Wow These Acts Really Played Pine Knob Live In Concert

Pine Knob Music Theatre is an outdoor amphitheater with a Clarkston, Michigan mailing address. Built in the early 1970s, and got its name from the nearby Pine Knob ski area and golf course. Ranks as one of the top concert venues in the world.

The grand opening was back on June 25th, 1972 with its first show with a teen idol from the tv show, The Partridge Family. David Cassidy. David drew crowds of screaming teens all over the country as a solo artist. the seating compacity to start was 12,500.

One feature they had a pathway going right in the middle of the lawn section cutting it in half to a left and right side. Long cement retaining walls that cut through the hill were the logos of every artist or group that had performed there. In the 1980's the wall was filled in to make more seating on the lawn and total seating to 15,000 fans.

Many musicians played Pine Knob for more than 20 years Eddie Money opened the concert season each May. Chicago appeared +80, more than any other act. Bob Seger has played more than 33 sold-out shows, including eight in a row in 1977. Kid Rock with ten consecutive sold-out shows.

One thing artists find out is when it's 11 pm. Pine Knob has a time curfew. If an artist plays past 11 pm they face a $1,000 fine for every minute they play over. The J.Geils band break that curfew many times.

Here are some of the bands that you may remember or not remember or surprised they Pine Knob Music Theater.

The amphitheater held its grand opening on June 25, 1972, with a matinee performance by teen idol David Cassidy. Andy Williams performed the first evening concert two nights later.

Cheech and Chong did their stand-up antics live on stage. The funny thing is the strange smell in the pavilion and the record sales of nachos sold that night. Folk artist David Bromberg was the opening act. How tough was that? To play before Cheech & Chong?

1972-73  Sonny & Cher Tour went all around the United States. In fact to look at one of the official tour books you could buy at the concert check out by clicking here:

No footage of the Monkees at Pine Knob that I have searched for all over social media. From the live albums in my collection and a live release from Rhino Records. They were pretty good in concert. Did find this live footage from one of their tours.

Spinal Tap played in from of a huge sold-out crowd playing all their hits from the movie. The crowd sang along with every song. What made it even more incredible was a hard-core Detroit band ALYZE was also on the bill to open up.