On July 9, 1977, 45,000 rock fans sweated it out at Busch Stadium to see Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Head East, Gypsy and Judas Priest perform at Superjam.
The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.
At the time, it was the largest crowd to see a music event in St. Louis. Here was our original coverage of that event.
Glenn Tipton, clad only in his bikini Underwear and with beads of sweat still glistening on his chest, slumped in his chair Saturday afternoon in the interior of Busch Memorial Stadium.
In lucid body language, Tipton and the other members of his rock band, expressed the same idea about what it's like to give a rock concert on a day when the temperature is in the high 80s: Yech!
"It was burning the toes of my boots, today," said Tipton, guitarist with the English rock band, Judas Priest "We obviously had to pace ourselves."
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Tipton had it easy. Judas Priest performed for about an hour under a Canvas-topped stage; thousands of rock fans, on the other hand, planned to stay for hours on the stadium infield, where the sun beat down without interference.
The occasion was "Superjam," a marathon rock concert featuring five groups, several of them widely known. According to Irving Zuckerman, the 45,000-plus persons who attended made the concert the largest crowd to ever pay to attend a musical event in St. Louis.
Zuckerman is executive vice president of Contemporary Productions, Inc., the Creve Coeur based promoters of the concert.
Although the concert did not start until 4:15 p.m. it was slated to end at midnight the gates were opened early and the crowd began to enter at about 1:15 p.m.
It was a spectacle, something like the citizens of Rome welcoming the conquering American Army. The young persons came onto the field cheering, waving and holding their arms over their heads like conquering heroes.
Within a few hours, some of them felt conquered, instead. The first aid station reported treating more than 100 persons, most of them for heat exhaustion and some for drug overdoses. No one was seriously ill, head nurse, Virginia Price said.
The leading acts for the concert were R.E.O. Speedwagon, a five-man group originally from Champaign, Ill., and Ted Nugent, who Zuckerman says is also known as "The Motor City's guitar animal."
Other acts included Head East, of St. Louis, and Gypsy, a five-man five-group from Los Angeles.
St. Louis police reported about 6 p.m. that a group of persons, attending the concert broke into the Stadium Club. Police said the group broke the glass doors to the entrance of the club by pressing on them.
No other details were available, police said.
Lt. Edward J. Kasperski, who is in charge of a 33-man police detail stationed outside the stadium, said three arrests for fighting were made. Kasperski said he believed the crowd had generally been controlled. Parts of a fence surrounding the stadium were pulled up by youths attempting to crash the rock concert, Kasperski said. He said damage was minor.
Four youths from Beliefontaine Neighbors Neighbors said they saw about 20 persons crash through a gate at the stadium. Security guards could not contain the youths.
The first aid room at the stadium reported about 200 cases of heat exhaustion exhaustion and alcohol and drug abuse at 8:30 p.m. Four youths were taken to City Hospital for alcohol and drug abuse. All were unconscious. Two policemen were reported to have suffered minor injuries.
Lt. Kaperskij said the officers were injured in separate incidents when they broke up fights among the spectators.
At 10 p.m., the stadium's gates were opened, and a small crowd of persons that had gathered outside rushed in cheering. The last hour-and-one-half of the concert was free for them. Ushers said that the crowd had damaged the gates earlier in the evening trying to get in.
The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.
Historic photos: Superjam at Busch Stadium
Fans wait for gates to open for Superjam '77
![Fans wait for gates to open for Superjam '77](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=150%2C92 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=200%2C123 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=225%2C138 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=300%2C184 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=400%2C246 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=540%2C332 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/5e/d5e046fb-e676-543a-bd1d-37f1b379adf4/53bc42825c86e.image.jpg?resize=620%2C381 640w)
Fans wait in the heat outside Busch Stadium for the 1977 version of Superjam, featuring Judas Priest, Head East and other acts.
Cleaning up after Superjam '77
![Cleaning up after Superjam '77](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=150%2C170 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=200%2C226 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=225%2C255 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=300%2C339 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=400%2C453 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=540%2C611 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/0a/30a01be3-53c3-56b8-889c-0a3b06b839e0/53bc42886ce19.image.jpg?resize=548%2C620 640w)
A worker uses a snow shovel to clean up debris at Busch Stadium after Superjam '77.
