Oak Cliff, Bronco Bowl - opened in 1962 with Hollywood celebrity Jayne Mansfield headlining the event. The 3,500-seat Oak Cliff theater hosted an array of acts, including alternative-rock band Linkin Park, Mexican crooner José José and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was shuttered 15 years ago, but Guel said he’s often wondered why. The Bronco Bowl was originally built on the 2600 block of Fort Worth Avenue in Dallas for National Bowling League tournaments in 1961. In its heyday, the entertainment complex had 72 bowling lanes, three batting cages, an indoor golf-driving range, an indoor archery range and a concert arena. It was considered one of the country’s largest bowling alleys. As locals began to lose interest in competitive bowling in the 1980s, the complex morphed into a popular concert venue where The Clash, U2, The Cure, Pantera and many others played. But by 1990, its owners claimed the entertainment complex was no longer profitable, and closed its bowling lanes and other sports operations. The concert arena remained open until 1992. Gibbs Construction purchased the Bronco Bowl two years later for $1.15 million as part of a bankruptcy reorganization between the companies of its original owners. Keith Little, who led the group of investors who bought the abandoned complex at the time. The entertainment complex reopened as a concert hall in January 1996 with a sold-out Bruce Springsteen concert following a $5 million renovation. The new Bronco Bowl had a 10,000-square-foot arcade, 38 bowling lanes and a banquet and meeting place. Despite the upgrades, its financial troubles soon reemerged. The complex reported a nearly $1 million operating loss during its first quarter and was forced to lay off 25 members of the 300-person staff. Tony Gibbs, the owner and vice president of Gibbs Construction said in 1996 that the concerts and special events had been successful, but the demand for daytime bowling had not. The construction company sold the Bronco Bowl later that year to an unidentified group of local investors, The News reported. By the 2000s, the Bronco Bowl had a 3,500-seat venue, 22 bowling lanes, a “Mexico City urban-style dance club” and outdoor rodeo area. The Bronco Group Ltd., which owned the entertainment center, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2003. After 40 years of events, the complex was razed in October 2003 and replaced with a Home Depot store that continues to operate today.
Source: Dallas News
Springsteen did 1 performances, excl. rehearsals, at this venue.
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