Richard Nader (October 30, 1940 – December 1, 2009) was a disk jockey and the entertainment promoter who pushed the concept of oldies mainstream, beginning with his first Rock and Roll Revival concert October 18, 1969, featuring Chuck Berry, The Platters, Bill Haley and the Comets (performing in the United States for the first time in over a decade), The Shirelles, The Coasters, Jimmy Clanton, and Sha Na Na." Richard Nader, Oldies’ Biggest Fan, Dies at 69," by William Grimes. New York Times. Dec. 9, 2009. Accessed March 3, 2020.
Nader began as a disc jockey in high school," Gary James' Interview With Promoter Richard Nader." ClassicBands.com. Accessed March 3, 2020. continuing in Korea over Armed Forces Radio while in the U.S. Army.
He joined the Premier Talent Agency where he arranged bookings for The Who, The Animals, Herman's Hermits, The Beau Brummels, and The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown. Frustrated with the British Invasion's impact on many of the artists he promoted, he left in order to begin promoting concerts featuring acts from the fifteen years of rock and roll.
Despite skepticism from the music industry and the musical artists themselves, Nader sold out nearly all his concerts and produced a documentary film based on the concerts, Let the Good Times Roll (1973). His efforts led directly to oldies radio in the 1980s and proved the commercial value of nostalgia.
Artists featured at Richard Nader concerts
The Angels Paul Anka Chuck Berry Willie Bobo Gary U.S. Bonds Jerry Butler Freddy Cannon The Capris The Chantels Ray Charles Chubby Checker The Chiffons Lou Christie Jimmy Clanton Dick Clark The Cleftones The Coasters Bobby Comstock Sam Cooke Joe Cuba The Dakotas Danny and the Juniors Bobby Darin Joey Dee and the Starliters Bo Diddley Dion and The Belmonts Fats Domino The Dovells The Drifters The Earls Duane Eddy Little Eva The Exciters The Five Satins The Flamingos Fabian Forte Connie Francis Gerry and the Pacemakers Lesley Gore Bill Haley and the Comets The Harptones Screamin' Jay Hawkins Herman’s Hermits Buddy Holly Ivory Joe Hunter Brenda Lee Bobby Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis Johnny Maestro of The Brooklyn Bridge Johnny Mathis Clyde McPhatter Bill Medley The Mindbenders The Moonglows Rick Nelson Roy Orbison The Orlons Eddie Palmieri The Penguins Carl Perkins The Platters Elvis Presley Lloyd Price Tito Puente Little Richard Smokey Robinson and the Miracles Ruby and the Romantics Bobby Rydell The Searchers Sha Na Na Del Shannon Shep and the Limelights The Shirelles Shirley and Lee Spirit of John Morgan The Supremes Little Anthony and the Imperials Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes The Skyliners The Del-Vikings The Mello-Kings Wolfman Jack Jay and the Americans Junior Walker Gino Washington Jackie Wilson Chuck Jackson Tommy James and the Shondells Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Bobby Vee Billy Vera Gene Vincent Timi Yuro
Richard Nader Filmography
Let the Good Times Roll (1973) Murder at the Mardi Gras (1978)
Richard Nader concerts 1950's Rock & Roll Revival 1950's Rock & Roll Revival Date Artists Venue TourOctober 18, 1969Chuck Berry The Platters Bill Haley & The Comets The Shirelles The Coasters Jimmy Clanton Sha Na NaFelt Forum at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalFebruary 27, 1970Bill Haley & The Comets Bo Diddley Jackie Wilson The Coasters The Drifters The ShirellesDetroit Olympia, Detroit, MI1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMarch 20, 1970Little Richard Gene Vincent Bo Diddley Timi Yuro The Five Satins The Drifters Ruby & the RomanticsFelt Forum at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalOctober 10, 1971Chuck Berry The Shirelles The Coasters Gary U.S. Bonds Bo Diddley Joey Dee & The Starliters Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA1950's Rock & Roll RevivalNovember 18, 1971Bill Haley & The Comets Chuck Berry Bo Diddley Gary U.S. Bonds Bobby Comstock The Dovells The ShirellesSpokane Coliseum, Spokane, WA1950's Rock & Roll RevivalNovember 24, 1971Bill Haley & The Comets Chuck Berry Bo Diddley Gary U.S. Bonds Bobby Comstock The Dovells The ShirellesSacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, CA1950's Rock & Roll RevivalApril 22, 1972The Chiffons Danny & The Juniors The Crystals Chuck BerryState University of New York at Binghamton, Vestal, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalJuly 14, 1972Bill Haley & The Comets Chubby Checker Freddy Cannon The CoastersSouthern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL1950's Rock & Roll RevivalOctober 22, 1972Chuck Berry Bo Diddley The Coasters The Chiffons The Dovells Freddy Cannon Lloyd Price Bobby ComstockCobo Arena, Detroit, MI1950's Rock & Roll RevivalDecember 27, 1972Jerry Lee Lewis Lloyd Price The Shirelles The Drifters The Skyliners The Clovers Bobby Comstock Chubby CheckerProvidence Civic Center, Providence, RI1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMarch 2, 1973Little Richard Wilson Pickett Chuck Jackson The Chantels The Flamingos The Orlons Bobby Day Billy Vera The CleftonesMadison Square Garden, New York, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalApril 14, 1973Chuck Berry Bill Haley & The Comets Bo Diddley The Five Satins The Flamingos The Dovells Bobby Comstock The CoastersThe Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMay 6, 1973Little Richard Chubby Checker Bill Haley & The Comets Bo Diddley The Five Satins Danny & The Juniors Bobby ComstockBuffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMay 11, 1973Bill Haley & The Comets Little Richard Bo Diddley Chuck Berry Chubby Checker The Coasters Danny & The Juniors Dion & The Belmonts Brenda Lee The ShirellesNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMay 13, 1973Bill Haley & The Comets Little Richard Bobby Comstock Bo Diddley Danny & The Juniors The