Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

"The Aud"
Aerial view of the venue (center) in October 2007. 2 years before demolition
Address	140 Main Street
Location	Buffalo, New York
Coordinates	42°52′41″N78°52′39″W / 42.87806°N 78.87750°W / 42.87806; -78.87750
Public transit	Auditorium
Owner	City of Buffalo (1940–2007) Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (2007–2009)
Operator	City of Buffalo
Executive suites	16
Capacity	Hockey: 16,325 Basketball: 18,000
Record attendance	Overall: 21,000 Ike Eisenhower rally, 10/23/1952 John F. Kennedy rally, 9/28/1960 Sports: 19,226 Braves vs. Celtics, 1/31/1976
Field size	350,000 sq ft (33,000 m2)
Construction
Broke ground	November 30, 1939
Opened	October 14, 1940
Renovated	1970, 1990
Expanded	1970
Closed	September 11, 1996
Demolished	April 2009
Construction cost	US$2.7 million ($56.4 million in 2022 dollars [1] )
Architect	Green & James
Tenants
Canisius Golden Griffins (NCAA) 1940–1995 Buffalo Bisons (AHL) 1940–1970 Buffalo Bisons (NBL) 1946 Buffalo Braves (NBA) 1970–1978 Buffalo Sabres (NHL) 1970–1996 Toronto-Buffalo Royals (WTT) 1974 Buffalo Stallions (MISL) 1979–1984 Buffalo Bandits (MILL) 1992–1996 Buffalo Blizzard (NPSL) 1992–1996 Buffalo Stampede (RHI) 1994–1995

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, colloquially known as The Aud, was a multipurpose indoor arena in downtown Buffalo, New York. Opened on October 14, 1940, it was home to the Canisius Golden Griffins (NCAA), the Buffalo Bisons (AHL), the Buffalo Bisons (NBL), the Buffalo Braves (NBA), the Buffalo Sabres (NHL), the Toronto-Buffalo Royals (WTT), the Buffalo Stallions (MSL), the Buffalo Bandits (MILL), the Buffalo Blizzard (NPSL) and the Buffalo Stampede (RHI). It also hosted events such as college basketball, concerts, professional wrestling and boxing. The venue was closed in 1996 after the construction of the venue now known as KeyBank Center, and remained vacant until being demolished in 2009.

History

Planning and construction

The Buffalo Memorial Auditorium was a public works project designed by Green & James to replace the aging Broadway Auditorium and Fort Erie's recently collapsed Peace Bridge Arena. In June 1938, city officials sent a loan and grant application to the Public Works Administration for funds to build the structure. The approval of the $1.2 million grant was announced in Washington, D.C., on October 7, 1938. ^[2] Construction at the junction of the Erie Canal and Main-Hamburg Canal began on November 30, 1939. ^[3]

The Auditorium's construction brought a great deal of activity to downtown Buffalo. On December 31, 1939, Buffalo Evening News reporter Nat Gorham wrote:

As if overnight the Terrace once more is coming back to life. The massive new hall will be the mainstay, but city planners also want to improve the section with a boulevard in the old canal bend, waterfront parks and relocation, if not removal, of the New York Central tracks. Visible proof of these good intentions is construction of the new hall, which is being watched daily by hundreds of citizens. ^[2]

— Nat Gorham

Opening and reception

Entrance of the venue

Built for $2.7 million, Memorial Auditorium's grand opening celebration took place on October 14, 1940. The dedication event was a luncheon attended by 3,000 people, including the mayors of more than 60 local communities. The building was dedicated as a war memorial to those who had perished in World War I. The arena originally seated 12,280 for ice hockey, with an additional 2,000-3,000 seats in the floor area for basketball and other events. ^[4] Memorial Auditorium's first event—a rally for Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie—took place on October 14, 1940. In its first seven months, events such as auto shows, roller skating, circuses and dog shows drew nearly one million spectators. All told, the Auditorium's first year attendance was 1.3 million. ^[2]

Alterations

Bob McAdoo of the Buffalo Braves

An $8.7 million renovation took place after the 1970–71 inauguration of the Sabres and Braves franchises, making it a more suitable home for the NHL and NBA. The arena's roof was raised 24 feet (7.3 m) to make room for an upper level that increased the arena's capacity from 10,449 for hockey to over 17,000 for basketball and 15,360 for hockey in 1971–72, ^[5] to 15,668 for hockey in 1972–73, ^[6] and to 15,858 for hockey in 1973–74. ^{[7] [8]}

Other changes to the Aud's original design included:

• A new scoreboard, which would be the Aud's final scoreboard upgrade.
• A new upper level with stairways, escalators and upper exits.
• Repainted and replaced seats. The original gray seats at the top of the lower bowl were painted blue, and all seats in the lower sections were replaced with cushioned seats in the Red and Gold sections.
• The removal of exit tunnels in Red sections 6, 7, 14, 15, 22, 23, 30 and 31, and Blue sections 2, 3, 10, 11, 18, 19, 26, 27, 34 and 35. The areas the tunnels occupied were replaced with seats, and the continuous wall that separated the red and blue sections was opened at each stairway.
• The removed exit tunnel openings in the wall that separated the red and upper gold sections were closed into a continuous wall between the remaining red exit tunnels.

