** Special Note: I would like to express my sincere thanks to site visitor and Amarillo 50-50 concert attendee Micah Jones for sharing memories and an article from his personal collection for this blog post. **
50/50 Tour Stop: # 46 (Concert # 47)
Date: December 7, 1981
Venue: Texas Moon Palace. 829 S. Georgia Street. Amarillo, Texas. 79106.
Source: Facebook.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/3j7LMXtekHGUTodx9
Venue Exterior:
1970s:
829 S. Georgia was the site of the Playmore Roller Palace from the early 1950s up to the mid-1970s. Circa 1976, the Playmore Dance Palace (aka the Playmoor Dance Palace) operated at that location.
Source: Facebook.
1981:
I have not yet found a photo of the exterior of the Texas Moon Palace as it looked circa the 50-50 tour. Please get in touch if you know of one.
2018:
Venue Interior: I have not yet found a good photo of the interior of the Texas Moon Palace as it looked circa the 50-50 tour. Please get in touch if you know of one.
Opening Act: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.
Above: Stevie Ray Vaughan with the Rolling Stones at the Danceteria in New York City. The “unidentified bystander” on the left in the dark hat is Tommy Shannon, bass guitarist from Double Trouble. Source: NY Daily News. May 16, 1982.
There are some reports online suggesting Stevie Ray Vaughan performed as a solo act for this concert. That version of events is NOT supported by the Amarillo Daily News’ concert review, published two days after the show.
Source: Amarillo Daily News. Dec. 9, 1981. Pg. 7B.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill:
Source: Facebook
Press & Promotion: I am still looking for any advertising used to promote the Destroyers’ 50-50 concert in Texas. Please send me a note if you know of any or have any images you can share.
Ticket Price: $6.
Ticket Stub: I am still looking for an image or photo of the ticket stub for this show. If you have a scan or a stub for sale, please get in touch!
Attendance: Unknown.
Set List: I can only confirm a partial the set list for this show:
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble:
- Love Struck Baby
George Thorogood & the Destroyers:
- I’m Wanted*
Source: Amarillo Daily News. Dec. 9, 1981. Pg. 7B.
Was the Concert Recorded? Unknown.
Concert Photos: I am still looking for any photos of the Destroyers performing at the Texas Moon Palace during the 50-50 tour. Please get in touch if you have any!
Concert Reaction:
Donna Weeks wrote a very positive review of the Destroyers’ 50-50 show in Amarillo:
“Monday night in the Texas Moon Palace, Thorogood’s band and Stevie Ray Vaughan practically brought the roof down with a rocking and rolling spirit that shook the country and western cobwebs from the club’s roller derby rafters.”
Source: Amarillo Daily News. Dec. 9, 1981. Pg. 7B.
Other Notes: This concert did NOT take place at the Jersey Lilly in Amarillo.
Fate of the Venue: Concerts and public events were held at the Texas Moon Palace up to at least 1983. The trail goes cold for me after that. Please get in touch if you have more information about the fate of the Moon Palace.
50 States in 50 Dates 