Cosby Show Canceled

The Post-Star, September 16

(editor’s note – This date was originally scheduled to be the Grateful Dead, but was canceled due to security concerns. Bill Cosby was scheduled as the replacement artist, but he too canceled, due to scheduling concerns)

The Bill Cosby Concert scheduled for tonight at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has been canceled.

A SPAC spokesman said it was believed that Cosby could not get time off from a show he is filming in California. Tickets may be mailed to the box office for refunds.

Sunday’s concert, Dr. John, a hard rock group, and Stevie Wonder, will go on as scheduled at 7 p.m. This will be the last concert of the season at SPAC.


Grateful Dead Concerts Canceled

The Post-Star, August 31, 1972

(editor’s note – This date was originally supposed to be the Grateful Dead, but was canceled over security concerns)

A scheduled appearance of the rock music group The Grateful Dead has been canceled because of a shortage of security personnel, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center said Wednesday.

Two concerts had been scheduled for Sept. 15 and 16 but were canceled, the SPAC spokesman said, because of insufficient security forces for crowd control.

The cancellation followed meetings between management of SPAC, the rock band and local law enforcement and security officials, the SPAC spokesman said.

Kenneth E. King, public safety commissioner for this resort community of 20,000, had estimated the band would draw up to 25,000 fans each day.

The public safety department had found that while the band’s draw had presented no unusual burden on public agencies in other cities, it could possibly create security needs beyond the capability of the local law enforcement agency, the SPAC spokesman said.

The present plan, endorsed by city officials, according to SPAC, is to try to reschedule a performance of the Grateful Dead next summer during the regular season, when a larger security force would be on hand.

The numbers of state, local and SPAC security personnel are at their peak during July and August, SPAC said.