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The first Madison Square Garden was created in 1874 by celebrated showman P.T. Barnum (1810–1891) at the northeast corner of East 26th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.
Barnum had purchased the premises of the New York and Harlem Railroad passenger depot. He converted it into an oval arena and called it the Great Roman Hippodrome. Events hosted here included circuses, sporting tournaments, and a popular bicycle race. Barnum also organized boxing matches, an illegal activity at the time.
Madison Avenue is named after James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. It's a name forever associated with the venue after the Vanderbilt family took control of Barnum's hippodrome and renamed it Madison Square Garden.
The first Madison Square Garden was demolished in 1889 to make way for a new Garden, which opened in 1890 at the same New York City location. The building also hosted numerous entertainment and sporting events until it closed in 1925.
The third Madison Square Garden (pictured in the early 1920s with its interior still under construction) was inaugurated in 1925. The new building was located at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street in Manhattan, the first to be moved away from the Madison Square vicinity.
Despite the different location, the third building retained the Madison Square Garden name. It became the home of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. In fact, the venue quickly became associated with dedicated sporting events and tournaments, and in particular boxing.
On January 17, 1941, 23,190 people gathered at the Garden to witness Fritzie Zivic's successful welterweight title defense against Henry Armstrong—the biggest attendance at any of the three venues.
After the third venue was pulled down in 1968, the Madison Square Garden name was passed to a new premises, the fourth, set in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street—the current location. The new Garden opened on February 11, 1968.
The first event held at the new Garden took place on February 11, 1968, as salute to the United Services Organization (USO). Bob Hope and Bing Crosby hosted the star-studded show, which opened with a 'fight' between Hope and the retired unbeaten heavyweight champion, Rocky Marciano. Crosby acted as the referee, with actress Barbara Eden serving as an in-ring medic.
Soon after its inauguration, Madison Square Garden became one of the world's great entertainment—and political—stages. Pictured is actor Dustin Hoffman attending a political rally for Eugene McCarthy on May 19, 1968.
Aretha Franklin was just one of the stars performing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Benefit Concert on June 28, 1968. King had been assassinated in April of that year.
Legendary British band Cream—Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton—took to the stage at the Garden on November 2, 1968.
In January 1969, Madison Square Garden welcomed the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown to New York City.
Later in the year, on May 18, guitarist Jimi Hendrix gave an electrifying performance in front of the Madison Square Garden audience.
In one of boxing's biggest upsets, Muhammad Ali was defeated at the Garden on March 8, 1971 by Joe Frazier, who won in 15 rounds by a unanimous decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The Concert for Bangladesh—two shows held at the Garden on Sunday August 1, 1971 and organized by former Beatle George Harrison—is regarded as the first-ever large scale benefit gig, an event that paved the way for future charity concerts such as 1985's Live Aid. Pictured is Harrison with Bob Dylan, one of a supergroup of performers who appeared on stage that day.
Appearing unannounced on stage with Elton John that night was John Lennon. This turned out to be the former Beatles' last-ever live appearance on stage before his murder six years later, also in New York.
Elvis Presley gave four sold-out performances at the Garden in 1972, his first appearance in the Big Apple since the late 1950s. It proved to be the last time the "King" would play in New York. Presley is pictured at a June 6 press conference at the city's Hilton Hotel to announce the concerts.
Between 2011 and 2013, Madison Square Garden underwent a major renovation, which saw the venue enlarged and guest facilities expanded and modernized. Today, the Garden has a seating capacity of 19,738, which includes 540 club seats and 89 luxury suites.
The New York Rangers and New York Knicks continue to enjoy the Garden as a home stadium. Their respective competitions regularly fill the arena to capacity.
Led Zeppelin seen on the third of three nights at Madison Square Garden on July 29, 1973. The concert movie 'The Song Remains the Same' was filmed over this period at the venue.
Singer-songwriter and pianist Billy Joel plays Madison Square Garden in December 1978. Joel currently holds the record for the most concerts by an artist at the venue, with over 100 stage appearances.
Elton John's November 28, 1974 concert was one of many the singer gave at the Garden. In fact, for several years he held the record for the most appearances at the venue. But this particular gig was memorable for one very special reason...
Madison Square Garden was the logical choice in which to stage the Concert for New York City on October 20, 2001 to commemorate those who had lost their lives on 9/11 and the people involved in the rescue and recovery effort. The concert was organized by former Beatle Paul McCartney and included many other international music artists and celebrities.
The Garden remains one of the most sought-after live music venues in the world. Pictured is Lady Gaga on stage during her artRave: The Artpop Ball tour on May 13, 2014.
Dave Grohl is spotlighted as the Foo Fighters reopen Madison Square Garden on June 20, 2021. The concert, with all attendees vaccinated, was the first in a New York arena to be held at full-capacity since March 2020, when the pandemic led to the closure across the nation of live performance venues.
Sources: (ExperienceFirst) (Live for Live Music) (CBS News)
See also: Live at the Hollywood Bowl!
Beyoncé poses backstage at the Garden with her awards following the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, which were hosted at the venue on August 28.
Madonna first appeared at Madison Square Garden in June 1985 during her The Virgin Tour, her debut tour (which she concluded at the New York City venue).
Queen front man Freddie Mercury in full voice during one of the band's early appearances at the Garden in 1977.
One of the most talked about non-sporting events held at Madison Square Garden was the gala held on May 19, 1962 in President Kennedy's honor, when Marilyn Monroe sang the famous 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' in the run-up to his 45th birthday.
On November 28, 1969, the Rolling Stones appeared at the venue, a gig that was recorded and later released as the live album 'Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out' and also as part of the film 'Gimme Shelter.'
Madison Square Garden is one of the most prestigious live music venues in the world. In fact, it hosts more high-profile concert events than any other hall in New York City. The Garden is also a hallowed sports arena, with boxing matches among the first-ever competitive tournaments to be held at the original building. Today, the Garden remains a preferred stage for the very best entertainers from across the globe.
Click through and applaud the history behind this iconic New York entertainment landmark.
Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena
Applaud the history behind New York's iconic entertainment landmark
TRAVEL Landmarks
Madison Square Garden is one of the most prestigious live music venues in the world. In fact, it hosts more high-profile concert events than any other hall in New York City. The Garden is also a hallowed sports arena, with boxing matches among the first-ever competitive tournaments to be held at the original building. Today, the Garden remains a preferred stage for the very best entertainers from across the globe.
Click through and applaud the history behind this iconic New York entertainment landmark.