My First Rock Concert Remembered: Three Dog Night

The first concert I ever attended was Three Dog Night. Three Dog Night was a popular rock band in the early 1970's with number one hits like One, and Joy to the World. They also had many top forty songs like Mama Told Me Not to Come, Black and White, Celebrate, and The Show Must Go On. When I was fourteen and fifteen years old, I bought their albums Around the World With Three Dog Night (a double live album!), Seven Separate Fools, and Hard Labor.

One day while listening to the radio, I heard that they would be playing in West Palm Beach (Florida). I told my friend Russell about it and he said let's go! I bought the tickets for seven dollars each at a store called Jeans South on Federal Highway in Pompano Beach. Russell said if I bought his ticket, he would drive. OK with me! The show would be at the West Palm Beach Auditorium. Russell said his dad had taken him there to watch wrestling matches.

We stopped at the 7 - 11 before leaving to get some snacks. I got a 16 ounce bottle of Coke and a bag of Frito's. We drove in Russ's MG Midget. It was yellow and it had a convertible roof. We drove with the top down on US Highway 1 until we got to West Palm. I was excited because the Atlanta Braves Spring Training facility was right next door to the Auditorium.

The seating for the concert was general admission and we got to the show an hour before the first band took the stage. There we were, third row, and just to the left of the stage. Some long haired fans were passing around hand rolled cigarettes, but I refused.

The opening band was called The Earl Scruggs Revue. I had no idea who they were, but there was a whole line of guitars and banjos set up right in front of the drum kit. The band played real well. I found out that one of their claims to fame was one of their songs was the theme song for the TV show, The Beverly Hillbillies.

In between the bands was a long pause while the technicians set up equipment for Three Dog Night. It seemed to take forever. More hand rolled cigarettes were being passed about, and there was a fragrance in the air which seemed to bring a magical aura to the whole event.

Finally, the lights dimmed and music filled the air. It was Three Dog Night live in concert. Chuck Negron sang in front of me while the others sang and harmonized on every song. They played all their hits including recent songs like Shambala, and Let Me Serenade You from the Cyan album. They played Joy to the World, and Black and White. The lights were colorful, the air was pungently aromatic, and the music was played loud. Russ and I clapped after every song, and even got on our feet to sing and cheer during the encores.

After the show, we talked about the concert on the way home. It was a great show, and the first of many concerts I would attend and enjoy. A splendid time was had by all.

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