The Aud's seats were mostly made of white ash, but the gold seats were converted to padded cushion seats. ^[9] From top to bottom (floor level), the seating colors went orange, blue (originally grey), red and gold.

In 1974, the city added five seats, increasing capacity for hockey in the 1974–1975 season to 15,863. After the hockey season, the city removed the walls and aisle that separated the upper gold and red seating sections. The 570 gold seats the city installed in the vacant space raised the arena's capacity to 16,433 for hockey and over 18,000 for basketball.

In the late 1980s, the Buffalo Common Council and mayor James D. Griffin scaled back plans to renovate the Aud after the Sabres' owners made it clear the franchise's long-term viability depended upon a new arena. A compromise led the city to agree to build a new venue (Marine Midland Arena) and keep the Aud functional until the new arena was complete. The 1990 renovation added designated handicap-accessible seating areas (lowering the seating capacity to 16,325 for hockey), new air conditioning and elevators. The money the city borrowed for these improvements was not repaid until 2001, five years after the Aud closed.

Closing and vacancy

KeyBank Center

The Aud closed in 1996, at which time the Sabres, Bandits and Blizzard moved to Marine Midland Arena. After 1996, the building remained vacant, although members of Studio Arena Theatre used the floor as a surface for painting backgrounds. During the 2001–02 season, Sabres officials and the city moved items from the Aud's main concourse to the new venue, by then renamed HSBC Arena, including a sign for the "Pour Man's Aud Club" which was reincarnated at the new venue.

In 2003, the Sabres filmed a 30-minute infomercial inside the Aud to promote season ticket sales. While the production showed the arena was intact, it was without utilities and the crew had to supply all light and electrical sources.

The Aud continued to deteriorate after the 2003 production visit. Water pipes ruptured, moisture began to take its toll and the city's lax monitoring led to graffiti, vandalism and theft of many artifacts. A segment aired during the CBC Television Hockey Night in Canada broadcast of the 2008 NHL Winter Classic showed the arena's seating bowl and floor were virtually untouched. Notably, the advertisements on the boards from the final Sabres game in 1996 against the Hartford Whalers and the scoreboard above center ice remained. The door to the Sabres' penalty box was gone, as it had been presented as a memento to notable Sabres enforcer Rob Ray.

Demolition

The venue being demolished in April 2009

The city abandoned its plans to repurpose the Aud as a Bass Pro Shops store on March 29, 2007, when Bass Pro announced it would construct a new building on the site after the auditorium's demolition.

In December 2007, the city sold the Aud to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation for $1 in hopes it would lead to asbestos removal and demolition. All salvageable items were to be removed and sold or stored. The sales of these artifacts, especially of seats, would help pay for a memorial to the Aud. ^[10] The salvaged items include art deco flag holders, limestone eagles, a time capsule ^[11] as well as a number of blue and orange level seats, which were sold at auction.

The city also salvaged ten cylindrical stainless steel "ice tanks" that helped maintain chilly conditions at ice level during hockey season and cooled spectators during warmer weather. In 2007, the city moved them to Shea's Performing Arts Center as part of a $1.5 million overhaul of the landmark theater's heating and cooling system. ^[12]

Asbestos removal and other environmental remediation took place in late 2008 and the expected $10 million demolition of the Aud ^[13] began in January 2009. On February 9, 2009, the "Buffalo Memorial Auditorium" entablature above the main entrance fell and much of the front façade met the same fate soon afterward. The "Farewell Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Ceremony" took place on June 30, 2009, at 1:30 pm when officials opened the copper box time capsule. The structure's final pieces came down in early July 2009.

In February 2010, Bass Pro Shops announced that it was no longer pursuing a store in Buffalo, leaving the site vacant.

Legacy

LECOM Harborcenter

After the Bass Pro Shops decision, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation began to convert the site (known as the Aud Block) into an extension of Canalside with the junction of the old Erie Canal and Main-Hamburg Canal re-dug (although shallower than the original canals) and new bridges. The canals that opened in 2014 are frozen for skating and other winter activities by an underground refrigerant plant housed in a rebuilt sub-basement that was part of Memorial Auditorium. In addition, a marker on the canal ice denotes center ice's former location. ^{[14] [15]}

Across Main Street at LECOM Harborcenter is the one-of-a-kind Tim Hortons restaurant with a memorial to the Auditorium. A statue of the chain's founder and namesake, who played at the arena during his time with the Buffalo Sabres, occupies the corner of the site facing the restaurant.

