Day on the Green facts for kids

Day on the Green was a famous series of outdoor rock concerts held in Oakland, California. These big shows were put on by a well-known concert organizer named Bill Graham and his company, Bill Graham Presents. They took place at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, a large stadium.

The concerts started in 1973 and continued until the early 1990s. Many legendary bands played at Day on the Green, making it a special event for music fans. The very last Day on the Green that Bill Graham personally organized happened in 1991, the same month he sadly passed away in a helicopter accident. A few more shows were held in the years after his death.

A Look Back: Day on the Green Concerts

The Day on the Green concerts were known for bringing together many popular bands for a full day of music. Fans would gather at the Oakland Coliseum to see their favorite artists perform live.

The Early Years: 1970s Music Magic

The first Day on the Green concert took place on August 5, 1973. It featured artists like Leon Russell and Loggins and Messina.

In 1974, big names like the Grateful Dead and The Beach Boys played. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young also performed two shows that year.

The 1975 concerts were very exciting. Chicago and The Beach Boys shared the stage. Later, The Doobie Brothers and Eagles played, with a surprise appearance by Elton John! Another show, nicknamed "THE BRITISH ARE COMING," featured Robin Trower and Fleetwood Mac.

Led Zeppelin's Big Shows

One of the most famous Day on the Green events was planned for August 1975 with Led Zeppelin. However, these shows were canceled because their singer, Robert Plant, was in a car crash. Led Zeppelin did play two huge shows in July 1977. These were some of the biggest Day on the Green concerts ever. Unknown at the time, these would be Led Zeppelin's very last shows in the United States.

More Great Bands in the 1970s

The concerts continued to feature top bands. In 1978, Aerosmith, Foreigner, Van Halen, and AC/DC all played on the same day! Just a few days later, The Rolling Stones headlined another show.

The year 1979 saw more "Monsters Of Rock" with Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, and AC/DC returning. There was even a special "Funk On The Green" concert featuring Parliament-Funkadelic and other funk bands.

The 1980s: New Sounds and Legends

The 1980s brought new and established bands to the Day on the Green stage.

Journey and The Who

Journey was a frequent performer, playing in 1980, 1982, and 1983. In 1982, The Who played a Day on the Green show with The Clash, which was a big event for fans of both classic rock and punk.

Big Names of the Mid-80s

After a break in 1984, Day on the Green returned in 1985 with a mix of heavy metal and pop. One day featured Scorpions and Metallica. The very next day, Wham! and The Pointer Sisters performed! This showed how diverse the concerts could be.

In 1987, music legends Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead played together. Later that year, U2 performed two shows.

Rock Giants in the Late 80s

Pink Floyd played two Day on the Green concerts in 1988. In 1989, The Who returned for two shows, and The Rolling Stones also played two concerts. The Rolling Stones even donated money to help victims of the Bay Area earthquake that year.

The Final Original Shows: Early 1990s

In 1990, the pop group New Kids on the Block even had a Day on the Green concert, showing the changing music tastes.

The last Day on the Green presented by Bill Graham was on October 12, 1991. It featured Metallica, Queensrÿche, Faith No More, and Soundgarden.

In 1992, more big shows took place, including Genesis, and a huge concert with Guns N' Roses and Metallica. U2 also played a final Day on the Green show that year.

Day on the Green Revival

After a long break, there was an attempt to bring back Day on the Green. In 2015 and 2016, a company called Got Live Entertainment tried to restart the event.

The planned 2015 show was postponed, but it was rescheduled for September 10, 2016. This concert featured tribute bands playing songs by artists who had performed at the original Day on the Green, like Journey, Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac. During this revival, fans also voted for the Day on the Green Hall of Fame, with Led Zeppelin and Journey being the first bands inducted.

Beyond the Oakland Coliseum

While most Day on the Green concerts were at the Oakland Coliseum, there was one event in 1999 that used the name. This concert, sponsored by a radio station, took place at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, California. It featured bands like Sammy Hagar and Megadeth.