Backstage Pass Auction to Help TU Furloughed Employees

A backstage pass is one of the most coveted things to a concertgoer. I can't even begin to count the number of times, in my 30-year radio career, I've been asked for a backstage pass.

I have a few that I cherish and are framed. I have backstage passes from Meatloaf, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffett, Ozzy, and even Amy Grant....my wife wanted to go and it was Christmas...can you blame me? Don't judge.

I have a nice little collection, but it's nothing like the collection that  Bob Belber, General Manager of the Albany Times Union Center has collected in his 35 years. There are approximately 350 backstage passes and three Greatful Dead CDs from concerts here in Albany.

The collection includes backstage passes going all the way back to the Knickerbocker Arena days and includes passes from the concerts of the most popular artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Phish, Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, and many, many more.

So, why sell them now? According to the Times Union Bob Belber wants to sell his collection to help out the Times Union Center employees that were furloughed due to the pandemic. He's hoping to raise at least $70,000 and maybe more. He hopes that someone local will buy the collection and put it on display for everyone to enjoy.

If you'd like to bid on the collection you can check out the PHI Auction site. Now, how about a little backstage pass scavenger hunt. Check out the pictures below and find the oldest backstage pass in the collection.