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Rolling Stones on video: The Stones at the Kingdome, Seattle, Washington, USA, Oct. 14, 1981
The Kingdome, once a defining symbol of Seattle and a hub for sports and entertainment, is now a memory, having been demolished nearly 20 years ago in a dramatic implosion. For those who remember it, the structure, often likened to a giant concrete hamburger, held both charm and flaws. It was a beacon of the city’s resilience against its infamous rain, providing a weatherproof venue for events with no risk of cancellations due to rainouts.
Dow Constantine, now King County’s executive, recalls his youthful days at the Kingdome vividly. As a 19-year-old University of Washington sophomore, he attended the Rolling Stones’ sixth Seattle performance on October 14, 1981. The concert, part of a back-to-back show series, drew a massive crowd of 71,000. Constantine stood near the stage in the energetic “pit” area. The Greg Kihn Band and the J. Geils Band warmed up the crowd before the Stones took the stage late in the evening, delivering a memorable performance that stretched into the early hours.
Tragically, the second show was overshadowed by the death of a 16-year-old girl who fell from an upper-level ramp, marking the first fatality in the Kingdome’s five-year history. This heartbreaking incident cast a shadow over an otherwise memorable series of concerts. Despite this somber event, the Kingdome continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many, evoking memories of its vibrant atmosphere and the countless iconic events it hosted.
Fast-forward to 2019, and Constantine attended another Stones concert, this time at CenturyLink Field, built on the Kingdome’s former site. The open-air venue, a stark contrast to the enclosed stadium, hosted a multigenerational crowd, embodying a more laid-back and celebratory vibe. While the Kingdome is long gone, its legacy endures, much like the Rolling Stones’ timeless appeal.
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