Greenville Memorial Auditorium
Encyclopedia
The Greenville Memorial Auditorium was a 7,500-seat multi-purpose arena
in Greenville, South Carolina
, USA
. It hosted local sporting events and concerts, until the Bi-Lo Center
opened in 1997.
It was a prime spot for professional wrestling
throughout its history, especially in the 70's and 80's, with NWA Jim Crockett Promotions
cards held every Monday night.
It hosted the Southern Conference
men's basketball tournaments in 1972, 1975, and 1976.
The most famous concert was Lynyrd Skynyrd
on October 19, 1977 - the last concert played by the original band, prior to its plane crash the next day en route to Baton Rouge.
The arena was demolished on September 20, 1997.
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It hosted local sporting events and concerts, until the Bi-Lo Center
Bi-Lo Center
The BI-LO Center is an arena located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, that is used for concerts, football, and hockey. The arena is currently used by the Greenville Force of the Southern Indoor Football League and the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL.- History :The BI-LO Center was...
opened in 1997.
It was a prime spot for professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
throughout its history, especially in the 70's and 80's, with NWA Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions was a professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett, Jr. until the late 1980s. It was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance and was the forerunner to World Championship Wrestling .-Early history:...
cards held every Monday night.
It hosted the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
men's basketball tournaments in 1972, 1975, and 1976.
The most famous concert was Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
on October 19, 1977 - the last concert played by the original band, prior to its plane crash the next day en route to Baton Rouge.
The arena was demolished on September 20, 1997.