Firehouse, 5815 Secor Rd.

Originally the Trilby Volunteer Fire Station located on the west side of Secor Road just north of Alexis Road. The Firehouse, a live music venue, opened in the former fire station in early 1969. In 1970 it was renamed the Dry Mouth Cafe, operated by Rick Campbell who was the owner of Head-Quarters. It then became Half-A-Sixpence clothing store in 1971. In 1981 it was the Sawmill Lounge. In 1986, Rosie’s. The former fire station was demolished in 2005 to make way for a Walgreens.

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Agora, 3415 Dorr St.

The Agora concert club network was launched in 1966 by Henry LoConti as a small members-only dance club in Cleveland before rapidly expanding into a major force in live rock music. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Agora had become known for showcasing rising national acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, and The Velvet Underground, while also pioneering live concert radio broadcasts that helped define the era’s music scene. As its popularity grew, the brand expanded into a nationwide network of venues, bringing its influential concert format to multiple cities. One of these was the Agora in Toledo, which opened in 1972 and became a key regional stop for touring acts, cementing its place in Toledo’s live music history. The Agora in Toledo was managed by Mark Howard (c1975).

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KISS @ Toledo Sports Arena in ’79

KISS @ Toledo Sports Arena, December 16, 1979.

Setlist: King of the Night Time World, Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Move On, Calling Dr. Love, Firehouse, New York Groove, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, Christine Sixteen, 2000 Man, Guitar Solo, Love Gun, Bass Solo, God of Thunder, Drum Solo, Shout It Out Loud, Black Diamond, Detroit Rock City, Beth, Rock and Roll All Nite. NOTE: Last show with Peter Chris until 1996. Some video from the show: https://youtu.be/_adfj9zpKCA

John Rockwood Photo

Toledo Speedway Jam – June 27, 1982

Line-up: Foreigner; Loverboy; Triumph; Donnie Iris

Foreigner ’82 Tour Setlist: Juke Box Hero, Urgent, Hot Blooded, Cold as Ice, Dirty White Boy, Urgent, Double Vision, Cold as Ice.

Triumph setlist: Allied Forces, Rock & Roll Machine, Rocky Mountain Way, Magic Power, Blinding Light Show / Moonchild, Nature’s Child, Say Goodbye, Lay It on the Line, Fight the Good Fight.

Donnie Iris ’83 setlist: Ah! Leah! The Rapper Love Is Like a Rock