Notable events

Basketball

College

Ed Macauley of Saint Louis University

Before the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League came to Buffalo, college basketball was Memorial Auditorium's most popular sporting event. On December 11, 1940, the Auditorium hosted its first college basketball game when Canisius College played the University of Oregon. ^[16] Interest in college basketball grew after World War II, and the first college basketball sellout crowd occurred in the 1946–1947 season when 11,029 spectators saw Canisius lose to Notre Dame. ^[16] Ten days later, a record 11,891 watched Canisius defeat Niagara 52–44. ^[16]

While the teams were typically from Western New York, including Canisius, Niagara University, St. Bonaventure University, the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State College, other teams such as Cornell University took part. ^[16] Over time, the rivalry among the "Little Three" colleges—Niagara, Canisius, and St. Bonaventure—came to dominate the Auditorium's college basketball schedule. Throughout the 1950s, the three schools were all national powers, and their games at Memorial Auditorium drew strong local and national interest.

• The Aud hosted first-round games of the 1954 NCAA basketball tournament.
• The Auditorium hosted the men's Division I ECAC Upstate Region tournament organized by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in 1975. ^[17]
• In 1991, a visit from Buffalo native Christian Laettner and the national champion Duke University Blue Devils against Canisius drew an Aud collegiate-record crowd of 16,279. ^[16]
• A 1996 Buffalo News article named Memorial Auditorium's all-time all-visitors team: Ed Macauley (Saint Louis University), Tom Gola (La Salle University), Tom Heinsohn (College of the Holy Cross), Jerry West (West Virginia University), Willie Somerset (Duquesne University), Dave Bing (Syracuse University), Sonny Dove (St. John's University) and Bob Lanier (St. Bonaventure University). ^[18]

National Basketball League

The National Basketball League's Buffalo Bisons were the first professional basketball franchise to call Memorial Auditorium home. The team featured center Don Otten and coach Nat Hickey, but on December 27, 1946—only 13 games into their inaugural season—owner Ben Kerner moved them to Moline, Illinois. ^[19] After the 1949 merger of the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America and stops in Milwaukee and St. Louis, the team became the Atlanta Hawks.

National Basketball Association

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls

Professional basketball returned to the Aud in 1970 with the National Basketball Association's Buffalo Braves. The Braves were a modest success but often found the competing interests of the Sabres and the Little Three college teams made it difficult to schedule home games. The Braves moved to San Diego in 1978 and then to Los Angeles in 1984, where they are now the Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA retained a presence at the venue by staging an annual series of preseason exhibitions called the NBA Classic:

• The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Jersey Nets 105–93 on October 24, 1988 ^[20]
• The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 96–93 on October 14, 1989 ^[21]
• The Chicago Bulls defeated the Miami Heat 115–107 on October 26, 1989 ^[22]
• The Boston Celtics defeated Washington Bullets 104–96 on October 26, 1990 ^[23]
• The Chicago Bulls defeated the Sacramento Kings 105–96 on October 27, 1992 ^[24]
• The New York Knicks defeated the Denver Nuggets 100–98 on October 17, 1995 ^[25]

World University Games

The basketball events of the World University Games were held at the venue in July 1993. The United States defeated Canada in the gold medal game 95–90 before a crowd of 11,000. ^[26]

Hockey

American Hockey League

The American Hockey League's Buffalo Bisons played 30 seasons at the Memorial Auditorium, beginning with the 1940–41 season. The Bisons won five Calder Cup championships, with the last coming in 1970 during the franchise's final game. The team folded in 1970 after the National Hockey League awarded Buffalo an expansion team.

On May 15, 1973, the Cincinnati Swords, then the Sabres' AHL affiliate, played the final game of the 1973 Calder Cup Finals at the Auditorium. The Swords won the Calder Cup with a 5–1 win over the Nova Scotia Voyageurs in front of 15,019 fans—the largest playoff crowd in AHL history at the time. The Rochester Americans also played several games at the Aud after they became the Sabres' affiliate, including several during their 1987 Calder Cup championship season.

National Hockey League

The French Connection of the Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres made their Memorial Auditorium debut on October 15, 1970, in a game attended by NHL President Clarence Campbell that began with a ceremonial faceoff between Sabres captain Floyd Smith and Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Béliveau. The Sabres' Roger Crozier made 53 saves in a 3–0 loss. ^[27]

The arena hosted games three, four, and six of the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals, where the Sabres faced the Philadelphia Flyers. Eventually, the Flyers would win their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship in game six at the arena. This was the only Stanley Cup Finals appearance made at the Auditorium.

