War Memorial Auditorium

General information

When War Memorial Auditorium was dedicated in 1925, leading architects and artists of the time contributed to its style, near-perfect acoustics, and atmosphere. For 85 years, that legacy has continued—the pop culture in one era becomes a part of WMA’s colorful history in the next.

Talk about eclectic, KISS and Rush performed here on one night in 1974 and Charlie Daniels hosted his first Volunteer Jam the day-after. The next year the Eagles opened for Procol Harem. On through the years, old-time musicians, country singers, and rock stars have thrilled audiences in this remarkable space. David Bowie. Elvis Costello. Jim Croce. The list goes on and on.

And what about the many political milestones? In the 1960s, both Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy campaigned at WMA, which was also the site of the 2000 “election party that never was” on the controversial night when no winner was declared in the presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore (who also announced Joe Lieberman as his running mate here earlier that year).

The legends grow. At War Memorial Auditorium, history is always in the making.