Today In Rock History: “Festival Seating” Causes Tragedy At The Who Concert In Cincinnati

Think back.  Do you remember “festival seating” at concerts?  You know, where you would get to a show 5-6 hours in advance…..stand in line all day….just waiting for them to open the doors so you could sprint to your seat and get as close to the stage as possible?

I remember.  And I remember the horrible event that happened today back in 1979.  I wasn’t there….but I have spoken to fans that were.  Maybe you were there.  If so, chances are you’ll never forget it.  The Who was playing at The Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati for the first time ever, and when the doors were opened, the fans made a mad rush to go claim unreserved seats.  11 members of the audience were trampled to death in the stampede of fans rushing into the venue.  Another 26 fans were injured.

Learn more about the event and how the city of Cincinnati and the members of The Who have dealt with the tragedy in the video below:

(VIDEO:  YouTube/Associated Press)