On January 4, 1976, the Sabres played Krylya Sovetov as part of the "Super Series" of exhibitions between the Soviet Union's two best club teams—CSKA Moscow and Krylia Sovietov (named "Red Army" and "Soviet Wings" respectively, during the series) and eight of the NHL's top teams. The Sabres' 12–6 victory over the 1974 Soviet league and European Cup champions was the worst defeat ever for a professional Soviet hockey club.

The thing about that building was that everyone was so close that you could recognize people just by looking up. You don't get that in a lot of places today. The people felt like they were a part of the team and we felt like they were a part of our success. That was the special thing about Memorial Auditorium. I don't think anything like that can ever be replaced. ^[28]

—Lindy Ruff

Memorial Auditorium hosted the NHL All-Star Game on January 24, 1978. Two members of the Sabres' "French Connection" line—Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin—played for the Wales Conference. Both had a significant impact: Martin scored a goal with 1:39 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 2–2 and force overtime, and Perreault scored the game-winning goal 3:55 into overtime to defeat the Campbell Conference 3–2. ^{[29] [30]}

The Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky made NHL history at the Aud on February 24, 1982, when he scored a natural hat trick during the game's final seven minutes to help defeat the Sabres 6–3. Gretzky broke Phil Esposito's record for goals in a season (76) with the hat trick's first goal, his 77th of the season. ^{[31] [32]} In March 2009, Gretzky visited Buffalo as the Phoenix Coyotes' head coach and recounted his memories of Memorial Auditorium in an interview with Buffalo News hockey reporter Mike Harrington:

As much as the 77th goal was exciting for me as a NHL player, I think the biggest thrill was watching Gilbert Perreault play. I'd come down to the Aud with my dad or a friend and watch the Sabres play with the French Connection line ... There was a great atmosphere in this building, it was always a hockey atmosphere, and it was always fun to watch the Sabres play. ^[32]

— Wayne Gretzky

During a game at the Memorial Auditorium between the visiting St. Louis Blues and Clint Malarchuk's Buffalo Sabres on March 22, 1989, Steve Tuttle of the Blues and Uwe Krupp of the Sabres crashed hard into the goal crease during play. As they collided, Tuttle's skate blade hit the right front side of Malarchuk's neck, severing his carotid artery and partially cutting his jugular vein.[2]

The venue hosted the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, notable for Eric Lindros being selected first overall by the Quebec Nordiques and refusing to sign with the team.

The Sabres occupied the Auditorium through the 1995–96 season, when they moved to nearby Marine Midland Arena, now known as KeyBank Center. Michael Peca scored the last in-game goal at the Aud while Pat LaFontaine put in a ceremonial goal after the 4–1 win over the Hartford Whalers. It was the last arena where the ice sheet fell short of the league-mandated 200 feet (61 m) by 85 feet (26 m) size (though Maple Leaf Gardens had irregularly shaped corners).

College

College hockey made its modern debut at Memorial Auditorium on January 23, 1972, when the University at Buffalo Bulls met the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's Ohio State University. Ohio State won the game 5–2.

Roller Hockey International

Roller Hockey International's Buffalo Stampede called the Aud home from 1994 to 1995, winning the league championship in their first season.

Lacrosse

John Tavares of the Buffalo Bandits

Major Indoor Lacrosse League

The Buffalo Bandits of Major Indoor Lacrosse League played in the Aud from the 1992 season until the arena's closure. Winners of the MILL title in 1992, 1993, and 1996, the Bandits are now a member of the National Lacrosse League and play at KeyBank Center.

Soccer

Major Soccer League

Major Soccer League's Buffalo Stallions attracted 11,028 to their home debut at the Aud against the Philadelphia Fever on December 7, 1979. The team played in the venue until 1984. Soccer legend Eusébio notably finished his career playing for the Stallions in their inaugural season.

National Professional Soccer League

The Aud was home to the Buffalo Blizzard of the National Professional Soccer League from 1992 to 1996.

Tennis

World Team Tennis

In 1974, the Toronto-Buffalo Royals of World Team Tennis called the Aud home for one season.

Figure skating

Torvill and Dean

Ice Capades

The Aud was one of the original venues that hosted Ice Capades in 1940.

Ice Follies

Ice Follies made its debut at the venue in 1941, and continued making regular stops after becoming Disney on Ice in 1981.

SABAH

The annual pageant to benefit the Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped (SABAH) was staged at the venue from 1979 to 1996.

