It's impossible to count how many times 19355ers took the Broad St. exit of I-95 and battled traffic into the Spectrum. We saw the Sixers or Flyers, or maybe one of the minor league teams such as the Phantoms, Kixx or Fever. We saw a who's who of top concert acts, literally including The Who and every other act from Springsteen to Sinatra, from Neil Diamond to the Dead. The circus, ice shows, wrestling, roller derby ... the Spectrum truly was America's Showplace.
It's shuttered now, and I understand it's well past its prime and not nearly the money-maker it used to be. But the joint used to hop in a soulful way the antiseptic Wachovia Center never will.
From a professional standpoint, I'll remember a couple of incredible moments courtesy of Sixers legend Julius Erving. Doctor J's two most famous baskets as a Sixer took place at the Spectrum in games I was covering for the Daily Local News, both against the Lakers. 1) His incredible swooping, skywalking move under the basket against an overmatched Mark Landsberger. 2) His soaring dunk from seemingly half-court against Michael Cooper, one of the great defenders of his era.
From the purely personal side, the last memory is the best. My family and I saw the opening and closing shows of Bruce Springsteen's four-night stand last month. When Bruce and the E Street Band improvised the Jackie Wilson classic (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher, it was pure magic. All was right with the world at that moment. I'd love to hear from other 19355ers who were also there and felt something truly special.
I watch the video a few times a week. It's impossible not to smile at the joy being shared between performers and their audience.
Thanks to Bruce and the Spectrum for one last memorable moment.
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