Where do I begin? How about at the end. I was at the final game at the Aud in 1996, and had the opportunity of a lifetime. My best friend was able to get us into the 'Alimni Room' (compliments of one of the alumni members) where watched the entire game. With us that night were some of my childhood hockey heros along with their wives, friends and supporters. They were telling stories about things that happened during their playing days. It was without a doubt, the most awesome experience of my life. The second best memory was the six hour playoff game against the Devils. We tried to get into the AUD CLUB between one of the many periods at 1:00 in the morning. We were denied because we didn't have a jacket & tie which were required to get in. However, the AUD CLUB being the greatest place ever, gave us some loaner ties and jackets (which they usually reserved for guests of members. We put them on and they let us in. We still laugh about that to this day.
The crazy ramps to nowhere, the basement (spooky place even when the place was up and running)the popcorn, the $5 general admission concert tickets to major shows, the twister (anyone rember him?), catching pucks coming over the glass, the helicopter with the Sabres logo in the back parking lot near the battle ships. THE LIST IS ENDLESS. The Aud is dead, long live the AUD.
JF - Buffalo, NY
I am only beginning to learn of the Aud Auction sale. It is January 2009. My favorite memory, like so many sons and daughters, were the nightly rituals. The search for parking along Scott Street with my Dad. The walk past the old Buffalo EVENING News building. The pouring through the turnstyles. The view, the incomparable view from the front row of the Oranges. The generosity of Aunts and Uncles, some now in eternal life, which freed me to sit in the Golds on occasion. Viewing the Aud Club for the first time. The organist, the announcer, the awe and humility upon hearing a Doctor's name called over the public address system. And the selection of the three stars--and family discussions of the appropriateness thereafter. The brisk walk back, the excitement of souvenirs, sodas, and occasionally, an Autograph. The life changing opportunities to meet the players on Open Skates, benefits toward charity.
As we chanted for the first time in 1974-75, after their season ending, cup ending loss to Bernie Parent, and the Philadelphia Flyers, may we chant every year, every game, for the family experience the players, coaches, staff,and owners provide: 'Thank you, Sabres! Thank you, Sabres!'
B. Matthew. F., Charlottesville, Virginia/ Cheektowaga, NY
1st time I can remember being at the aud was for the circus. My Mom told me not long ago that I had ran off and got lost. I remember sitting ice level for Disney on ice starring up at those noise mufflers hanging from the rafters. My 1st sabres game sitting in the orange seats. The Bush, Googoo Dolls, and No Doubt concert. Last but not least my illegal entry with my brothers in the spring of 2008 to take 1 last walk down memory lane and say GOOD BYE!! Memories of the aud will never be forgotten or replaced!! Rest in peace AUD!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Anonymous
I was at a Sabres game, sitting in my season ticket seat up in the Oranges -- 11 D 11, when the lights went out in the middle of a game and the emergency lights came on. After five minutes of sitting in the dimly lit but packed Aud, a chorus went up from the an entire section below: '3-2-1 ... Seymour pay the electric bill!' Shortly afterwards the lights were restored and the game resumed.
Anonymous
Where do I start. I was raised on Sabres hockey. My Grandfather was a season ticket holder for the Bisons and then Sabres from the beginning up until '92. So many stories were told to me about the Aud. My dad meeting all the greats and getting their autographs. The time he met Bobby Orr when he was up in the seats. My Mom getting hit by a puck in the leg. Then my own memories. So many circuses and Disney on ice. Waiting for my Grandfather to get his book of season tickets and getting to pick out what games I wanted to go to. Taking the train from UB downtown and walking into this amazing building. After the turnstiles making a left and getting a fried bologna with cheese and ketchup. When I needed to go to the bathroom my Grandfather would make us go from out seats in the reds to the bathrooms in the oranges because they were 'newer'. This was in the late 80's so they weren't that new. Sometimes my Dad would ask me if I wanted to go for a ride and we would end up at the Aud and he got standing room tickets. Walking down the ramps popping cups singing 'Na na na na......na na na na hey ey ey.....goodbye' Goodbye Aud....I love you.
Anonymous
1st concert was ELO, with my best friend Donna and Crazy Billy
in the 1st row Oranges. Also Bruce, the Eagles, Supertramp, REM, and of course the Sabres games, Bandits, and even the Harlem Globetrotters. Oh how I miss walking down those endless ramps!!
Anonymous
It was like walking into a cathedral. A holy place. From the cold streets of Buffalo's winters into the warmth of lights, the sound of the organist, the smell of hot dogs, popcorn and beer. You walked into this marvelous hall where friends and neighbors alike gathered to watch everything from Chubby Checker, Ice Capades, the Bisons, Sabres, Blizzard and Bandits. Between the lights, sound and excitement of the Aud to the memories of the Rockpile...It lead me to a career in sports after many years. For that, I am truly grateful to my hometown and those two marvelous facilities. I was fortunate to have worked with Buffalo legends like Mike Billoni during my time at Rich Baseball Operations in Jamestown. And soccer legends Rudy and Randy Pikuzinski, the DiNunzio Brothers and Jim May during my 3 years as G.M. of the Blizzard at HSBC. Thank you to you all and thank you to my father, John, for letting me experience all that is great about Buffalo, N.Y. Thanks for the memories of the Aud. This is a great site for a great facility that is dearly missed.
Mike F., Fredonia, N.Y.
I have been to many games at the Aud, but my favorite memory was actually being able to play on it. I cannot remember the game but a bunch of us were selected to play during intermission. It was something I will never forget being able to play on the ice the pro's skate on, being scared because alot of people...or what I thought was alot were watching and also looking up at my parents in the oranges and just realizing at that moment how high up they actually were. I will never forget that place I think about all the games I saw everytime I drive by.
Matt D.
Lewiston, NY
So, so many hockey games and concerts. First Sabres game I ever saw was around 1974 when the Sabres shut out the Canucks 6-0. Quite a few years later I was there with my wife when we were season ticket holders in the blues. We saw the May Day goal and I sat until the bitter end to see Dave Hannan score against Jersey. In 93-94 my son got his first exposure to the Aud through my pregnant wife. Later, I was able to take him to his first game against the Hartford Whalers.