Torvill and Dean

Torvill and Dean, famed Olympic ice dancers, brought their touring show to the Aud on November 8, 1986.

Skate America

The venue was host to the 1990 Skate America competition.

Stars on Ice

Stars on Ice began making regular stops at the venue beginning in 1991.

Combat sports

Professional wrestling

The Honky Tonk Man

The first sporting event at the venue was a Great Lakes Athletic Club professional wrestling card on October 18, 1940, that was headlined by Ed Don George defeating Joe Savoldi. ^[33] Great Lakes Athletic Club owner Jack Herman continued booking shows at the venue before selling the promotion in 1947 to Ed Don George, who changed the promotion's name to Upstate Athletic Club. WBEN-TV would regularly broadcast Upstate Athletic Club's cards from the venue in 1948. Don George would later sell the promotion to his matchmaker, Ignacio "Pedro" Martinez, in 1955. Ilio DiPaolo, the son-in-law of Martinez, was the promotion's biggest star. WGR-TV broadcast Upstate Athletic Club's cards from the venue in 1956 as Wrestling from War Memorial Auditorium. Martinez would continue booking shows at The Aud until 1968, when he ran into financial trouble and was forced to promote outside the area. He returned in 1970 with his National Wrestling Federation, but the promotion folded in 1974.

Jim Crockett Promotions debuted at the venue on July 19, 1980, with a show headlined by Ric Flair and Sweet Ebony Diamond defeating Greg Valentine and The Iron Sheik.

The Honky Tonk Man defeated Ricky Steamboat to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship during a WWF Superstars of Wrestling taping at the venue on June 2, 1987. ^[34]

The inaugural Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Show was held at the venue on June 7, 1996, and was headlined by The Giant defeating Sting to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. DiPaolo had died the previous year after being struck by a car. It was the final sporting event at the venue, and set the venue's all-time record for professional wrestling attendance with 14,852.

Boxing

Ezzard Charles

The auditorium hosted many boxing matches, most notably:

• Ezzard Charles defeating Freddie Beshore to retain the NBA Heavyweight Title on August 15, 1950. ^[35]
• Gene Hatcher defeating Johnny Bumphus to win the WBA Junior Welterweight Title on June 1, 1984. (The Ring magazine Upset of the Year) ^[36]
• Livingstone Bramble defeating Ray Mancini to win the WBA Lightweight Title on June 1, 1984. ^[36]
• Héctor Camacho defeating Roque Montoya to win the vacant NABF Lightweight Title on April 29, 1985. ^[37]
• Tony Tubbs defeating Greg Page to win the WBA Heavyweight Title on April 29, 1985. ^[38]

Mixed martial arts

UFC 7: The Brawl in Buffalo was held at the Aud on September 8, 1995. It would be the final UFC event in the state before mixed martial arts was banned by New York State in February 1997. UFC would not return to New York State until UFC 205 in 2016.

Concerts

Elvis Presley in 1957

In addition to sporting events, the auditorium hosted concerts by many famous artists:

• Elvis Presley – April 1, 1957
• The Rolling Stones (American Tour 1966) – June 28, 1966
• Elvis Presley - April 5, 1972
• Led Zeppelin (North American Tour 1972) – June 10, 1972
• Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon Tour) – June 22, 1973
• Led Zeppelin (North American Tour 1973) – July 15, 1973
• Frank Sinatra – October 4, 1974 (released as the album The Main Event – Live )
• David Bowie (Diamond Dogs Tour) – November 8, 1974
• Yes (Relayer Tour) – November 21, 1974
• The Rolling Stones (Tour of the Americas '75) – June 15, 1975
• The Who (The Who by Numbers Tour) – December 10, 1975
• David Bowie (Isolar – 1976 Tour) – March 19, 1976
• Elvis Presley April 25, 1976
• Aerosmith Rocks Tour]]) – July 23, 1976
• Lynyrd Skynyrd (One More from the Road Tour) – October 29, 1976
• Kiss (Rock & Roll Over Tour) – December 15, 1976
• Genesis (Wind & Wuthering Tour) – February 28, 1977
• Grateful Dead – May 9, 1977 (released as the Grammy-nominated album May 1977: Get Shown the Light )
• Crosby, Stills & Nash (Reunion Tour) – June 10, 1977
• Fleetwood Mac (Rumours Tour) – July 2, 1977
• Rod Stewart (Foot Loose & Fancy Free Tour) – October 17, 1977
• Kiss (Alive II Tour) – January 25, 1978
• Genesis (…And Then There Were Three… Tour) – March 29, 1978
• Crosby, Stills & Nash (Reunion Tour) – July 16, 1978
• Bob Dylan (World Tour 1978) – October 9, 1978
• Aerosmith (Live Bootleg! Tour) – September 27, 1978
• Yes (Tormato Tour) – August 29, 1978
• Jethro Tull (Heavy Horses Tour) – October 16, 1978
• Queen (Jazz Tour) – November 28, 1978
• Kiss (Dynasty Tour) – August 8, 1979
• Bee Gees (Spirits Having Flown Tour) – September 14, 1979
• The Jacksons (Destiny World Tour) – October 22, 1979
• Grateful Dead – November 9, 1979 (released as the album Road Trips Volume 1 Number 1 )
• The Who (The Who Tour 1979) – December 4, 1979 (dedicated to the victims of The Who concert disaster )
• ZZ Top (Expect No Quarter Tour) – April 1, 1980
• Rick James (Fire It Up Tour) – April 2, 1980
• Fleetwood Mac (Tusk Tour) – May 19, 1980
• Rush (Permanent Waves Tour) – May 21, 1980

