By Wayne, Oxford, PA

In March 1974, at the age of fourteen, I was given my first job as a busboy at Hannigan’s restaurant in Upper Darby. My cousin Andrew, (two years older) had already worked there for a year. He would teach me the finer arts of my job and then some. We spent many hours hanging out in the shamrock room listening to the jukebox. Around May of 1974, we became friendly with two of the security guards from the Tower Theater. Hannigan’s was located on Ludlow St, just across from the theater entrance. The guards would come in for take-out or we would run it over for them. As we did this, we also started watching the throngs of people coming out to see the various shows that the Tower was showcasing. The atmosphere of those days still lingers with me today. It was exhilarating experience. In July of 1974 David Bowie was coming to the Tower. Not in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine the carnival atmosphere that was to take place on those nights. It was amazing to see the costumes and make-up that was worn by many, the partying of the crowds on Ludlow Street, and how much of a good and friendly time everyone was having. The last night of the Bowie concerts, we ran some food over to the rear entrance for our friend Matt. Since we were finished for the night, we pleaded with Matt to let us in. Surprisingly, he did just that. I was backstage at the Tower!! I could hear “Diamond Dogs” being played as we shuffled for a good spot. I was disappointed that I couldn’t really see Bowie or the crowd, but the music was electrifying! I hung on every word and took in the moment. After the final song, we were getting ready to move out when we were kind of pushed away from the exit by workers. We were standing in hallway by a large door when David Bowie popped out and just stood there. He looked our way and asked who we were with. We said Matt, the security guard. He then asked if we enjoyed the show. Both of us were stunned, but I answered how great it was for my first concert. He laughed and said, don’t let it be your last, and walked away. It was the first of hundreds of shows that I’ve seen, many at the Tower. I just recently took my son to see Radiohead there. I couldn’t help but think of that night, to be a fourteen again, on a warm summer night in Upper Darby. It seemed like only yesterday.