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The History of Wing Ding
Here is your Wing Ding history, from what I can remember... ...as recalled by Double T.
1993
The 1st year of Wing Ding
Held at the Moose Club on North Main
The only year that it was an actual wing contest
Pistol Pete & The Hillworms played
A couple hundred people showed up
1994-1995
Still at the Moose Club
There were problems with the contest the 1st year, so we decided to just serve wings instead
Pistol Pete & The Hillworms were the bands
Attendance grew each year
1996
Last year at the Moose Club
1st time a national act played, it was Corey Stevens
Corey Stevens was a rock / blues singer / guitar player, Sounded like Stevie Ray
Vaughn meets Eric Clapton
Pistol Pete played too
The Moose Club had a yard sale that day, a guy bought an entire living set (including couch, love seat, recliner, coffee table, end table, & even a lamp & he put it in front of the stage for him & his friends to use (FYI he left it behind)
A couple of thousand people attended
We ran out of parking, so people had to park at Boylan & walk over
1997
1st year at Davis Park
Wing Ding got too big for the Moose Club
The bands were Pistol Pete & Howard & The White Boys
The Moose Club was running the beer tent, it got very busy, they couldn't keep up with the demand, & quit part way through the day
The X staff along with family & friends took over the beer tent for the rest of the day
Hoffman House started doing the food including the wings & their famous prime rib sandwiches
1998-1999
Davis Park
Pistol Pete & Groove Weasel were the bands
Crowded continued to grow
Wing Ding becomes a Rockford tradition & the unofficial kick-off to summer
2000
Davis Park
Time for Wing Ding to grow again
On a cold & rainy day, the recorded setting crowd rocked out to 3 Doors Down,
Stir, & Nickelback on the Wing Ding stage
Kryptonite from 3 Doors Down was the top rock song in the country
Nickelback was touring on their 1st CD & played for free
Stir was from St Louis
This year would change Wing Ding forever & set a standard for the types of bands that would play the event
2001
Davis Park
Headliner: Hayseed Dixie, a Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC they dressed like hillbillies & played bluegrass versions of AC/DC songs
One Way Ride: The lead singer, Leldon, grew up in Rockford & they had the song Painted Perfect
Aunt Flossie: Originally from Rockford, but living in Austin, Tx they return to their hometown to Rock
2002
Davis Park
Headliner: Days of the New, Travis Meeks wasn't happy about playing a daytime show, but they still rocked
Hedder: formally Auntie Flossie the Rockford natives return to Wing Ding
Familiar 48: 1 hit wonder band kick off the day with their hit The Question
2003
Davis Park
Wing Ding 10th anniversary
There was a religious convention at the Metrocentre & Seasame Street Live at the Coronado that day, but concern about parking didn't keep people away as over 7,000 people came out (a long attendance record broken)
Wing Ding was know for having cold & rainy weather, this was the 1st year we had good weather (sunny & 80)
The number of bands increased to 5
Headliner: Powerman 5000 they had a new CD out at the time featuring the song Free
The mosh pit makes it's 1st appearance at Wing Ding
Powerman 5000 stopped their show, while a kid hurt in the pit was taken out
Socialburn: Their song Down was big that year, the singer gave up a college football scholarship to be in this band
Double Drive: Stole the show that day by whipping out a killer version of Metallica Seek & Destroy. Their song at the time was a ballad called Imprint
Revis: Band from Carbondale, Illinois with the song Caught in the Sun
Head On: Great band from Chicago kicked off the show. Unfortunately, record label problems killed their career.
2004
After Wing Ding 2003 the festival became a full fledge concert
Not alot of people know this, but in '04 Wing Ding almost got cancelled
A terrible storm the morning of Wing Ding put stage & sound set-up several hours behind schedule
There was talk of cancelling the event, but the weather radar showed a break in the weather
The start time was pushed back a couple of hours & we got permission from the city to go later
The crew busted their asses & Wing Ding rocked as usual
All the bands got to play
We were able to squeeze Wing Ding in that year
Headliner: Cold They extented their tour a couple of shows to play Wing Ding, they had to cut their set alittle short because another storm rolled into town
Smile Empty Soul: They had a big song out at the time called Bottom of a Bottle
Breaking Benjamin: Last band added to the line-up that year. Their 2nd album just came out & ended up being huge
Stereogram: They are a fun band from New Zealand. You might know them from the song Walkie Talkie Man
The Heavils: Rockford band that was signed to Metal Blade records, they played strange instruments called Meanies. Great way to start off the festival. Rick Nielson from Cheap Trick came out & jammed with them
2005
Last year at Davis Park
Headliner: Seether, they just had their 2nd CD release. They said it was the largest show they ever headlined
Skindred: It was a rainy day until they hit the stage. They rocked away the rain. They definately stole the show that day.
Modern Day Zero: Indie band from St Louis that would become a house band for The X
Madside: Band from Cali that ended up jamming a song with Modern Day Zero that day
Mighty Side Show: Hard working band that started the day off rockin'
2006
1st year at Rockford Speedway
It was time for Wing Ding to grow again
We needed more room for more people to attend
Up to '06, Wing Ding always ended at 6p, we wanted it to go later (it now can go until 11p at the Speedway)
Very hot day with temps in the 90's
Headliner: Saliva they had been here several times before at Elixur for Rock Night & they never let us down. Great way to end the 1st Wing Ding to rock after the sun went down
Hinder: Great band, great show. They know how to do it. They would go on to be one of the biggest rock bands out
Tantric: Their set included covers by Alice in Chains & the Doobie Brothers. They also found some bargains at Machesney Park Mall earlier that day
Blackstone Cherry: A favorite band of The X. These southern boys just rock.The have become a house band for The X
Modern Day Zero: They returned for their 2nd Wing Ding
Hedder: The 3rd trip for these boys (2 as Hedder & 1 as Aunt Flossie) They were a last minute fill in for a band that couldn't make it
The Trews: They are huge in their home country Canada, trying to break in the U.S.
Blackmaker: Chicago band that has played several X events through the years
2007
Year 2 at the Speedway
Attendance 25,000
Wings from Hooter's
Biggest & Best Wing Ding yet
Most bands in a line-up with 10
Co-headliners: Three Days Grace & Breaking Benjamin Both pushing new CD's. This was one of the 1st shows on this tour that is still going on now. Rick Nielson introduced Breaking Benjamin
Buckcherry: All I can say is Crazy Bitch. The Colonial Cup Champion Rockford Ice Hogs introduced them. By the way, several people drank beer out of The Cup that day with The Hogs.
Blackstone Cherry: Back for round 2 & better than ever
Finger Eleven: When they kicked into Paralyzer, the place went nuts
Red: They spent alot of time meeting fans at the merch tent after they played
Operator: Band with an Ultimate fighter as a front man kicked everyone's ass
Modern Day Zero: They tie a Wing Ding with Hedder for 3 appearances
Autovain: St Louis band that rocked the day early
The Last Vegas: Chicago band with Rockford roots had a chance to come home & show their friends & family they can rock
