Texas Music History: Remembering the Last Show at Dallas Bronco Bowl
The Bronco Bowl in Dallas held its final concert on August 16, 2003, marking the end of an era for the iconic venue. Despite facing ups and downs over the years, the Bronco Bowl had a rich history that spanned several decades. Originally opened in 1961 as a 78-lane bowling complex, the venue was envisioned by Dallas oilmen J. Curtis Sanford and Lamar Hunt as the headquarters for a televised national bowling league. While the initial plans to incorporate indoor archery, slotcar racing, and miniature golf didn’t quite pan out, music would always find a home at the Bronco Bowl.
Throughout the years, the Bronco Bowl evolved into more than just a bowling alley. In 1963, it opened the Pit Club, a popular teen dance spot where the house band, Floyd Dakil’s Pitmen, played to the tunes emceed by disc jockey and television personality Ron Chapman. The band even scored a regional hit single, “Dance, Franny, Dance,” on the Jetstar label, further solidifying the venue’s place in the music scene.
By the 1980s, the Bronco Bowl had grown its capacity to accommodate 3,000 people and had become a favored venue for high-profile touring artists. The stage saw performances by music legends like David Bowie, the Clash, Elvis Costello, Metallica, Public Enemy, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and local hero Stevie Ray Vaughan. While it may have seemed unusual for these big acts to perform alongside bowling lanes, most artists embraced the unique setting, with some exceptions like Neil Young, who famously pulled out of a show upon learning it was in a bowling alley.
As the 1990s rolled around, the Bronco Bowl faced challenges with changing ownership and shifting music trends. However, it went out with a bang in August 2003 with a 12-hour blowout concert featuring nineteen local bands, including Hagfish, the Deathray Davies, and Bowling for Soup. The closure of the venue marked the end of an era, as developers razed the building to make way for a Home Depot shortly thereafter.
Reflecting on the closing of the Bronco Bowl, Tim DeLaughter of the Polyphonic Spree remarked, “You just know that 10 or 20 years from now, people are still going to be talking about it… There’s no place like it. There never will be again.” The legacy of the Bronco Bowl lives on in the memories of those who experienced its unique blend of music and bowling in one unforgettable setting.
If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your contribution helps sustain the quality journalism you find on texasstandard.org and KUTX.org. Thank you for donating today.
Subheadings:
1. The Rise of the Bronco Bowl: From Bowling Complex to Music Venue
2. Iconic Performances: Music Legends at the Bronco Bowl
3. The End of an Era: Remembering the Final Show at the Dallas Venue
