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Long Live the Spectrum

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Sky
September 5, 2023 (10:57 PM)

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September of 1967 an arena was open for business. The venue that held indoor soccer, concerts, basketball games, and of course, The Philadelphia Flyers. The building was called the Spectrum. It was the home of the Flyers from 1967 to 2009 and was then demolished in 2011- what a sad day.

It was more than just a venue for Philadelphians. It was where back-to-back Stanley Cups were won in 1974 and 1975. The 76ers played there and hosted many championship games. Formerly known as the Philadelphia Phantoms, won their first Calder Cup in 1998 behind fan favorite Frank "The Animal" Bialowas.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Flyers are going to win the Stanley Cup!
The Flyers win the Stanley Cup!
The Flyers win the Stanley Cup!

5/19/74 pic.twitter.com/uKs68ZlVro� NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 19, 2017

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There were tons of incredible sports memories held and made, but also music. The final show held at the Spectrum was Pearl Jam on Halloween night. What an incredible show that was. To close the doors down, Two shows, and the best for last. Probably one of the rarest of setlists you could ever find (and I went to the Ten Album show, where they played Ten in its entirety at Wells Fargo Center). An incredible night of music to say the least.

We can't forget the most underrated and biggest underdog story of all time. Rocky Balboa. Rocky faces Apollo Creed right there in the Spectrum to win the Heavyweight championship of the world.

45 yrs ago Jan. 1: Apollo Creed outpoints Rocky Balboa over 15, retains heavyweight title, Philadelphia Spectrum. Unbeaten Creed, frustrated by injured contender Mac Lee Green, taps local ham-&-egger for Bicentennial showdown - surviving knockdown & bruising war to earn split nod pic.twitter.com/Y4EocQkQog� Matthew Aguilar (@MatthewAguilar5) January 1, 2021

Aside from Rocky, my Great uncle Rudy Donato had over 15 professional fights in that venue and is inducted into the Pennsylvania boxing Hall of Fame. We couldn't be proud- We miss you every day.