Hurricanes, Ray Peterson, and Charlie  Rich..plus Jerry Byrd.

march291962.jpg

March 29, 1962-Starring Del Shannon, Roy Acuff, Larry Finnegan, Charlies Rich, Geroge Morgan, Chuck Reed, Claude Gray, The Louvin Brothers, and Billy Walker.  This was WVOK's Jones Vally High School Benefit Show.  A crowd of about 4000 attended this event. 

june221962.jpg

June 22, 1962-There was no mention of this show being in Birmingham, Alabama.  Sister station WBAM in Montgomery, Alabama, held this one.  Starring Connie Francis, Bobby Vee, Ace Cannon, Skeeter Davis, Johnny Tillotson, Roy Orbison, Leroy Van Dyke, Ernie & Petie, Gene Kennedy, Jack Eubanks, and The Gene Roy Orchestra.

november231962.jpg

November 23, 1962-No mention of this show being in Birmingham, Alabama.  Sister station WBAM held this show in Montgomery, Alabama.  Starring Bobby Darin, Sue Thompson, Marty Robbins, and 30 other top recording artists (would like to know who they were). 

wvokmar263.jpg

March 2, 1963-  The lineup included Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline (just a few days before Patsy was killed in an airplane crash), Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Charlie Rich and Tex Ritter. (**Note: The advertisement indicates the show was held at the Birmingham Armory. However, my research has concluded it may have been held at the Birmingham Auditorium.)

jul1764.jpg

On July 18, 1964 the lineup included Peter and Gordon, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Simmons (Haunted House), Roger Miller, Diane Renay (name misspelled), Marty Robbins, Terry Stafford, Pete Drake, and Bill Black Combo.  **Jerry Lee Lewis' performance was recorded live and released on SMASH records.**

1964fall.jpg

September 19, 1964. Starring The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Ronnie & The Daytonas, Jerry Wallace, Norma Jean, Don Gibson, Bobby Wood, The Chartbusters, Travis Wommack, and Ace Cannon.

animals2.jpg

September 27, 1964. Bonus show to the WVOK Shower of Stars Fall Spectacular starring The Animals, J. Frank Wilson, and The Webs. All who attended the big September 19th show must present ticket stub at gate between 12 noon and 1PM. Otherwise, tickets are $1.50.

thefourseasons.jpg
The Four Seasons coming

November 26, 1964-Starring The Four Seasons, Hawaiian Eye actress Gale Garnett, Peter and Gordon, Jay and The Americans, Charlie Rich, Travis Wammack and others.  (*Note-There was an all night Gospel singing on the same date per the newspaper.  No advertisement for this show other than a small description with this photo.  So I don't know if or which show was rescheduled or cancelled.) 

Rock 'n Roll Show Set at Legion Field (Thanks to Nancy)
A show so big that Dan Brennan of WVOK says they have to move it outdoors to Legion Field comes to town Friday (May 7, 1965).   England's Rolling Stones, America's The Righteous Brothers, the Beach Boys, and country-western star Marty Robbins and his band, will be here, along with the Mexican Lads with the hit "Land of A Thousand Dances," Cannabal and the Headhunters, Skeeter Davis and her band, the boy novelty hit "Rindercella" Archie Campbell.  That's not all.  Del Reeves, singing star of "The Girl On The Billboard," and Alabama's own Sonny James and his group.  They'll all be together in one show out at Legion Field at 7 p.m. Friday.

legionfield2.jpg

7may1965.jpg

Legion Field-May 7, 1965-Was billed as America vs England.  Lineup included The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Cannibal & The Headhunters, Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Skeeter Davis, Del Reeves, Archie Campbell, and The Righteous Brothers.  I remember the DJs apologizing to Skeeter Davis.  She was singing her last song when the Rolling Stones entered the stage to perform and you couldn't hear Skeeter from the screams.

27nov65.jpg

November 26, 1965-The lineup included The Dave Clark 5, Ian Whitcomb, Ronnie Dove, Billy Joe Royal, Donna Loren, The Barbarians, The Bill Black Combo, and a new southern group called The James Gang (Southern Group not the same James Gang featuring Joe Walsh).

lesleylouanddjs.jpg

March 26, 1966-No advertisement but the lineup included:
The K-Otics, LIverpool Five, The Marketts, Dallas Frazier, Lou Christie, Lesley Gore, Roy Clark, Loving Spoonful, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Jan and Dean.  (Thanks to Carol)

wvokjul2366.jpg

July 23, 1966-(No advertisement but this ad mentions the show).  Featuring Herman's Hermits, The Animals, Lou Christie, Sam The Sham & The Pharohs, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeanie Seely, Tommy James and The Shondells, The Shangri-Las, and The McCoys.  It appears local band The Hard Times ( later changed to Rites of Spring) won the contest and were first on the bill. 

