Steven Tyler, Aerosmith lead singer at right, in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on June 21, 1977. Pictured at left is Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton.

Steven Tyler, Aerosmith lead singer at right, in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on June 21, 1977. Pictured at left is Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections

Starting in 1968, the Fort Worth Convention Center (formerly the Tarrant County Convention Center) has hosted performances by some of the most legendary artists of our time — from AC/DC to ZZ Top.

With the convention center’s arena now set to close, enjoy this walk down memory lane with a look back at some of the musicians and entertainers who played there over the decades.

Paul McCartney and Wings opened their first United States tour, “Wings Over America,” at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 3, 1976, attracting a packed house, which was sold out two months before the show. The ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, is seen here performing on stage during the concert. Paul McCartney and Wings opened their first United States tour, “Wings Over America,” at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 3, 1976, attracting a packed house, which was sold out two months before the show. The ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, is seen here performing on stage during the concert. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Led Zeppelin fans are pictured ahead of the Led Zeppelin concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 22, 1977. Led Zeppelin fans are pictured ahead of the Led Zeppelin concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 22, 1977. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Led Zeppelin fans are pictured in a parking lot ahead of the Led Zeppelin concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 22, 1977. Led Zeppelin fans are pictured in a parking lot ahead of the Led Zeppelin concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 22, 1977. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Led Zeppelin in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 22, 1977. Lead singer Robert Plant at front left. The long-awaited performance drew a capacity crowd of 14,000 as scalpers hawked tickets for as much as $50 each. Led Zeppelin in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 22, 1977. Lead singer Robert Plant at front left. The long-awaited performance drew a capacity crowd of 14,000 as scalpers hawked tickets for as much as $50 each. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collect ZZ Top members (bassist Dusty Hill, drummer Frank Beard and vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons) in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Jan. 1, 1978. ZZ Top members (bassist Dusty Hill, drummer Frank Beard and vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons) in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Jan. 1, 1978. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Bob Dylan in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Nov. 24, 1978. Bob Dylan in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Nov. 24, 1978. Rodger Mallison Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collect Rolling Stones fans line up to buy tickets for the Rolling Stones concert outside of the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 25, 1981, in Fort Worth. Rolling Stones fans line up to buy tickets for the Rolling Stones concert outside of the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 25, 1981, in Fort Worth. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Van Halen fans wait in line to buy concert tickets outside of the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 18, 1986, in Fort Worth. Van Halen fans wait in line to buy concert tickets outside of the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 18, 1986, in Fort Worth. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Toni Greico of Fort Worth, Texas waits in line to buy Van Halen concert tickets outside of the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 18, 2986. Toni Greico of Fort Worth, Texas waits in line to buy Van Halen concert tickets outside of the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 18, 2986. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Van Halen's Michael Anthony, left, and Eddie Van Halen performing at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 30, 1986. Van Halen’s Michael Anthony, left, and Eddie Van Halen performing at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Sept. 30, 1986. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections A fan is seen holding programs with The Joshua Tree album cover art at the U2 concert held at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Nov. 23, 1987. A fan is seen holding programs with The Joshua Tree album cover art at the U2 concert held at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Nov. 23, 1987. Mickey Torres Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Bono, lead singer of U2, seen performing in a cowboy hat at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Nov. 23, 1987, in Fort Worth. Bono, lead singer of U2, seen performing in a cowboy hat at the Tarrant County Convention Center on Nov. 23, 1987, in Fort Worth. Mickey Torres Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections B. B. King in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center in 1988. B. B. King in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center in 1988. Brian R. McLean Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Metallica fans pictured at a Metallica concert held at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 9, 1997. Metallica fans pictured at a Metallica concert held at the Tarrant County Convention Center on May 9, 1997. Samuel Morales Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Metallica guitarist James Hetfield performs in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center. Metallica guitarist James Hetfield performs in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center. Samuel Morales Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections

This story was originally published September 3, 2026 at 4:34 AM.

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Matt Adams

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Matt Adams is a news reporter covering Fort Worth, Tarrant County and surrounding areas. He previously wrote about aviation and travel and enjoys a good weekend road trip. Matt joined the Star-Telegram in January 2025.