Collegiate All-Stars Band

The 1960s and 70s was a time when music became the voice of a new generation. Artists toured the country, spreading a new sound. Rock, Blues, Folk, and, R&B were all maturing, and replacing the sound of the previous generation. The growing diversity of musical styles was felt all over the country including the growing student population in Oshkosh.

Fleetwood Mac Poster 1973

Fleetwood Mac concert poster for 1973
UW Oshkosh SC 131

Stage latout for the group Lake
UW Oshkosh Unprocessed Collection

The University at Oshkosh during this time was experiencing unprecedented growth. In 1960, the campus student body was at 2,200, and grew to 11,594 students by 1971. To house and educate these students, the campus saw enormous expansion to its physical plant, with many new buildings added.

Don McClean

Don McClean on campus in support of his #1 single "American Pie"
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Prior to the 1960s, most musical acts performed in Albee Hall. After their construction, Kolf Sports Center and Titian Stadium were to host many of large and popular musical events. Acts such as Jethro Tull, Rod Stewart, and Johnny Cash played these venues. The Grateful Dead was cancelled by the University administration only days prior to a concert. However, this "Golden Era" of music was not without its challenges.

John Prine poster

John Prine conert poster 1973
UW Oshkosh SC 131

Some of the acts that preformed on Campus through 1960-1970.

-Johnny Cash, June Carter, Carl Perkins *Oct. 1962

-Kingston Trio *Oct. 1966

-The Kingsmen *Oct. 1967

-Simon & Garfunkel *Oct. 1967

-The Circus *Oct. 1968

-Blood, Sweat, and Tears *1969

-'Cannonball' Adderley *Nov. 1970

Johnny Cash Image

Johnny Cash performing on campus in 1972
UWO Archives Image 72-591-#11

Loggins and Messina poster

Kenny Loggins flyer
UW Oshkosh SC 131

In the 1970s, concerts became increasingly more expensive and attendance at some did not cover the costs. According to the Advance-Titian at the time, Jean-Luc Ponty's jazz concert in 1978 lost close to $5,000. This large loss forced some soul searching on the part of student leaders. Could the campus support big-name acts?

Some of the acts that preformed on Campus through 1970-1973.

-Lou Rawls *March 1970

-Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins *Oct. 1972

-Don McLean *1972

-Sha Na Na, Mason Profit *Oct. 1972

-The Carpenters Nov. 1973

-Maynard Ferguson *Nov.1973

-John Prine *Dec.1973

-Fleetwood Mac, Blue Oyster cult *Oct. 1973

Seals Croft poster

Seals & Croft flyer
UW Oshkosh SC 131

Some of the acts that performed on Campus through 1974-1976.

-Santana *Oct. 1974

-Three Dog Night * 1974

-Wishbone Ash *1975

-Jethro Tull *Oct. 1975

-Rod Stewart *Oct. 1975

-Fenton Robinson *Oct. 1976

-Electric Lights & Orchestra *Feb. 1976

Certainly, the growing diversity of musical tastes made it difficult to find affordable acts that appealed to a large enough group of students. The economics of the music industry put big favorites, the ones students asked for, like Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones out of the question.

Carl Perkins performing on campus in 1972 in backing Johnny Cash
UWO Archives Image 72-574-9A

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Wishbone Ash concert poster for 1975
UW Oshkosh SC 131

Grateful Dead Ticket

A Grateful Dead ticket for the show that was canceled by the University only days before the show date.
UW Oshkosh Unprocessed Collection

UFO "must have" list for back-stage
UW Oshkosh Unprocessed Collection
(Click image to make larger)

Some of the acts that performed on Campus through 1974-1976.

-Larry Norman *Oct. 1976

-Chuck Mangione *Sept. 1977

-Poco, J. Geils, Muddy Waters *June 1977

-Jean-Luc Ponty, Luther Allison *Sept. 1978

-UFO *Oct. 1978

Other Featured Artisits:

-REO Speedwagon, Foghat, Kingfish

-Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina

-Seals & Croft

Blue Oyster Cult is the opening act for Fleetwood Mac in 1973
UWO Archives Image 73-509-#1

Today, University organizations, such as Reeve Union Board (RUB), face these same problems. RUB strives to bring in musical acts that will appeal to college students but is faced with the realities of money and popularity, making it impossible for top-40 acts to perform here…or on any college campus for that matter. This all but assures that the 1960s and 70s will remain be the Golden Era of music on this campus.

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