B.B. King - 1980 - Vintage Promo Pin

This rare pinback button immortalizes B.B. King's legendary 1980 performance at the Dr. Pepper Central Park Music Festival in New York City, broadcast by WPLJ 95.5 FM. A genuine piece of music history from the iconic Wollman Rink Concert Series.

That final 1980 season brought an unforgettable lineup spanning every genre—rock legends like Talking Heads, The B-52s, The Pretenders, and The Ramones shared the stage with pop and jazz icons including Daryl Hall & John Oates, Bonnie Raitt, and Al Di Meola.

The Wollman Rink created something magical. Nestled in a natural depression surrounded by rocky slopes and trees, the venue's acoustics were unmatched. While thousands held tickets, an additional 5,000 to 10,000 spectators—locals called them "The Tree People"—climbed into the surrounding branches, picnicked on the grass, and crowded the fences to catch the shows for free.

The series didn't end due to declining interest. City infrastructure demands forced the rink's closure for renovations, and officials worried about crowd control and noise levels at high-profile rock events. When the festival relocated to Pier 84 on the Hudson in 1981, the magic of those park-side summer nights never quite returned.

Condition: Near mint, like new. Tiny spots of wear, but overall amazing shape. See images for details. 

Measures approx. 2-1/4" x 2-1/4"