LYNN — In 2001, Edward J. (Chip) Clancy had just been elected mayor. His chief of staff, Jamie Marsh, asked a City Hall custodian to give him a tour of the 1948 Art Deco building. Marsh was awestruck by the auditorium on the first floor. It was a magnificent space, but had fallen into disrepair from lack of use. It was barely used in the ‘70s and ‘80s and only sporadically after that.
A few weeks later, Marsh invited his future father-in-law, Tom McKay, who managed the Lowell Auditorium, to explore the facility.
“We couldn’t believe that the auditorium was here. We both realized this was a remarkable professional venue to be used for presenting major-league acts,” said Marsh.
Being in the mayor’s office was one of the pieces of the puzzle that gave Marsh the ability to initiate the renovation of the venue, which took place over three years and concluded in 2005, 20 years ago.
That first year, McKay booked Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, who played a ribbon-cutting performance to kick off the restoration celebration on October 1, 2006. That event was followed by performances by Peter, Paul and Mary and the Vienna Boys Choir.
Marsh realized the potential for the immense space and started showing family movies there. It too was a huge success.
Henry Ryan, who had booked 1985 concerts at Manning Bowl starring The Kinks, Aerosmith and Motley Crue, was working in another capacity at City Hall and was brought aboard to book acts at the newly-restored 2,112-seat auditorium. “Henry was the linchpin,” said Marsh. “I managed the venue and handled the financials, but Henry was universally well-respected by booking agents and band managers. He had access to first-string acts.”
When a happy Ryan booked Johnny Mathis he joyfully announced to everyone within listening distance, “We’re in the game!” Chicago, Bad Company and the Steve Miller Band were other early “gets.”
From there it has been one success after another: Pitbull, ZZ Top, Kool & the Gang, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Kenny Rogers, BB King, Peter Frampton … the list goes on.
And Ryan just booked what might be the auditorium’s biggest “get” yet. Diana Ross will perform Oct. 30. Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 30 and Saturday May 31 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. In an attempt to thwart scalpers, Marsh and his staff will revert to a throwback in-person-only ticket sale at the auditorium. Ticketmaster be damned! “Diana has been on our list for ten years, at least. We’re adamant that patrons get the tickets and not some scalper charging $1,000 for a ticket,” said Marsh. Additional details will be posted at https://www.lynnauditorium.com.
Marsh also praised his devoted hard-working staff — particularly Joanna Mills (administrative assistant/special events) and AnnMarie Leonard (Community Relations manager) — and said he’s received unwavering support from mayors Clancy, Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Thomas McGee and current Mayor Jared Nicholson, who requested more shows by Latino performers which are prominent on the 2025 schedule.
people are drawn to Lynn each year to attend shows at the auditorium
Marsh is especially proud that the auditorium also hosts high school graduations, recitals by local dance groups and youth orchestras.
Marsh has many keepsakes from artists who have played the auditorium.
A visit to Marsh’s office on the third floor in City Hall is to step back in time. Countless posters adorn the walls, shelves are laden with dozens of guitar picks, broken drumsticks, and notes of thanks from musicians including Alice Cooper, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp and members of Toto. Every day, Marsh sits in the expensive ergonomic chair that William Shatner demanded in the tour rider for his one-man show in 2016.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council has partially funded renovation projects that include adding air conditioning, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, new curtains and seats and well-appointed rooms where performers could relax and unwind.
“From a Community Development standpoint, the auditorium has brought some 50,000 people a year into the center of downtown Lynn and going to local restaurants and bars. For the cost of parking in Boston, you can see a show by major talents and enjoy a night in your backyard,” Marsh said.
