Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Tell Us Your Favorite Cincinnati Gardens Memories

John Kiesewetter

What are your favorite memories of the Cincinnati Gardens? We want to hear all about them.

I'll be on WVXU-FM's "Cincinnati Edition" at 1 p.m. Thursday talking about the Gardens' history with Greg Waddell, Gardens public relations director, and Mike Dyer, local sports historian and sports writer for WCPO.com, and host Mark Heyne.

Credit John Kiesewetter
Photo from WSAI's 1964 Beatles concert in Gardens lobby.

In its 67 year history, the Gardens has hosted everyone from Oscar Robertson and the Cincinnati Royals NBA team to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Lawrence Welk, Neil Diamond, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, Bill Graham and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It was also the home for the Xavier Musketeers, UC Bearcats, and the Mohwaks, Swords, Cyclones, Mighty Ducks, Rollergirls, Silverbacks and Commandos. 

Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Dick the Bruiser, The Sheik, Gorgeous George and other WWF, WWE and Big Time Wrestling stars appeared in the Gardens' ring.

Credit John Kiesewetter
The Mighty Ducks played in the AHL

  The 1966 NBA All-Star Game was played there in 1966. It was broadcast in black-and-white  in syndication on a patchwork of TV stations – not in color on a major broadcast network.

Or maybe you were there for the Syrian Shrine Circus, ice skating shows, the American Gladiators, rodeos, Harlem Globetrotters or one of the many custom auto, model railroad, or boat and travel shows.

Here's a link to my blog last week, "Photo Essay: Cincinnati Gardens: 67 Years, 67 Memories."

The Gardens has been sold for $1.75 million to the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, which plans to demolish the building and redevelop the site.

Before it's gone, we want to hear your favorite concerts or sporting events at the Gardens. Give us a call at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Credit John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Gardens was built in 1949.

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.