As a child, I was lucky enough to play a hockey game in there and afterwards got to tour the locker rooms and get autographs from the Sabres as they came in for their game day skate.
I cut my rock and roll teeth there starting in 6th grade when I saw Kiss on their Destroyer tour. Fondly remember Supertramp, Bob Seger, The Kinks, Blue Oyster Cult, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, The Outlaws and way too many more. In 1984 I saw the ultimate when I finally got to see Springsteen both nights form the 3rd and also the 1st rows. The crowd was the loudest I ever heard and there's still nobody better.
The Sabres games will always be my fondest memories. I'll always remember getting a roast beef sandwich, going up those narrow escalators to the oranges and seeing the program seller at the top (remember Goal magazine?). Between periods I can still see the haze of smoke in the stairs from all the smokers and still can't figure out how they made all those narrow hallways and where they went. And at the end I the sounds of popping cups and walking really, really fast down those endless ramps.
I'll never forget this great building where I grew up and can mark so many moments in my life.
Anonymous
I attended Bisons and Sabres games and many other events at the Aud from 1959 until it closed in 1996 and I have so many wonderful memories of this great arena. Perhaps my favorite memories came during the 1963 Calder Cup play-offs when the Bisons won the Calder Cup. I remember Doug Robinson's last second goal and winning overtime goal which staved off play-off elimination against Hershey in the finals. I also remember the deciding 7th game of the finals against which the Bisons won 6-2. The best memory is of Johnny McKenzie drinking champagne in the penalty box with time still remaining in the game and waving across the ice to Coach Billy Reay. It was May 1 , 1963 - a day I'll always remember. Thanks Aunt Viola for taking my brother Jeff and me to so many great Bison games when we were kids and developing our life-long love of hockey. You are missed greatly.
Jim M.
Naples, Florida
(formerly of Lovejoy area of Buffalo and Hamburg, NY)
My Aud memory was being at the final game. From the emotional banner lowering to LaFontaine pushing the puck over the goal line for the last time. The greatest thing from the Aud was the roar of the crowd and the noise of the goal horn. The greatest goal horn in the history of the NHL. Also the thrill of the steep oranges. Wow what a way to watch a hockey game. May the Aud goal horns still be heard well into the future!
Anonymous
My favorite memory was going to my first Sabre game with my father. I was in grammer school at the time.The game was against the Boston Bruins,our seats were in the top row of the orange section behind one of the nets. During the game Jim Schoenfield crashed through the boards where the zamboni enters and started fighting off the ice. Also during the game there was 3 bench clearing brawls. Also to make it even more better the Sabres won the game.
Anonymous
The Aud is such an amazing part of history for the people who have expeienced being in the building. There are millions of memories,from historic events to more personal stories,from the famous people to the characters who were part of the Aud. The closing of that building signals the end of an era. Being emotinal over losing an assemblage of concrete and metal may not be logical. Losing the place where so much emotion was generated certainly is. So we shed a tear,say thanks for the memories old Aud and treasure all we experienced.
Kevin F.
Two words.. MAY DAY!!!!
Anonymous
rolling stones 1975,13 years old,first consert i had ever been to.i have been to hundreds since then.but that was the best.
the aud rocked.
Anonymous
I write in response to Lou's memory above about Kiki Mortsen and the Barons-Bisons game in 1968. While I was not at this game, I was an avid Bisons fan and was in the Section 14 (Blues) cheering on Bisons' hockey stars of that year and that era, including the AHL's own 'Guy,' Guy ('GEEEEEY')Trottier. I was, however, at the Buffalo-Barons rematch a few weeks later, when Bisons' brawler Dennis Hextall skated directly to to Mortsen early in the first period and begam to pummel him along the boards, precipitating a full-scale fight of old hockey days, with both benches emptying and sticks and gloves strewn from end to end. Morsten paid dearly that night for his classless attmept to ruffle the unflappable Giles, and the Bisons coasted to an easy 5-2 win. During the contest I remember -- as if it were right now -- our group in Section 14 chanting 'GEEEEEY, GEEEEEY, GEEEEEY,' everytime the Bisons' deft center would get near the puck. (I believe this was continued a few years later in Montreal with another Guy....) Trottier did not disappoint, as he scored twice that special evening. Thanks for the memories, Guy, Giles, and all the Bisons of that era -- and before (Marcel Paille, Gus Mortson, the Plager brothers, and Dick Gamble anyone???)who made Buffalo a hockey town during the Calder Cup years of the 50s and 60s. My other great hockey memory was the Bisons beating the despised Hershey Bears (Boston's farm team)in the 7th game of the AHL final on a warm May evening in 1964. Thanks to Pepsi for the best Buffalo hockey uniform ever.
Basketball--let's see:
With my father, watching the Stith brothers (Tom and Sam) play for the Bonnies during the first game of the famous Aud basketball doubleheaders in the 1950s. Watching Hank Nowak, an unstoppable force in the middle, of the Golden Griffins in the second game. A decade later, as a high school student, continuing the tradition my father began with me by attending those same doubleheaders with my Fallon classmates.
The Celtic and Braves in 1976, Game 6.
Many more, but enough for now.
Great stuff. Incomparable. Never forgotten.
Tony C.
Boston, NY -
My very first concert was seeing supertramp at the aud.What I remember the most is seeing lighters with the flame up high and looking like thousands of stars right infront of you and all around you.That by far was the most amazing sight I ever seen,and you can guess what I brought with me the next concert I went to.....thats right,a lighter!!!!!!
Anonymous
I was a suburban kid who had a dad working for the Buffalo Police. he had connections and on one fantastic day in 1976 my dad snuck my sister, my cousin and I into the Aud to watch a Sabres practice. It was unbelievable. We stood to one side as the Sabres came out onto the ice... each one I could look at and size up (I wasn't all that tall and all of them looked like mighty giants!). I remember Jerry Korab smiled (though it looked more like a sneer) at my sister and I. I also watched as the Sabres took blistering shots/passes at each other. Brian Spencer was one such person who took delight at getting these shots fired at his ankles! He also was practicing his 'spinning' move for the guys. For me, though, it was to finally see the great 3 in person... The French Connection. While standing there in awe of my hockey heroes, Chuck Healey (of Strikes, Spares and Misses fame) came up from behind us and tugged on my sister shoulder length long hair. He was the absolute gentleman of the day and chatted with us for a little bit.
