|
|
Convention
Hall / Paramount Theater
Photo taken 05/14/98 - The Lost Playground © 2001
------Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater are located along the boardwalk between Sunset Ave. and 5th Ave. It was built during the early-1900's. Due to a fire at the nearby Casino, it was redeveloped and re-opened to the public on July 11, 1930.
------Convention Hall is one of the largest venues in the area. In the 60's and 70's, bands such as The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, and The Who performed there. In 1993, the venue was closed for a couple years for a $2 million renovation due to asbestos problems. In the spring of 1999, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band used Convention Hall for rehearsals before their worldwide 1999/2000 reunion tour. He also did two pre-tour rehearsal shows there for fans in March of 1999, with proceeds going to local charities. To this day, Convention Hall still brings big music acts to its venue. Also, Convention Hall is currently the home of the United States Basketball League team, The Jersey Shorecats.
------The Paramount Theater, which is located inside Convention Hall, also holds concerts. Springsteen performed three charity shows at the Paramount in November of 1996. This is also where the E Street Band rehearsed for their Darkness tour. Shortly before Springsteen's performances, the Paramount Theater under went one million dollars worth of renovations.
