Before there was the New Haven Coliseum there was the New Haven Arena. Located on Grove Street, the old Arena was first opened in 1914. Two things the Arena was probably best known for: hockey and concerts. While hockey fans cheered on the New Haven Blades and its “Slapshot” style of hockey, music fans were rockin’ out to bands like The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Cream, The Allman Brothers Band, Alice Cooper and of course The Doors.
The New Haven Arena closed its doors in 1972 to make way for the newer, larger Coliseum. The Arena was sadly demolished two years later in 1974.
Today we look back one of our favorite shows to come to the Arena: Black Sabbath in 1972. This was first time Black Sabbath played here in Connecticut.
Black Sabbath
Tour: Master of Reality
Special Guest: Wild Turkey
March 20, 1972
New Haven Arena
Setlist*
- N.I.B.
- Tomorrow’s Dream
- War Pigs
- Sweet Leaf
- Iron Man
- Snowblind
- Wicked World
- Guitar Solo
- Drum Solo
- Embryo
- Children of the Grave
- Paranoid
- Fairies Wear Boots
*source: setlist.fm
Check out these past live performances