CrystalsUtica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMay 18, 1973Bill Haley & The Comets Little Richard Bo Diddley Chuck Berry Chubby Checker The Coasters Danny & The Juniors Dion & The Belmonts Brenda Lee The ShirellesCobo Arena, Detroit, MI1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMay 19, 1973Bill Haley & The Comets Little Richard Bo Diddley Chuck Berry Chubby Checker The Coasters Danny & The Juniors Dion & The Belmonts Brenda Lee The ShirellesMaple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON1950's Rock & Roll RevivalJune 24, 1973Bill Haley & The Comets Bo Diddley Chuck Berry The Coasters Danny & The JuniorsNashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville, TN1950's Rock & Roll RevivalSeptember 30, 1973Chuck Berry Jerry Lee Lewis The Shirelles The Platters The Dovells Shirley & Lee The Moonglows Bobby ComstockThe Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMarch 23, 1974Chuck Berry Jackie Wilson The Coasters The Angels Johnny Maestro Chubby CheckerCivic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA1950's Rock & Roll RevivalMay 11, 1974Lloyd Price The Orlons Jimmy Clanton Lee Andrews & the Hearts The DovellsValley Forge Music Fair, Devon, PA1950's Rock & Roll Revival Rock & Roll Revival/Spectacular Vol. Rock & Roll Revival/Spectacular Vol. Date Artists Venue TourFebruary 7, 1971 Jerry Lee Lewis Bill Haley & The Comets Jay & The Americans The Five Satins The Skyliners Freddy Cannon The Dovells Carl Perkins The Angels Ruby & The Romantics Bobby ComstockMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Revival Vol. VJune 11, 1971 Jerry Lee Lewis Bo Diddley The Drifters Duane Eddy Little Eva The Four Seasons Jay & the Americans The Crystals Bobby Lewis Bobby Comstock The Del-VikingsMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Revival Vol. VIOctober 15, 1971 Bo Diddley Rick Nelson Chuck Berry Bobby Comstock Bobby Rydell The Shirelles The Coasters The Chiffons Gary U.S. BondsMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Revival Vol. VIIJune 2, 1972The Cleftones Little Richard Lloyd Price Danny & The Juniors Dion & The Belmonts The Exciters Shirley & LeeMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. IXDecember 29, 1972Jerry Lee Lewis Lloyd Price The Drifters The Shirelles Johnny Maestro The Skyliners The Clovers Roy OrbisonMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. XIJune 1, 1973Chuck Berry Bo Diddley Chubby Checker The Shirelles The Five Satins Danny & The Juniors Brenda LeeMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 13March 14, 1975Jerry Lee Lewis Johnny Maestro Lesley Gore The Belmonts The Drifters Bo DiddleyMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 18October 3, 1975Bobby Comstock Bobby Rydell Chuck Berry Jay & The Americans Jerry Lee Lewis Lloyd Price Sha Na Na The Coasters The Five SatinsMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 19March 12, 1976Fats Domino Little Anthony & The Imperials Lesley Gore Jay & The Americans Johnny Maestro Sha Na NaMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 20October 15, 1976Chuck Berry Bo Diddley The Shirelles The Drifters The Coasters The Five Satins Sha Na NaMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 21March 4, 1977The Supremes Jay & The Americans Lloyd Price The Duprees Johnny Maestro Dion DiMucciMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 22March 3, 1978Sha Na Na Jay & The Americans The Four Tops Tommy James & The ShondellsMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 24October 20, 1978Jerry Lee Lewis Bo Diddley Bill Medley Johnny Maestro Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Ronnie Spector Wolfman JackMadison Square Garden, New York City, NYRock & Roll Spectacular Vol. 25 The 1960's British Rock Invasion Revisited The 1960's British Rock Invasion Revisited Date Artists Venue TourJune 25, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasSaratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NYThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJune 27, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasMadison Square Garden, New York, NYThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJune 28, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasMaple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ONThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJune 29, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasSpringfield Civic Center, Springfield, MAThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJune 30, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasProvidence Civic Center, Providence, RIThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 1, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasCape Cod Coliseum, South Yarmouth, MAThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 3, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasSteel Pier, Atlantic City, NJThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 6, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasMerriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MDThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 7, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasYale Bowl, New Haven, CTThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 9, 1973Herman’s Hermits Gerry & The Pacemakers Billy J. Kramer Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders The SearchersPine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MIThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 10, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasKansas City Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, KSThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 11, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders The DakotasMinneapolis, MNThe 1960's British Rock Invasion RevisitedJuly 12, 1973The Searchers Gerry and the Pacemakers Herman’s Hermits The Mindbenders