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INDEX:
 EXTENSIONS OF MAN CONCERTSAfter its rise to immense success in the 1970s, Extensions of Man Concerts was fading out and the rise of Media Five's Booking and Management Agencies were beginning. However, there were some very big news stories that were made because of Extensions of Man Concerts and the artists they were booking. Some of the most notable concerts that Extensions of Man Concerts promoted include; Maynard Ferguson and Billy Joel, the later of the two received National media attention. Following their successful effort to bring Billy Joel back to the Lehigh Valley after his single, "Allentown"was released at the end of 1982, Media Five's creators realized that the booking and managing side of the music industry was what the company should be doing. Once the sold-out December 27th Billy Joel concert at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem was completed, Extensions of Man Concerts officially closed and Media Five began to expand its roster of bands that it represented. |
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| TIME CAPSULE » | |
| Billy Joel View Profile | Having sold more than 100 million records over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. Extensions of Man Concerts and Media Five Entertainment have a special relationship as his Lehigh Valley promotor starting with his "Piano Man" album tour in 1974. It was at a sound check at their promoted Muhlenberg College concert in 1975 where we first heard parts of the chorus of a song that would later be titled, "Allentown." In 1982, upon the release of the "The Nylon Curtain" album and the single, "Allentown," David Sestak along with local radio station WZZO and the backing of Mayor Joe Daddona, the then mayor of Allentown, spearheaded a campaign to bring Billy Joel back to the Lehigh Valley to perform, "Allentown." There was a controversy over the interpretation of the "Allentown" lyrics within the region and along with the campaign this garnered national attention on syndicated TV, radio, daily newspapers, and major magazines. Billy Joel has often commented that that the early Lehigh Valley shows always had a special place in his heart and he agreed to come back to the area on December 27, 1982 to perform "Allentown" at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem. Efforts continue today for Billy to return to the Lehigh Valley this time to perform "Allentown" in Allentown in their new 10,000 capacity PPL Center. |
| Maynard Ferguson View Profile | April 18, 1980, Johnston Hall, Moravian College, Bethlehem PA |
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