Fresno's Rainbow Ballroom originally opened at 1725 Broadway St as the Rainbow Natatorium in 1918, and featured a giant indoor swimming pool. Following a 1922 fire that damaged the building, the pool was filled in and covered over with a dance floor.
It quickly became a premier location for live music, and thrived during the post-war Big Band era when musicians such as Count Basie would perform. During the 1960s bands that played the Rainbow Ballroom included Buffalo Springfield, (the original) Fleetwood Mac, Steve Miller, Iron Butterfly and many others. In the ‘90s it drew rock performers including Blink-182 and Bad Religion. In this century, acts including rappers Tyler, The Creator and ASAP Ferg played there as well as many Spanish-language artists.
1960s Concerts
Big Brother & the Holding Company January 5, 1968 (supported by Valley Fever with light show by Total Stimulation)
Buffalo Springfield February 10, 1968 (supported by The New Life)
Creedence Clearwater Revival October 18, 1968 (supported by the Youngbloods and They Resemble Faces)
Santana December 30, 1968 (supported by Country Weather and The George Paul Quintet with light show by Spark Naked)
Steve Miller January 18, 1969 (supported by Admiral Strange and Asmodeus with lights by Spark Naked)
Fleetwood Mac January 31, 1969 (supported by It's a Beautiful Day and Shag, with lights by Spark Naked)
Sir Douglas Quintet February 11, 1969 (supported by James Cotton Blues Band and Gizmo, with light show by Spark Naked)
Paul Butterfield - March 7, 1969 Rainbow Ballroom, Fresno, CA (supported by Taj Mahal and Blue Grass Dakota with light show by Brotherhood of Light)
Iron Butterfly March 28, 1969 (Supported by Blues Image and Gallyhouse with light show by Spark Naked)
Taj Mahal - August 15, 1969 (supported by Sons of Champlin and Black Ghost with light show by Spark Naked)
1970s Concerts
The concert scene change to "Arena Rock" shows demanded larger venues and Rainbow Ballroom's capacity was too small for most of the better-known touring bands.
Wishbone Ash August 24, 1972
1980s Concerts
Stoneground February 14, 1980 (supported by Rory Gallagher)