In the early 1970's, concert promoters Bill Love of Love, Inc and Jay Goldberg, then owner of Budget Tapes & Records in Peoria, organized a series of rock concerts at the Barn (9201 N. Galena Rd., Route 29) just north of Peoria, Illinois. These shows featured some of the top touring rock bands of the era along with several local groups. Nearly two dozen shows have been identified over a one year period but there were likely several more.
We need your help documenting this short-lived but important venue in central Illinois' rock history! If you attended a show at the Barn in '71-'72 and can add to the list of shows or just have a story to tell we'd love to hear it. Also, if you have any photos, posters, flyers or recordings of any kind we'd love to see and hear them. Please reach out to us at: downstatesounds@gmail.com
THE CONCERTS
- Jun 4, 1971 Bloodrock
- Jun 19, 1971 Spirit
- Jul 9, 1971 The Byrds, Sunday, Godzilla
- Jul 16, 1971 Edgar Winter's White Trash, Morning Morning, All Star Frogs
- Jul 23, 1971 Alice Cooper, Brownsville Station
- Aug 14, 1971 Crow, Fanny, Podipto
- Aug 21, 1971 Teagarden & Van Winkle (Bob Seger), Brownsville Station
- Aug 27, 1971 Sugarloaf, Remedy, Morning Morning
- Sep 4, 1971 Black Oak Arkansas, The Mackinaw Valley Boys
- Sep 11, 1971 Mason Profitt, Wilderness Road
- Sep 22, 1971 Alice Cooper, Mike Quatro Jam Band
- Nov 9, 1971 Ted Nugent and The Amboy Dukes, Savage Grace
- Dec 31, 1971 Edgar Winter's White Trash
- Jan 23, 1972 Uriah Heep
- Feb 20, 1972 Allman Brothers, REO Speedwagon
- Feb 25, 1972 James Gang, Point Blank
- Mar 10, 1972 King Crimson, Black Oak Arkansas, Sweathog
- Mar 17, 1972 Ajax Maggot, Mannish Boy
- Mar 24, 1972 Mike Quatro Jam Band, Finchley Boys
- Mar 31, 1972 Saylor, Smack Water Rye
- Apr 8, 1972 Cactus, Bloodrock, Pot Liquor
- Apr 20, 1972 Ten Years After (CANCELLED?)
- May 7, 1972 Quicksilver Messenger Service
- May 13, 1972 Fleetwood Mac, McKendree Spring, Ashton Gardner & Dyke
RECORDINGS
An incomplete live recording of the King Crimson set from March 10, 1972 has been released by the band in several different formats over the years. One track from the set, "Peoria" aka "Groon Peoria," was included on the band's 1972 live album Earthbound.
In 2011, King Crimson officially released more of their set digitally (seven tracks total though several are incomplete) and again in 2017 on CD & Blu-Ray audio as part of their Sailors' Tails box set.
A bootleg recording of the Alice Cooper show from July 23, 1971 can be found on YouTube.
FLYERS & POSTERS
Special thanks to Bill Risoli for sharing these images.
REVIEWS & ADS (click image to enlarge)
HISTORY OF THE BARN
Located seven miles north of Peoria, the Barn was build in 1937 and was originally known as Riverview Stables. At the time it was one of the best showplaces for horses in central Illinois and was once home to the Peoria Riding Club. In 1949 it was bought by Max Baty who renamed it Baty's Barn. In addition to horse shows, the venue hosted farm auctions, hog and cattle sales as well as tractor, boat and RV shows.
By 1955, Baty had replaced the arena floor with concrete and started to hold dances and benefit concerts. Here are some of the shows we were able to identify for 1955-56:
- Jan 30, 1955 Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm
- Feb 15, 1955 Buddy Moreno & His Orchestra
- Mar 19, 1955 Ted Lewis, His Orchestra & Revue
- Apr 30, 1955 Jerry Mercer with David Carroll & His Orchestra
- May 13, 1955 Sammy Kaye & His Orchestra
- May 21, 1955 Freddie Stevens' Orchestra
- May 28, 1955 Eddy Howard & His Orchestra
- Jun 2, 1955 Oklahoma Wranglers, Kay Clark, Tommy Sosebee
- Jul 30, 1955 Ray Anthony & His Orchestra
- Aug 5, 1955 Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys
- Sep 2, 1955 The Crew Cuts
- Sep 10, 1955 Pat Boone, Ernie Rudy & His Choral Recording Orchestra
- Sep 17, 1955 Jan Garber & His Orchestra
- Sep 30, 1955 Ralph Marterie & His Downbeat Orchestra
- Oct 8, 1955 Buddy Moreno & His Orchestra
- Nov 4, 1955 Wayne King & Orchestra
- Nov 12, 1955 Jimmy Palmer & His Orchestra
- Dec 10, 1955 Eddy Howard & His Orchestra
- Dec 31, 1955 Freddy Barnes & His Orchestra
- Jan 21, 1956 The Crew Cuts, Bill Hardesty Orchestra
- Feb 4, 1956 Bill Hardesty & His Orchestra
- Mar 3, 1956 Jimmy Palmer & His Orchest
- Apr 28, 1956 Ted Weems & His Orchestra
In 1962 the Barn was sold after Baty passed away. The new owner, E.T. Biddison, tried to bring live music back to the Barn that year but with disastrous results.
When Booker T. & The MGs failed to show up for their performance on December 22, 1962 a riot ensued. A crowd of 400 angry customers began breaking windows and plumbing fixtures. The police responded in force with shotguns and tear gas resulting in at least one patron being treated for a head injury.
No concerts between 1963 and 1971 have been identified. After the year of rock shows in '71 and '72, music at the location seems to have stopped for good. Around 1990, the Barn returned to its original purpose, a place for horse shows and auctions. It is currently the Heart of Illinois Arena.