slides: 30 Years of Events at the DCU Center

The Arena

Originally known as Centrum in Worcester, the arena opened with a Frank Sinatra concert in 1982. Since then, the arena has been renamed the Centrum Centre and has hosted some of the world's biggest musical stars and most sought-after acts.

In 2004, the naming rights to the arena were sold to Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) and stadium upgrades followed.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys came to play at what was still called Worcester's Centrum Centre shortly after the arena opened in late-November of 1982.

The performance by one of America's most legendary bands solidified the arena as a top-notch concert venue, just months after Sinatra opened the Centrum.

This poster comes from the Beach Boys' 1997 return show with the band Chicago.

The Harlem Globetrotters

One of the most famous sporting acts in American history, the Harlem Globetrotters also made an early-80s stop in Worcester, this one in 1984.

To this day the Harlem Globetrotters still make an annual stop in Worcester to perform, and were most recently back at the DCU Center this past February.

Alan Jackson

Back in 1997, the then-15-year old Centrum Centre played host to one of the biggest acts in country music, Alan Jackson. 

This tour came just four years after Jackson established himself as one of the biggest acts in any genre with his chart-topping album "A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love)."

Sesame Street Live

Another show that has been coming to Worcester annually is the popular children's favorite Sesame Street Live. The show, which features all your childhood pals from Big Bird to Elmo, has won numerous awards, and was just here in August.

WWE Smackdown

Some of the biggest events in WWE (formerly WWF) history have taken place in Worcester, most notably Mick Foley's 1998 title win over the Rock while wrestling as the character Mankind.

If you want to see some hard-hitting WWE action in Worcester today, you need only head to the DCU Center box office to purchase your tickets to the September 23rd taping of WWE Raw.

Kenny Rogers

Another country legend, Kenny Rogers rocked Worcester way back in 1992. Back then, one of America's most revered voices was mired in a bit of a rut, as his new album "Back Home Again" turned out to be his worst selling album ever.

The success of younger artists like Garth Brooks and the aforementioned Jackson had a great deal to do with that.

Spags

Here you see legendary retailer Spag Borgatti backstage at Worcester's indoor arena.

The Shrewsbury native was responsible for several promotions to come through Centrum, including the 1984 Globetrotter show listed earlier.

He's the Boss

"The Boss" Bruce Springsteen has rocked Worcester on more than one occasion, and his perfomances with the E Street Band are always memorable.

Springsteen has hit the stage in Worcester in the 80's 90's and 2000's.