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The Quonset Auditorium
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The Quonset Auditorium is named after the "Quonset Hut," a prefabricated army surplus building manufactured at the Quonset Naval Air Station in Rhode Island during World War II. The Quonset was assembled in 1946 by three members of the Bowling Green Band, the Rovin' Ramblers. They chose a Quonset Hut, because "they are prefab buildings, you can put them up quick," to house weekly square dances and wrestling events. Hosting other events that required a large space, the Quonset quickly established its excellent reputation with audiences and touring artists.
Music
The Rovin' Ramblers have been playing since 1941 and are still pleasing
crowds today. They were the house band at the Quonset, playing every Friday
and Saturday night. They started playing square dances, but became a swing
dance band in the 1950s when audience taste changed.
Jerry the Bear traveled with the Rovin' Ramblers as part of the Band's performance.
The bear show was typical of popular circus acts of the time. When not on
the road, Jerry lived in a trailer behind the Quonset on the bank of the
Barren River.
Wrestling
The Quonset had exclusive booking rights for professional wrestling in Kentucky
and became a major wrestling venue. "Gorgeous George" and "Farmer
Jones" were top wrestlers of the 1940s and 1950s who fought matches
at the Quonset. "Hillbilly Jim," a native of Bowling Green, first
watched wrestling as a child at the Quonset. Hillbilly Jim is still active
in today's World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry acts booked the Quonset when it fit their tours along the
Dixie Highway between Nashville and Louisville. Inductees into the Country
Music Hall of Fame often played at the Quonset. Some of these include: Pee
Wee King, author of the Tennessee Waltz; Cowboy Copas; Hank Snow; Wally
Fowler, best known for his country gospel sound; and Ernest Tubb.
Rhythm & Blues
Bowling Green's African American community turned out at the Quonset to
experience performances by some of the most popular R&B recording artists
of the day.
Saxophonist Robert Phillips from Franklin, KY, and William "Guitar"
Foster from Bowling Green, KY got their first break sitting in with R&B
recording artists when they played the Quonset. Foster remembers BB King
as "a professor," who spent time with local musicians.
The "Godfather of Soul," James Brown, shook the house on a number
of occasions. Ray Charles was a repeat performer at the Quonset and drew
big crowds. High school kids remember listening from outside and peering
in windows.
Ike and Tina Turner brought their act to the Quonset, to the delight of
and ecstatic audience. Robert Phillips remembers Ike Turner throwing a fan
off the stage while not missing a musical beat. Little Richard, a legend
even in the 1940s, played his piano and sent the crowd rockin' and rollin'.
Near the End
Student organizations from Western Kentucky University and the Bowling Green
Business University booked the Quonset for dances, socials, and homecoming
events.
The Quonset Auditorium closed in 1959. Tired of the entertainment business,
the owners sold their booking rights for wrestling and sold the building.