The Who dedicated their December 1979 performance at the venue to those who perished as part of The Who concert disaster the day prior

• Journey (Departure Tour) – August 14, 1980
• Ted Nugent – September 3, 1980 (released as the album Intensities in 10 Cities )
• Yes (Drama Tour) – September 17, 1980
• Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell Tour) – October 13, 1980
• Frank Zappa – October 25, 1980 (released as the album Buffalo )
• Bruce Springsteen (The River Tour) – December 4, 1980
• Rush – May 9, 1981 (the cover of the album Exit... Stage Left was photographed at this show)
• ZZ Top (El Loco-Motion Tour) – June 27, 1981
• The Jacksons (Triumph Tour) – August 2, 1981
• Electric Light Orchestra (Time Tour) – October 10, 1981
• Black Sabbath (Mob Rules Tour) – December 1, 1981
• Ozzy Osbourne (Diary of a Madman Tour) – April 9, 1982
• Journey (Escape Tour) – May 1, 1982
• Scorpions (Blackout Tour) – June 22, 1982
• Iron Maiden (The Beast on the Road) – July 3, 1982
• Olivia Newton-John (Physical Tour) – September 14, 1982
• Judas Priest (World Vengeance Tour) – October 15, 1982
• Jefferson Starship (Winds of Change Tour) - November 2, 1982
• Phil Collins (The Hello, I Must Be Going Tour) – February 10, 1983
• Prince (1999 Tour) – February 24, 1983
• Journey (Frontiers Tour) – May 22, 1983
• ZZ Top (Eliminator Tour) – July 31, 1983
• Iron Maiden (World Piece Tour) – August 15, 1983^{[ citation needed ]}
• David Bowie (Serious Moonlight Tour) – September 5, 1983
• Stevie Ray Vaughan (Texas Flood Tour) – October 19, 1983
• Black Sabbath (Born Again Tour) – October 27, 1983
• Genesis (Mama Tour) – December 3, 1983
• Ozzy Osbourne (Bark at the Moon Tour) – January 28, 1984
• The Police (Synchronicity Tour) – February 22, 1984
• Van Halen (1984 Tour) – March 22, 1984
• Billy Joel (An Innocent Man Tour) – March 28, 1984
• Yes (9012Live Tour) – May 9, 1984
• Scorpions (Love at First Sting World Tour) – June 2, 1984
• Bruce Springsteen (Born in the U.S.A. Tour) – September 24, 1984 and September 25, 1984
• Prince (Purple Rain Tour) – December 17, 1984 and December 18, 1984
• Iron Maiden (World Slavery Tour) – January 7, 1985
• Roger Waters (The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Tour)) – March 21, 1985

