By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

Last Saturday marked 50 years since David Cassidy took the stage for the first-ever concert at Pine Knob Music Theatre.
Marking the anniversary was the 99.5 WYCD Hoedown, highlighted by the country duo of Brooks and Dunn being the featured act.
On the Clarkston News’ Facebook page, we asked readers to reflect on their memories of the past 50 years at Pine Knob.
“Graduation, concerts, skiing, lodge, dining, worked there as well.” — Sherry L. Martin
“Saw many concerts but Clarkston High School class of 1984 graduation day. Best memory ever.” — Mary Hoskins-Arnold
“First concert was Kansas in 1978 at 11 years old. Memories of the hill being split with a brick wall walkway where you could read the names of all the bands having played at the venue, bringing in food, coolers, and an occasional quarter barrel of beer, sneaking in through the fence in the back side of the hill, getting free passes from Joe Locricchio. Now, I’m in my seventh year as an usher and relive many memories and come across many, many people who share the same memories. “ — Jane Elizabeth
“There’s a really great Clarkston story on good ol’ Pine Knob. For four completely sold-out nights in a row, the Clarkston High School Marching Band ‘opened’ for the J. Geils Band in July 1980. We came on stage for about two minutes in front of a raucous crowd before being rolled up on by Peter Wolf on his Harley. Then we got to stay and watch all four shows sitting on the tippy top of the hill. Our director Cliff Chapman can share even more details. Gives me goosebumps to this day…” — Paul Biondi
“I remember Neil Diamond, the Carpenters, Jackson Browne and sliding down the hill if it happened to rain. Of course, 1976 graduation as well.” — Cindy Zink
“I saw Bob Seger there 10 times and J. Geils there nine times. Those were the most at Pine Knob. I remember bringing in a pony-keg of beer and some fried chicken and sitting on our blanket on the hill.” — Dave Whitehead
“We lived on Pine Knob Road across from Bailey Lake Elementary. We knew it was summer when we’d hear The Beach Boys practicing.” — Pamela Morris
“I remember standing in line all day that seemed to go all the way out to Sashabaw Road to buy tickets for the J. Geils Band back then.” — John Taylor

PHOTO: Brooks and Dunn take the stage at Pine Knob Music Theatre last Saturday night to wrap up the 40th edition of the Hoedown. Photo: Matt Mackinder