Rock concert riot at San Diego's Balboa Stadium 1976

[@jamescpotter]

Gentle Giant singing "Knots" from the album Octopus!

[@Slonge92]

I attended that concert with 5 friends, we drove down from March AFB to see ‘Frampton Comes Alive.’ I don’t remember any problems aside from Frampton stopping a song to tell everyone to stop throwing Frisbees on the stage. I remember that Gentle Giant sucked, Yes and Bob Welsh were great, and Frampton was awesome. Great day.

[@Mr_PNW]

Bob Welsh? Do you mean Gary Wright?

[@203207ab]

so apparently nothing happened in relation to what goes on daily today.

[@Mr_PNW]

This was my first concert, I was 15 and went with a 16 yr old friend. Frampton’s wonky mouth thing, Gary Wright’s band parachuting in, barely remember Gentle Giant and the amazing Yes light show filling the sky with lasers.

[@cbs8sandiego]

Is the band in the video Gentle Giant?

[@billwesley]

It sounds like Gentle Giant, I think this was the show that my friends who went told me they were terrible, but I did not believe them because they thought anything progressive was terrible.

[@Seventysongs]

Yes, my beloved Gentle Giant. Does anyone have this complete video?

[@DiogenesOfCa]

@@Seventysongs They were weird before it was "cool' to be weird.

[@Seventysongs]

@@DiogenesOfCa I didn't think it was strange because I liked many things that were considered strange by some. I was a musician...I don't play anymore...and in those years, I remember when I heard them for the first time. I was fascinated by the compositions, how they combined things, the "intricacy" that the instruments made. I liked prog and jazz rock too... in reality I liked everything that was good. And almost everything was very good. Nothing was weird to me lol.

[@CommuneRecords]

Yes - the song they are doing is called "Knots". It would be great to see the rest of the footage if it exists!

[@MaurytheHedgehogDog]

What bands were playing

[@CaptApple]

Frampton, YES and Gentle Giant. As I remember, the Ramones and Runaways were there that year too. Great shambling wreck of a stadium.

[@MaurytheHedgehogDog]

@@CaptApple thanks! Saw Frampton and Yes in the SF Bay Area in the day. Must have been great!

[@nunyabidness8409]

Where is Balboa Stadium today???

[@garyg8036]

Same place. The original stadium was demolished in 1977 due to concerns about its stability during an earthquake, and was rebuilt in 1978 with a much smaller seating capacity than when it housed the Chargers. Most of its distinguishing architectural features were removed. The remaining seating is made up of simple concrete bleachers, which also form the walls of the canyon the field is built in.

[@L.Spencer]

Is it just for San Diego High now? @@garyg8036

[@SD-Rob]

San Diego High School on Park blvd

[@Baynewsvideo]

The old Balboa Stadium is in the Miramar landfill. May it rest in peace.

[@cpark7664]

I was there too. I didn't know any of that. I just remember it as a great concert.

[@origtex]

Wow. Never knew. 180 degree change is now in effect!

[@elizabethreece8504]

No one was bigger in the summer of 1976 than Peter Frampton. Why would you put these 3 bands together for one show?? Anyone should have known it would attract way more people than the venue could handle

[@Seventysongs]

I think it's a good one. In the 70s this tradition existed. Two, three bands, sharing the same stage, the longest time being, in this case, for Frampton, who was still going strong in 76. Even though I was here at that time, I wasn't in the United States or England, so I reported in magazines. Sometimes the third band was new or of little fame. It was cool for people to get to know them too...and it really helps their career. Everything that is a show, shared. Imagine: Fleetwood Mac, Rory Gallagher and Deep Purple. All on the same stage. Had this show several times. Everyone playing with everyone. It's true that the main group always had a certain perk, but even so, everyone played. I also collected bootlegs and that helped me a lot to understand and hear the vibe of each moment. Bootlegs are very interesting and often surprising documents.

[@elizabethreece8504]

I understand all that. I'm 61 years old and went to a lot of concerts but this sounds like it was handled kind of like Woodstock. Frampton was THE big thing that summer. He played a stadium show where I live and it was mobbed. Yes definitely could sell out places like that at that time also. I just think putting any other really big name bands with Frampton at that time was a mistake because he was just too popular at that time@@Seventysongs

[@Mr_PNW]

@@elizabethreece8504 This was my first concert and I remember these multi-band concerts were labeled “battle of the bands” back then.

[@awblackstar3421]

That's back when police carried those "hippie be good" sticks.

[@eddiebolt5781]

😂😂😂😂

[@OptimusPrinceps_Augustus]

Good times 👍

[@MichaelConroy-o4s]

Ahh,the good old days…”What’s your philosophy,dude?””Oh,man,You know,I’m like into chaos,disorder,anything against authority.””Cool.I can dig it.Yeah.”✌️❤

[@DiogenesOfCa]

Sounds like MAGA, we have come full circle.

[@0505abab]

That didnt look too bad compared to now days

[@Crypt1c]

Oh no, not $10k in damage!

[@gleaming999]

$53,550 in Today's Money