10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (July 29)
2. Dusty Rhodes Once Staged His Own Music Concert
As eccentric a character as pro wrestling is ever likely to throw up, the 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes was a born performer. Charismatic beyond belief and moving well for a big man, Rhodes never possessed a rock-hard physique, but his connection with audiences more than offset his appearance.
According to Gerald Brisco, Dusty should have stuck to wrestling. A keen singer, Rhodes would often croon on karaoke, and wrestling fans told him he had a great voice. Speaking to The Tampa Bay Times this week, Brisco said few in the music industry (including Willie Nelson, a close friend of Rhodes) actually agreed with that sentiment.
Undeterred, Dusty decided to put on his own concert in the Tampa armory, claiming he could draw as many as 5,000 fans. In the end, only around 125 people turned up for the gig, but that didn't stop Rhodes from having a good time.
Brisco estimates that it cost Dusty $5,000 to do the show, but even though he lost money Rhodes was over the moon that he got to take to the stage.