2025 CPMHOF Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:
Richard (Dick) E. Phelan was born and raised in the Allison Hill area of Harrisburg. Dick had an initial love of sports and music. He graduated from John Harris HS in 1963. While in high school, he began his music career with a group of other classmates forming “The Organization” (which included future founder of The Magnificent Men, Bob Angelucci).
While on the road in 1964, he found a property on N Front St. in Harrisburg that was for lease and he had a vision that would soon become “The Barn.”
He soon outgrew that location and decided to go big with the acquisition of a parcel of farm property in suburban Harrisburg, on which, he opened The Raven on Thanksgiving weekend in 1965. Opening night the house band was “The Magnificent Seven” (soon to become The Magnificent Men).
By 1968, Dick was looking for bigger venues to promote his musical connections. He sold The Raven (it became The Rover) and embarked on a career of promotion national acts all over the east coast. He was a road manager and promoter for such acts as Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep, an early version of Chicago, Aerosmith, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and more! He had the first US booking for a new British artist, Elton John. He also controlled a northeast corridor of minor league hockey rinks, which became perfect venues for concerts.
Later in life, Dick’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a string of successful restaurants, numbering as many as 19. This included the famous Gingerbread Man franchise and another special music venue, Rod’s Roadhouse.
Enjoy!
You can find out more about the CPMHOF @ https://cpmhof.com/
Brought to you by Darker with Daniel @ Studio 3.
http://darkerwithdaniel.com/
All media requests: thecpmpodcast@gmail.com
Want to be on an episode of the CPMP? For all considerations please fill out a form @ https://cpmhof.com/guest-consideration
Join us back here or on your favorite audio streaming platform every other week for more content.
