Backstage at Blossom

Storyteller: Chris Fahlman

 
 
 
 

Doors open at 5:00pm, with the storytelling beginning promptly at 7:00pm

• Weekly series combining great food with great stories about Cleveland’s past
• FREE ADMISSION – NO COVER CHARGE
• In addition to our regular menu, a Prix Fixe 3-course dinner special is available for just $25
• Check back for this week’s special
  

Story topic this week…

Backstage at Blossom
Chris Fahlman has done (and heard) it all. Of course, you can’t tell the Blossom story without sharing countless stories about the remarkedly diverse and unforgettable talent that performed on that stage, from the guy who dealt with them all, including: Janis Joplin, Talking Heads, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, James Taylor, Frank Zappa, Aerosmith, David Crosby, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, James Brown, Jimmy Buffett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Beach Boys, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Roy Orbison, the Grateful Dead, Meat Loaf, the Big Apple Circus…and hometown greats – Chrissie Hynde, Joe Walsh and… the all-time Blossom champ, the Michael Stanley Band.

Chris Fahlman Bio

Chris Fahlman had just graduated from Medina High in 1968 when he first heard about Blossom Music Center. Cleveland and Akron were under curfew due to the urban riots which raged that summer throughout much of the area, but… Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie! C’mon! Outdoors, in this fantastic new venue -had to go.

That first night! Well, it was love at first sight! Joining the staff there in 1969, it was only one year later, at the age of 19, that Chris was told by Emily Blossom that she wanted him to manage this magical facility which she had established to honor her family’s love of music. So began his 50-year career as concert promoter, talent buyer, television producer, venue developer and manager, that would encompass responsibility for over 4,500 concerts, hosting more than 20 million fans, and the development of 35 performance venues.

Chris, Blossom, and the concert industry, all matured, together, from 1969-1994, the first half of his career…so far. Then as now, Blossom is unique in so many ways, and only could have become the premiere “shed” in the US, through the knowledge and support of the best fans in America… right here in Northeast Ohio.

 
The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland’s past – from sports, to rock ‘n roll, to Millionaire’s Row, — the series will focus on tidbits from Cleveland’s past that will really thrill the audience. The Music Box is presenting this series in partnership with the Western Reserve Historical Society’s new Cleveland History Center. We think the Cleveland History Center is one of the most important museums in Cleveland. An unknown gem that Clevelanders should know more about, and support. It is the only museum in Cleveland dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Cleveland. The Cleveland History Center includes two mansions, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, Research Library, Kidzibits Hands-On Gallery, rotating exhibitions, and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.
 

See all Cleveland Stories dates here.