Fans wait outside Busch Stadium for Superjam 1978
![Fans wait outside Busch Stadium for Superjam 1978](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=150%2C80 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=200%2C107 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=225%2C120 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=300%2C161 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=400%2C214 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=540%2C289 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/f5/6f511b38-cdbb-59cd-90c8-3d91edc30f0a/53bc4282e65a6.image.jpg?resize=620%2C332 640w)
Pavement outside Busch Stadium is jammed by music fans waiting for the state of Superjam '78.
Fans sleep while waiting for Superjam '78
![Fans sleep while waiting for Superjam '78](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/88/488847e9-9364-5719-bb86-6cd4a511abe9/53bc428480098.image.jpg?resize=150%2C180 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/88/488847e9-9364-5719-bb86-6cd4a511abe9/53bc428480098.image.jpg?resize=200%2C239 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/88/488847e9-9364-5719-bb86-6cd4a511abe9/53bc428480098.image.jpg?resize=225%2C269 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/88/488847e9-9364-5719-bb86-6cd4a511abe9/53bc428480098.image.jpg?resize=300%2C359 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/88/488847e9-9364-5719-bb86-6cd4a511abe9/53bc428480098.image.jpg?resize=400%2C479 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/88/488847e9-9364-5719-bb86-6cd4a511abe9/53bc428480098.image.jpg?resize=517%2C619 540w)
Fans sleep outside Busch Stadium while waiting for the gates to open for Superjam '78.
Two fans waiting for Superjam '78
![Two fans waiting for Superjam '78](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=150%2C88 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=200%2C117 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=225%2C132 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=300%2C176 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=400%2C235 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=540%2C317 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/fc/8fc4e6f5-5da2-5829-9a6b-dbd22aa75ba7/53bc42facb0a3.image.jpg?resize=620%2C364 640w)
Bob Schynos and Lynn Winton pass the time waiting for gates to open at Busch Stadium for Superjam '78.
A fan at Superjam 1978
![A fan at Superjam 1978](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=150%2C108 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=200%2C144 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=225%2C162 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=300%2C216 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=400%2C288 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=540%2C388 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/61/56118996-4125-5e56-b661-c4a06d569983/53bc428932aad.image.jpg?resize=620%2C446 640w)
A man blows bubbles at the annual Superjam in 1978 at Busch Stadium.
Counterfeit Superjam ticket in 1978
![Counterfeit Superjam ticket in 1978](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=150%2C96 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=200%2C128 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=225%2C144 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=300%2C193 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=400%2C257 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=540%2C347 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/e0/3e093025-ea81-5595-9e45-60ab67493cde/53bd483f13c06.image.jpg?resize=620%2C398 640w)
A counterfeit Superjam ticket for the 1978 event at Busch Stadium.
Some of the crowd at 1978 Superjam
![Some of the crowd at 1978 Superjam](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=150%2C162 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=200%2C216 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=225%2C243 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=300%2C324 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=400%2C431 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=540%2C582 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acdff68-c76b-52cc-9d06-d28bab71f230/53bc428690720.image.jpg?resize=574%2C619 640w)
Some of the 40,000 fans gathered at Busch Stadium for the third annual Superjam on Aug. 26, 1978.
Fans leave Busch after Superjam '78
![Fans leave Busch after Superjam '78](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=150%2C110 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=200%2C146 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=225%2C165 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=300%2C220 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=400%2C293 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=540%2C395 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/6c/46c253d2-f4a0-59f2-8c1c-07ba958fa503/53bc428592025.image.jpg?resize=620%2C454 640w)
Two fans stroll across the debris-covered field after Superjam '78 wrapped up at Busch Stadium.
Fans wait for inaugural Superjam in 1976.
![Fans wait for inaugural Superjam in 1976.](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=225%2C160 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=400%2C285 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=540%2C385 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/6b/56b60408-89ff-5d4a-ac66-54c6f379f8be/53bc4283c5efa.image.jpg?resize=620%2C442 640w)
Fans relax while waiting for Busch Stadium to host the first version of Superjam in 1976. It was the first concert at the stadium since the Beatles played in 1966. Post-Dispatch photo