I'll never forget those memories in the Aud.
Farewell good friend. You'll be heavily missed by me.
Darren T.
My 1st Sabres game vs. Boston - John Tucker scores 4 goals - including a penalty shot, and all the fights from 47 secs left in 3rd; the longest game against New Jersey and my first beer at abolut 12:30 AM that night; the final game at The Aud with all the pomp and circumstance; The 1st two Garth Brooks concerts; and one of my fondest memories - the NIT Semi-Final win for Canisius over Washington from the front row of the Oranges with my brother and Dad - seeing that crowd take the floor after and how wild and fun it all was.
There never was anything quite like those 'nose bleed' orange seats for any event at the Aud....
Thank you old and faithful friend, you've done well, and served us proudly.
Kevin O., Cheektowaga, NY
Sitting in the last row of the orange sections watching the Sabres....those were the best of times!
Anonymous
I was sitting top row of the oranges, Friday night game vs the habs. My friend and I had seats #4-5, seats 1-3 never showed with a standing room only crowd. With there not being alot of room in the oranges, my friend sat in seat 2 and me in seat 4 so we lots of room for the two us, until we heard these three girls voices behind us in standing room only asking if we can move over so they could sit down. We did and I fell in love and married the love of my life, still to this day I can't believe we met the way we did, thank god for those no-shows in seats 1-3
Marty
The great glory of Canisius College basketball, the NCAA team, the NIT teams, the great days of Anderson, Morrison, MacKinnon, Those were the true golry years of the Aud. Back in the 40's Fr. Tim Dineen and the great teams coming in by train on their way to the Garden. That was truly glory the Braves were a joke and the Sabres an afterthought to the glory days of the Aud. Yes the Sabres were really good but their glory is yet to come.
Anonymous
My Dad would take me to the Aud when I was 8 or 9..Back then I would run up to the grays and reserve the two seats that we always sat in..back then the grays were first come first served..during the periods we would play hockey with the crushed beer cups in the hallways...it was just me and my Dad...When I had my own son we would go to the games and relive the hockey game with the crushed beer cups....now my son has sons and we have season tickets to carry on the tradition of watching the Sabres..when we walk down Washington street I swear I can hear me and my Dad playing hockey with those beer cups...
Mike..West Seneca
Fondest memory was first rock concert to see Aerosmith although greatest concert had to be ACDC in 1996. The tickets were only $15 and we were right next to the stage. The whole feeling of any event there was an experience. The minute you walked in the door and went through the turnstile. Having to walk down the hallways and up and down the ramps to get to the seats. Then when you got to your section the having to go up the stairs and do like a horse shoe. Always had to go up to the nose bleeds just to look down over the crowd. I remember the only escalators in the place was to get up into the oranges.
Anonymous
Honestly...I don't know where to start...but I remember the dark ramps, sticky floors and the smell..who can forget the Aud smell! Oh and I can't forget to mentioned...Earl of Bud dancing on the railing...HAHAHAHA! I still have my old blue and gold jersey with my #1 on the back when I was 6 yrs old. Great memories...its like losing a family member...
:'( Thanks Aud for showing me the love of hockey!
Anonymous
I came into town from Plattsburgh with 5 friends to see the Jerry Garcia Band play in November of 1993. One of those friends is not with us anymore, which now makes the memory of that night all the better. We actually walked into the Aud and past security with three bottles of beer each, crammed down our drawers. We sat almost directly across from the stage in the lower reds and put our feet up in the empty seats below us. We decided to hit the floor for the second set and worked our way up to the very front of Jaclyn LaBranch and Gloria Jones. Unreal. The freedom we had that night leads me to believe that only in Buffalo, at the Aud, could this have occurred.
Darren O.
I've had alot of found memories at the old Aud, But the foundest of all was the NHL All Star Game. What a night! Imagine Reds for $10 bucks WOW! And what a game, to bad it all had to be ruined buy the loseing goalie (the hated Billy Smith) winning the MVP award. That part of a wonderfull night was a bigger slap in the face than No Goal ! But I'm still glad I was there!!! Still have the program and the ticket stub. Thanks for the Memories
Anonymous
Our family tradition for quite a few New Year's Eves was to go to Chef's for dinner and then to a Sabres Game. I remember sitting way up in the farthest Orange seats --Me My sister, Mom & Dad. Now, I have a son that has his birthday on New Years Eve and Dad has since passed, along with the Aud--what I wouldn't give for one more game ther with Dad!
Anonymous
My favorite memory is the playoff game against the NJ Devils that went into 4 overtimes. I remember the goal and everybody (that was left at 1:30 in the morning) jumping up and screaming. I was so tired and had class the next morning but it was so worth it. I've been to a lot of different arenas but there was something about the Aud that can never be replicated. You may be gone, but my memories will never fade away.
JT Atlanta, GA
Of course all the 'pro' games, Sabres, Braves, Stallions, Bandits. But also, the circus, the Harlem Globetrotters, concerts, tennis (Royals), high school basketball tournaments, running track practice around the halls, my dad taking me to Bison games, Sabres Open practice during Christmas vacation, the Sabre girl, the zamboni with the open top to see the snow go inside, no advertisements on the boards, two for MacAdoo, junior Braves, parking on a side street for free, the guy that sold peanuts for a buck outside. It's a shame it took way too long to dismantle the place, they could have sold ALL the seats and everything so more people could have memories to keep.
Anonymous
Rolling Stones 1975 Tour of America's
Brian D
Wow, where to begin. Bill Stewart vs Tiger Williams for my very 1st Sabres game and the Toronto fans that made a 9yr old kid laugh all game.
My wife and I had our 1st date at a Bandits game in 94. Then the Bandits win their 3rd title in 96. I couldn't talk for a week and my ears rang for 3 days.
