Sports legends speak, then wrecking ball clobbers Spectrum

The wrecking ball needed more than a half-dozen swings at the Spectrum before kicking up more than a little brick dust.

But, as a Springsteen wrecking ball song played, the denting began, and the crumbling - and tumbling - started, and a hole developed, next to a sign that read, "Rule the Memories - Remember the Spectrum."

By noon today, hundreds of fans and curiosity seekers filled the parking lot on the south side of the arena, waiting to witness the first whacks of the crane-suspended bright-orange weight.

A stage also filled with dignitaries. Lauren Hart sang "God Bless America." Mayor Nutter said the demolition was about the future, not the past.

"It's not really the end of an era, it's really the start of a new one for our great city," he said. ". . . There will always be something going on at PhillyLive," the entertainment complex that will rise at the Pattison Avenue site.

"This is about jobs, jobs and more jobs here in our city," he said.

Sixers legend Julius Erving took the stage, reflecting at length on many memories. A friend once told him to worry about "the dash" - that chiseled line between years of birth and death on your tombstone.

"The stuff that occurred during 'the dash' is too numerous to talk about," Dr. J said.

The hall of fame forward recalled a somewhat forgotten Santa Claus story, a night when security guards were dressed up St. Nick - and some in the crowd at the Sixers game got out of control.

"I looked up and the Santa Clauses were throwing haymakers at the unruly fans, and the fans were returning the favor," Erving said. "We had to stop the game to check that out!"

"We will hold the memories of the Spectrum in our minds and our hearts forever, and I hold that I will forever be one of Philadelphia's favorite sons," he concluded.

"We will always remember the Spectrum. God bless the Spectrum," said Bob Clarke, the hall of fame forward and ex-Flyers GM, in his much shorter remarks.

Next, Bernie Parent paid tribute to the man who began the Flyers and kept the building going after its roof blew off.

"In 1967 a man had a great vision, Ed Snider," the hall of fame goalie said. "He didn't let criticism or setbacks to stop him. . . . If it wasn't for this man's vision and fortitude, there would have been no games, there would have been no shows."

Next, Snider spoke of his "mixed emotions" and shifted the focus to the "Wells Fargo or whatever it's called building," saying "hopefully, hopefully, we'll win a cup in this building, and, hopefully, Julius, we'll have another NBA championship in this building."

Then he touted the potential of PhillyLive.

"I think we're going to have something here that no other city in America has and we're going to be very proud of it."

Then it was cue the Springsteen and start the wrecking ball swinging.