Is it sad that I was more excited to see a building than the band playing a concert in said building? I don't think so. On January 15, 2014 Laura and I attended the grand re-opening of The Forum in Inglewood, CA. 70's country-rock band The Eagles played their first of 6 shows to help usher in a new era in the arena's already storied history. Aside from New York's Madison Square Garden, I can't think of an arena in the US that has hosted more events in the last 40+ years. When bands came to LA, there was only one place you really wanted to play. From Hendrix to The Who, Zeppelin to the Stones, Elvis, Michael Jackson and Prince - they have all played here. If the dressing rooms could talk, it would certainly be a discussion that you might not want your kids to hear.
And that is just the music! Let us not forget all the sports history that has happened here. From all the Laker legends - Wilt, West, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq and Kobe - to the "Great One" Wayne Gretzky, to Muhammad Ali, to the GOAT Michael Jordan, the greatest of the greats all had historic moments within these walls. As a die-hard Lakers fan and someone who grew up watching those legendary players on TV,
"Live from the Great Western Forum..." it wasn't hard to sit there and just stare out at the building's floor and visualize all those glorious moments happening again. I could also see Gretzky scoring goal #802 on March 23, 1994 against Vancouver to pass Gordie Howe and become the NHL's all-time leading scorer. And of course, as a huge NBA fan I could see Michael Jordan putting the finishing touches on the '90-'91 season by winning his first NBA championship on June 12, 1991. Needless to say, this evening was for me, a stroll down Memory Lane!!
The Eagles
