Back in the day, the International Amphitheatre located at 42nd and Halsted was a place where part of Chicago’s history was made. Once located next to the Union Stock Yards, their doors opened in 1934. Years of cool events followed. Many of the best musicians held concerts at the Amphitheater including but not limited to; Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, the Rolling Stones, even Elvis Presley, and the Beatles just to name a few.
Click the link below to see live footage of Elvis at the International Amphitheater
Click the link below to see live footage of the Beatles at the International Amphitheater
The Circus Comes to Town
When the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus arrived in town, they would get off their trains and march for miles on the streets of Chicago to the International Amphitheater. Once there they put on the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Free performances were set aside for residents of Bridgeport, Canaryville, and McKinley Park.
Both Political Parties National Conventions held at International Amphitheatre
Both the Republican (1952 & 1960) and Democratic Party (1956 & 1968) held their National conventions there.
World Hockey Association games at International Amphitheater
The International Amphitheatre was also home to the Chicago Cougars Hockey Team of the WHA (1972-1975.) Wayne Gretzky signed his first professional hockey contract with the Chicago Cougars. Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, and other hockey greats would skate against the Cougars at the International Amphitheater.
Many different events held at International Amphitheater
The International Amphitheater also had indoor drag racing, the Chicago Auto Shows, and fishing shows. The Chicago Bulls played their first season at the International Amphitheater before moving to the Chicago Stadium. The International Amphitheater also has boxing and wrestling matches. In 1981 Joe Fraizer fought his last boxing match against Floyd Cummings.
This all came to an end. In 1999 the International Amphitheater was demolished. Only part of a brick outer wall on Halsted remains. Nonetheless, it was a cool place with a lot of history.
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