The last Sabres game at the Aud, my pal Kevin hooked me up and it felt like the fastest game ever played. Nobody wanted to leave and it was actually OK to cry a bit. If it wasn't for the youtube videos i'd never be able to tell ya the score that nite, I was saying goodbye to an old friend. We'll miss you Aud!
John M.
Kenmore,NY
My favorite memory was seeing my favorite musical group of all time, 'Earth, Wind, & Fire' in November of 1977. I went with 5 girls because none of my guy friends were cool enough to go. One of the girls noticed what a good dancer I was so we ended up dating, and now we have been married for over 28 years.
Tom from South Buffalo aka 'The Dancing Machine'
When I graduated from college in 1993, I left Buffalo for North Carolina. Discovering a cool little local coffee shop called 'Cup of Joes' we spotted an Elvis at Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo poster from 1957 hanging on the wall. It was great to find that connection to home.
PS. Returned to Buffalo 5 months later, Raleigh culture didn't hold a candle to that of the great city of Buffalo. Wish I could have brought back that poster!
Anonymous
My wife and I stood, along with my college roommate (now a Channel 7 news photographer), behind the Orange seats to watch Gretzky's great night on February 24, 1982. Perreault's singular efforts to keep the Sabres in the game were undone by the Great One, but the game was electrifying for the whole crowd -- especially those of us thrilled to be part of the historic night. I've been to lots of hockey games since then, in Buffalo and elsewhere, but none were as filled with emotion and excitement as that one.
Barry S. -- living in Peoria, AZ, but always thinking about WNY.
My soccer team got to play a game on the Aud floor before a Stallions game. As the crowd started to flow into the Aud, I scored a goal. The 'roar' of the crowd made my smile even larger!
Anonymous
-
My favorite memory of the Aud is that I remember going to 4 or 5 games in 86 -88 area with my Dad. Seats were last row of Golds right by Sabres dressing room. The Aud Club, The Organ, The concrete coridors....so many good memories...list goes on and on...too bad its being demolished. HSBC and all the new arenas don't have the same feeling as the good old ones. Farewell !
KB
Even though, I wasnt around for all the earlier memories of the aud... I do remember the few events that I did attend. I was 12, when the aud closed back in 1996 and can still remember walking up the long hall up the ramp to get to the seats, and the overall anticipation of the new Sabres jerseys to be revealed. My other favorite memory was attending the games and every time Lafontaine scored...it would be the ever familiar chant ' LA LA LAFONTAINE', and the famous ' MAY DAY, MAY DAY' when Brad May scored. I still have my Sabres jersey #36 Matthew Barnaby with the red, black and silver colors. Peters is todays..Matthew Barnaby and Rob Ray... I enjoyed the time that I spend at the aud, farewell old friend.. Im sure a lot of peoples memories will live on in stories for years to come.
Darlene, Tonawanda NY
Being able to afford season tickets for the Sabres when I finally got a real job. My father and I had seats up in the Oranges under the old Suites at the visitors end of the rink for two periods. We wanted to see the Sabres on offense for two periods
As a kid I remember sitting in the Blues for Danny Gare's first regular season game. He was teamed up with Luce and Ramsay - each of them wearing a helmet, which was kind of unusual at that point in time. Gare scored on his first shift against Boston that night. Who could not forget Luce and Ramsay out killing penalties for the full two minutes - holding their opponents at bay
I remember my sister's first game. The night Shony took Cashman thru the zamboni entrance and proceeded to fight outside the confines of the rink. Old Time Hockey - there was a bench clearing brawl that night as well
I remember the acrobatics of Roger Crozier and how he made Buffalo a respectable team in the early years
I remember wathing Perreault on many occasions turn opposing defensemen inside out and then undressing the goalie with a nifty move
Never will forget the Earl of Bud and how he even mesmerized opposing players who were not able to see his performance on a nightly basis.
Mostly I remember just spending time with my father just going down to catch a game and share his passion of hockey. And who could never forget walking back to the car on a January night when the wind was whipping off the lake.
Anonymous
As a beer vendor at the Aud from 1972 till its closing (still working at HSBC), I will always cherish the passion of Buffalo sports fans and the friendships I have developed with my customers over the many years. My most vivid memories of the Aud are 'Thank You Sabres' during the final moments of the Montreal series in 1973. The moment of silence for Tim Horton before the Atlanta Flames game the night after his trajic death. The Stanley Cup Finals in !975 I still hate Bobby Clarke and the unfortunate injury to Clint Malarchuck.
Tom,Tonawanda,aka.conehead
My first rock concert was at the Aud. 'Boston' 197????. But it will always be the Home of The Sabres' Best Memory... when the ref (Hood) got a full cup of beer poured over his head for a bad call!
Anonymous
I used to love to go to games with my Boy Scout Troop. The only time that my Dad could afford tickets because of the discount. We sat in the orange and I loved very minute of it. I also loved going to Buffalo Stallion games with my older brother.
Years later, when I was attending Canisius College, I used to be in the ROTC color guard and got to see all of the Canisius home basketball games during those great years of 92-96.
I also worked security at the time for a company that had the game contract. I would watch the 5:00 news in my Main/Humboldt Canisius apartment and they would say there was a home Sabres game that night. I would throw on my security guard uniform, hop on the subway, get to the Aud and they would assign me a section to monitor. I was there when they retired the French Connection numbers and I thought, wow, I'm getting paid to watch this.
My undergrad graduation from Canisius was held there. Pat LaFontaine received an honorary degree and I remember how cool it was to shake his hand when I went up to receive my diploma. I'll sure miss that place.
MAJ Jon F. Mellott Buffalo/Afghanistan (but home soon!!)
1976 - Sabres 12 Soviets 6!!! I remember writing the names of the Sabres goal scorers on my sneakers. My brother was 11 and I was 13, and my folks had dropped us off to see the game. It was incredible! The Sabres and the Braves were always fun to watch from the nosebleed orange seats! Wow, the vertigo you got up there! As a family we saw the Harlem Globetrotters at the Aud, too. It's going to be weird driving downtown and not seeing that building along the side of the 190, but all good things come to an end. Goodbye old friend!
