Big names booked through the decades

By Molly Gore

It might seem like a major flashback to recall Sum 41 in their prime -- that is, until you imagine Bruce Springsteen or Ray Charles in Mayer Theatre.

In the days of Jethro Tull, The Who and The Grateful Dead, Santa Clara managed to book some big names at the peak of their careers.

Toso Pavillion (the former arena before the Leavey Center was built) and Mayer Theatre were important venues for popular artists to premier and promote their new hits.

These performers were not has-beens or wannabes. Far from it. They were legitimate, enduring sensations. They were popular then, and 40 years later, we're still listening.

At the turn of the millennium, the sounds at Leavey Center took a more modernly eclectic turn, booking artists from G. Love to Jack Johnson to the Roots. Take a look:

* Ray Charles, Oct. 31, 1967

* Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Oct. 3, 1976. The boss himself appeared at Toso Pavillion.

* Steve Martin, November 1976

* Jackson Browne, Nov. 18, 1976

* Seals & Crofts, Feb. 20, 1977

* Jay Leno, Jan. 12, 1977 -- before "The Tonight Show."

* Journey with Nick Gilder, Oct. 22, 1978.

* Jim Messina, Sept. 19, 1979

* Van Morrison, Sept. 30, 1979. Leavey Center was a stop on Morrison's tour to promote his new album, "Into The Music."

* America, Oct. 3, 1980

* Jane Fonda, Oct. 27, 1980. The real Jane Fonda, 27 years before Mickey Avalon.

* Bonnie Raitt, April 30, 1981

* G. Love & Special Sauce, May 14, 2001

* Jack Johnson, Feb. 10, 2002

* Blackalicious, May 20, 2002

* The Ataris, Nov. 2, 2003

* Sum 41, April 17, 2003

* Ludo, Oct. 23, 2004

* Jimmy Eat World, May 10, 2005

* Death Cab for Cutie, Nov. 15, 2005

* The Roots, Spring 2005

* Jurrasic 5, May 23, 2006

* Pepper, Feb. 15, 2007

* Mos Def, Spring 2007

* Bone Thugs-N-Harmony with Girl Talk and Jupiter Rising, Winter 2008

It is hard to believe, but even at the height of his popularity, Bruce Springsteen cost $7,000 and Jackson Browne $3,500.

Toward the end of the '70s, the university decided to cut back expenses toward concerts and musical entertainment after a handful of concerts that cost up to tens of thousands of dollars.

So put that ticket on flex, lace up your dancing shoes and help keep these big names coming our way.

Contact Molly Gore at mgore@scu.edu.