oct166beachboys.jpg

October 1, 1966-The lineup included The Beach Boys, Peter and Gordon, Lou Christie, The Hollies, Ian Whitcomb, The Happenings, and The Count Five.

sofs3.jpg

Dec 10, 1966.  One of the few shows held outside the Birmingham Municipal Auditorium.  This one was held at the Temple Theatre.  The line up included The Byrds, Roy Orbison, Sham The Sham & The Pharoahs, Sandy Posey, David Houston, The McCoys, ? & The Mysterians, Billy Joe Royal, The Rubber Band, The Newbeats, and The Webs. 

march4.jpg

March 4, 1967-Featuring Paul Revere and The Raiders, Lou Christie, The Blues Magoos, Keith, and The Buckinghams.

wvoksosjuly2967.jpg

sofs4.jpg

On Saturday, July 29th, 1967 the lineup included Herman's Hermits, Jim "Harpo" Valley (Thanks Rob.  Harpo was an ex-member of Paul Revere and the Raiders), The Who, Every Mother's Son, Billy Joe Royal, Lou Christie (name misspelled), The Rocking Rebellions, and Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs.

dec167.jpg

Thanks to Nancy for providing this ticket.
wvokdec1967.jpg

Dec 2, 1967-The lineup included Paul Revere & The Raiders (with Tommy Roe & Keith Allison), Jon & Robin, The Music Explosion, The Buckinghams, Lou Christie, Neil Diamond, and Tommy James & The Shondells.

mar1668.jpg

March 16, 1968-The lineup included The Young Rascals, The Lemon Pipers, The Union Gap, Roy Head, Billy Joe Royal, The Rocking Rebellions, The Brotherhood, and Gene and Debbie.

jul2768.jpg

showerofstars1.jpg

ticket1.jpg

On July 27 and August 3, 1968, WVOK sponsored a Summer Spectacular at the Birmingham Auditorium.  Part 1 included Herman's Hermits, The Buckinghams, The Troggs, Boyce and Hart, The Ohio Express, Four Jacks and A Jill, and Roy Head.  Part 2 of the WVOK Summer Spectacular included Paul Revere and the Raiders, Lou Christie, Mitch Ryder and his Revue, The People, Billy Joe Royal, Georgie Fame and The Magistrates.

nov30681.jpg

November 30, 1968-The lineup included Davy Jones (of the Monkees) hosting and MC.  With Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Billy Joe Royal, Andy Kim, and Four Jacks and A Jill.  (I remember attending this show.)  There were two ads for this show.

showerofstars2.jpg

July 26, 1969-Lineup included Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Cowsills, Lou Christie, The Buckinghams, Tommy James & The Shondells, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, The 1910 Fruitgum Company and Pat Paulsen.  I remember attending this show.

Click here for Promo of this show.

nov2969.jpg

November 29, 1969-The lineup included Canned Heat, Bobby Sherman, Grass Roots, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, Evie Sands, Billy Joe Royal, and The Buckinghams.   (I remember being backstage at this show.  Thanks for the correct date Audrey.)

apr1870.jpg

April 18, 1970-The lineup included The Raiders, Mark Lindsay, Freddy Weller, Keith Allison, The Grass Roots, Michael Parks, Tony Joe White, Frijid Pink and Guess Who.

aug170.jpg

August 1, 1970-The lineup included Neil Diamond, The Grass Roots, Rare Earth, Classics IV, Tony Joe White, Glass Bottle, Turley Richards, and Vanity Fare.  (I remember attending this show.)

nov2870.jpg

November 28, 1970-The lineup included Iron Butterfly, Grass Roots, The Carpenters, Dawn*, Tony Joe White, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, and Mike Nesmith.  (Thanks for the correct date Audrey.  I remember attending this show also.)(*Interesting to note is that the group Dawn apparently was put together when Candida and Knock Three Times became huge hits. Tony Orlando provided vocals, however, he was under contract to a publishing company at the time. He formed Tony Orlando and Dawn after Knock Three Times.)

SPEC Magazine August 1971
articlewvok.jpg

blood-sweat-and-tears.jpg

May 8, 1971-WVOK and National Shows presents Blood, Sweat, and Tears at the Birmingham Municipal Auditorium.

sosjul3171.jpg

July 31, 1971-Starring Mark Lindsay, The Grass Roots, Tommy James, Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds, Lobo, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. 

jul11972.jpg

July 1, 1972-Starring B.J. Thomas, The Grass Roots, John Kay (from Steppenwolf), Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, Climax, and Gallery.  This was probably the last of the Shower of Stars Shows.  This show came exactly one year after the last show. 

aug1172.jpg

ticketaug1172.jpg

aug151973.jpg
August 15, 1973.