Entertaining Tucson Across The Decades: Volume 1950s-1985

Tucson has a rich history of entertainment, dating back to the early days of the city. From vaudeville and silent films to rock and roll and Broadway shows, Tucsonans have always had a variety of options for entertainment.

Entertaining Tucson Across the Decades: Volume I: 1950s-1985

by Tim Testu

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Language	:	English
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In this article, we will take a look back at some of the most popular forms of entertainment in Tucson from the 1950s to the 1980s. We will explore the venues where people went for entertainment, the performers who entertained them, and the impact that entertainment had on the city.

The 1950s: A Time for Dancing and Drive-Ins

The 1950s was a time of great change for Tucson. The city was growing rapidly, and new businesses and attractions were popping up all over town. One of the most popular forms of entertainment during this time was dancing. There were several dance clubs in Tucson, including the El Conquistador Hotel, the Pioneer Hotel, and the Desert Inn. These clubs featured live music and dancing, and they were a popular spot for young people to socialize.

Another popular form of entertainment in the 1950s was drive-in movies. Drive-in movies were a great way to spend a summer evening with family and friends. There were several drive-in movie theaters in Tucson, including the Desert Sky Drive-In, the Mission Drive-In, and the Pueblo Drive-In. These drive-in theaters showed a variety of movies, from Hollywood blockbusters to B-movies.

The 1960s: The Rise of Rock and Roll

The 1960s was a time of great social and cultural change in the United States, and Tucson was no exception. One of the most significant changes during this time was the rise of rock and roll. Rock and roll was a new and exciting genre of music, and it quickly became popular with young people all over the country.

In Tucson, there were several venues where people could go to see rock and roll bands. One of the most popular venues was the Gaslight Theatre. The Gaslight Theatre was a small club that featured live music and dancing. It was a popular spot for local bands to play, and it also hosted some national acts.

Another popular venue for rock and roll music in Tucson was the University of Arizona. The UA had a strong music program, and it often hosted concerts by both local and national bands.

The 1970s: A Time for Disco and Country Music

The 1970s was a time of great musical diversity. Disco music was popular in the early part of the decade, and country music was popular in the latter part of the decade.

In Tucson, there were several disco clubs where people could go to dance and listen to music. One of the most popular disco clubs was the Odyssey. The Odyssey was a large club that featured a dance floor, a DJ, and a light show. It was a popular spot for young people to go dancing and socialize.

Country music was also popular in Tucson in the 1970s. There were several country music bars and clubs in Tucson, including the Broken Spoke and the Rainbow Lounge. These bars and clubs featured live music and dancing, and they were a popular spot for people to go to listen to country music.

The 1980s: A Time for Broadway Shows and Blockbuster Movies

The 1980s was a time of great economic growth in the United States, and Tucson was no exception. The city was growing rapidly, and new businesses and attractions were popping up all over town. One of the most popular forms of entertainment during this time was Broadway shows.

Broadway shows were a popular form of entertainment in Tucson in the 1980s. There were several venues in Tucson that hosted Broadway shows, including the Tucson Convention Center and the University of Arizona. These venues hosted a variety of Broadway shows, from classic musicals to contemporary plays.

Blockbuster movies were also popular in Tucson in the 1980s. There were several movie theaters in Tucson that showed blockbuster movies, including the Century Park 24 and the El Conquistador Resort and Casino. These movie theaters showed a variety of movies, from action films to comedies.

Tucson has a rich history of entertainment. From vaudeville and silent films to rock and roll and Broadway shows, Tucsonans have always had a variety of options for entertainment. In this article, we have taken a look back at some of the most popular forms of entertainment in Tucson from the 1950s to the 1980s. We have explored the venues where people went for entertainment, the performers who entertained them, and the impact that entertainment had on the city.