Rolling Stones Photos & Stories From Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love

Francis "Franny" O'Shea, a stagehand supervisor with the International Alliance of Stage & Theatrical Employees (IASTE) Local 8, thrust the victory/peace symbol into the sky from atop the Rolling Stones' sound-towers at JFK Stadium. The photo was taken several days before the Stones show at JFK Stadium on Saturday, June 17, 1978.

STAGEHAND FRANNY O’SHEA: JFK STADIUM (June 14, 1978)

Among the many interesting characters I’ve met while working at the Spectrum were members of the O’Shea family. The O’Sheas  were a staple in the local entertainment industry. The patriarch of the family, Franny O’Shea Sr., was a pleasant man, known to everyone as “MO,” a conveniently short nickname he substituted for all the new names and faces he’d meet during a show.

“MO” worked well into his ’70s, pushing, pulling, lugging, hauling and setting into place the elaborate stages that were patiently pieced together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Mo and his son, Franny, also gave us their backstage passes after the shows, which were nice collectors’ items. Franny and the Spectrum Director of Operations, Ernie Thompson, were renowned for their poker games, where a night’s wages could be supplemented by a royal flush or full hand.

~ by photosfromphilly on November 30, 2011.

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