On this day in history: Spokane County leader rejects concerts to avoid repeat of rock fest riot.
In the year 1976, Spokane County was gripped by the aftermath of the disastrous Nor’wester ’76 rock festival that devastated parts of the speedway just across the state line. The County Commissioners faced a tough decision when a proposal for three rock concerts at the Spokane Indians ballpark was on the table. However, bearing in mind the recent events, they promptly rejected the request to host the concerts and avoid a potential repeat of the chaos unleashed by rock music fans at the rival event. One commissioner even went as far as stating that rock fans could easily set the place ablaze, sparking fears of a similar riot.
The rejection was met with frustration from the Spokane Indians’ General Manager, William S. Cutler, who expressed his need for the revenue generated by these concerts to sustain a financially struggling team. Despite securing dates from prominent bands like ZZ Top and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, he was left hanging due to the County Commissioners’ decision. The memories of a beer bust rock concert in 1975 at the ballpark seemed to have a lasting impact on the decision-makers. The neighbors had complained of excessive noise, and had the music been stopped abruptly, it could have led to a serious altercation.
Looking back at history, a gripping tale unfolds in 1926 when Pilot Nick Mamer and two passengers faced a near-death experience near Parkwater. The pilot vividly described the horrific accident, which presented them with three distinct brushes with death. Mamer believed that they narrowly escaped being mangled in the crash, burnt alive, or electrocuted by high-tension electrical wires. Against all odds, the trio miraculously survived the ordeal, walking away unscathed from the fiery wreckage. The shocking incident was captured by the Spokane Chronicle in a front-page photo that depicted the inferno that engulfed the plane.
Reflecting on this day in history, the echoes of past events continue to resonate in Spokane’s collective memory. The decisions made by the County Commissioners in 1976 were shaped by experiences from previous tumultuous times, where rock concerts had triggered chaos and strife in the community. Similarly, the harrowing plane crash in 1926 serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of those who face life-threatening challenges. These intertwined narratives offer glimpses into Spokane’s rich history and the enduring stories that shape the community’s identity.