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Madison Square Garden: the events that made it the most famous arena in the World

Madison Square Garden in New York is the most famous arena in the world and can seat more than 20,000 people. 

Sports events and concerts are held there every year, and it is the home of the New York Knicks basketball team and the New York Rangers hockey team. MSG also has a cinema, theatre, restaurant and conference centre, and even has a dedicated TV channel. 

Among the concerts hosted have been Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Queen. Not to forget the boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Frazier.

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The first Madison Square Garden
The first building was opened by William Vanderbilt on 31 May 1879, but after ten years of low income it was demolished. Instead, in 1890, the Horse Show Association decided to construct a second building, in Moorish style, designed by Stanford White, at a cost of $3 million. The new building featured a tower, inspired by Seville's Giralda, making it the second tallest building in New York, and an 8,000-seat auditorium, the largest in the United States.
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Completely redone in 1968
Rebuilt in 1968 at a cost of $123 million to a design by Charles Luckman, Madison Square Garden can accommodate about 20,000 people. Inside the structure, there is also an area called 'Theatres at Madison Square Garden', which hosts conventions, boxing matches and concerts, and can hold 2,000 to 8,000 people.
Wikipedia - Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA
It is the fourth Madison Square Garden
The current Madison Square Garden is the fourth building to bear this name. The first was built in 1879 and demolished in 1889, while the second Madison Square Garden, designed by architect Stanford White, remained in operation until 1925, when it was demolished. The third building was the first to be constructed outside Madison Square and operated from 1925 until 1968, when the current Madison Square Garden opened.
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The fights between Mohammed Ali and Frazier.
There were two fights held between Mohammed Ali and Frazier at Madison Square Garden. The first called 'The Fight of the Century' saw Frazier as the winner and was contested in 1971. The second saw Mohammed Ali as the winner and was a rematch held in 1973 under the name "Super Fight II".
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The fights between Mohammed Ali and Frazier.
There were two fights held between Mohammed Ali and Frazier at Madison Square Garden. The first called 'The Fight of the Century' saw Frazier as the winner and was contested in 1971. The second saw Mohammed Ali as the winner and was a rematch held in 1973 under the name "Super Fight II".
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Simon & Garfunkel's 1972 concert
On 14 June 1972, the New York-born duo returned to the stage after their split in Madison Square Garden.
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John Lennon's last concert
On 28 November 1974, Madison Square Garden hosted John Lennon's last live performance.
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Led Zeppelin's 1973 concert
On 29 July 1973, the safe containing the band's concert takings at New York's Drake Hotel was emptied and the money disappeared forever. This happened just as Led Zeppelin took the stage for their third and final concert at Madison Square Garden, which would later be immortalised in the 1976 concert film 'The Song Remains The Same'.
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After Woodstock the Madison Square Garden
Fresh from Woodstock Janis Joplin performed on stage at Madison Square Garden on 19 December 1969.
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The Rolling Stones and their American Tour.
The Rolling Stones' first official tour took place in 1969. The band played two consecutive days at Madison Square Garden, on 27 and 28 November.
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Queen's 1977 concert
The great British band performed several times at Madison Square Garden, but the 1977 concert remains among the greatest ever.
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Elton John
Among the greats who played at Madison Square Garden were Elton John
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Jimi Hendrix
Among the greats who played at Madison Square Garden was Jimi Hendrix
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Tina Turner
Among the greats who played at Madison Square Garden was Tina Turner
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