Tuesday, April 05, 2016

#15 Beatty-Cole


8 comments:

Chic Silber said...


In the 80s with a vinyl top

Roger Smith said...

This is when Johnny began his changes. One big performance area, no rings, and numerous noses out of joint. Then came what Colonel Johnny Herriott referred to as "That tent of his."

Dick Flint said...

Roger or Cindy: What was the last year for solid white canvas? Did the show ever have years of striped canvas and, if so, when? How many years of striped vinyl? And the first year of "that tent of his?" Any other major changes in the big top? What was the last year with three sets of ring curbs? Finally, what was the last year for a side show? Was it a canvas tent? Thanks! My strongest memories, fortunately, are of the solid white canvas years in the 1960s/early '70s.

Roger Smith said...

When I joined out with Mr. Beatty, in '64, the top was white, with blue and white vertically striped sidewalls, as was the Side Show. When I was on the '81 tour, the top was this striped effect you see here, and I didn't like it. I read of the changes and/or eliminations you mention, but wasn't there, and didn't make notes of the years. CINDY POTTER would be a far better authority.

Chic Silber said...


White canvas tops were in use

through about the mid 70s

There were a few blue striped

canvas tops in the late 70s

before the vinyl about 1980

with the red ridge sections

used through most of the 80s

Cant recall when he got the

1st 8 pole tension top or

when he switched to a 6 pole

Chic Silber said...


It was Big Bertha that started

with that stupid "ringless" idea

Cindy Potter said...

The blue stripes, both sidewall and top, made it's debut at the season opener in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in March of 1978...My first year as a Marketing Director.
:-)
CP

Chic Silber said...


The 8 king pole tension vinyl

goes back to at least 2000

That might have been the 1st

No idea when he switched to

the smaller 6 pole version