Compton Terrace

Compton Terrace was a name given to two former outdoor amphitheaters for concerts, located in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona. It was named in honor of a local radio personality and music promoter, William Edward Compton.

History

Compton Terrace was an amphitheater owned by Jess Nicks, father of musician Stevie Nicks, in Tempe, Arizona, on the grounds of the Legend City amusement park, and opened in 1979. Nicks chose the amphitheater's name in honor of the late William Edward Compton, a local disc jockey renown for pioneering free-form radio at stations KCAC and KDKB, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1977.

The original location closed in 1983 alongside the amusement park, with a final show performed as a farewell to the venue. The amphitheater would later re-open in 1985 as Compton Terrace at Firebird Lake in nearby Chandler, next to Firebird International Raceway. The venue's capacity was approximately 20,000. The first Lollapalooza, then a touring festival, held its inaugural show at Compton Terrace on July 18, 1991.

Compton Terrace hosted its last event with the Big Top "Electronic Highway Tour" on August 16, 1997. It was demolished in 2010.[citation needed]

Past performers

Notable past performers include U2, The Police, Metallica, Def Leppard, Duran Duran, Morrissey, Eurythmics, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Phil Collins, Grateful Dead, Guns N' Roses, Queen, Iron Maiden, Pat Benatar, Scorpions, Molly Hatchet, Van Halen, Phish, Jane's Addiction, the New Kids On The Block, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Power Station, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Rage Against the Machine, Ratt, The Go-Go's, R.E.M. and Bon Jovi.

References

  1. ↑ Means, Andrew (1984-03-25). "Developer begins work on concert venue". Arizona Star. Arizona Star. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  2. ↑ Ellefson, David (1997). Making Music Your Business: A Guide for Young Musicians - David Ellefson - Google Books. p. 99. ISBN 9780879304607. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  3. ↑ "OTD: The Very First Lollapalooza Tour Launched in 1991". Flood Magazine. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Rock 'n' roll landmarks". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Search for setlists: Compton Terrace". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Garcia, Gilbert. "Road Kill". Phoenix New Times. No. 1997–08–21. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  7. ↑ Garcia, Gilbert. "Hot Five". Phoenix New Times. No. 1997–Aug–14. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  8. ↑ "Oct 11, 1995 Setlist". Phish.net.
  9. ↑ "Compton Terrace, Chandler, AZ, USA Concert Setlists". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  10. ↑ "Lollapalooza Lauches with Mash-up of Eclectic Acts - July 18, 1991". Calendar.songfacts.com.

33°26′49″N 111°57′27″W / 33.447012°N 111.957577°W / 33.447012; -111.957577