The Beach Boys and John Stamos to perform for Blaisdell's 50th Anniversary
Photo: Courtesy of A Tom Moffatt Production |
For half a century, the Neal S. Blaisdell Center has been Hawaii’s premier venue for sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, musicals and family shows, unparalleled in its scope and capabilities—it’s hard to imagine Honolulu without it. This weekend, the Center marks its 50th anniversary with a concert by perennial favorites The Beach Boys, featuring John Stamos, the actor and musician best known for his role as Uncle Jesse on the ABC sitcom Full House.
Stamos’ name may come as a surprise, but he’s actually been performing on and off with The Beach Boys since the 1980s, including when they appeared on an episode of Full House in 1992.
While Stamos has played with them in Hawaii before, “This is the first time we’ve known about it ahead of time,” promoter Tom Moffatt says. One time, Stamos was “suddenly onstage, and the girls went nuts. … I don’t know much about him on his own, but he’s got a good following. [Beach Boy] Mike Love told me that he’s one of the sexiest men alive,” Moffatt says with a laugh.
His favorite tunes? “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Good Vibrations.”
“I had this feeling when I walked in the other day that I started this all 50 years ago, I felt really a part of this building,” Moffatt says of the Blaisdell. “It means a lot because I’ve been there longer than anybody I guess that’s there now.”
Moffatt has promoted more than 500 events locally, including everyone from Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Elton John to Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Rihanna and Ne-Yo.
The Beach Boys, who have performed in Hawaii at least 10 times, were the first major headliners at the Blaisdell back in 1964. Sunday night’s concert brings that full circle as the Center moves into a new era.
“While we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary, we’re looking forward with a master plan for developing the Blaisdell,” says John Fuhrmann of the Blaisdell’s customer services division. “It was built to meet the population and uses of [1964] and it has been very successful, [but] the population and community are changing and have grown. To fill Mayor [Neal S.] Blaisdell’s dream, it’s time to go forward with a new plan to expand and build a building to support today and tomorrow.”
Fuhrmann says Hawaii needs a larger facility to accommodate larger shows, such as touring family shows or perhaps a concert with Paul McCartney—named by both Fuhrmann and Moffatt independently of each other as who they would most like to see perform at the Blaisdell in the future.
Keep an eye out for other 50th anniversary events throughout 2014.
The Beach Boys and John Stamos perform Sunday night, January 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Arena. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com for $55 or $65, plus fees. Throwback prices of 75 cents for a Pepsi and hot dog will be available before the show. Everyone who attends will also receive a commemorative lithograph.