Sue S. Williamsville, NY
I vaguely recall going to some ice show or circus in the late '60s, before the roof was raised. But my first true memory is from the Jan. 7, 1972 Braves game against the Phoenix Suns. I went with a friend and his dad, and we evacuated during a bomb scare and lost the car keys. But what really impacted my life was that my friend's dad was keeping score of the game, and that got me hooked! Between ages 8 and 12, I attended about 75% of the Braves games during the glory years, and got to know the cheerleaders and their husbands well enough to sneak onto the floor and watch the second half of games at courtside. Of course, after the games I would wait (usually with the same 'first-game' companion) for the final stats packages. Today I head up the Bills computer stats crew and work alongside Mary Wren, a Braves employee who I tormented as a child. I'm also a freelance writer at Sabres games for Associated Press, Metro Source and Western New York Hockey Magazine, and wish HSBC Arena had a view from the press box like we had at the Aud. I can't imagine how different my life would have been without attending those Braves games and learning how to keep score (thanks, Mr. Wasik)! I also attended about 100 concerts at the Aud, and have fondest memories of my first one (Billy Joel in 1978), the one that introduced rotating VariLites to the concert world (Genesis in 1981), and the one which left me numb for days (Bruce Springsteen in 1984). 'Farewell old friend' indeed - hope to see you all this weekend to reminisce some more!
Mike Haim, Cheektowaga
My husband and I got engaged at the French Connection Tribute Game on Wednesday, November 15, 1995. Brad May got a penalty about half-way through the 2nd period, therefore, the stoppage in play brought out the spotlights, Sabretooth at the end of our row and my then boyfriend on one knee. Wow, still can't believe the Aud will be no more, and I will be attending the Salute on my 13th engagement anniversary... My second favorite memory would be my mom and I winning the 1/2 court shot from the Braves game -- we won the chance to take the shot from the winning number in our program, but not the trip to Hawaii!
Anonymous
metallica queensryche 1989 enough said
jimmy w. depew
When we were kids, my brothers and sister went to the circus,and sat in the old grey seats. I was about 6 or 7, sitting in upper level watchin the girls on the trappez. That was very exciting for me, watchin pretty girls swinging, and doing tricks.
Anonymous
the aud no place like it to watch hockey no place compares from punch and dodo throwing his hat out after a hat trick to the fellow with the loud voice counting the goals one two three we want four my first love gil perrault then lafontaine i thank all the sabres and all the fans the 70,s 80,s it was the best place in buffalo i get a tear in my eye thinking it will be gone but time goes on the sun will rise the nexy day so i say goodbye ol aud you will always be part of me
Porky
An old high school friend invited me to the last Sabres game played at the Aud. Following the game, we all stood in line to get our commemorative ticket signed by Mr. Knox. Right when my turn came up in line, security said no more autographs would be given. However - when I started recanting my memories of that Stanley Cup game in 1975 - security gave in. You see - my entire Camp Fire Girls troop loved the Sabres. There was no team that was better. I remember gathering around the old black and white TV following our meeting - all of us girls dressed in our uniforms - watching that game. Well - to make a long story short - I got the last autographed ticket - signed by Mr. Knox the night of that final game in the Aud.
Farewell old friend~
A life long fan from Alden, New York
i can remember my mother taking me to the roller derby at the aud. had to be in the early to mid 40's i guess. was fun watching the teams knock each other around. i always remember one players name. it was billy bogash. don't know why that stuck in my mind all these years.
roger k.
My Mom was part of the chemistry dept at Canisius College when Doc. Crowdle. the Chem.Dept.Chair. was so involved along with Taps Gallager from Niag.Univ. in the 'Little Three' B-Ball games so many of my Sat nites were spent in the 'golds' with the Canisius students at the games. At the time I was much more interested in B-Ball than the opposite sex.Watching Johnny McCarthy play and Joe Niland coach I did not realize that our paths would cross again many years later at Neumann HS when John was coaching and Joe's daughter Maggie was a student while my husband and I were teachers there.
I also was in the Aud for the JFK rally and the Elvis concert.
Anonymous
I have so many fabulous memories that I would monopolize the entire page. Most of all I remember meeting some fabulous friends through the Bisons Fan Club and all those wonderful trips to Rochester, Quebec,etc. for all the games and meeting all the players and being able to socialize with them. It would be great to see what happened to them all especially the gang of guys that sat directly behind the goal that would start the entire Aud chanting ' We want two ' (goals that is).
Those were the best years of my life.
Barb Tonawanda, NY
My favorite memory of the Aud is going to the games in the 70's with my Mom...2 girls going to every game. They were all wonderful memories, great bonding times & one's that I will always treasure. She is no longer with me and requested to be buried in her Sabres shirt, Sabres sweatpants and Sabres slippers which of course I honored. I will celebrate one day in her memory when The Sabres win that cup for the fondest lady of all - Aud rey.
Anonymous
My wife and I had our first date at a Sabre game - April 13, 1993 - the Sabres lost to Montreal in OT 3-2 - funny that I can remember that, but can't remember what she was wearing!
As a boy, my brother and I would run up and down the ramps and play hockey with crumpled up cups during the intermissions. My dad only had 2 tickets, so he would take both of us and would tell me to 'get small' so that he could sneak me in and not have to get an extra ticket for me - it never failed.
I can still recall the smell of the Aud - the musty aroma makes me think about all of the games that I was able to see there. I will miss the Aud when she is finally gone, but the memories of her will always remain with me.
Anonymous
When Kiss played in the AUD . It was 1976 , My father took my self and Bobby Dununzio to the concert . It was a great show , we were only 14 . Talas was in the front row and Paul Stanley introduced them . Kiss rocked the place , Blood , Fire , Smoke. Gene and the boys were young back then !It was still the best show i have ever seen !
