On December 3, 2017 an attempt was made to implode the abandoned Pontiac Silverdome Stadium in Pontiac, Michigan. At 8:30 that morning, explosives went off, throwing dust and smoke from the stadium’s outer walls…but the stadium remained standing, unshaken by the blast.

Their initial decision was to let nature take care of the rest, and wait for it to fall to the Earth. However, only a couple days later, a second blast was set off that would send the stadium (most of it anyway) crashing down. The second blast was set off at 4:05 pm on December 4, 2017. With only a 30-minute advance notice of the blast, many missed it. Even after the second blast, much of the concrete structure remains.

For a structure that was seen as unfit for use, it seems that it held up pretty damn well, now having gone through two rounds of explosives. It’s like that boss battle in a video game that frustrates you until you finally throw your controller at the TV, screaming “WHY WON’T YOU JUST DIE?!?!?”
It’s sad to see such an incredible structure demolished, rather than put to any sort of future use, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to see this amazing place, and capture it before it’s life came to an end.

I have to admit though, I have enjoyed seeing the hilarious events being posted to Facebook after the initial failed demolition. As you can see, I said I would be attending most of them because, well…

With 80,000 seats rounding the stadium’s sides, the Silverdome was quite a large and impressive stadium to stand atop and just marvel at. Of these 80,000 seats, English rock band Led Zeppelin broke a record, when on April 30, 1977 ticket sales hit a record high and the band played in front of 76,229 fans. Following closely behind these numbers, The Who performed, holding the very first concert inside this stadium during the year of 1975, playing for 75,962 fans. Among all other musically themed events to take place within the dome’s walls, in 1994, Pink Floyd had performed “Dark Side of The Moon” in its entirety for the first time since 1975, and following shortly after, The Rolling Stones welcomed their new album “Voodoo Lounge,” bringing the tour to The Silverdome in 1994.

Knowing that some of the most famous people from all over the world had part in visiting this stadium makes it so much more shocking that it has been so easily (kind of) reduced to rubble. I have often been told of memories from Wrestlemania 3, being that it was one of the most famous wrestling events in history.

The Pontiac Silverdome Stadium may be one of the greatest representations of the saying “out with the old, and in with the new.” It will be missed, but these images will always be here to remember it.

You can view more about the second demolition attempt, including photos and more at Detroit Free Press by clicking HERE
Do you have any memories of the Pontiac Silverdome? Comment them below!