Fire in the sky – KB Hallen RIP
On Wednesday, one of Scandinavia’s most classic venues burned down. KB Hallen in Copenhagen has seen many stars raise the heat in the hall and was of course the venue where the classic Deep Purple DVD from 1972 was recorded. Purple has played there many times after that. The latest DP related concert in the 3.000 capacity hall was Black Country Communion this summer.
There are now discussions between the owners of the hall and the city of Copenhagen if the hall can be rebuilt again. The hall has been rebuilt once before, when it was bombed by Danish nazis in 1944. Since it’s opening in 1938 lots of prominent names in music has played the venue, among them The Who, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Led Zeppelin.
Deep Purple backstage at MK. III’s first gig in KB Hallen, December 9, 1973. (Photo: (c) Jørgen Angel)
Highway Star live in KB Hallen 1972.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_-4-dLJjpIPictures from tv2.dk and Scanpix.
It’s so sad! My parents were supposed to go to the Whitesnake concert in K.B. Hallen 22/11-2011, but it’s now moved. (Surprise!) I went to the Deep Purple concert there in 2009. It’s their latest show in there, and it was my first DP show ever!
September 29th, 2011 at 20:39The Mk3 gig was in December 9, 1973 (not 1974). Amazing pic!
According to the data I’ve collected in a spreadsheet, DP played, in all, 8 concerts at the place.
March 1, 1972 (Mk2)
September 29th, 2011 at 20:50Feb 10, 1973 (Mk2)
Dec 9, 1973 (Mk3)
Oct 1, 1998 (Mk7)
Nov 30, 2003 (Mk8)
Jan 28, 2006 (Mk8)
Aug 6, 2008 (Mk8)
July 13, 2009 (Mk8)
Fond memories here of the day I visited the place in the noble company of Rasmus Heide, three years ago.
September 29th, 2011 at 20:51Thanks, Marcelo. I’ve updated the date.
September 29th, 2011 at 20:54It’s so sad. I’ve seen some of the best Deep Purple shows there. The 2006 show as a personal favourite, if my memory is correct.
September 29th, 2011 at 22:26The man in Black played there too with his last Rainbow, can’t remember the exact date.
As a protected building it will propably be rebuild again as “we remember it”! But so sad!
Add Jimi to the list of legends at this historical venue!
September 29th, 2011 at 23:33I cant remember, but did ” Roundabout” (DP’s first name) also play there in 1968 ???
September 30th, 2011 at 05:45It always makes me wonder how people controlling a camera, have absolutely no idea, as to what they should be filming at a specific time! If Lord & Blackmore are hammering a solo, why film Gillan standing there shaking his head? I know thatrecording live concerts was a new thing back then & we understand some naivety in this at the time, but surely the person holding the camera would have some idea, obviously not! Sad, but that has ruined in many ways, what IMHO would be a definitive concert film of the MKII lineup!
September 30th, 2011 at 09:34@ Marcelo Soares
… I find more concert dates with Mark 2 in K.B. Hallen – look at my website
14 Nov 1970
23 Apr 1971
9 Feb 1973
Deep Purple Tour Page
September 30th, 2011 at 11:19http://www.purple.de/dirk/purple/
Deep Purple with Ritchie Blackmore played also show on 13.11.1993 there during the Battle Rages On Tour – one of the last’s with MKII . I remember great Black Night and huge speakers also.
September 30th, 2011 at 11:53So sad…a classic venue where I´ve seen many great bands over the years….DP, Whitesnake, Heaven & Hell and just recently…..BCC july 12th ! I hope they rebuild it after the original plans, it was originally built in 1938 ! I fear it will be a scandalous modern monter of a building though…..I sincerly hope I´m wrong…!!!!
September 30th, 2011 at 16:55I was at the 2003 show – it was a better venue than many!
Hopefully they’ll build a suitable replacement.
cheers
September 30th, 2011 at 17:23Doug
Lots of good memories from KB-Hallen with DP – also backstage. It seems they felt at home and enjoyed to perform here year after year. I saw the last 5 shows, and went to the shows of the first 2 tours in 72 and 73 the day after in Odense. In 1973 MK III were supposed to play their debut in Aarhus Dec 8, and we travelled a couple of hours but no one came. Cancelled. So the first show happened in Copenhagen and I missed it.
September 30th, 2011 at 17:41Other highlights: Black Sabbath Sept 1989 when Gillan suddenly jumped in at the encores for Paranoid and SOTW, I think.
Ritchie came in 95 with Rainbow, and I got to see Dio in 07 with Heaven & Hell.
A unique venue with a lot of heritage.
RB’s Rainbow played there October 6, 1995…
September 30th, 2011 at 18:39I was at the August 6, 2008 show, having travelled from the States on a pilgrimage to this seemingly holy site. All of the rooms in Copenhagen being occupied, we spent the rest of the night wandering the streets of Copenhagen, hearing Deep Purple in the background of nearly every bar in which we wiled away the night/morning, and basking in the glow of a great Deep Purple show at a hallowed venue. Sad to hear; but, so glad I was there.
September 30th, 2011 at 19:27A sad day for Copenhagen concert goers.
Hopefully a rebuild can rectify the often difficult acoustics of this classic and rather charming venue. Being just around the corner from me, I’ve seen quite a few shows there – incl. Purple, Rainbow, BCC, Dio, etc, etc.
In 1973, Mk3 must have opened up with Burn……
September 30th, 2011 at 19:58@ James From Katowice:
In 1993 Deep Purple played in Valbyhallen. 🙂
September 30th, 2011 at 22:16I don’t think they played in KB Hallen too.
I´m so sad. K B Hallen is down. I have been there since my first show with Deep Purple 1. Marts 1972. 10 years old. Always follow you in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. I´m going to Gøteborg in december 2011. See You. My favorite band on earth.
October 1st, 2011 at 09:10I can tell you that a new K B Hallen will be build, so be happy and we will return.
to James the gig on the 13 november 1993 was not in KB hallen but in Valby Hallen Copenhagen
October 1st, 2011 at 09:48@ James from Katowice
Deep Purple with Ritchie Blackmore played also show on 13.11.1993 …
this is not correct – Deep Purple played this shows
12 Nov 1993 – Copenhagen, Valby Hallen – DENMARK
October 1st, 2011 at 11:1013 Nov 1993 – Stockholm, Isstadion – SWEDEN
The purple gig in 1993 was not in K B hallen, it was in Valbyhallen! My first and only concert with mk 2, and the best concert i have seen.
October 1st, 2011 at 17:56#10
October 1st, 2011 at 20:38It was not not in KB-hallen, but in Valby-hallen. Great show btw.
Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow 6’th of October 1995 ( and Motörhead the day after )
Deep Purple 1’th of October 1998
October 4th, 2011 at 20:18Have they played that many shows in KB Hallen, when it’s only a 3000 capacity hall? In 93 and all those mk8 dates?
October 29th, 2011 at 22:10