Anonymous
Of the many memories I have, one has to stand out amoung the
rest! I was about 13 years old and attending a Sabres game with my father; sitting in our favorite seats in the lower blues and out of no where my seat number was called over the PA system. I won a hockey stick autographed by the entire Sabres team! As my heart pounded, I raced my way all the way upstairs to claim my prize. Once back at my seat, I clutched that stick so hard it would have taken a crow bar to get it out of my hands. I still have the stick today, prominently displayed in my house!
Mike K. (Sarasota, FL - formerly of North Tonawanda)
In 1973, I received my Masters Degree from Canisius College during commencement ceremonies in the Aud. I can remember sitting on the floor where the ice would have been during a hockey game and looking uo into the stands where my parents and my wife were sitting. Twenty-three years later, my oldest son graduated from Canisius College and his ceremonies were held in the Aud. This time, it was he who was down on the floor in cap and gown while his mother and I looked on from the stands. Needless to say, it was quite emotional for me and a day I will never forget
Anonymous
my favorite memory of the aud well it was the time the buffalo bandits won the championship it was buffalos first championship it was memrable,the aud had a alot of memories for me such as the concerts,i rememember i saw aerosmith in concert in 1994 and it was a great concert.yes the aud had some faults such as the bathrooms they were disgusting, the seats were very uncombrtable but it was our aud..the aud will never ever die it will always and forever be the buffalo memoral auditorim FOREVER!!!!!!thanks for the memories my old buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
My mom worked for Sport Service for many years so I got in to many free events - Ice Shows, Circuses, Basketball games and any other thing that ended up there. I was there so often that in 1973 I became a program seller, and did that till 1985. Through the years, I remember getting there early and seeing all the players come in. We got to know them and everyone that worked in the Aud very well and became friends with many. I will never forget the night after Tim Horton died - the somberness of that night was chilling. Through the years I remember many Sabre games where 3 of us watched the games standing in the blue section. I remember watching Diane Luce and Sue Ramsey rocking in their seats during the playoff games. I remember working the Buffalo Braves games (never made a lot of money for those) as well as working the great concerts. We also got in to concerts for free, and watched many from the TV platforms in the gold/red section. It is sad to see this magnificent place, which holds so many memories for me, torn down, but that has to happen. As Seymore Knox said, Farewell Old Friend - you may be gone, but you certainly will never be forgotten. Here's to the many good times we had and many friends we made!
Deb S., Phoenix AZ via Lackawanna
My first ever 'rock' concert was seeing the Monkees at the Aud! What fun!
As newlyweds, we attended many Sabres and Buffalo Braves games in the 70's...tickets were reasonable and the atmosphere was electric and we loved every minute!
Barbara V., St. Augustine, FL
Grew up in the 1st ward down the street from the Aud. Earliest memory, free open skate on Monday's. Next sneeking in the Aud (Us ward kids were good at it) especially the Elvis concert and sitting in the Gold section for the Flyers/Sabres 'fog' game. As we got older and could BUY tickets we went to see the Braves, Sabres, Bandits, and almost every concert at the Aud. Took kids to games, the circus and Disney on Ice. Then my mother and husband both got jobs there and we were always at the Aud running the tunnels and sitting in the Press box for a Bon Jovi concert! Have so many stories and memories I could write a book.......
Kathy
As for a non-sporting event I would have to say the Genesis concert(ABACAB Tour), we had 4th row on the floor. What a show!!As for a sporting event I have to say the three OT game in the playoff agianst New Jersey when Hannon scored. A Sports Illustrated photographer took a pictue of myself and my girlfriend (now wife) during the 2nd OT intermission and he said it could show up in the magazine and to our suprise it showed up in there a week later.I was also at the Bandits first championship game. What a party that was!!
Bob G. Williamsville
Any game with my late brother Jimmy. But as a kid my brother took me to a Stallions game. During intermission as he got uo to go to the concession stand they started kicking out soccor balls. He stood at the top of the stairs in the lower golds, a ball kicked right to him as he stretched his arms up to catch it. He had it, and a girl reached over the wall from the upper golds and took it right out of his hands, how sad I was. When he came back from the concession stand he had bought me a Stallions mini ball. It was the one and only time I every played soccor. I beat the heck outta that ball he got me till the air was gone. I miss him, and I'll miss the Aud.......
Anonymous
Without question -- many great athletic moments for me at the Aud -- but the greatest, was being introduced to Claudia before a game in 1985. We are still married and carry many wonderful memories with us, from Sabres to Braves, Bandits and college basketball, and closing out the building in April 1996.
Pete W.
Nashville
Met my husband to be at the Aud -he was wearing a gold blazer with the Sabres crossed swords logo. Since I had not been to many games before this meeting --I thought he was an usher!
Turned out to be Pete Weber -with Mike Robitaille and the TV broadcast!
Pete got the radio play by play job (before the simulcast decision)and we will never forget the last game at the Aud--and then the next season opening of the Crossroads.
I was able to get to know the Press Box gang including Pete's role model, Ted Darling.
Now we have been married 19yrs --Pete is the Voice of the Nashville Predators --and Tim Darling (Ted's youngest son) works in the Preds front office!
The Aud started it ALL ! ;-)
Claudia W., Nashville, TN
A good and terrible moment was the playoffs of 1993 - Boston vs. Buffalo - the May Day game. Brad May scores the winner with a great move on Andy Moog. My buddy Marty and I were celebrating the goal and then the moment came. After putting my almost full jumbo beer on the garbage can behind me to celebrate, some kid came running by, knocking down garbage cans and like slow motion I watched as my beer went flying through the air. Joy to sadness in just a few seconds.
Larry - Cheektowaga
MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! always get the goosebumps! it never gets old!
AG
My father had gotten four tickets to sit in the 'Crossroads Arena Box' at the Aud. My father, myself, my brother and my grandfather went to the game. We decided that the elevator would be the best way to get to the box. We entered the elevator, the doors began to close when a hand reached in opening them back up. John Muckler entered the elevator thanking everyone for waiting for him.
Another of my favorite memories was meeting Pat LaFontaine during a charity event at the Aud. Pat sat and signed autographs for hours for all of the kids and a few of us parents. I was fortunate enough to meet Pat again on one of his many visits to Children Hospital when he stopped by to wish my son well, apologizing for the ever present TV cameras. As soon as he left the room my son called all of his friends to tell them he would be on TV with Pat.