Frank Zappa at the venue in October 1980 during the recording of Buffalo

• Foreigner-May 10, 1985
• Robert Plant (The Shaken 'N' Stirred Tour) – July 19, 1985
• Mötley Crüe (Theatre of Pain Tour) – October 11, 1985
• Ratt (World Infestation Tour) – September 29, 1985
• Judas Priest (Fuel for Life Tour) – July 27, 1986
• David Lee Roth (Eat 'Em and Smile Tour) – September 30, 1986
• Neil Young & Crazy Horse- October 4, 1986
• Journey (Raised on Radio Tour) – October 18, 1986
• Ratt (Dancing Undercover World Tour) – January 3, 1987
• Bon Jovi (Slippery When Wet Tour) – March 28, 1987
• Iron Maiden (Somewhere on Tour) – April 10, 1987
• Roger Waters (Radio K.A.O.S. Tour) – August 20, 1987
• U2 (The Joshua Tree Tour) – October 7, 1987
• Aerosmith (Permanent Vacation Tour) – October 17, 1987
• Boston (Third Stage Tour) – October 31, 1987
• Mötley Crüe (Girls, Girls, Girls Tour) – August 2, 1987
• Yes (Big Generator Tour) – December 4, 1987
• Def Leppard (Hysteria Tour) - February 3, 1988
• Judas Priest (Mercenaries of Metal Tour) – August 11, 1988
• Ozzy Osbourne (No Rest for the Wicked Tour) – November 29, 1988
• Metallica (Damaged Justice Tour) - March 13, 1989
• Rod Stewart (Out of Order Tour) – June 16, 1989
• R.E.M. (Green Tour) – September 12, 1989
• Gloria Estefan (Get On Your Feet Tour) - November 24, 1989
• Mötley Crüe (Dr. Feelgood World Tour '89–'90) – December 19, 1989^{[ citation needed ]}
• ZZ Top (Recycler Tour) – February 1, 1991
• Yes (Union Tour) – April 26, 1991
• Queensrÿche (Building Empires Tour) – June 8, 1991
• Whitney Houston (I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour) – August 1, 1991
• Gloria Estefan (Into The Light Tour) - September 13, 1991
• Van Halen (For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour) – October 20, 1991
• Paula Abdul (Under My Spell Tour) – November 24, 1991
• Metallica (Wherever We May Roam Tour) – December 3, 1991
• Ozzy Osbourne (No More Tours Tour) – November 5, 1992
• Bobby Brown (Humpin' Around the World Tour) – January 7, 1993
• Def Leppard (Adrenalize World Tour) – March 19, 1993
• Elton John (The One Tour) – April 25, 1993
• Garth Brooks (World Tour (1993–94)) – March 18, 1994 and March 19, 1994
• ZZ Top (Antenna World Tour) – May 28, 1994
• Nine Inch Nails (Self Destruct Tour) – November 29, 1994
• Rod Stewart (A Spanner in the Works Tour) – February 20, 1996
• AC/DC (Ballbreaker Tour) - August 3, 1996
• Gloria Estefan (Evolution Tour) - August 31, 1996

Special features

Tributes

Banners at KeyBank Center

The Buffalo Sabres retired the numbers of all three members of The French Connection – Gilbert Perreault (11) in 1990, René Robert (14) in 1995, and Rick Martin (7) in 1995. The number of Tim Horton (2) was retired in 1996. Banners for all four individuals were hung in the rafters of Memorial Auditorium, and later moved to the rafters of Marine Midland Arena after the venue closed.

Championship banners were hung at the venue for the Buffalo Sabres (1975, 1980 and 1981 Division Champions & 1975 and 1980 Prince of Wales Champions), Buffalo Bandits (1992 and 1993 World Champions), and the Buffalo Stampede (1994 World Champions). Banners were also hung to recognize postseason appearances by the Canisius Golden Griffins basketball team, and commemorating the venue hosting the 1993 World University Games . Only banners for the Sabres and Bandits were relocated to Marine Midland Arena after the venue's closure.

Eateries

At the time of its closing in 1996, the Aud's concessions included:

• The Aud Club, an upscale bar and restaurant with a private entrance that was also rented out for banquets and social functions. It was designed by Philip Amigone, the architect of the Chez Ami Supper Club.
• The Pour Man's Aud Club, an affordable eatery in the venue's lobby.

Delaware North handled all concessions for the venue through its Sportservice subsidiary. The company's founder, Louis Jacobs, was the original operating manager of Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.

Transportation access

The venue was served by Auditorium station of Buffalo Metro Rail, which still stands and now services both KeyBank Center and LECOM Harborcenter.

See also

• War Memorial Stadium (Buffalo, New York)

