19.2.14

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Madison, WI

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, Wisconsin (12.15.2013)
© J. Shimon & J. Lindemann
We could see Veterans Memorial Coliseum from our hotel room at the Sheraton Madison. Pondering the 1967 facility brought back memories of big coliseum rock shows with long lines of 10,000 fans waiting for hours, the smell of weed in the air, the eardrum searing volume of shows by The Who and Cheap Trick in the 1970s. The flying saucer inflected architecture reminded us of the Frank Lloyd Wright's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (1961) and Golden Rondele Theater (1967) in neighboring Milwaukee and Racine. More recently Dolly Parton performed there, Epic staff meetings were held there along with boat shows, cheerleading competitions, and sporting events. The site evolved from the Dane County Fair grounds in 1896 to concert venue to the current complex named for Alliant Energy whose corporate headquarters are located in Madison.

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