I do remember going to the Aud and seeing the Braves play and then trying to be Ernie D in our driveway at home, shooting Two for McAdoo and hating our rival Celtics.
What a great place.
Tony in Lancaster
I love to hear my husband talk about taking our son Anthony to the game when the famous line came MAY DAY MAY DAY.We are hoping to get the seats that they sat in on that night.
Nancy S.
Mayday, mayday, mayday....
Anonymous
Good grief, where's the 'Thank You Sabres' playoff game from 1973? Where's the 12-6 drubbing of the Soviets in 1976? Those two should be on the list to choose from. BTW, Perreault is spelled with an 'e', please correct that, thanks.
John
The year was 1954, I was only 15. My family didn't have much money and I hardly had a dime to my name, so it took me 3 whole months just to save up for a ticket to a Bisons game. Back then tickets were only $3, but I was still in high school and working as a bus boy making only 35 cents an hour (no joke). I could only afford seats by the ceiling, and boy were those seats steep. Even though this was well before they raised the roof, the upper grey seats made you feel like you were sitting at the edge of a cliff! I wasn't afraid of heights but for some reason being up so high amidst a sea of screaming hockey fans made me a little woozy. It might have also been because of a breathtakingly beautiful girl dressed in red, who sat one row below mine and to the right, and captured my attention more than that game that I saved up for, for 3 whole months.
As I got up to head to the concession stand right before intermission, I let my wooziness get the best of me and somehow managed to stumble practically into the arms of this beautiful girl in red (a classic case of 'target-fixation!'). After apologizing profusely to her, and her less-than-amused father, we ended up talking and stealing glances at each other for the rest of the night. I found out that she went to a school less than 30 minutes from mine, and we exchanged numbers before the Bisons scored their game-winning goal. We became best friends over the course of the next 3 years, and ended up getting married 9 months after that. We were together for over 51 amazing and wonderful years, until she passed away a year and a half ago to this day.
I will always remember how beautiful she looked when I first saw her in that red dress, and I will always credit the Aud for awarding me the greatest memory I will ever have -- my beautiful lady in red...
Deci Ecks / Poxabogue Pond, NY
To summarize a favorite moment I feel is an impossible task, as it was the mere experience that is so treasured to me. My family is from Buffalo and I lived there for a brief period of time when I was young. Walking in and looking at the marquee to see the current Sabres game and future games always set the tone. I remember being little and feeling that the long tunnels to get to the seats would never end. However once you reached the end and found the entrance to your seat and saw that sea of colored seats, you realized that this event was going to be special no matter the outcome. The Aud means so much to my grandfather, uncles, dad, and me. It is one of the common bonds that binds us together.
Anonymous
My favorite memory of the aud was being the 'bologna Guy' in the aud lounge. Back then It was the only place to get a fried bologna in the whole building. I used to see all of the buffalo bills players that came to see the sabres play, and also saw Rob Ray after being kicked out of several games. He used to sit in the lounge and watch the rest of the game on the lounge TV after his shower. I wish I could cook up one more 'worker' for all the fans. Thanks for making my job so fun.
Anonymous
I remember my first game as a young girl. My dad had season tickets and he took me to my first game as a birthday gift. My mother made me (yes, hand made) a new outfit to wear. I think I was about 11 or 12 years old. I will never forget going to the aud club that night, and I asked for pop to drink and they poured the pop with a hose! Yes, it was the first time I had ever seen beverages being served from a 'hand held hose'.
I also remember how strict my Dad was about paying attention to the games and telling me to always keep my eye on the puck, no matter what was going on. Many pucks came up to our Upper Gold Seats in Section 3. We loved those seats. I would give anything to sit in them just one more time.
Michelle D
I have so many memories of the Aud - Sabres, Stallions, Bandits - but I would have to say that my fondest memories are of Braves games with my dad. My favorite player was actually not Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith, or Ernie D. It was Bobby Weiss (#8)! I remember a picture night with the players back in the day - the players were actually seated in various parts of the Aud - and you had a choice of who to take your picture with. I had my picture taken with Billy Knight (who was stationed in the red seats) - I still have the picture to this day! I also recall asking Dave Bing (a former Syracuse Orangeman who was playing for the Detroit Pistons I think) for an autograph one night - he refused! - leaving a very negative impression on a young boy. On the drive home from the Aud after these games, my dad would 'bet' me a quarter - I would win if I was able to stay awake until we got home; he would win if I fell asleep on the way home. Needless to say, I rarely won - and never had to pay when I did lose the bet. Thanks to the Aud and thanks to you Dad!
Steve
Cleveland, OH (formerly of Clarence, NY)
1975 Stanley Cup final!! Let's go Buffalo!!!!!! Also take the long way home.........., Bruce Springsteen tix, ELO and the Eagles! OMG we were so perfect!!!!
Anonymous
AC/DC in 1996!
Anonymous
The May Day goal was fantastic!! I was there for the marathon game as well when Dave Hannan finally scored in quadruple overtime. Man, I miss the Aud.
Anonymous
I recall the overtime Stanley Cup game against the Flyer's in '75. I was 14 and my dad had decided to get two season tickets the year before (section 4, row V, seats 3&4 in the GRAY's). It was very late and my dad said that if the Sabre's didn't score by the end of the OT period we were leaving. There wasn't much time left, must have been less than a minute in the period, and my dad said, let's go - so we started down the stairs - we'd take the stairs all the way down to the GOLDS and then leave that way - and just as we were about to head through the entrance Rene Robert scored to win the game - what a memory - I still remember it today, 33 years later.
I also recall a Buffalo Braves game some time around 1976 or 1977 in which me and three friends brought enough signs to wrap entirely around the upper deck facade - they were having a sign contest that night and we won and got our pictures in the Buffalo Evening News (I still have the picture).
Charlie F.
Richmond, VA by way of Williamsville
As a small child, I was a huge pro wrestling fan. And this was before the days of Hulk Hogan, when wrestling became 'mainstream'.