References

1. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
2. Vogel, Mike. "Buffalo's Town Hall". The Buffalo News (Buffalo), Magazine – page 4, August 1, 1994.
3. . "News Photo Gallery: May 9-10, 2009". boatnerd. 2009-05-09. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-11-21. Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (the "Aud") under demolition. The Buffalo Skyway Bridge crosses the Buffalo River to the right of the shot. The building's basement was dug through the remains of the junction of the Erie Canal and Main-Hamburg Canals in downtown Buffalo.
4. "Buffalo Sabres Alumni: Memorial Auditorium". Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
5. "1971-72 Buffalo Sabres Results and Schedule". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
6. "1972-73 Buffalo Sabres Results and Schedule". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
7. "1973-74 Buffalo Sabres Results and Schedule". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
8. ""The Aud" – Memorial Auditorium". Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association. sabresalumni.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
9. "Au(d) Natural Seating: The Beauty Behind The Brawn @ S7". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
10. "Aud memories many, but old seats are few". Sabres Insider. Archived from the original on 2018-10-21. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
11. Sharon Linstedt (2009-01-17). "Time capsule unearthed in Aud's cornerstone". The Buffalo News . Archived from the original on January 21, 2009.
12. Linstedt, Sharon. "Shea's to get a cool Aud gift: 10 ice tanks to keep theater comfortable." The Buffalo News (Buffalo), July 12, 2007
13. http://www.buffalonews.com/101/story/42941.html ^{[ dead link ]}
14. "A sneak peek at Canalside". The Buffalo News. December 12, 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
15. Sommers, Mark (December 12, 2014). "Your Chance to skate on center ice where Sabres legends once played". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
16. Northrop, Milt. "College Basketball Breathed Life Into Newborn Aud". The Buffalo News (Buffalo), page 1D, March 27, 1996.
17. Varsity Pride: 1975 ECAC Men's Basketball Tournaments Archived December 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
18. Northrop, Milt. "Here's the Score From Aud". The Buffalo News (Buffalo), page 3D, March 27, 1996
19. Northrop, Milt. "History of the Braves Was Short and Sweet". The Buffalo News (Buffalo), page 1D, March 28, 1996.
20. "Johnson Scores 24 Points in Lakers' 105-93 Victory - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times . 25 October 1988.
21. "KNICKS TIP CAVS IN AUD EXHIBITION BEFORE 7,734 | Latest Headlines | buffalonews.com".
22. "UNBEATEN BULLS CATCH HEAT WITH GUARDS DOWN 115-107 – Sun Sentinel".
23. "CELTS DUMP BULLETS IN DULL DISPLAY | Latest Headlines | buffalonews.com".
24. "His Airness At The Aud | News, Sports, Jobs - Post Journal".
25. "WARD QUARTERBACKS KNICK RALLY | Latest Headlines | buffalonews.com".
26. "This Day in Buffalo Sports History: A hoop thriller | Buffalo Sports | buffalonews.com".
27. Kelley, Jim. "All-time Aud Games Stir Lasting Memories". The Buffalo News (Buffalo), page 5D, March 31, 1996.
28. Kelley, Jim. "The Ice Age: Hockey Made the Building Famous". The Buffalo News (Buffalo), page 1C, March 26, 1996.
29. "1978 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Retrieved March 2, 2009.
30. "Buffalo Sabres Retired Numbers". Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
31. James F. Clarity (February 25, 1982). "Gretzky, scoring 3 goals, sets season record at 79". The New York Times . Retrieved March 6, 2009.
32. "Gretzky remembers Memorial Auditorium". Buffalo News . March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
33. "Niagara Falls Reporter".
34. "Honky Tonk Man returns to Buffalo to greet fans | Entertainment | buffalonews.com".
35. "This Day in Buffalo Sports History: And still champion | Buffalo Sports | buffalonews.com".
36. "BULLISH ON BUFFALO BUFFALO UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR MAJOR BOXING EVENTS | Latest Headlines | buffalonews.com".
37. "LEGENDARY FIGURES MADE BOXING A MAIN EVENT | Latest Headlines | buffalonews.com".
38. "Tubbs Surprises Page, Takes WBA Title : Heavyweight Loses His Belt, Then the Championship It Represents - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times . 30 April 1985.

External links

• Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on BoxRec
• Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on Urban Exploration Resource
• Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on WrestlingData.com
• Buffalo Memorial Aud - Abandoned at Roadwolf.ca (many photo albums)

Events and tenants
Preceded by Broadway Auditorium	Home of the Canisius Golden Griffins 1940 – 1995	Succeeded by Marine Midland Arena
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Bisons 1940 – 1970	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Broadway Auditorium	Host of the Six Days of Buffalo 1941 – 1948	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Bisons 1946	Succeeded by Wharton Field House
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Braves 1970 – 1978	Succeeded by San Diego Sports Arena
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Sabres 1970 – 1996	Succeeded by Marine Midland Arena
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Toronto-Buffalo Royals 1974	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Pacific Coliseum	Host of the NHL All-Star Game 1978	Succeeded by Joe Louis Arena
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Stallions 1979 – 1984	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Market Square Arena	Host of Skate America 1990	Succeeded by Oakland Coliseum Arena
Preceded by BC Place	Host of the NHL Entry Draft 1991	Succeeded by Montreal Forum
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Bandits 1992 – 1996	Succeeded by Marine Midland Arena
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Blizzard 1992 – 1996	Succeeded by Marine Midland Arena
Preceded by Don Valley Stadium   UK	Universiade venue 1993	Succeeded by Fukuoka Dome  Japan
Preceded by Inaugural	Home of the Buffalo Stampede 1994 – 1995	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Casper Events Center	Ultimate Fighting Championship venue UFC 7	Succeeded by Mammoth Gardens