Every year, my dad would take me to The Aud to see wrestling. Looking back, I give him a lot of credit for taking me year after year, considering that back then, pro wrestling didn't exactly lend itself to a family friendly atmosphere!
But as I would walk into The Aud, I would look up and see the marquee promoting that night's matches, and I would get so excited. And even though he didn't really care for wrestling, we would walk out of The Aud after the night's matches going on and on about all the excitement we had just witnessed.
When I think of The Aud, I think of spending time with my father, and how every time I entered that hallowed arena, be it for a Sabres game or pro wrestling, I knew I was in for the best time I could imagine.
Larry G.
Has to be the 'May Day' goal in game 4 of the Adams Division Semi-Finals in 1993. First Sabres playoff series victory in a decade. The Aud went wild and downtown Buffalo erupted like the Sabres had won the Stanley Cup. No 'greatest Aud moments' list is complete without including this moment. I was there and will remember that moment for the rest of my life!
Dougal Kear, Originally from WNY now living in Columbia SC.
In 1985 Bruce Springsteen played an amazing show , some 3+ hrs with an hour, on encore #3 or 4 or 8 who kept up, played with the house lights on and the crowd dancing in the aisles to exhaustion. To that point I had liked Springsteen but not anymore than any other band I had seen. That concert was a life changing, forever engrained memory for me and a catalyst to a lifelong appreciation of the music, live experience and talent of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Dave in Getzville
skiping junior and senior years of high school and sneeking into the aud to watch the sabres practice 1979-1981 also going to the bills game on a sunday afternoon, immediatly going to the sabres game that night....
Anonymous
My favorite memory is of my father taking me to the Ringling Bros. circus when I was very young. I can remember being up on the Skyway going into the City and seeing the top of the Aud right there near the road and I would get so excited. Then approaching the building with its huge entranceway doors was so overwhelming for me. The excitement inside and just being there with my father and having a wonderful time is what I cherish the most. Later in the 70s it was the great concerts and seats in the Golds! Front row for Journey and then being able to be at the stage in front of the front row because we knew the security guard! Oh, and let's not forget the Buffalo Braves and seats in the oranges - I think I shall never see another set of the highest and steepest seats ever! I am so sad to see the Aud go and will be trying to purchase some blue seats at the farwell party in to commemorate some of the best times I ever had in my life.
Sue Saunders
Hamburg, NY
As television cameraman for over twenty years at the aud.Thru fogs.snow blizzards , and black outs.... providing thrilling 'closeups' of thousand of events for viewers .It was a pleasure and honor to work with the hundreds of aud workers,ushers,and professionals and the greatest fans that made broadcast from the aud respected across the world
E.C
Even as a fan from the start in 1970(at 10 years old), I was rarely fortunate enough to see a game in person. When I did, it was usally sitting in the upper blues or oranges. Just being there was great, but not as exciting as being in section 11, end lower golds when Danny Gare scored the overtime game winning goal against Montreal in the semi-finals of the 1975 playoffs...that is a night I will always remember.
Aside from Sabres and Bandits games, we saw many concerts over the years...Kiss, Billy Joel, Elton John, the Eagles, Garth Brooks, Alabama, and the list goes on. The Aud had great acoustics...something the new arena does not.
Anonymous
one of my greatest memories of the Aud was going to a stallions game with 2 of my friends in a snow storm we got there a little late while looking for our seat the national antheme started playing so we stop to respect the antheme and this was at the top of the blue seat section as soon as it was over and people applauded my 1 friend who was wearing moon boots at that time happened to get his shoe lace caught in his other boot and tumbled all the way down to the gold seats he was not hurt but very embarresed i still laugh about it
Anonymous
I'm pretty sure this was during the 1968 season. This was the celebrated incident when Kiki Mortsen of the Cleveland Barons came in close on Gilles Villenueve, flicked the puck he was he carrying at him---and while Gilles was wrapped up in saving it, Kiki skates by him and swipes his stick at Villeneuve's goalie mask!!!! The 10,000 seated arena went ballistic!!!! They wanted reprisal the rest of the game. So much tension was brought about by this incident that the next Bisons/Baron home game was a sell-out with the anticipation created by this incident.
Lou M.
Kenmore NY
A favorite memory at the aud-- WOW,how do you do that?I think that one of my favorite memories is going to the aud itself.From the first time with my dad,up the ramps to the grays to watch Connie Dion,Art Lessard and Murdo McKay.From Frankie Eddolls to Guy Trottier.Shorty LaLonde cleaning the ice,with a cigar clenched between his teeth,and his young son beside him on the zamboni.Cheering on fellow South Buffalonian Johnnie McCarthy and Canisius during Little Three basketball.Taking my own children to the Sabres open practices,getting autographs and pictures with Danny Gare and that heartthrob Paul Cyr.Listening to that number 11 guy sing like Elvis.Seeing my son's smile playing on the Sabres ice as a 10 year old.Truly the Aud is in this 70 year old's memories and to her I say; 'Farewell Old Friend' You will be remembered
Anonymous
Playing on the ice during intermission as a youngster, suiting up in the locker room, walking around in restricted areas, having a near-death experience every time walking down the stairs of the Oranges to your seat, standing room tickets, scavenging for pucks underneath the Golds and oh baby that smell.
Anonymous
My favorite Aud memory was in the summer of 1987 when the Honky Tonk Man defeated Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat to capture the WWF Intercontinental Title. That started the longest reign of any IC champ in WWF history.
Anonymous
U2 played the Aud October 07, 1987. My girlfriend (now wife) and I waited in line for two days to get tickets. You would think waiting in line for two days would get you great seats. However, we only managed to get first row blues right around the blue line. Still one of the best concerts I've been to and one of my fondest memories from the Aud.
Jason
I was a cub scout and a boy scout and we had many events in the old Aud. College basketball doubleheaders and I even played basketball in the Aud when I played for the Lackawanna Lancers against the Buffalo Bills. American league Hockey games. I had season tickets for the Braves and Sabers over the years. Many fond memories from that great building!!!
Anonymous
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